It was during this year that the new A, B, C classes were, for the first time, given a prominent place in the regatta programmes. These severally were supposed to include the full-blown racer, the out-of-date racer, and the ordinary cruiser. The idea was to try to create a method by which all yacht-owners might have an opportunity of joining in yacht racing. The system proved only a partial success, and the real gainers by the innovation, if there were any, were the sailmakers, who were kept employed, owing to many an 'old box' requiring spinnakers and other light muslin quite foreign to their original sail-plan. The fourth regatta of the season took place away from the port, and off the new watering-place, Lee-on-Solent. The principal course started from over an imaginary line lying between the committee vessel and a flagstaff at Lee-on-Solent, round the north-east and east Middle buoy, the west Middle buoy, round the Bramble buoys, omitting the Thorn, Calshot Lightship, and Hill Head buoy, to pass between the committee vessel and shore, leaving all marks on the starboard hand; three times round. On July 25, the first club match round the Isle of Wight took place. It was open to all yachts of 9 tons and upwards in the B and C classes. Two of Fairlie's old clippers came out in new feathers for this race, the 'Neptune' and 'Fiona'; and the former not only in this, but in many another thrash round a course during this and the following seasons, kept well in the van and showed that age had in no way been detrimental to her speed. The Royal Regatta was again held off Bembridge on August 8, when for the 10-tonners' prize the 'Queen Mab,' and in the 5-ton class the pretty 'Cyprus,' showed their wonderful weatherly qualities. The day is one that will long be remembered by those who took part in the trips round the Nab. The course, for all the classes from 5 tons and upwards, was from an imaginary line between the committee boat and H.M.S. 'Speedy,' round the Warner Lightship, the Dean Tail buoy and Nab Lightship, leaving all to starboard, to finish between the committee vessel on the port hand and the 'Speedy'; twice round. The weather was boisterous, with half a gale of wind blowing from the southward and westward. There was a nasty cross sea off the Nab, which frightened more than one hardy salt from making a start, and the owners of the 30-ft. yachts did their best to have their course shortened. The only accident, which might have turned out disastrous, was the capsizing of the 'Elma,' when making a board off the Nab Lightship. She was, however, righted, bailed out, and one by one all her crew got on board. [Illustration: Midship section. 'Neptune,' cutter, 50 tons. Built by Fife, 1875.]