yachting the first place in the estimation of the people as a great national amusement. The ocean race between the Cambria and Dauntless, during the summer of 1870, is still fresh in the minds of yachtsmen-and, indeed, all classes were intensely interested at the time in the result. Day after day passed while "asking eyes" eagerly scanned the horizon off the Narrows in anxious search for the on-coming yachts. At last the Cambria hove in sight, and passed the light ship ahead, the winner of the race while the Dauntless followed in less than two hours afterwards. The challenge race of the Cambria over the N. Y. Y. Club course, for the Queen's Cup, was witnessed by more spectators than any regatta ever held before or since, for it was conceded that more than a million of people watched the progress of the race. Indeed, the sight presented was one never to be forgotten by any beholder of the magnificent spectacle. The harbour was literally covered with sailing craft of every size and description: steamers crowded to their utmost capacity; ferry boats fairly alive with passengers; grim "men-of-war" and deeply laden jollyboats-all packed with interested spectators. The fleet of yachts moored, ready for the start, was beyond question the finest and most complete afloat. Many of them had already become famous in yachting annals. Conspicuous among them was the old America approximated to the model of the America in this respect. Yacht builders before the America's day believed that it was necessary to make a yacht full forward, i. e. to have the greatest breadth of beam abreast the foremast, so as to make her buoyant in a head sea. The sharp bow and hollow water lines of the America were in striking contrast with the full bows and straight water lines of her competitors; and not a few sage "old salts" predicted that the America would be swept "fore-and-aft" in a sharp head sea. The result of the trial of the two systems is thus described by a Times' reporter :— "While the cutters were thrashing through the water, sending the spray over their bows, and the schooners were wet up to the foot of the foremast, the America was as 'dry as a bone."" We have commented rather fully on this Regatta, for it was from this contest that modern yachting received its greatest impulse; and, moreover, the model of the America has been proved to be one of the best ever produced, as we shall have occasion to show hereafter. The second memorable event in the history of Yachting, beyond the yearly regattas of established Yacht Clubs, was the Great Ocean Yacht Race between the Henrietta, Fleetwing and Vesta, of the N. Y. Yacht Club. These yachts left Sandy Hook Light Ship on the 11th Dec. 1866, and the Henrietta arrived off the Needles, Isle of Wight, England, at 5.45 p.m., 26th Dec. 1866, winning the race and making the-she that so gallantly won the Cup a score run in 13 days, 22 hours mean time. The Fleetwing arrived 8 hours afterwards, and the Vesta 11⁄2 hours after the Fleetwing. The remarkable sailing time made by these splendid yachts, and the slight difference in the time of their arrival, was the subject of much comment; and it was pretty generally conceded in England that yachting in the United States had attained a high standard of excellence. The pluck, enterprise and enthusiasm shown in contests like those already mentioned, excited the popular interest to the highest pitch-and won for of years before, appearing fresh in her new sails and new coat of paint, while her raking spars and saucy look betokened that she had not lost the vigour of her youth. The Dauntless, too, was in line-snug and trim in her outfit-ready to "try again" the fleet Cambria, and to prove, if possible, that "luck” had been against her in the ocean race. The Fleetwing, Magic, Henrietta and many others were moored "in line, but the Cambria bore off the palm in general interest. Her plucky commander had crossed the ocean avowedly to redeem the Cup, and many hoped that his true British daring York, that had the Livonia been fitted out as would be rewarded with success. At last the signal is given, and away speed the 18 yachts, amid the cheers of the multitude! Another scene, and this ends the grand aquatic drama. It is the return. The Magic is first, the Dauntless second, the Palmer third and the America fourth, while the Cambria was badly distanced. There is something deeply interesting in the performances of the yacht America. With all the combined skill of builders of crack yachts, both in England and America, but little real progress has been made in the past 20 years, for it is believed by competent judges, that had the America been properly manned and fitted out, she would have won this race. This fact is worthy the study of yachtsmen. During the past year the excitement in yachting circles in New York was at fever heat, over the challenge races with Commodore Ashbury's new yacht Livonia. Believing that the Cambria could not win the Queen's Cup, the persevering Mr. Ashbury built a new one for this purpose. The result is familiar to all. She came, she worthily contested, but she was beaten. Sincerely as we regret the Livonia's failure, we yet believe that yachting has had no more zealous promoter than Commodore Ashbury. He failed; it is true, in his cherished hopes, but his courageous endeavours to possess the Cup have imparted new life into yachting circles the world over. As the record stands now the American yachtsmen are masters of the situation. Why are they almost invariably victorious in contests with English yachts? The answer is, because English yachtsmen fail in the fitting out of yachts. They over-load them with heavy spars and rigging, and thus deaden them with superfluous weight. The lines of the Livonia were beautiful, her hull was admirably constructed, but her spars rigging and sails were altogether too heavy. It was quite generally conceded, in well informed circles in New well as were her antagonists in the late contests for the "Queen's Cup," her record would have been far more brilliant. Equally as much depends on the proper rig and trim as on the model of a yacht. The great point to be attained is to secure a maximum of speed with a minimum of weight. Each unnecessary pound of rigging is as detrimental to a fast yacht, as is extra "dead weight" to a race-horse. It is true that great skill and experience are indispensably necessary to enable one to determine, with reasonable certainty, what the proper outfit of a yacht should be. If too light, a break-down is the penalty; if too heavy, a defeat is the consequence. Foreign yachtsmen claim that the Americans fit out their yachts too lightly, and point to the frequent "carrying away" of some part of the rigging or spars as proof of the assertion. The answer to this should be that it is better occasionally to "break down" than to be invariably beaten. The rigging of the Livonia (and of the Cambria as well) was strong enough for a "fore-and-after," and the extra weight above deck acted as a constant purchase to press her into the water, and to cant her over to leeward when under sail. This weight was a comparatively trifling burden, it may justly be claimed-—but it should also be remembered that she crossed the winning line only a trifle behind the winner. When Michael Angelo was accused of spending too much time over a statue which he was rounding into marvellous perfection, and of paying needless attention to "mere trifles," he thoughtfully replied "It is true that these touches are but trifles, but trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle." What Angelo's trifles were to the statue, the trifles in rigging and fitting are to the victorious yacht. In fact, yacht-building is an art, and one of the most abstruse of the arts. It is neither guess-work nor chance, but intelligent appreciation and application of the laws of cause and effect. of little David with his sling, and little George Washington with his hatchet, abundantly prove! If we try and fail, we shall do well nevertheless. If we long for the prize, but fail to make an effort to win it, we shall continue to sit in the "shadow," while American yachtsmen bask in the "sunshine" of well-earned victory. The old prejudices are gradually giving way to newer and better forms; and the graceful yachts of to-day are in striking contrast with the clumsy hulls of thirty years ago. National competition has been one great cause of this marked development; and this spirit of commendable rivalry is constantly inspiring yachtsmen to perfect themselves in the subtle subject of yachtbuilding. A wide-spread interest is taken in yachting,—for the "Yacht List" of 1861 -the latest data we have on hand-gives the number of yachts owned in England, Scotland, and Wales, alone, as 1173; and the nine organized clubs in the United States, show an aggregate number of 213 yachts. This paper has been hastily pre-rence,-over three thousand miles,—there pared, in the hope of creating a more general interest in yachting in Canada. An Amateur, for one, would like to see an effort-A CANADIAN EFFORT-made to win the Cup which, for twenty years, has remained as a standing challenge to all the world. Surely a cup, which was the gift of our beloved Queen, should stir us to make, at least, an attempt to possess the coveted trophy! If-" and there's the rub"-this could be done, what an inviting field would be opened up for our American friends, as a summer cruising ground! Along our magnificent water course, there are points of interest far surpassing any that the sultry tropics afford. The pure sweet water, the broad open lakes, the populous cities on their borders, the beauties of the St. Lawrence, the grandeur of the scenery of Lake Superior, with the infinite intermediate attractions, are all yet in store for American yachtsmen, should they ever find it necessary to visit our lakes, to win back their lost Cup! This may seem visionary to the timid, but earnest effort may make the idea a reality. To the zealous and persistent all things are possible. It is true that we are but a comparatively little people,--but little folks sometimes do historical things-as the story Aside from this consideration, the greatest one of all-is that which will occur to every spirited Canadian yachtsman,—the desirability of fostering yachting among ourselves. The opportunities for yachting along our lakes and rivers are absolutely unsurpassed. From the head waters of Lake Superior to the outlet of the St. Law is one continuous succession of beautiful scenery, thriving cities and convenient harbours. New resources are being constantly developed, and the attractions for yachtsmen are yearly becoming more and more delightful. There is every reason why Canadians should foster and commend a national yachting spirit. Second to no people in the development of the useful arts of peace, we should strive to compete successfully for the honours which fall to victorious yachtsmen in great international regattas. It is a little surprising that thus far, notwithstanding the unsurpassed facilities for yachting and yacht-building, not a single representative Canadian yacht has yet been a contestant in any great international contest. A splendid chance is now open for our yachtsmen to win a worthy fame in foreign fields. It yet remains for some future yacht club in Canada to enter upon its list of yachts a single one, the victories of which are famous beyond our own borders. How long must this charge hold good? Let the spirited yachtsmen of our Dominion-embracing half a continent within its boundaries— answer the inquiry! The noble sport of yachting is fostered among us by many whose energy, enterprise, and zeal, warrant Eloïse! Eloïse ! It is noon; and the breeze Through the shadowy woodland is straying; And our green, mossy seat, Where the flowers kissed thy feet, While the zephyrs around thee were playing, But I miss thee, dear! And the breezes around me are straying. O seat, that she shared with me, TORONTO. Eloïse! Eloïse ! It is eve; and the trees With the gold of the sunset are glowing; With the brook at its feet Ever singing, and rippling, and flowing, But I miss thee, dear! And the sunset is over me glowing. It is night on the seas, And the winds and the waters are sleeping; 'Neath our home's blessed shade, But I miss thee, dear! And the drear night around me is sleeping. |