AN OCEAN RACE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 290, 7 December 1928, Page 3

AN OCEAN RACE

HOME WITH THE TEA DAYS OF THE CLIPPERS Lying close to the Invincible (700 tons) in Shanghai Harbour at the end of September, 1867, was a line-looking, full-rigged ship having painted ports, tho City of Agra. She was a powerfully built vessel of about 1000 tons, carrying double topgallant yards, a big sqm . e royal, and a skysail. She was mucn larger than the Invincible. She had heavier spars and carried in proportion a more numerous crew. She had the reputation ol being u fast sailor which could rattle off 12 or 14 knots. Unless this speed was attained no charter lor tea could at that time be obtained, so keen were the merchants to land the first or second chop on tho London market. With the change of wind or tide the sterns of the two vessels would swing close together, writes W. D. Clarke, in the Alelbourne Argus. (Mr Clarke, who is now living in retirement, was an apprentice on the Invincible when the race here described by him took place.) As they had arrived in port and discharged their outward cargo about the same time, there arose a certain amount c interest between the two crews. This developed later into a little jealousy over which ship would eventually be first ’oaded and get away to England. Both vessels finished taking in cargo almost at the same time. Two lighters with the last of the tea left the wharves together, and the final chest was pitched aboard each almost simultaneously. Tho chief mate of the Invincible, Air Buck, was a smart seaman. In general efficiency it was hard to find ii.s equal. When he noticed the City of Agra’s men swarming up the rigging and spreading themselves along the yards, he knew that it was to loosen gaskets in preparation for a quick departure. But if it was reck oned to get to windward of him a mistake had been made. In double quick time his men were also aloft, and soon every sail was in readiness for a quick .sheet home. Not alone this, but he had the hatches battened down and every attention paid to detail for a departure at any moment. The “City” Steals a March Both vessels were flying the bluo Peter, and it was now simply a ques- ; ion which captain could first obtain a clearance from the Customs House, the final result was awaited with impatience alike by the crews and by those ashore in shipping circles. Excitement grew, especially between the Chinese stevedores and sampan men. Bets were freely made, and when u was seen that the two last lighters had discharged their respective cargoes there was a great to-do. Shortly after 6 o’clock in the evening the City men manned windlass to the tune of “The Wide Missouri.” The other crew, clapped on to their bars, responded with the “Rio Grande.” The two vessels were soon hove in readiness to trip as soon as the command, is came aboard. The shades of night were just beginning to fall, and a few short lights to twinkle, when a small steamer was discovered heading directly towards one or the other. To the “City” she finally ranged alongside. Notwithstanding the fast approaching darkness the ship got under weigh and glided from her moorings. There was such a want of light when the captain and pilot of tho Invincible came off that, in consideration the intricate windings of the river, with the sluice of a tide just making, it was decided not to start until day light. All hands turned in prepared for an early call, which came, sure enough, before the stars were blotted out of tho eastern sky. The river being in places narrow and snaggy, the Invincible had to be taken cautiously, but before half-past 7 o’clock the mouth was reached and the open sea lay before her. A man had been sent aloft to report the direction and probable distance of the “City,” but nothing in resemblance could be seen. It only remained to clap on every stitch in the hope of overhauling her. So the Invincible was soon clothed from head to stem with canvas of every conceivable kind that would draw, even to a “Jimmy Green,” as the sea was calm enough for its use. Before noon several ships were passed as if at anchor, but the one most sought after was not seen. In the far distance a sail was sighted just hull down, upon which the Invincible gained little, if any. It was agreed that this was the “City.” After that a lonely furrow was ploughed down the China Sea and through the Gasper Straits. Passing by Anjcr Joint, the final gateway before launching into the Indian Ocean, it was learned that a big painted-port ship had gone through that morning. As the description tallied with our opponent there was no doubt of her identity. She was only about six hours ahead. An Exchange of Signals In due time the influence of the Mozambique current was felt, and the Invincible rushed toward Cape Agulhas with the utmost possible speed. About two months out, after she had covered nearly 3000 miles and was pretty well in sight of the Natal coast, a large ship was reported early one bright morning on the starboard beam. Immediately the captain went aloft with his spyglass, and at once recognised the “City.” Although running parallel and steering precisely the same course, each vessel somehow edged toward the other until about noon, when they were sufficiently close to exchange signals. With a dipping

of ensigns as a parting salute both ships held on their way, neither gaining on the other. When darkness finally closed upon the scene the “City” could just be discerned in the distance, bearing by compass about the same as in the afternoon. The following morning she was not in sigDt, nor did we see her again until she was met with in the chops of the English Channel. The Invincible was now 120 days from Shanghai, and as sDc was favoured with a good breeze from the westward it was confidently expected to reach London in a few days, but the wind suddenly changed to the eastward, and it was more than three weeks before she reached the shelter of Green Sailors’ Home. In common with scores of other vessels, the Invincible had now to beat up the English Channel, and in doing so she crossed the bows of the “City,” which was in a like dilemma. So it came about that on each tack the wo ships lay athwart without either obtaining an advantage, and thus the race continued until at length Dungeness was reached and a pilot-boat was seen bobbing off from the shore.

Each captain took a guide, and both entered into the spirit of the race and clapped on every available rag of canvas. The vessels, now weighed down with extra sail, careened over until the lee rails were awash, but neither master would start a sheet lest the other might obtain an advantage. Both ships, half buried in foam, were now neck and neck, in distance about half a mile apart. So they continued until some hours later when two tugboats hove in sight. These bore down, and they were finally ranged on each vessel’s quarter, where bargaining could more easily take place before an agreement was reached regarding the amount of money to be paid for towage to London. These little but powerful steamers hovered within hailing distance ready for the moment when a captain would signal the word for the towline to be run out. All eyes on the Invincible were bent on the 4 * City,” anxiously waiting for a sign of submission to the heavy demands generally made by the master of a tugboat. Suddenly a hoarse yell went up as it was seen that the royal and top gallant sheets of the “City” were let go and everything was in confusion. Without further ado away went the Invincible’s sheets, and the tug was waved to go ahead with a hawser at full speed. Before a quarter of an hour had passed both vessels were hauled along at a great pace abreast of each other. The Final Excitement All was excitement and pandemonium. Every sail had to be stowed, so as to allow the yards to be braced sharp to the wind, which was nearly dead on, and thereby lessen the force of air and obstruction generally to the steamer’s effort. In this way the Downs were reached at the mouth of the Thames. Here a river pilot was taken on board, and after only a short delay both vessels proceeded to Grave send, and for the night, or until the Lde served, dropped anchor, each anchor plunging into the water at the same moment. Before daylight the crews were roused out to man the windlasses, and before many minutes the bars were going up and down with great vigour. Never did anchors come up more quickly. In an incredibly short space of time both vessels were moving rapidly u.p the river with tugs alongside. They glided on side by side until the dock was reached. A short delay took place while the gates were being opened. Then both warped at the same time, the Invincible’s jibboom finally resting over the “City’s” poop deck. Thus ended a memorable 16,000-mile ocean race after a passage covering 145 days. It was the talk ot nautical circles for many years. I left the Invincible some years later, and subsequently, after leaving England with a new captain and crew, she disappeared and was never hearo of again. The City of Agra continued above water for many decades, and was reported “AH well” off the Australian coast nearly 40 years afterwards.