AQUATICS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 775, 12 January 1905, Page 12

AQUATICS

(By

“ The Reefer.”)

All sorts of tales were afloat last week regarding mishaps which occurred to several of the Auckland yachts during the New Year’s cruise. The most circumstantial was that Commodore Murdoch’s yacht, Ida, when leaving Russell had been dismasted in a heavy squall, and had only got back to port with extreme difficulty. It was . therefore quite a relief to see the smart, white cutter return to the moorings in her usual spick and span condition. The cruise was one of the most unpleasant on record, boisterous and rainy weather having been experienced all the time, and it speaks much for the efficiency of the various crews that no mishaps were reported.

Mr Tom Henderson, one-time Commodore of the Auckland Yacht Club, and late owner of the big yawl Volunteer, has come across from Tasmania on a visit to Auckland. Needless to say, he was heartily welcomed by yachting and rowing men alike.

The Home Bay' Sailing Club had a fine sailing breeze for their second series of races on Saturday, reefs being the order

of the day. Gladys won the Class I. race on time allowance from Tiro, with Okere third. Valdora was successful in Class 11. race, Eileen beintz; second, and Alofa third. The Class 111. race fell to Sweet Nell, with Wareho and Rambler in the places, while Ailsa carried off the Class V. event from Anona and EstellaMessrs Maguire, Reed, and Hunter were the officers for the day.

The Maori Regatta at Huntly is to take place on January 30. Quite a number of so-called war canoes will be seen on the river, including the famous Taheretikitiki, and the gathering promises to provide some good sport.

The pastime of motor boating has been taken up with enthusiasm in Europe and America, and nearly as many race meetings were held during the past season as were arranged for land motors. The use of the petrol engines in boats practically dates from the advent of the submarines, and some of these craft have engines up to 600 h.p. Already there are projects for a race across the Atlantic, a race from Algiers to Toulon, a trip round France, from Dunkirk to Nice by sea and canal, a distance of 1600 miles in 16 days. No limits are to be placed on size of boats or power of engines. No boats are to be slower than 15 knots an hour in smooth water, and must be able to start their engines in 10 seconds. Minimum crew of six men to be carried, together with all fuel for the vovage. No replacements are to be allowed en route. There are something like 54 entries, the boats ranging in tonnage from 50 to 200 tons, and from 80 to 350 h.p. The opinion of expert Nautical men is that nothing under ICO tons and 400 h.p. will be able to manage the trip across the Atlantic, since the supply of fuel required will be about 15 tons of petrol.

The crack motor boat, Mercedes IV., which won the international race across Ihe Channel from Calais to Dover, has been purchased by the Hon. Rupert Guinness, of Dublin. The price paid was &1700 1 , and she will henceforth run under English colours. This boat has four-cylinder engines, which develop 100 h.p., and her speed is close up to 30 land miles an hour. It should be noted that power for power motor boats cost much less than motor-cars. A 100 h.n. Mercedes car would cost something like £3OOO, even in England, where there is no import duty on motor-cars. A2O h.p. motor-boat, 30ft ir.> length, roomv and comfortable, with fin? lines, drawing about lOin. at the bow and Isin. at the Stem, when loaded, capable of doing 15 knots an hour, can be imported for about £450, whereas a -motor-car o f this power would cost from 50 to 100 per cent, more money.