Yachting, Vol. 2Dufferin and Ava, Frederick Temple Blackwood, Marquis of
History
Yachting, Vol. 2
Dufferin and Ava, Frederick Temple Blackwood, Marquis of
Yacht racing; Yachting; Yachts
There was a full muster of the heavy-weight cutters at the Royal
Southern rendezvous, the club having a first-class match on June 17,
the second day of its 'Jubilee' Regatta. 'Satanita's' light blue
banner was carried nearer the water-level than in her previous racing
essays, owing to the lower mast having been clipped 3 feet, and
additional lead had been put on her keel. 'Britannia' had made good
the damage sustained at Dover, and with 'Valkyrie,' 'Calluna,' and
'Iverna' the fleet was brought up to normal strength. It was a lovely
morning, glorified by fervent sunshine, and softened by a gauzy haze,
but a southerly chill was not strong enough to 'carry' the smoke of
the starting gun, and the surface of the Solent looked smooth as
burnished steel. With flying airs filling jackyard topsails, they
started the race, and ere going half a mile 'Calluna' got aground on
the Calshot Spit. 'Valkyrie' was lucky to strike the first of a
gathering breeze, and went reaching fast from the fleet down the West
Channel. She afterwards gave a fine display by the wind, and showed
matchless form on a dead run. 'Valkyrie' eventually beat 'Britannia'
by 5 mins. 32 secs., and 'Satanita' by 16 mins. 4 secs., 'Calluna' and
'Iverna' both being miles astern. 'Valkyrie's' was a good performance,
but she was distinctly lucky in getting the first of the wind, and she
likewise was kindly treated subsequently by Dame Fortune.
Rather singularly the Jubilee Regatta of the Royal Southern Club was
followed by the Jubilee of the Royal Mersey; but the latter meeting,
on June 24, did not open under such exhilarating influences as the
Solent gathering, particulars having just come to hand of the
'Victoria' disaster in the Mediterranean, while the weather was
dismally dull, and a tearing north-north-west wind blowing. Consequent
on the prevailing stiff breeze an alternative course--three times
round the Formby--had been plotted off overnight--probably not,
however, from any tender consideration whether the racing vessels
could cross the bar safely, the anxiety more likely being in regard to
the Committee-boat and her freight. The inside course was named on the
day, but, in spite of foresight and precaution, the racing was
disappointing. The 'Valkyrie,' which had come round from Cowes with
her mainsail an underdeck passenger, could not get the sail bent owing
to the rain and wind; then 'Calluna' got her anchor foul, and being
25 minutes late, did not start. 'Britannia' alone was near the line
when the Blue Peter came down, yet she lost 1 min. 50 secs., while
'Satanita' came 2 mins. later, and 'Iverna' a minute after 'Satanita.'
There was wind enough to warrant second earings being hardened down,
all topmasts were housed, and with the tide flying to windward the
ground was sidled over very fast. The start meant victory--barring
accidents--in beating out of the narrow Mersey channel, and although
'Satanita' worked right up under 'Britannia,' she was kept safely
pinned.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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