and she ultimately fell astern of her rivals. Amazon and Extravaganza each in their turn ran the Mosquito sharply, and challenged her tack for tack, the little Dream astonishing them all; but the good old iron-boat (Mosquito) proved too much for her modern rivals, and gallantly added another well-earned victory to her numerous triumphs. It is certainly pleasing to see this famous old clipper in these her declining days, defying the efforts of all yacht builders; and notwithstanding the many lessons of improvement which have been gathered of late, still the invincible Mosquito is mistress of her band. The little Dream was second, and consequently winner of the second prize; she was but seven minutes behind the Mosquito, Extravaganza nine, Amazon thirteen, and others much farther astern. Thus terminated a very beautiful and spiritedly sailed match. But before leaving the pretty lasses of Erin, the pleasures and festivities, the yachts and the waters; there is yet another regatta to record, the doings at which excel beyond comparison any other of the season. Yachtsmen are becoming awake to the gallant struggles in the Irish waters; and those who wish for yachting fame are well aware that the truest tests have often been decided off the cliffs of the Emerald Isle. We applaud the spirit which leads them on to take part in such distinguished sailing matches. The first race which falls under our notice in Dublin bay during the regatta of the Royal St. George's Yacht Club, on the 21st July, was for a purse of £100, open to all yachts of 30 tons and upwards. A time race, over the famous course where the gallant Cymba in former days won her glories; and where many a daring race has been contested. Eight indisputable clippers took up their stations to compete for this prize, viz. This was the first appearance in a match of the Surge, which vessel was built by Fife, of Fairlie, and launched only three weeks before the match. After some two hours' delay, caused by a false start, this beautiful fleet of clipper yachts left their moorings, and immediately their spars were hidden among clouds of white sails, the Wildfire leading, closely followed by her splendid rivals. The Mosquito was the first to challenge her for pride of place, and quietly glided past her, like the good clipper she was of old, but evidently wanting more wind to test her well-known powers. On nearing the south buoy off the Burford bank, the Surge began to show that Fife had put some of his Irish grease upon her bottom, for she gave her opponents one after another a taste of her quality, and ran close in the wake of the invincible Mosquito, and in a few minutes passed her, and led the race! Here, then, was her first triumph, and unmistakable proof that the Surge will be a credit to her builder. After some of the prettiest handling ever witnessed, the Irish lightship was rounded in the following order :-Surge 1, Oithona 2, Mosquito 3, Cymba 4, Amazon 5, Wildfire 6, Dream 7, Maraquita 8. After jybing, the vessels stood on a wind, and the Surge went away from her rivals like a fairy; Cymba, Oithona, and Mosquito in close proximity, and vainly struggling to overhaul her. On rounding the Bailey flag boat the Surge was eighteen minutes ahead of the second vessel-the Oithona. On running out for the Irish light-ship in the last round, the Mosquito and others gained upon the Surge; but directly they came on a wind again, the new clipper left them like a hare. And now the wind suddenly increased to a strong nor'-wester, when they all laid down at their work in beautiful style, but with less canvas than before. The Surge's chances of winning were now next to certain, when down came her mainsail by the run! the peak-halliard block-hooks had parted, and her hopes of victory seemed to be fast vanishing away. But no; like thorough sailors, hands were instantly aloft, the damages temporarily repaired, and, after some minutes' delay, the noble little clipper dashed boldly on; but not until Mosquito had overtaken her, and threatened to wrest her well-earned laurels from her prow. The excitement at this, the close of the race, was beyond description, as the two favoured vessels, under the most perfect handling, dashed past the winning-goal at the following time : The gallant Surge, happily, was within her time, and 2 min. 13 sec. to spare; therefore the well-deserving winner of the prize. Had it not been for her mishap, she must have been in ahead of the Mosquito. A more beautiful race was never witnessed; and loud and long were the cheers which greeted the Surge on her first most gallant victory. On the same day a match was sailed by yachts under thirty tons, for a £30 prize, between the Whim, North Star, Kelpie, Banba, Fingal, and Flirt. This was a very spirited race, thought the wind was too light for some of the vessels. The North Star was first in; the Flirt being two minutes behind her, but nevertheless winner of the prize, with 1 min. 15 sec. to spare. The Flirt is 19 tons, and belongs to Capt. H. H. O'Bryan. The third-class match for £20, between yachts not exceeding twelve tons, was won by the Bijou, 10 tons, Mr. R. D. Kane. On the second day of this celebrated regatta, the wind at first was even lighter than on the day previously; but afterwards proved far more favourable, though changing and blowing at different times from every point of the compass. The first race of the day was between schooners, for a handsome silver cup presented by the Marquis of Conyngham, for vessels belonging to the Royal St. George's Yacht Club only; a time race. The following started:Esmeralda (schooneer) 130 tons Corsair 105 H. O. Rose, Esq. E. May, Esq. Sir G. East, Bart. This rare was the subject of much local interest, it being the first time a schooner match has properly filled at Kingstown. There is something exquisitely beautiful in the scene of a fleet of schooners running before the wind, with their sails goose-winged. They appear, when viewed at a distance, stem on, like a veritable flock of immense birds, with snowy wings, lightly skimming the surface; and this race presented such a variety in size of vessels, that the largest looked the more like parent birds, and the smaller like their young. The race was more interesting for the novelty and beauty of effect than for the spirited struggle which ensued whenever a breeze favoured it. The Ella, immediately on starting, went away from her rivals like a bird of swifter and more powerful flight, leaving no shadow of doubt upon the minds of any that, barring accidents, she must win with considerable odds. And so it proved, for no other vessel could approach anywhere near her; and finally she arrived at the winning goal two hours and forty minutes ahead of the second vessel, the Maraquita. And now we have another match to notice on the same day, between the famous cutters Surge, Mosquito, Amazon, Cymba, Wildfire, and Kelpie, for a piece of plate value £70. For a long time after starting, the Wildfire held a determined lead, the Mosquito trying her utmost to pass her, but to no purpose; when, after a long time, a sudden change of wind gave the hindermost vessels a signal advantage; and the interest of the whole scene was then one of the most exciting ever beheld; as one and all made a determined rush, apparently from various parts of the harbour, for the flag-boat-some close hauled, others full and bye; and those which had just before been leewardmost were now weathermost. On rounding, it was observed that the favourite, Surge, had carried away her topmast short off by the mast-head; and thus her chance of winning appeared considerably doubtful, being unable to set a topsail. On reaching The Muglins, the flood tide and light winds had thrown the vessels altogether; and many of the schooners engaged in the other match being also in the same predicament, no less than twelve vessels lay in line, sailing beam for beam nearly five miles' distance, until nearing The Kish light-ship, when, a breeze springing up, they rounded in the most perfect line of order that can possibly be imagined, and immediately proceeded to turn to windward for the East-Bar buoy flagboat. As the breeze freshened, the excitement increased; and the match was finally concluded in a strong wind-the Mosquito winning by 2 minutes and 10 seconds, the Surge being second, notwithstanding her loss of topmast, and being obliged to sail the match under three sails only. The Amazon was but 3 minutes behind the Surge, and Cymba 4 minutes and 10 seconds. The Kildare-street Challenge Cup, value £65, was won by the Atalanta, 27 tons, H. Scovell, Esq., beating Peri and Water Lily; and having won it two years in succession, it now became the absolute property of the winner. The purse of 20 sovs., given by the Dublin and Wicklow Railway Company for yachts of 20 tons and under, was won by the Flirt, 191 tons, Captain H. H. O'Bryan; and with this match ended as successful and interesting a regatta as we have ever had the pleasure to witness in the Irish waters. "GIVE US A BIT!" With eager eye and hungry look, To whom, I wonder, 'tis he begs? Or follow with a longing glance Or, little toddling fair-haired lass His ardent gaze shall sadly flutter, Till as a ransom ere she pass, He's more than half her bread-and-butter. Fix'd daintily by rule o' thumb, He'll watch John Ploughman bacon carve ; While, if his sweetbread isn't come, My Lady fears" Poor Fi. will starve." Thus goes the world-of bed and board This pup is living like a lord, And that has not enough to eat. And, just as Fido's great desire Is some choice tit-bit to secureQuick, gobbled up—he's leaping higher, And trying twice as hard for more! So, men the goods of life will prize! |