The E.N.E. was now a little before their beam; with flattened sheets they all began to dive a little more than on the voyage out. At last, some five miles or so after rounding the Boulogne mark-boat, the leading schooner, 'Phantom,' took a dive that was too much for her bowsprit, which snapped off short. Poor 'Phantom,' in the prime of life, leading grandly and full of promise! After this there were no more accidents. The 'Australia' had the lead, and finished, winning the 100_l._ prize, and establishing a record, 4 hrs. 12 mins. 40 secs. for the course, which has not been beaten up to the present. The other racers came in as follows:-- h. m. s. Australia 4 12 40 Corinne 4 26 18 Florinda 4 30 38 Phantom 4 33 3 Miranda 4 34 32 Jullanar 4 36 30 Sea Belle 4 37 48 Lufra 4 38 38 Vol au Vent 5 24 0 Another good race over the same course, on June 28, 1880, was won by 'Latona,' 160 tons, built by J. White; A. B. Rowley, Esq.; duration of race, 4 hrs. 14 mins. 4 secs. Started 10.30 A.M., arrived at Dover 2 hrs. 44 min. 4 secs. [Illustration: 'Reverie,' 40-rater. Built for A. D. Clarke, Esq., 1891, by Messrs. Fay. Designed by J. M. Soper.] [Illustration: 'Reverie.' _40-rater, by Fay & Co. Designed by J. M. Soper, 1891. Hauled up at Fay's Yard._] On July 22, 1889, the 'Wendur,' yawl, 124-rating, 43 tons, built by and belonging to Thos. B. C. West, Esq., ran this time very close, starting 10 A.M., arrived at Dover 2 hrs. 14 mins. 28 secs. Duration of race, 4 hrs. 14 mins. 28 secs., being 24 seconds longer than 'Latona.' A race on Tuesday, June 14, 1892, was a very remarkable one, and showed what a 40-tonner is capable of in bad weather and hard wind in the Channel, which is not the smoothest water in a strong North-easter. The finish was as follows:-- Arrived at Dover h. m. s. Lethe, yawl 3 17 11 Queen Mab, cutter (winner, 70_l._) 3 34 9 Iverna, cutter 3 38 1 Thalia, cutter (2nd prize, 5_l._) 3 47 28 Creole, cutter 3 57 32 Varuna, dismasted Duration of race, 4 hrs. 32 mins. 11 secs. Wind north-east, strong and squally. CHAPTER II SCOTTISH CLUBS THE ROYAL NORTHERN YACHT CLUB, ROTHESAY BY R. T. PRITCHETT