EARLY YACHT RACES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18848, 10 April 1931, Page 13

EARLY YACHT RACES.

TANIWHA CROSSES TASMAN. DISAPPOINTMENT AT DEFEAT. Although the recent transtasman yacht race will go down in history as the first of its kind, the crossing of this ocean expanse by pleasure boats was a fairly, common occurrence in the days before the oil engine seriously began to live down its reputation for unreliability and sailing was supreme. Some of Sydney’s finest racing yachts were built "by Auckland craftsmen and many made their own w r ay across the Tasman, while tow r ard the close of last century, when yacht racing occupied a place in public fancy akin to pre-sent-day horse racing, several Auck-land-owned and built yachts were sailed across to compete at Australian regattas for intercolonial honours. Substantial cash prizes were offered on these occasions to induce yachtsmen to undertake the long voyages necessary and the nonchalant manner in which such arduous sailing -was regarded by the people of the time is summed up in a paragraph which ap peared in the Melbourne Argus just before Christmas, 1&80, record..ng the arrival there of the Taniwha, one of the first New Zealand yachts to seek honours away from home waters. Melbourne Writer’s Tribute. “Of the yachts hailing from the neighbouring colonies and intending to take part in the forthcoming regatta, the Taniwha is the first to arrive in Hobson's Bay,” stated the newspaper, whose writer was greatly impressed with the Taniwha’s fine lines and regarded her as a formidable opponent for the Australian yachts. The fact that the Taniwha had accomplished a voyage of 1800 miles from Auckland in 17 days seemed in that writer’s opinion to be a fact of only secondary importance. On that occasion the Taniw'ha went across to compete in a challenge race for all yachts, exceeding 15 tons, belonging to any Australian or New Zealand yacht or sailing club. The first prize w r as £2OO. The Taniwha was built for the race as a result of the enterprise of a few Auckland enthusiasts and she took the water only a few weeks before she commenced her long voyage. She cost £ISOO, and was con- j structed by Mr T. Niccol, who was one j of her owners. In comparison with some of the yachts to-day she was a big ship, 36 tons. Her waterline length was 55ft, and she had a beam of 13ft. Great Hopes in Auckland. During her few appearances on the Waitemata before her departure, the Taniwha showed a fine turn of speed. She proved superior to anything on the harbour on a beat to windward and great hopes were aroused for her suecess in Australia. A pretty pageant I was arranged by the Yacht Club on ' the day she sailed, December 5, 1880. She was officially boarded by the commodore of the Yacht Club, Mr G. S. Kissling, who hoisted his burgee, after which she led an organised procession of yachts to Rangitoto Reef, where the ! Taniwha hauled into the wind and the ! other vessels in turn wheeled round her, saluting and wishing her farewell. The commodore then left her, Mr Niccol embarked, and she stood on her course. Her escort returned to town In the same order, the vice-com-modore’s yacht leading. “It was a sight as remarkable as it was wonderful,” commented an observer of the time. On board the Taniwha were Captain Press, Mi' James Niccol, mate, and four hands. Her only passenger was Mr T. Niccol, her builder and part owner. Mr John Marshall, her other owner, went over later. Stores and water for 35 days were carried. On the voyage the vessel encountered a succession of calms and gales. Three times she had to lay-to owing to tremendous seas, while on the other hand her best day’s sail was 204 miles. She arrived at Melbourne under jury rig on December 22 and immediately set about refitting for racing. Conditions Against Taniwha. The race was set down for January 15 and up to that time the Taniwha’s performances on the harbour in the stiff breezes which had prevailed had startled Melbourne yachtsmen. On the day of the event, however, there were only light winds, and although the Taniwha’s owners protested against the course which, they said, the boats could lay for the whole distance of 45 miles, the officials would make no change. Eight boats started, and the result was:—Janet, 38 tons, 5h 11m 445; Taniwha, 36 tons, 5h 12m 1725; Secret, 26 tons, 5h 21m 8s; Edith, 5h 26m 2425. The other boats were left out of the picture. The Janet and Taniwha allowed 8m 24s to the Secret Which, on corrected times, took second place, the Janet winning by a minute. This was the second time the Taniwha had to lower her colours to the Janet. Under similar conditions a few days earlier at Geelong she had been defeated by 6m by the Janet and the widespread disappointment among New Zealand enthusiasts at the failure of their hope was very manifest in the pointed comment which they made. In commenting upon the race one writer said:—“There are several matters requiring explanation. Why the Taniwha should be called upon to make the same time allowance to the Secret as the Janet, which is two tons larger, is not very clear. But of one thing we have a very strong conviction, that it has not yet been proved that the Janet is the better boat. Given a light leading wind she will show to advantage, but judging by the evidence to hand we are inclined to beUevq that with a fresh breeze and head wind the Taniwha is her superior.”