OPENING CRUISE AUCKLAND YACHTING CLUB.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 46, 18 November 1893, Page 413

OPENING CRUISE AUCKLAND YACHTING CLUB.

CAPITAL yachting weather and favouring breezes favoured the opening of the yachting season ia Auckland on Prince of Walet’ Br.hday. The Club could not have commanded a better day for their purpose ; it might, indeed, have been made to their order. The muster was an excellent one, a fleet of some fifty odd yachts being counted during the day. It was shortly

before ten when a signal ran up to the masthead of the Commodore’s yacht Matangi, * Home Bay, Motutapu.’ The same signal was displayed by the Vicecommodore, Captain Gibbs, in his old warrior, the Spray. The fleet were scarcely under way when it was observed that the Matangi was in trouble, something having gone • cronk ’ with the mainsail. The jaws of the gaff had, I understand, carried away. After a brief delay the Commodore signalled the fleet not to wait for him, and the Spray setting the example, the entire fleet swept down the

harbour as pretty a sight as the heart of man could desire. The Volunteer at once drew ahead. ‘ The big boat' showed, indeed, throughout the day that she can sail when she likes. There was a piping yachting breeze, and a sea which could scarcely have persuaded the worst sailors to nuilde mer. The Yum-Yum raced down in fine style, and Mr Lawford’s yacht looked very smart in a new set of canvas, and will, if I am not greatly mistaken, be found to have notably increased her never contemptible

turn of speed. Mr Jack Webster’s new yacht was greatly admired. She is as pretty a little craft as one might wish to see. Iler speediness was not anything tested on the 9th, but the general impression amongst yacht critics seemed to be that she would ‘speel.’ She is painted a soft heliotrope which is the latest thing in the old country. The Matangi is also heliotrope at present, but is, I understand, to be finished in black and gold, for which old fashion I confess a decided weakness. The southern friends of the Matangi may be interested to hear that Mr Wiseman has yawl rigged his • crack ’ this season. She looks very smart iu her new fashion, which every one seems to think an improvement. Most certainly the yawl rig is by far the 1 handiest ’ for

cruising purposes. The Aorere had a very large party of ladies aboard, and attracted considerable admiration. The scene in Drunken Bay, which was by unanimous consent chosen instead of Home Bay, was remai kably bright and picturesque. Many of the yachts ‘ decked ship,’ the show of bunting on the Commodore’s yacht being especially tine. She arrived some twenty minutes after the others—under the gib, staysail and ‘jigger ’ —an excellent performance indeed. The run home after a long day on Messrs Heid Brothers’ beautiful island was worthy of the day. The Spray which left almost last, ran up well under the hour, beating the steamer, which left at the same time, very easily.

Our picture is from a sketch of the Auckland yachts by Mr T. Ryan, himself a yachtsman. The picture was drawn to represent the scene on the 9th, but the plate having to be engraved, was drawn beforehand. It will be noticed that the Matangi is in her old rig. We hope to give a large picture of this fine yacht as she is in an early issue. The Volunteer, the Aorere, Yum Yum, Arawa, and all the cracks can be easily picked out, Mr Ityan having been very successful in preserving the special characteristics of each yacht. Owners of yachts will greatly oblige by sending photographs of their craft to me at the Gl<.\rill< Office. Yachting items and news from all over the colony are acceptable.