CHAPTER IX

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Earl Thomas Brassey Brassey

SMALL YACHT RACING ON THE SOLENT
By 'Thalassa'

As Lord's is to the cricketer, St. Andrews to the golfer, Newmarket to the lover of the Turf, so is the Solent to the yachtsman—the Solent in its largest sense, not the West Channel only, but the whole of the waters inside the Wight, bounded by fifty miles of shore line, and covering an area of over fifty square sea miles. The West Channel, twelve miles long, is nearly twenty-four square miles; the East Channel, eight miles long, is equal in area; and Southampton Water, six miles long, covers three square miles. Nearly all of it is navigable to yachts, the Brambles being the only midwater shoal which interferes with small vessels of moderate draught.

The water of the Solent is clear as crystal, the air healthy as Switzerland, the scenery nearly as beautiful; here are watering places with mirth and music; cities with docks and shipping; men of war and men of peace; clubs and hotels; piers, slips, jetties, and hards; building and repairing sheds; yacht designers and agents; skippers and 'hands'; sail, flag, and rope makers; yachts' ironmongers and purveyors, &c. &c. &c., which etceteras include several snug anchorages and small harbours for those who wish to escape from the general hubbub during the yachting and excursion season. And the whole of this within a two hours' journey of London!

Curiously enough, the advantages of the Solent for yachting have only been fully appreciated during the past few years. It is true that the Royal Yacht Squadron was started early in the century, and the Royal Southern and Royal Victoria Yacht Clubs early in the forties; but yachting on the Solent as we know it now was not dreamt of, and the Thames held for many years the leading position as the centre of this essentially English sport.

Many things have combined to drive yachts from the Thames. Manure, marmalade, cement, gas, and other manufactories now line its banks; the Barking outfall fouls its waters, and an enormous steamer and barge traffic obstructs them. No wonder the yachtsmen deserted the Thames. But this is not all; a new sport has been born—the racing of small yachts, for which the Thames is peculiarly unsuited. Steam yachting has caused this development of small yacht racing. Men who would otherwise have built or purchased large sailing yachts now prefer steam, and, although they may themselves race but little in any craft, their action has destroyed our fleet of large sailing yachts, and with it the market for outclassed racers of any considerable size. Moreover, the very perfection to which racing has been brought tells in the same direction, because few men can afford to build large racers year by year to replace those which are outclassed. Yacht clubs have increased both in numbers and wealth, and the executives find that racing brings grist to the mill and repays the cost and the trouble. This especially applies to small yacht races, the prizes for which are not a severe tax on a club's exchequer, and can therefore be given more frequently.

Owners were not slow to avail themselves of the sport offered, which on trial proved to possess many advantages over large yacht racing.

In small craft an owner is more his own master, and frequently steers and sails his own boat. Corinthian hands can form all or a large portion of the crew; ladies can take an active part; the sport is less costly and better fun than with large craft; there are more races; fouls and accidents are less dangerous; and people can get home to dinner.

In short, the advantages are so numerous and real that one marvels at any men preferring to act as passengers on board their own yachts in the more ancient sport. Even this adjective belongs really to the boats, as prehistoric men no doubt owned and raced canoes for ages prior to the existence of larger vessels. But we as moderns are concerned with the nineteenth century, during which sailing boats have certainly raced frequently on the Solent. The square stem and stern boat used by the Itchen ferrymen for fishing in Southampton Water and the E. and W. channels is still a favourite type, and during the seventies became almost a class for small yacht racing, inside lead ballast, moulded, being first introduced, then lead keels, until in 1878 heavy lead keels, with fore and aft overhang, became the fashion with racing owners, and the Solent 'Length Classes' were introduced to the yachting world; 21 feet, 25 feet, and 30 feet L.W.L. being the top limits of each class.

A scale of time allowance for length was made by the Y.R.A., and the boats developed into great 'brutes' which were efficient sail-carriers if nothing else, the final outcome being over 70 square feet of canvas to each foot of L.W.L., whereas a modern rater in the small classes is driven almost as effectively with 20 square feet per foot of similar hull length.

There being no limit to sail in the length classes, it was not a difficult matter to outbuild the crack boat of the year every winter. Each succeeding boat had longer overhang, greater beam, draught, and displacement than her predecessor, and consequently won, being a larger boat and carrying more sail. The table of Solent racers prior to 1886, appended to this chapter, gives some details of interest.

A few races were given every year for what was termed the 27-ft. class ('Sorella,' 'Whimbrel,' &c.), also for Itchen punts and for fishermen's boats; and, early in the eighties, races under various conditions were provided for small yachts by the Royal Southampton and Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Clubs, under the energetic direction of their respective Honorary Secretaries, Mr. Wolff and the late Mr. McCheane. These clubs may fairly claim to have started that small yacht racing on the Solent which now employs so many hands in building boats in the winter and sailing them in the summer, and affords so many people a healthy pastime for their leisure hours. The rest of the Solent clubs were not long in following suit, first one then another giving races for small yachts, until in 1891 'The Squadron' so far forgot the distich:

Nothing less than 30 T
Must ever race with our Burgee,

as to permit two 'extra' races for 5- and 2½-raters, the prizes having been subscribed for 'privately' by some sporting members of this distinguished club. The same recurred in 1892 and 1893, but it is impossible to feel overwhelmed with gratitude, as the manner of granting the concession was too like that of an old lady introduced sorely against her will to people and things she deems infra dig.

On the other hand, the Royal Victoria, or the 'Red Squadron,' as its friends delight to call it, has since 1890 taken to the sport with becoming enthusiasm, the committee being said to possess more knowledge of the requirements of yacht racing than the Y.R.A. itself. This has produced some strange realities which the racing owner may see for himself at Ryde, in the shape of drums, time-post and semaphores galore, together with a 500-guinea cup and other remarkable 'Gold cups in waiting,' if he step ashore and can make friends with the good-natured secretary. The club gave several special days in 1892 and 1893 for matches in the Solent classes, and the Royal Albert did the same at Southsea, in addition to similar races at their annual regatta—a two days' affair. The Royal London and the Royal Southern Yacht Clubs followed suit. In short, these elderly dames of the Solent are acting in a very proper spirit by adopting and assisting to support the offspring of their younger relatives, requiring them simply to belong to something 'Royal or Recognised'—a peculiar distinction somewhat rough on the former word.

One caution to the unwary. Some of the senior clubs are very proud of their ordnance, but racing boats of modern construction should give them a clear berth, or the concussion may cause damage. One of the cracks had to proceed to the builder's for repair soon after a race at which that great artillerist the hall porter of the Royal London Yacht Club shook Cowes to its foundations. Certain it is that some racing boats are now built far too light for safety if caught in a gale on the open sea.

Returning to the clubs, the table at the end of the chapter gives some prominent facts at a glance, so it will not be necessary to repeat them.

An aspirant to fame in any of the small classes should belong to the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. It has plenty of members, of vitality, and 'go.' Its house is good and comfortable, with a fair cuisine and attendance, and its position is excellent for the racing sailor-man. The fees are not heavy,[7] and the sport is good.

The beginner will do well to make the acquaintance of the leading members of the committee, for their sound advice and local knowledge may be of service to him; but he may be cautioned not to disturb them after the racing with written memoranda about rounding buoys; the soul of man is not to be worried by such frivolities when absorbed in the worship of crab, tap, or Nap in the cosy cabin of the Committee-boat—and this applies with more or less force to all sailing committees and club secretaries. Some shrug the shoulder and vent an expletive, the more pious sigh deeply and glance to the zenith, while many impose a heavy fine on that enemy of peace and quiet who dares to protest against a breach of the regulations. An exception, however, is said to prove a rule; and the committee of the Castle Yacht Club administers the law with strictness, and perhaps severity. If this policy were general, many of the difficulties connected with yacht racing would disappear, as a large percentage is due to irregularities which sailing committees might easily correct, instead of scanning them with a blind eye at the telescope end. Real sportsmen like rules to be strictly observed and administered, and the discipline enforced at the Calshot racing has, if possible, increased the popularity of the club which was started in 1887 by some eccentric enthusiasts who considered that small yacht racing required further encouragement. At that date the idea was not so preposterous as it now appears; but whether this and other clubs assisted materially in the production of modern racing, or were themselves the products, is a problem for the Macaulay of sport to solve in the dim future, when he writes on the pursuit of pleasure in the nineteenth century.

The adoption of the present Y.R.A. rating rule in the winter of 1886 practically killed the 'Length' classes; for, although the Solent clubs continued to support them for another year, no more 'lengthers' were built, and, the existing boats gradually dropping out, the racing with 'footers' collapsed.

The year 1887 was a turning point in small yacht racing on the Solent, as elsewhere.

There was much diversity of opinion as to the suitability of the new rule for small yachts. Mr. Clayton declared in January that 2½-raters would soon be 29 or 30 feet long. Mr. Dixon Kemp, on the other hand, so late as 1881, when the sixth edition of his book was published, gave 'the lengths of water-line ... possible in the classes ... as follows':—

60.0 raters, 60 to 70 feet, their 1892 developments being 68 feet
40.0 " 50 " 60 " " " 59 "
20.0 " 40 " 50 " " " 46 "
10.0 " 30 " 40 " " " 38 "
5.0 " 20 " 30 " " " 34 "
2½ " 16 " 20 " " " 28 "
1.0 " 10 " 12 " " " 21 "

This forecast erred in the three smallest classes, where prophetic utterances, if only for six months, are extremely hazardous. The fact gives additional piquancy to small yacht racing.

The Solent clubs most interested in this racing began the year 1887 with a conference on January 28 at Southampton, and another on February 2 at Portsmouth, when it was finally agreed to recommend:—

I. The continuation of length class racing for the season of 1887.

II. The adoption of two new classes of square-sterned boats to race under the new rule, viz.—

(a) 2½-raters not exceeding 21 feet L.W.L.

(b) 1-¼ " " " 17 " "

In both classes an overhang limit of 1 foot and a mainsail limit of 55 per cent. of the total sail-area.

SPECIAL RACING, 1887

Two new boats were built for class (a), Miss Cox's 'Madcap' and Colonel Bucknill's 'Thalassa' (see table). They were well matched, the rig being the same, viz. sloop with a small topsail of about 80 square feet. They were capital 'day boats,' with roomy wells, and fairly good performers in a sea-way. At first 'Madcap' proved the faster, but towards the end of the season 'Thalassa' won most prizes, and captured the class medal of the R.S.Y.C.

Mr. Campbell's 'Merrythought' was the only new boat in class (b), but she failed to beat 'Tootsie' (afterwards named 'Minnow'), which belonged to Mr. Payne, and was altered to fit the class. On the whole, the racing in the new classes was somewhat disappointing, owing to the small number of competitors and of races. See the following table, which also includes the races for the 'Solent Classes' in 1888 and 1892, and shows the great development of the sport during the past five years.

The actual races only are recorded, as clubs deserve but little credit for offering prizes hedged in by such conditions that owners will not compete for them.

Races in the Solent Classes

Yacht Clubs and Sailing Clubs 1887 1888 1892
21'2½ 17'1¼ Total 10 5 2½ Total 10 5 2½ 1 ½ Total
Royal Yacht Squadron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 3
Royal London 1 0 1 3 0 3 6 0 1 2 2 2 7
Royal Southern 1 1 2 2 2 2 6 0 2 2 2 2 8
Royal Victoria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 9 7 7 27
Royal Albert 0 0 0 2 0 2 4 0 6 6 6 6 24
Royal Southampton 7 6 13 4 2 8 14 4 8 8 8 8 36
Solent Yacht Club 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 3 3 1 3 10
Royal Portsmouth Corinthian 1 0 1 7 1 7 15 0 4 9 7 9 29
Castle Yacht Club (started) 5 0 8 13 1 12 12 9 7 41
Island Sailing Club — — — — — — — 0 0 9 9 9 27
Minima Sailing Club — — — — — — — 0 0 2 12 9 23
Bembridge Sailing Club — — — — — — — 0 0 2 1 13 16
Totals 10 7 17 26 6 34 66 7 40 65 64 75 251

CLASS RACING, 1888.

Early in 1888, delegates from several of the Solent clubs met at the house of the Royal Southampton, to settle the difficult question of the classes of small racing yachts to be encouraged on the Solent, it having become clear that racing under a rating of length alone was played out.

The Y.R.A. recommended that 10-, 5-, and 2½-rating, by the new formula L. × S.A. ÷ 6,000, should be encouraged as the small classes, but the Scotch and Irish clubs favoured 6- and 3-raters as better suiting their 3-tonners, which had been produced under the 1730 rule, and were about 6-rating. After a lively correspondence in the 'Field,' in which the Editor steered a middle course between the Southern buoys and the Northern shallows, the conference at Southampton decided to adopt the classes recommended by the Y.R.A., and there has been no cause to regret this decision.

10-, 5-, and 2½-raters consequently became known as the 'Solent Classes,' and the limits on S.A. in mainsail and on L.O.A. were quashed, no objection being raised by vested interests.

The 10-Raters, 1888.

The 10 class racing this year mainly consisted of a duel between Mr. Clarke's new 10, the 'Dis,' and Mr. Arabin's 6½-rater, the 'Lollypop,' built for cruising, but a very fast and capable boat (see table opposite).

The lengthers 'Verena' and 'Frolic,' each about 7-rating, tried their luck on a few occasions, but they were soon proved to be outclassed under the rating rule. 'Little Nell,' 'Raven,' 'Ina,' and 'Jenny Wren' also competed. 'Dis' finished the season with the excellent figure of merit 52.2, and 'Lollypop' with 34.6. This figure of merit is found by the formula proposed by Colonel F. J. Smith, R.E., in 1890, viz.:

M = 100P ÷ (N + vN + 2)

where M is the figure of merit
N is the number of starts
P is the number of first prizes,

all referring to class races only. Colonel Smith subsequently elaborated the formula by allowing points for sails over, and for second prizes when three boats started; but it is practically impossible to get such records with accuracy, and the resulting order of merit is the same whichever figure of merit be adopted. Hence it is best to employ the simplest formula in which first prizes alone count, as in the one just given, which will be adopted in these pages.

Further details of the 10-rater racing will be found in a tabulated form on p. 488 of 'Land and Water,' Oct. 20, 1888.

The 5-Raters, 1888.

Mr. L. M. Ames attempted to start the 5-rating class by building 'Fair Geraldine' (see table of dimensions), but the class received but little encouragement from the clubs this year, and there were very few purely class races. The 'Flutterby,' 4-rater, designed by her owner, Mr. Fred. Hughes, Mr. Farmer's 'Chittywee,' and Mr. Newton-Robinson's 'Rose' were the only competitors available.

The 2½-Raters, 1888.

Mr. Waller's 'Lady Nan,' Mr. Manning's 'Ada,' and the late Mr. Sidney Watson's 'Chipmunk' were the new boats in this class, the first named being a great success at a moderate cost, the usual oak timbers, bent ash frames, and pine planking being used in her construction. Her lines are given in Mr. Dixon Kemp's 'Yacht Architecture,' second edition. 'Madcap,' her chief opponent, had been slightly lengthened during the winter, and a counter added; thus improved, she was able to turn the tables on 'Thalassa' (see following table).

Racing Records, 1888.

1888 Starts Prizes Figure of merit
First Other Total
10-Rating Class
Dis 29 19 06 25 52
Lollypop 17 08 04 12 34
2½-Rating Class
Lady Nan 31 19 09 28 49
Madcap 24 08 10 18 26
Tottie 06 02 00 02 19
Thalassa 34 03 11 14 07
Fairy 21 02 03 05 07
Minnow 10 01 02 03 06

The feature this year was the birth of the heavy lead fin-keel. Mr. Payne tried it in 'Lady Nan,' and Captain Hughes had a similar keel placed on 'Fairy,' thereby improving both her speed and power.

Another excitement was caused by Mr. Simpson very gamely sailing his 'Tottie' (4.5 feet beam) round from the Thames, so as to try the Solent 2½-raters. 'Tottie' was designed by Mr. G. L. Watson for a special class, 21 feet L.W.L. and 500 S.A. She won easily in this class on the Thames, but only scored on the Solent in light weather, and soon found it expedient to return to her muddy headquarters. 'Minnow' also won a few prizes in light weather by means of her time allowance; but 'Chipmunk' 12 starts, 'Ada' 4, 'Titu' 2, and 'Cormorant' 1 start, failed to score for their figure of merit.

The season's racing was good, and the class evidently established itself in public favour. The Castle Club, then at Hamble, gave a number of races for the class, and several members of the club agreed to build 2½-raters for the coming season.

For the results see the record table for 1888 (p. 231).

CLASS RACING, 1889

The 10-Raters, 1889.

The owner of 'Lollypop' being encouraged by her performances in 1888, commissioned Mr. Arthur Payne to design a racing 10-rater; whence it came about that the swift and handsome 'Decima' was launched from the Belvidere yard in the following spring. She was a few inches shorter than 'Dis,' but in every other respect a more powerful boat—more beam, draught, and displacement, also a larger mainsail.

The 'Drina' was built at Cowes about the same time, but she was designed simply as a 32-ft. L.W.L. day boat, and her owner, Prince Batthyany Strattmann, only decided to race her when she was already in frame. The lead keel was then dropped 1.8 foot and the sail increased 400, to 1,800 square feet. Unfortunately for 'Drina' it was a windy summer.

Mr. Ratsey tuned up his fine square-sterned yacht 'Dolly Varden' with a lovely suit of sails. Captain Montagu lengthened 'Lil' and converted her into the 9-rater 'Nety'; and Mr. Clarke brought out 'Dis' from her padlocked abode and did all that he could to make her win—but in this he was disappointed, though when beaten he stuck to the fight as only a true sportsman can. Towards the end of the season the attention of Clydesiders was drawn to 'Decima's' long string of successes, and the sporting owners of the old 'Doris' and the new 'Yvonne' sailed them round to do battle in the Solent lists.

Racing Records, 1889.

1889 Starts Prizes Figure of merit
First Other Total
10-Rating Class
Decima 39 28 06 34 59
Yvonne 32 13 12 25 33
Doris 38 12 07 19 26
Dis 28 03 09 12 08
5-Rating Class
Lollypop 10 05 03 08 33
Thief 03 02 00 02 29
Thalassa 12 05 03 08 28
Fair Geraldine 03 01 00 01 15
Cock-a-Whoop 05 01 02 03 10
Blue Bell 09 01 03 04 07
2½-Rating Class
Humming Bird 38 25 04 29 54
Queen Mab 12 05 02 07 28
Cosette 19 04 06 10 15
G.G. 13 02 03 05 11
Nadador 21 02 08 10 07
Madcap 26 02 05 07 06
Thalassa 13 01 03 04 06
Thief 16 01 03 04 05

'Yvonne,' designed by the famous son of Fife, was narrower and shorter than 'Decima,' and had 45 square feet more sail, which placed her in the van in light weather. But 'Decima' beat her five times in eight starts, and beat 'Doris' eleven times in fourteen starts.

The results for the season are given in the record table.

It was a red-letter year for the 10's on the Solent, nothing like it having occurred either before or since.

The 5-Raters, 1889.

Energy in one class is often accompanied by stagnation in another, and the 5's were certainly slow enough during 1889 to satisfy the most exacting Puritan.

'Cock-a-Whoop,' 2½-rater. Designed by A. E. Payne, M.I.N.A., 1889.

The clubs did their duty, as fifteen races were given to the class on the Solent. 'Lollypop,' cut down to a 5, was the most successful boat. Next came 'Thief' (of which boat more anon); then 'Thalassa,' 'Fair Geraldine,' 'Cock-a-Whoop,' 'Blue Bell,' 'Gleam,' 'Ada,' 'Dorothy,' and 'Tar Baby' made up the motley crowd—the four last-named scoring a 'duck' for their figure of merit. 'Gleam,' however, caused a little excitement by capsizing in one race, pitching her owner, Mr. Clayton, with several of his friends, into the sweet waters of Southampton, from which they were fortunately rescued with much promptitude by the blue gig carried on board her Majesty's letter-bag boat, which was steaming past at the time of the accident. The class was nothing more nor less than a harbour of refuge for outclassed boats; and, as the yachts differed in their ratings, the race officers were ever busy calculating their time allowances, and growling inwardly at 'those confounded decimals.' 'Fair Geraldine' was the only boat built for the class, but, curiously enough, when she tried conclusions at the end of the season she found herself 'between the devil and the deep sea,' the 2½-rater 'Cock-a-Whoop,' with extra sail to qualify for the class, beating her in light weather on September 14, and the cruiser 'Lollypop' beating her in a breeze on the 21st.

The broad results of the racing can be seen in the table of records for 1889.

The 2½-Raters, 1889.

Now began small yacht-racing in earnest, and a determined attempt was made to lower Mr. Payne's colours. Mrs. Schenley, the Earl of Dunraven, and Mr. T. B. C. West all joined the class, all cared but little what it cost to win, all sailed their boats well, all engaged good crews, and all went to Mr. G. L. Watson for the designs. He gave them enlarged 'Totties' (one with a C.B.), excellent boats in their way, but distinctly inferior to the type developing on the Solent under the motto, 'Payne and Pleasure.' Such a boat was 'Humming Bird,' often called the 'Hummer,' nearly 3 feet longer than 'Lady Nan,' and about 17 inches longer on W.L. than her Watsonite competitors, but with little O.H. at either end. The fin-keel became more pronounced, the M.S. and scantling were further reduced, and the lug sloop rig was adopted—a combination which made her wonderfully fast on all points of sailing in any but light winds. She was sailed faultlessly by her owner, Captain J. W. Hughes, and made the excellent M. of 54 at the end of the season (see table of records).

Another boat of the year deserves mention—the 26-ft. C.B. sloop built and designed by Stephens of Southampton. She was purchased by Mr. Garrett of plunging boat fame, and named the 'G.G.' She had 10 feet beam, and did best on courses where she could avoid a tide by sailing over the shallows. 'Thalassa' was raced in the class during June and July, after which she raised her R. and joined the 5's. She had been lengthened 2 feet aft during the winter, and greatly improved thereby, her speed now being equal to 'Madcap' and 'Lady Nan' (see record table for 1889, p. 233).

'Humming Bird,' Payne, 1889.

'Heathen Chinee,' a yawl of peculiar design, and 'Minnow' and 'Chipmunk' raced on a few occasions, but failed to win any first prizes.

SOLENT SAILORESSES.

This year was noticeable for the activity of ladies on the Solent. Miss Cox continued to race 'Madcap'; her sister, Mrs. Rudston-Read, purchased 'Lady Nan,' and raced her under the new name 'Nadador'; Mrs. Schenley raced her new 2½ 'Thief'; Mrs. Sidney Watson, Miss Harvey (now Mrs. A. Heygate), and the Misses Hughes occasionally steered in the races, and the daughters of 'Thalassa' helped to work their father's boat, and sometimes steered her.

Late in the season—in the series of matches, 'ladies up,' between 'Cosette' and 'Queen Mab'—the Earl got two 'daughters of the sea' to help him, and Miss Harvey steered the 'Queen' for Mr. West.

It really looked as if ladies were about to take an active part in Solent racing; but next year, although races for ladies were specially provided in the programme of the Castle Club, some owners objected, and this form of sport received a somewhat rude and unexpected check from which it has never quite recovered.

Two sailing clubs were started on the Solent in 1889—the Island Sailing Club at West Cowes, and a branch of the Minima Sailing Club at Hamble. The former club arose during the winter of 1888, and Mr. Barrow, its present hon. secretary, states that it was 'the outcome of much boat-sailing talk in Cowes and in the "Field" ... on the superior charms and advantages of open-boat sailing'; but, 'like many season fashions, open boating soon found its level, and the I.S.C. has had an uphill fight to get open boats together for racing.'... 'The influence of small raters seems to have been too much for the open craft, and though the club has offered very good prizes and a 20-guinea challenge cup, ... yet the open-boat racing has been so poorly supported that most probably next year' (1893) 'the racing will be entirely confined to small raters, which have given much sport during the past season' (1892). The first 'Commodore, the late General Baring, taking much interest in the club, bought land adjoining the Customs watch, and built thereon the present small but very convenient club house, with its slipway, &c., where it has since passed a ... busy existence, holding in the season its fortnightly races, which have been well supported by 2½-, 1-, and ½-raters.'[8]

The Minima Sailing Club was established in the same year, 1889:

1st. To encourage the building, improvement, and sailing of small boats, and to promote seamanship and sport amongst amateur boat-sailers.

2nd. To arrange cruises and races both on the coast and inland waters.

3rd. To give to members who may wish to visit a coast, river, or lake which is new to them, facilities for obtaining information as to harbourage, boatmen, housing of boats, carriage of boats, and other local matters.

4th. To form branches or out-stations, and to affiliate local clubs as such, or otherwise.

This club has adopted the motto 'Per Mare per Terram,' very appropriate for an institution which encourages the transport of boats by rail.

Commodore Hallowes is an Admiral, and settles disputes admirably. To him and to Mr. Herbert Ridsdale, the hon. secretary for the Solent, the success of the club in these waters is principally due. Unfortunately for the Solent, Mr. Ridsdale departed for fresh seas and outlets new in 1892.

A little club-house was erected in 1891 on the Hamble river-bank, opposite Warsash village, and the races now start and finish at this point, everything being done by miniature flags, &c., in strict accord with the Y.R.A. rules—altogether a nice little club, well managed, and possessing an excellent general programme which deserves to succeed.

The Castle Club also jumped ahead with a fair breeze in 1889, and a convenient house was built close to Calshot Castle, permission having been obtained from the Admiralty and War Office after much negotiation. Ladies are encouraged to join the club. A room is set apart for them, and the near relatives of members can join on specially easy terms. This, a somewhat novel experiment, has succeeded admirably, and many ladies now attend the races and take a lively interest in the club. Tea at the club-house has become an afternoon function on race-days. Intoxicating liquors are not sold, but the housekeeper can generally put a square meal before a hungry mariner. The race officers have a tower-room to themselves. The starting gun—a heavy double-barrelled 4-bore—gives as excellent a report in its way as Mr. Parsons, the courteous correspondent for the 'Field'—sharp, clear, distinct, and never a hang fire or a doubtful meaning.

We now pass to another year, but adhere to our present subject, because in 1890 the Bembridge Sailing Club first attracted notice by its energy under the diligent direction of its hon. secretary, Mr. Blair Onslow Cochrane, to whom we are indebted for the following characteristic account, which begins by claiming that—

... The Bembridge Sailing Club was started in 1886 under the name of the Isle of Wight Corinthian Sailing Club, changed in 1890 to the present name in order to avoid confusion with the Isle of Wight Corinthian Yacht Club (Ryde) since defunct.... Many men of moderate means, but fond of boat-racing, thought a club whose leading features were:—

1st. Racing in boats of uniform pattern.

2nd. Racing in boats of small Y.R.A. rating (2 and under) ... would be a success, and in order to keep down expense and to suit the harbour, draught was limited to 3 feet.

The first feature, which consisted of club boats, sloop-rigged, with rolling jibs and mainsails so as to reef easily, has been very popular; races in this class, both single-handed and otherwise, taking place almost daily. The subscription to these boats being only 1l., a member is enabled to have a summer's racing and cruising for this small sum, and can, if he be a fair hand in a boat, win good prizes. The boats are as nearly as possible equal, and, lots being drawn for them before racing, the best man wins as a rule. These boats are moored just under the club-house, and amusing incidents frequently occur. A well-known man from the Emerald Isle, who is a keen and successful yacht-sailer, was the cause of a hearty laugh. Getting into a club boat, he set the mainsail, and, after letting go the moorings, he jumped aft to the helm, but unfortunately for him the hook of the mooring chain caught in the bobstay and held the boat fast. Advice was freely showered upon him from the club-house. 'Haul your port jib sheet aft.' 'Push the boom over.' 'Roll up the jib.' 'Steady your helm.' 'Get your hair cut,' &c., &c., amid roars of laughter; but it was a good ten minutes before he found out what was wrong, the boat sheering wildly all the time!

Races are also held in which each helmsman has to set sail, pick up moorings, &c. &c.

The classes under Y.R.A., 1-raters and ½-raters, also afford great sport, but resulted in the development of a very expensive type of boat, the natural consequence of the ascendency of the 'almighty dollar'; but these boats are exceedingly capable and safe. In 1891 the racing was only stopped one day on account of weather, and that summer was peculiarly stormy.

These small yachts afford an admirable school ... which will do more for the real sport of yacht-racing than anything else. A man who can sail a 1- or a ½-rater will never be out of place in a larger ship, or become a mere passenger, for he won't race a small boat unless he loves the sport.

At Bembridge the club has a slipway and cradle, and members can haul up their boats at any time, either for repairs or drying, at no cost. This is a great boon to a small boat-owner.

There are generally about forty races each season, of from 5 to 10 knot course. The starting is by semaphore, and recalls are effected by blowing a fog-horn to attract attention and then exposing the boat's racing flag painted on zinc ... thus doing away with cards and enabling post entries.

The harbour, capable of much improvement, is in the hands of a ... company....

There are two good boat-builders, a good sail-maker, and a ship-chandler.

Tides run very slack, and the railway station, telegraph office, steamboat pier, and first-class hotel are all within fifty yards.

Classes for 2½-raters and deep draught 1-raters have now (1892) been started, and will race outside....

Further details concerning this excellent and flourishing Club will be found in table on p. 286.

CLASS RACING, 1890

may be described in the words fives and two-point fives. 'Dis' and 'Decima' were sold and went away, the 10-R. class collapsed, and the ones and halves were only talked about, not built. The 5-rating class was thoroughly started this year, and a boat which devoured the cakes for two seasons was launched in the 2½-rating class.

Racing Records, 1890.

1890 Starts Prizes Figure of merit
First Other Total
5-Rating Class
Glycera 43 19 12 31 37
Alwida 40 11 13 30 29
Archee 14 04 05 09 20
Valentine 26 05 04 09 15
Quinque 39 02 10 12 04
Fair Geraldine 13 00 01 01 00
2½-Rating Class
The Babe 27 15 06 21 44
Humming Bird 33 12 03 15 29
Dolphin 26 07 06 13 21
Cock-a-Whoop 33 04 18 22 10
Thalassa 10 01 00 01 06
Mliss 34 02 10 12 05
Troublesome 22 01 05 06 03

Lord Dunraven became Commodore of the Castle Club in the spring. He was already an avowed champion for and a generous supporter of small yacht racing, and during the winter—to be precise, on November 23, 1889—he wrote an epoch-marking letter to the 'Field' which produced good fruit. In it he said:—

May I add a word about the small classes on the Solent? Your remarks in your issue of the 9th inst. were, I think, rather unfair upon the 5's. Roughly speaking, I suppose the cost of a 20 is about three-fifths more than the cost of a 10; a 10 costs nearly two-thirds more than a 5, and a 5 would come to about double the expense of a 2½. The proportional initial expense diminishes according to size; but the converse is the case in respect of working expenses.

The crew of a 2½ can sail a 5, but double the crew of a 5 will be found in a 10, and a 20 will require another couple of hands and a pilot in addition to the crew of a 10.

The 5's and 20's appear to be the cheapest classes. Nothing can be more delightful than a 2½. It is the perfection of racing of its kind; but the absence of any accommodation below is a serious drawback under certain circumstances, especially to persons living at a distance.

In a 5 you can change clothes, boil a kettle, and, on a pinch, sleep.

The 5-Raters, 1890.

Lord Dunraven's boat 'Alwida' and Mr. P. Perceval's boat 'Glycera' were designed by Payne and built at Southampton; Col. Bucknill's 'Quinque' was designed by her owner and built at Hamble in a very substantial manner by Luke & Co.

'Quinque,' 5-rater.
(Lt.-Col. Bucknill, R.E.).

Two new boats were designed by Mr. G. L. Watson—the 'Valentine' for Mrs. Schenley, and the 'Archee' for Mr. McNish. The elements of all these boats will be found in the table for 5-raters, and detailed drawings of 'Valentine' are given in the sixth edition of Dixon Kemp's 'Yacht Architecture.' 'Archee,' the more capable of the two Watsonites, was built at Wivenhoe. She was beaten on the Solent when she first tried conclusions, but her sail-plan was improved and 5 cwt. of lead transferred from inside to out, after which she made some good matches with 'Glycera' and 'Alwida.' She scored four firsts for fourteen starts in the Solent, and three more firsts in four ex-Solent races. Her speed probably astonished her designer as much as other people, and this surprise, combined with the success of the 2½-rater C.B. boats on the Clyde in 1891, may account for the best Watsonite in the large classes 1892 belonging to this reviled type. (See Mr. Watson's evidence before the Y.R.A. Committee, 1886.)

But we live to learn. Mr. McNish deserves some credit in this matter, as he thoroughly believed in the centreboard when others (including the designer he employed) were sceptical.

At the end of the season Mr. Payne's boats again headed the list, as will be seen in the table of records (p. 241). They were built lighter, they drew more water, and they were sailed better than the other boats in the class; 5/8-inch mahogany planking was employed, but they leaked freely at the garboards, and their floors had to be strengthened.

'Fair Geraldine' only scored one third prize in thirteen starts.

The 2½-Raters, 1890.

This may be termed 'Babe's' year, as a boat of that name built for Mr. W. A. Beauclerk from a design by Mr. Payne won fifteen firsts in twenty-seven starts on the Solent. She was not the longest boat in the class, but had a foot more than 'Hummer.' She had fairly good depth and displacement, and in some respects was like her principal rival—especially in the faultless manner in which she was sailed and prepared for every race. Her owner a good helmsman and keen sportsman, her skipper first-rate in every way, she came out of the builder's yard as smooth as a bottle, and after two years' racing everything about her was in the same high-class racing condition.

The 'Dolphin,' designed by Mr. Clayton, proved to be fast and capable. In addition, she had the germs of a new type in her—viz. the overhanging end to evade the measurement of length, which has since developed such startling proportions. Drawings of this boat are given in 'Yacht Architecture.' It is difficult to point to any defect in her lines or general design.

'Camilla' and 'Janetta,' 26½ feet, and 'Mliss,' 25 feet, were designed by Mr. Payne, 'Mliss' only doing well. She belonged to Miss Cox, whose sister, Mrs. Rudston-Read, had the 'Troublesome' built at Fay's, from a design by Mr. Soper—a somewhat ugly boat with a counter and flare bow. She was fast in light weather, and won the Challenge Plate given by Mr. George Schenley to the Castle Yacht Club.

'The Babe,' 2½-rater. Designed by A. E. Payne, 1890.

'Cock-a-Whoop,' built in 1889 for Captain Hughes's two sons, from a design by Mr. Payne, was raced, as already stated, in the 5-rater class at first, but in 1890 she was rearranged to fit the 2.5 class, in which she raced.

'SAVOURNA'
5-rater. (H. L. Mulholland, Esq.) Designed by A. E. Payne, 1891.

Two of the narrow boats, 'Cosette' and 'Thief,' did not fit out for the Solent racing, and the third, 'Queen Mab,' did not succeed in winning a single first prize in six starts. The same remark applies to 'Camilla' with nineteen starts, to 'Janetta' with ten starts, and to 'G.G.' with five starts. Four boats, two being new boats by Payne, and one a 'last year's boat' by Watson, failed to score a single point for their figure of merit! These boats are consequently omitted in the table of records, but full particulars of the racing can be found in a table published October 20, in 'Land and Water.'

We now pass to 1891, which will be remembered as the ½-raters' year.

CLASS RACING, 1891

The 10-raters 'Dis' and 'Decima' raced in a few matches on the Solent; but it was tame work, the old story being constantly retold. In the end, however, 'Decima' was found to be over her rating and had to disgorge her prizes. Hence the final results are only misleading, and are not entered in the record table on p. 246.

The 5-Raters, 1891.

'Valentine' was replaced by the 'Windfall,' and 'Glycera,' by the 'Savourna,' the two new boats being designed by Mr, Payne and built by the new firm of Summers & Payne, which like a phoenix had risen from the ashes of a disastrous fire at the Belvidere yards of A. R. Payne & Sons and Black & Co. (late Hatcher & Co.).

Mr. Summers, having command of capital, bought up both these firms, took Mr. Arthur Payne into partnership, erected labour-saving machinery, rebuilt the premises in a very substantial manner, and brought a good business capacity to bear upon the whole concern.

In the two new 5-raters the fin-keel, the lug, and the general arrangements on the 'Babe' and 'Hummer' were carried into the larger class with complete success. Mr. Langrishe joined the class with a new boat, the 'Iernia,' built at Gosport and designed by the son of Fife. She differed from Mr. Payne's boats in possessing considerable overhang, in a flare bow, and a long counter. Her hull was somewhat similar to 'Valentine,' and she was rigged as a lug sloop like 'Savourna.' 'Windfall,' however, sported the divided skirt in front of the mast.

Racing Records, 1891.

1891 Starts Prizes Figure of merit
First Other Total
5-Rating Class
Windfall 40 22 12 34 45
Savourna 40 14 20 34 29
Alwida 29 06 08 14 16
Iernia 29 03 04 07 08
2½-Rating Class
The Babe 45 36 03 39 67
Avadavat 40 12 17 29 25
Fiera 33 07 09 17 17
Janetta 36 01 11 12 02
½-Rating Class
Spruce 12 06 02 08 35
Tiny 33 14 07 21 34
Narua 25 09 06 15 28
Bairn 29 09 11 20 25
Dee Dee 38 08 19 27 17
Jeanie 50 05 17 22 08

'Katherine,' a new 5, built, designed, and sailed by Mr. Black (who had retired from business), was a capable boat of 31 L.W.L., with a straight stem and a pretty counter; but she failed to score.

'Quinque' had been altered during the winter, but was not improved. 'Alwida' was not changed until in August the lug was adopted, when the same was done for 'Quinque.' Their sailing was improved, but not enough to win.

THE 'BABE'
2½-rater. Designed by A. E. Payne, 1890.

The racing proved the superiority of Mr. Payne's designs, which now and for the third year headed this class. See table of records, which shows that 'Windfall' and 'Savourna' competed in no less than forty class matches. This was due to the senior yacht clubs like the Squadron, Royal London, Royal Victoria, and Royal Albert giving extra match days for the Solent classes. Coincident with this fashion of giving numerous races there arose in some quarters a desire to do it economically, one club being specially noticeable. For instance, at its annual regatta, 1891, the second prize was not awarded to Lord Dunraven, as only three boats started, although the prize was given to the club by another owner and several rather heavy entrance fees had been collected. In fact, the club cleared 7l. 15s. by the race. This, and other cases of the kind, may cheer those who tremble at the cost of giving races, and may even point a way whereby less wealthy clubs may 'turn an honest penny.'

The 2½-Raters, 1891.

'Humming Bird,' 'Mliss,' 'Dolphin,' and 'Camilla' did not race, 'Hummer' eventually going to Ireland and 'Camilla' to the East coast, 'Mliss' and 'Dolphin' to Plymouth. The new boat 'Fiera' was designed for Miss Cox by Mr. Payne, who also turned out the 'Avadavat,' 28 feet L.W.L., for Mr. Wilson Hoare. Mr. E. N. Harvey had the 'Undine' built at Cowes from a design by Mr. Clayton, and Sir G. Pearce the 'Squirrel,' designed by Stone. 'Janetta' was raced again.

Not one of them could touch the 'Babe,' which seemed to go faster than ever now that her principal antagonist, the 'Hummer,' was out of the way.

The record for the season will be found in the table, and 'Babe's' figure of merit—67—obtained by thirty-six first prizes in forty-five starts, was a wonderful performance.

The ½-Raters, 1891.

Just as the 2½-raters had been the outcome of an agreement among some members of the Castle Club to build and start the class in 1888, so the ½-rating class in 1891 was produced by a similar agreement among certain enthusiastic boat-sailers of the Bembridge Sailing Club. Mr. Payne was consulted, and quite a fleet of these little ships was built in the Belvidere yards during the winter of 1890-91—viz. 'Narua,' 'Eileen,' 'Otokesan,' 'Dee Dee,' 'Idono,' 'Ladybird,' 'Kittiwake.' These were all capital little boats—miniature yachts, in fact—with rather heavy lead keels of the fin type, and with good displacement—some 11 or 12 cwt.—about three-quarters of it being ballast.

Two more of similar type—viz. 'Tiny' and 'Dancing Girl'—were built at Hamble from designs by Mr. Herbert Ridsdale, and the 'Coquette' was built at Gosport from a design by Mr. C. Nicholson. A boat designed by Fife, the 'Jeanie,' had a counter 4.6 feet long. Their L.W.L. usually varied from 15½ to 17 feet. The 'Mosquito,' designed by Mr. Soper, was built of cedar; the others were planked with mahogany, and all were good specimens of the modern art of boat-building.

Most of the sail-plans consisted of a large lug and a spitfire jib secured to a roller which could be revolved on the forestay as an axle by means of cords led aft to the well of the boat. Thus the sail could be reefed by rolling it up like a blind. This was the invention of Captain Du Bowlay. It is very convenient, especially for single-handed sailing. By a further contrivance, the roller can be carried on the end of an iron or steel arm pivoted in a goose-neck secured to the front of the mast and worked by guys from the well; in which event the forestay is rigged in front of the roller. Thus the jib can be reefed or unreefed, or set at an angle, and converted into a spinnaker in a few seconds. (See illustration on opposite page).

These little craft are wonderful sea-boats, and created quite a furore of enthusiastic excitement throughout the season, several ladies taking an active interest in the sport, and some of them steering their own boats in the roughest weather. But they were not destined to have all the fun to themselves. In the middle of the season a spruce young gentleman arrived from the metropolitan waters with a contrivance termed a 'canoe yawl'—a shallow, light, buoyant thing having little or no ballast except the crew, who sat in a canvas-bag arrangement to be emptied as occasion required on rough days. The craft was as easily upset as righted; but the crew combined the acrobat with the water-rat, and showed great skill in keeping the little ship right side up.

'Mosquito,' with roll foresail. Designed by Soper, 1892.

The 'Torpedo,' another device of the kind, and owned by Mr. Stewart, came from Oxford. The owners of the Solent half-raters were not too well pleased to see some of the prizes going into the lockers of these canoe yawls, and a fine string of letters appeared in the 'Field'; but the excitement moderated when it was found that the raters usually scored honours.

One other type was tried—the C.B. dinghy. 'Bairn,' however, was the only example in this class. Many of the clubs limited the crew of half-raters to two hands. This did not suit the 'Bairn' type, which requires three or four hands to windward as 'ballast' in the usual Solent weather.

It is impossible to give a summary of the racing in this class, because it is very imperfectly reported in the sporting press, and the club secretaries do not invariably retain correct records even of the starters and winners.

'Kittiwake' was generally considered the best boat of the year; but several others ran her close. The only boats recorded in the 'Yacht-racing Calendar' are 'Tiny,' 'Narua,' 'Bairn,' and 'Jeanie,' and for these the figures are given in our table of records. 'Spruce's' record includes her Solent races only. She won numerous prizes in other waters.

CLASS RACING, 1892

began, so to speak, with a conference of club delegates under the hospitable roof of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, on the last Saturday in February. An amicable meeting agreed to encourage as many open races as possible by withdrawing the restriction that owners and helmsmen should be members of the clubs.[9] It was also decided that the classes 'not exceeding ½-rating,' and 'exceeding ½-rating but not exceeding 1-rating,' should be added to 'the Solent classes,' and be supported by the yacht and sailing clubs on the Solent. Dates for match days were agreed to, and the meeting separated.

The result was satisfactory, as better sport in the small classes was seen on the Solent in 1892 than in any previous year.

Racing Records, 1892.

1892 Starts Prizes Figure of merit
First Other Total
5-Rating Class
Dacia 31 23 04 27 59
Cyane 12 06 04 10 34
Windfall 09 04 04 08 29
2½-Rating Class
Gareth 09 05 01 06 36
Faugh-a-Ballagh 49 15 15 30 26
Polynia 25 07 05 12 22
Papoose 41 10 15 25 20
Hoopoo 44 09 17 26 17
Cockatoo 40 07 08 15 14
Molly 41 05 14 19 10
Stork 36 04 05 09 09
Bud 33 02 08 10 05
1-Rating Class
Doushka 23 13 03 16 44
Nansheen 32 15 08 23 38
Pup 23 07 08 15 23
Rogue 45 11 11 22 20
Mahatma ? 12 18 30 ?
Barbet ? 01 12 13 ?
½-Rating Class
No complete records

The 10-Raters, 1892.

An attempt to revive the 10-R. class was made by Mr. J. Gretton, jun., who built the 'Doreen' from a design by Mr. W. Fife, jun. She forms a startling exponent of the modern racer. Her mainsail, a lug, contains 1,061 square feet of canvas by Y.R.A. measurement, her total S.A. being 1,572, her L.W.L. 38 feet, and her L.O.A. 56.5 feet (see table for 10-raters). A fine, seaworthy craft, fast in a breeze, but not so good in light winds owing to the absence of a sky-scraper. She has the divided skirt forward, but the forestay is taken through the deck some distance inside the stem-head, this having an O.H. of 8.2 feet. This arrangement was used for a similar reason on the cutter yacht 'Margaret,' 265 tons, illustrated in the 'Field,' 1853.

'Doreen,' 20 (J. Gretton, Jun., Esq.). Designed by Fife, 1892.

The present owner of 'Dis,' Mr. Sparks, came forward very pluckily to battle for some of the class prizes on the Solent and the South Coast, and scored on a few occasions in light weather; in a heeling breeze, however, 'Doreen' romped away from him.

'DACIA'
5-rater (Earl of Dudley). Designed by C. Nicholson, jun., 1892.

Although the 10's form one of the 'Solent classes,' they do not flourish. If men built to the class they would get plenty of racing, as in 1889, but Lord Dunraven's letter, already quoted on p. 241, gives ample reasons for the 5- and the 20-raters being preferred.

The 5-Raters, 1892.

This may be termed 'Dacia's' year, when a young and comparatively unknown designer succeeded in lowering the colours of Mr. Payne where others had so signally failed.

Lord Dunraven's 'Cyane,' 1892.

'Dacia' was built at Gosport for Mr. R. H. Langrishe from a design by Mr. C. Nicholson (jun.). For her dimensions, &c., see table for 5-raters (p. 274). She carries her sail well, but is probably built too light. In the middle of the racing season she had to lay up for a time and have a new stem fitted, presumably because the bow was straining. She carries a deep fin-keel, which draws about 8.5 feet. It is coppered. Her O.H. both fore and aft is extreme, and her sailing length is thereby considerably increased when sailing even at moderate speeds. But her success must also be due to a well-considered design as a whole, because her strongest point is clawing to windward, which she does in a marvellous way, blow high blow low, and her great length cannot assist her much on this point of sailing.

She cost no more than other boats of the same rating, but when the Earl of Dudley took a fancy to her, Mr. Langrishe sold her early in the season for 'four figures,' it is said; and she was worth it, for it is better to have one successful than two unsuccessful racers. Early in September she raced a rubber of matches against the Clyde crack 'Natica,' Tor Bay being selected as the 'neutral water.' The stakes were heavy, and she won two out of the three races, being steered to victory by her designer.[10] During the season Lord Dudley generally steered her himself, but her designer steered at Tor Bay.

'Windfall,' 5-rater. Designed by A. E. Payne, 1891.

The 'Cyane,' about the same L.W.L. as the 'Dacia,' was built from a design by Mr. Payne for the Earl of Dunraven, who, as commodore of the Castle Club, and one of the first supporters of 5-raters, takes a great interest in the class. 'Cyane' started well before 'Dacia' and 'Windfall' were launched, but afterwards only succeeded in beating 'Dacia' once. She was laid up in the middle of the season.

'Squall,' a sister 5, built for Mr. A. F. S. Crawford, was not so fast, and failed to win pride of place in any race on the Solent.

'Windfall,' with her new owner, Mr. Gubbins, at the helm, did better against 'Dacia' than any other yacht on the Solent, but she left for the Emerald Isle early in the season.

'Savourna' was also raced by her owner, the Hon. H. L. Mulholland, M.P., before going to Ireland, but she did not succeed so well as when Mr. Perceval had her, or it may be that 'Windfall' went better than in 1891.

'Quinque' had been lengthened during the winter, and was greatly improved thereby, but she failed to score until in July her keel was lowered, after which she beat 'Dacia' twice in light weather, and won twelve prizes before the end of the season.

The full history of 'Quinque' during her four years' racing is most instructive to the student on account of her numerous alterations, each of which afforded more trustworthy information on some special point than it is possible to obtain from the examination of new boats, however successful they may be; but the story is too long for these pages.[11]

The records of the Solent racing are entered in the table, wherein it will be found that 'Dacia' made the excellent figure of merit 59, in spite of first two prizes lost by minor infractions of the rules, before Lord Dudley raced her.

The 2½-Raters, 1892.

This year was full of surprises in the 2½-rating class, as indeed in all the small classes.

These were mainly due to two gentlemen, Mr. Nat Herreshoff of Rhode Island, U.S., and Mr. C. Nicholson (jun.) of Gosport, G.B.

The success of their boats was largely owing to their long overhangs, producing a sailing length greatly in excess of the length measured for their rating.

'Faugh-a-Ballagh,' 2½-rater, 1892.

Mr. Herreshoff also took full advantage of the power given by the bulb-keel to give great stability to a boat of very small displacement. He was therefore content to apply long overhangs to boats of moderate L.W.L. as compared with the English boats in the same class.

Mr. Nicholson, however, placed his long overhangs on boats of long L.W.L., and used fin-keels. Complete success crowned both these types.

Unfortunately the 'Gareth' never met 'Wenonah,' and the crack 2½ of the year is therefore still a matter of doubt.

'Wenonah's' elements, so far as known, are added to this list of boats, in order to facilitate comparison. She never raced on the Solent. She is sloop-rigged, with a very short gaff, and a fore-triangle, about the same as 'Faugh-a-Ballagh.'

Old Fashion.

'Quinque.'

'Cyane.'

'Dacia.'

'Gareth' is 3 feet longer on the L.W.L., but 0.8 foot shorter than 'Wenonah' in L.O.A. She is, therefore, a fairer boat than 'Wenonah,' a greater percentage of her length being taxed for rating. It is an insult to the intelligence of a designer to suppose that any portion of the hull is useless. Consequently we must assume that all the 37.5 feet of L.O.A. in 'Wenonah' is useful, and, as the sailing length was that which the Y.R.A. intended to tax for rating in 1886, the 'Wenonah' cannot be regarded as a 'short boat.'

Old Fashion.

'Lady Nan.'

'Dolphin.'

'Molly.'

'Dacia.'

The ability of a designer is legitimately employed in evading a measurement rule as far as possible, as did Mr. Edward Hammond Bentall in designing 'Jullanar' in 1875, but the experience that is found at the council table of the Y.R.A. should checkmate such evasions of the spirit in which their rules are framed.

'Gareth' is not so excessive in type as 'Molly' and 'Stork' by the same designer, which came out earlier in the season and won a good many prizes before Mr. Payne's boats of the 'Cockatoo' type were launched. When this occurred, 'Molly's' keel was recast and lowered, after which she was less successful in any weather.

Mr. Payne built a number of 2½-raters for this year's racing; three of them—the 'Papoose,' 'Polynia,' and 'Cockatoo'—have a canoe-shaped M.S., and fin-keels which taper upwards—not quite bulb-keels, but nearly so. The lead was also shaped like half a dumb-bell in longitudinal elevation. They were beamy boats of small displacement and great stability, and beat the rest of the fleet easily in a heeling breeze until 'Gareth' appeared. In light weather they were generally beaten by 'Hoopoo,' 'Mynah,' 'Faugh-a-Ballagh,' 'Molly,' and 'Stork.' 'Faugh-a-Ballagh' perhaps possessed the highest average speed of any boat in the class, and seemed to go very much like the 'Babe,' which is high praise. At the end of the season her string of flags was the longest, but this is often rather deceptive—especially when better boats are launched late, and when contests are occasionally selected for winning flags rather than the highest class honours.

'Hoopoo' was well raced; but the owner picked his weather, occasionally refusing to start in a strong wind when he thought he 'hadn't a chance.' No doubt this is correct if the 'Yachtsman's' medal be the object sought for; but few men possess the strength of mind to stand out with their boat at the starting line, crew eager for the fray, and everything all-a-taut-oh.

Design for 1-rater by J. M. Soper, 1892.

'Mynah,' another fast boat, was well sailed by her owner, Lieutenant F. Elwes, of the 68th Light Infantry, whenever he could escape from the duties of camp life, inspections, and summer manoeuvres.

'Bud,' designed by Mr. Soper for the Earl of Desart, did nothing so long as she stuck to her heavy C.B. made of gun-metal. When it was discarded, and a triangular lead keel fitted, she went better and led the fleet at the finish on two occasions when the weather suited her.

'Calva,' a new boat by Mr. Payne, also 'Modwen' and 'Walrus' by other designers, were failures as prize-winners on the Solent.

There were no less than 66 races for 2½-raters on the Solent in 1892, and the records of the best boats are given in the table, 'Gareth' leading with a figure of merit, 36.

The 1-Raters, 1892.

This class had a half-hearted existence in 1890 and 1891, when Mr. T. Ratsey's 'Pup' (see table) won most of the races, easily defeating the yachts' cutters of about the same rating, and generally succeeding in giving the time allowance to the ½-raters in the few mixed races open to her. The club conference, already described, having in 1892 added this class to the 'Solent classes,' a good programme and a full entry resulted.

'Pup' still competed, and went well in light weather. She is one of the 'Bairn' or C.B. dinghy type, with plenty of beam and little ballast, depending upon her crew for much of her stability. A good type, and much less costly than the modern 1-rater, as, for example, the crack 'Doushka,' built by Payne for Mr. Perceval. This boat is probably like 'Cockatoo' in type. She stands up to her canvas well, and claws to windward in a wonderful way. The harder it blows the better she goes, but she fails in light weather.

'Nansheen,' another fast boat designed by the son of Fife for Mr. Burrowes, is a good sample of the 'weighted centreboard' type. She was built in Ireland by Doyle, and is a fine specimen of sound work. The C.B. is supported by a wire rope on a drum, worked by worm and wheel so that it is always supported in any position without keying, and can rise if it strike the ground with force.

The 'Rogue' was another good boat, designed by Mr. Ridsdale for Mr. R. Vogan. At first she failed in windward work, but a bulb-keel was put upon her which quite cured the defect, and she then won plenty of prizes, her racing with 'Nansheen' being close and exciting.

Design for a centreboard 1-rater by J. M. Soper, 1892.

'Mahatma,' designed by her owner Mr. Flemmich, also went well. She now belongs to the Ladies Fanny and Blanche Stanhope. The 'Argula,' built at Gosport from a design by Mr. C. Nicholson, was a fast boat, but proved to be over rating. She was similar to the 2½-rater 'Molly' in general arrangement and appearance.

'Barbet' was a good boat designed by Mr. Payne for Mr. Wilson Hoare.

All these boats have the fashionable rig, Ratsey's lug, and a small—very small—foresail. Dr. Hughes, of East Cowes, however, re-introduced the split lug in his 1-rater 'Cariad,' and she went well when this severe handicap is allowed for.

The 'Kitten,' built by Mr. Sibbick for the Hon. W. Ruthven, won a few second prizes; but 'Oretta' and 'Minuet,' built at Cowes for Mr. Lancaster Owen and his son, were not so successful, and the other boats which occasionally started—viz. 'Query,' 'Anaconda,' 'Dorothy,' and 'Tramp'—failed to score.

Nearly twenty 1-raters competed during the season—pretty good for the first year of a class, and indicative that the class is popular.

A 1-rater is, or ought to be, a good wholesome boat, costing but little more than a ½-rater, either to build or maintain.

Most of the clubs limit the crew to three hands—an excellent rule—to prevent the introduction of a racing canoe with the Malays' system of ballasting.[12]

The racing in the 1-rater class is not fully reported in the sporting press, and the records given in our table have been obtained from the owners.

The ½-Raters, 1892.

This class suffered from the attention bestowed on the 1-raters. 'Kittiwake' had been sold to H.R.H. Prince Henry of Prussia, and 'Eileen,' 'Jeanie,' 'Bairn,' 'Narua,' 'Spruce,' and 'Torpedo' dropped out of the racing from one cause or another. 'Coquette,' 'Dancing Girl,' 'Tiny,' 'Dee Dee,' 'Mosquito,' and 'Ladybird' continued, however, to race on the Solent, thus forming an 'exhibition of Old Masters' and young mistresses, only one having changed hands during the winter, and Miss Sutton replaced her with the 'Pique,' a new boat by Mr. Payne.

The late Mr. Sidney Watson also purchased a new boat from Mr. Payne, and called her the 'Lilliput.' She was the last boat he ever sailed in. He much enjoyed racing her, and not infrequently led the little fleet. His sudden death in the prime of life was a great shock to all his numerous friends on the Solent.

English men and women are born lovers of sport, and attached to the tools they employ: the huntsman to his horse and hounds, the shooter to his dogs and guns, the turfman to his thoroughbred, and the sailing man to his yacht. A real devotion may exist for inanimate pieces of wood and metal. Especially is there poetry, and plenty of it, in a boat—that dancing, playful, wilful thing that only obeys the skilful hand. Ask any old crab-catcher. Yet racing seems to blunt the feeling. Many owners part with their boats and crews at the end of every season, and allow themselves no time really to care for any one of them.

Rather late in the season a new boat appeared designed by Mr. Herreshoff. She belonged to Miss W. Sutton, and was named very appropriately 'Wee Winn.' She and her owner certainly did win, in even a more decisive manner than 'Wenonah' on the Clyde. There was no mistake about it. The boat showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the class in every sort of weather. She is a long boat, the true length being concealed in an excessive overhang—15.6 L.W.L., 23.9 L.O.A., M.S. like a canoe, small displacement, bulb-keel 3 cwt., draught under 3 ft. An approximate representation of her lines is given on p. 266, and the illustration on opposite page gives an idea of her appearance when racing.

Towards the end of the season Mr. Soper of Fay's designed and built a fast boat, 'The Daisy,' of somewhat similar type; about the same L.O.A., but longer L.W.L., and having more beam, depth, draught, and a heavier bulb-keel than 'Wee Winn.' They only met twice, and 'Daisy' was beaten; but she got away from the rest easily enough, and these two boats are certainly the fastest ½-raters on the Solent at the present time.[13]

Miss Sutton's 'Wee Winn,' ½ rater. Designed by Herreshoft, 1892.

CLASS RACING, 1893

The racing on the Solent (apart from the large classes) during the season of 1893 will be principally remembered by the advent of the 20-rater class. It was not adopted at the Conference of Clubs held at the Club House of the R.P.C.Y.C, in February as one of the Solent Classes, which remained at ½-raters, 1-raters, 2½-raters, 5-raters, and 10-raters; but the 10-rater class being practically defunct on the Solent during this year, the clubs were enabled to offer a capital programme to the 20-raters, for which class the Earl of Dunraven built the 'Deirdre' (L. 46.2, S. 2,590) from a design by Mr. G. L. Watson, the Earl of Dudley built the 'Vigorna' (L. 46.7, S. 2,569) at Gosport from a design by Mr. C. Nicholson (jun.), and Mr. F. C. Hill built the 'Dragon III.' (L. 45.3, S. 2,593) from a design by Mr. Fife (jun.); Mr. E. Jessop also purchased Mr. Hill's 'Dragon II.' (L. 45.7, S. 2,624), and raced her on the Solent for the first half of the season under the new name of 'Molly.' The 'Maladetta' (L.46, S. 2,608), designed by her owner, Mr. J. E. McGildowny, also competed in a few races in August, but without much success. The most extreme boat, Lord Dudley's, proved a complete failure as a racing machine. In type she was similar to the 'Pilgrim,' built in America for the Cup competition. 'Deirdre' was also a highly developed machine, but she was beaten by 'Dragon III.,' the more moderate design. However, both she and 'Dragon III.' generally found no difficulty in defeating 'Molly,' and on several occasions during the season 'Deirdre' was able to win the principal prize, as will be seen in the table on p. 268.

'Wee Winn,' ½-rater. Designed by Herreshoff for Miss Sutton, 1892.

'Daisy.' Designed by J. M. Soper, 1892.

The 5-Raters, 1893.

'Red Lancer's' record of 11 first prizes in 13 starts is exceedingly good. The start for the Squadron race on Aug. 3 is not counted against her, as the first prize should have been awarded to her. She always won easily in light weather, and it required half a gale for 'Dacia' to get in front of her. Before 'Red Lancer's' arrival, at the end of July, 'Dacia' scored by far the best of the Solent trio, the other two boats ('Quinque' and 'Fleur-de-Lis') being a good match inter se.

'Valentine' was sailed capitally, and made a good fight for a place in light weather; but she never won first honours, and was as clearly outclassed as she was in 1890 when she competed against 'Alwida,' 'Glycera,' 'Quinque,' and 'Archee.'

Racing Records for 1893.

1893 Starts Prizes Figure of merit
First Other Total
20-Rating Class
Dragon III 29 19 08 27 52.00
Deirdre 29 09 10 19 25.00
Molly (Dragon II.) 19 01 05 06 04.00
5-Rating Class
Red Lancer 13 11 01 12 59.00
Dacia 27 12 10 22 35.00
Fleur-de-Lis (Squall) 41 11 09 20 22.00
Quinque 37 09 11 20 20.00
Valentine 12 00 02 02 00.00
2½-Rating Class
Meueen 49 26 14 40 44.80
Gareth 53 25 17 42 40.10
Elf 34 06 05 11 14.30
Manx Cat (Polynia) 46 03 16 19 05.30
Papoose 48 03 16 19 05.10
Kismet 34 02 06 08 04.80
Faugh-a-Ballagh 10 01 06 07 04.50
Gavotte 26 01 02 03 03.00
1-Rating Class
Morwena 36 20 08 28 45.40
Sacharissa 49 21 14 35 36.20
Scud 20 06 07 13 22.60
Tipcat 33 08 13 21 19.60
Tartar 34 06 12 18 14.30
Wolfhound 32 05 05 10 12.60
Whisper 04 01 01 02 12.50
Doushka 12 02 05 07 11.40
Hark Holla 05 01 01 02 10.70
Whoo Whoop 18 02 03 05 08.20
Kitten 10 01 02 03 06.50
Roulette 11 01 02 03 06.10
Javelin 33 01 05 06 02.50
Fantasy 36 01 11 12 02.30
½-Rating Class
Wee Winn 11 08 03 11 49.10
Coquette 52 25 14 39 40.80
Koodoo 07 04 02 06 34.50
Ragamuffin 12 05 04 09 28.60
Pique 14 03 08 11 15.20
Mosquito 51 09 18 27 14.97
Queen Bee 03 01 01 02 14.92
Ladybird 37 06 07 13 13.30
Humming-top 20 03 05 08 11.30
Spruce 18 02 03 05 08.20
Lady Grizel 21 02 06 08 07.20
Idono 18 01 06 07 04.10

The 2½-Raters, 1893.

The racing in this class soon became principally interesting in the duel for first honours between the Gosport boat 'Gareth,' owned by Mr. Henderson, and frequently sailed by Mr. Collingwood Hughes, and the Herreshoff boat 'Meueen,' owned and sailed by Mr. Hardie Jackson, who did so well with 'Faugh-a-Ballagh' in 1892. 'Meueen' was fully 'up to date' except her rig, which was sloop with a gaff-mainsail. This, however, she soon discarded for the more fashionable rig in the small classes, and she always made a fine race with 'Gareth,' except in the hardest weather. Even in strong winds and heavy seas she did well after her lead was increased. She has great overhang, like 'Wenonah' and 'Wee Winn'; but there is nothing excessive in beam or in shallowness of body. Her elements are not at present obtainable, except L.W.L. 24.82 feet, and sail-area 596 square feet. 'Gareth' raced this year on a length for rating of 29.15, and a sail-area of 533 square feet, which together produced a rating of 2.58, and she had to allow time for the excess of rating over 2.5, in accordance with Rule 3, Y.R.A., as revised in 1893.

The 'Elf,' a new boat built at Gosport for Mr. Dudley Ward from a design by Mr. C. Nicholson (jun.), was rather too advanced in type. She did fairly well at first, but fell off as the other boats were gradually tuned up to their maxima of efficiency. Her figure of merit was 14.3, 'Gareth's' being 40.1, and 'Meueen' heading the class with 44.8. 'Kismet,' another new boat, built and designed by Payne for Miss Cox, proved to be a disappointment, as the record table indicates.

Mr. Gurtside Tipping, R.N., purchased 'Polynia' during the winter of 1892, and raced her in '93 under the new name 'Manx Cat.' She did very well until her keel and attached rudder were removed and replaced by a fin with bulb and a 'disconnected' rudder. This made her very hard on the helm, and she rarely scored afterwards.

Mr. Paul Ralli stuck to his good boat 'Papoose,' and tried to invade the 5-rater class with her; but this was frustrated mainly by the clubs promptly adopting conditions to stop this form of inter-class racing.

The 'Faugh-a-Ballagh' started in 16 races and scored one first prize; as did 'Gavotte,' which started 26 times on the Solent. 'Undine' started twice, 'Fiera' and 'Cassowary' seven times, but no prizes came to the lockers of these three boats.

It is questionable whether this class will retain its popularity. The 2½-rater is decidedly an expensive boat; the first cost and maintenance being nearly as much as a 5-rater, and the comfort very much less. Moreover, it is severely pressed by the class below of 1-rating, which is becoming very popular, and deservedly so. A 1-rater can be built complete for 100 to 150 guineas, whereas some of the new 2½-raters cost nearly 400l.; and a 5-rater can be built for 500l., although it is stated that some of them cost 600l.

The 1-Raters, 1893.

It has been very difficult to draw up a record of the class racing in the two smaller classes, because many of the sailing clubs and some of the yacht clubs do not send full reports of their numerous matches to the press. The winners only are mentioned in some reports, but it is necessary to know the number of starts for each boat if her figure of merit is to be calculated. The figures given in the table of winners in the Y. R. Calendar are not trustworthy; first, because the owners often make mistakes in sending in their returns; and, secondly, because some of the results are taken from mixed races, not class races, and some from races outside the Solent.

The record table is compiled from the reports of the regattas given in the Y. R. Calendar, and in the 'Yachtsman.' Two of the Portsmouth match days were omitted, and the winners only were mentioned on one of the Royal Albert days, one of the Victoria days, and on the Squadron day.

There may, therefore, be a small decimal error in the figure of merit of a few of the boats, but the order of merit may be regarded to be correct as it stands in the table.

The best 1-rater was the Yankee boat 'Morwena' with the high M. of 45.4. She is similar to the other Herreshoff boats in the small classes, and has been well sailed.

'Sacharissa' came next with the excellent M. of 36.2. She was sailed faultlessly by Mr. P. Perceval (jun.), and was the best boat turned out by Payne in 1893.

'Scud' came third with an M. of 22.6. She is one of the wide and shallow type, answering well to her name when going over rather than through the water.

'Tipcat' went well; also 'Tartar' and 'Wolfhound.' 'Whisper' was not seen often enough to judge of her merits accurately, but the old 1892 crack 'Doushka' went as well as ever when Mr. Perceval brought her out at the end of the season.

'Fantasy,' a novelty built at Hamble for Mr. Randal Vogan from his own design, went far better than anyone expected. She has a ram bow, long counter, and fin-bulb keel, with narrow beam and sides that tumble home above the water-line. She often scored second honours.

'Mahatma,' 'Viva,' 'Cariad,' 'Rogue,' 'Vlekendor,' 'Leading Article' did not race often on the Solent, and did not score any first prizes.

'Roulette,' 'Dona,' and 'Rogue' did most of their racing on the Thames, which has been tabulated by Mr. Winser, and published in the 'Field' of November 11, 1893.

The ½-Raters, 1893.

The smallest class suffered from the extreme popularity of the 1-rater class, and it often occurred that only two or three ½-raters started in a race. 'Wee Winn' again proved herself to be the champion boat in the class, but she only competed about a dozen times. She made the fine M. of 49.1. 'Coquette,' which was raced hard all the season, also did remarkably well, and made a fine figure of merit, 40.8. 'Koodoo' and 'Ragamuffin,' which came out late, also did well. 'Sagamore,' 'Nautilus,' 'Tiny,' 'Vega,' 'Khistie,' 'Coral,' and 'Haha' raced occasionally, but failed to score first honours.

When this chapter was begun the writer feared that designers would refuse to give any information about successful boats, but the tables have been filled in by many of them in a most liberal manner; and the author begs to tender them his thanks, and he hopes those of his readers, for so doing. The elements thus recorded are hull-dimensions, but the sail-dimensions are often equally interesting and instructive. These are given on the certificates and are public property; but they become more valuable for comparison when collected in a tabular form. The table has therefore been made.

At present the lugsail, invented by Mr. Tom Ratsey of Cowes, reigns supreme in the small classes, 'Doreen' leading the list with a mainsail about 1,000 sq. ft. in area. Nevertheless, we find 'Wee Winn' beating the other ½-raters with a cutter mainsail; but all our experience points to the belief that she would go still better with a lug. The table deserves careful study, and it will be seen that the proportion of head-sail to total S.A. has steadily decreased, until in some boats it has almost reached the vanishing point, and 'Coquette' came out with all her sail in the lug. This tendency is bad, and will be still further encouraged if the actual area of head-sail be measured as proposed by the Council of the Y.R.A.[14]

Here ends the summary of the Solent racing under the Y.R.A. rule of rating. The type of boat which was produced up to the end of 1891 is excellent, being dry, seaworthy, fast, and easily driven with small sails; but it is easy to see that the most recent developments are not equally satisfactory. In the words of the 'Field,' October 29, 1892:—'It seems that all which is good has been got out of the present rating rule, and there is nothing more to be derived from it but an increase of speed, with a possible decrease of weight, internal space, and sail-spread.'

This sums up the much-debated rule question in a single sentence.

What the next period will bring depends greatly, perhaps entirely, upon some small mathematical sign in the form for the rule of rating. For instance, the American rules use a sign indicating addition where we use one indicating multiplication, the consequence being that the former is a more adjustable rule than ours—more easily controlled by coefficients. But it is not necessary to enter into these matters now, as they are specially treated in Chapter VII. The racing man on the Solent or the Clyde cares more for the sport than the science involved in questions of displacement, length, and what not; and we may rest assured that whatever the Council of the Y.R.A. do, or leave undone, the sport will proceed in the same enthusiastic manner.

There cannot be the smallest doubt that an immense advantage to yachting would be gained if England, France, and America raced under the same rule of rating and a similar classification; and if an international conference were invited to meet in London the thing would be done without much difficulty.

The table of Clubs on p. 286 shows that 2,761l. in cash and 933l. in cups, plate, &c. were won on the Solent in 1892, or a total of 3,723l. This does not include the prizes won at the Town Regattas—Cowes, Southampton, Lymington, Yarmouth, Totland Bay, Ryde, and Portsmouth. Good prizes are offered to the raters at several of these regattas, probably increasing the above total to nearly 4,000l.[15]

Table of Rig, Dimensions, &c.

Name of Yacht Rig Date Rating L.W.L. Sail Areas Spars Lines
Total Main Head Top Boom Gaff Yard Luff A B C D I J
10-Raters Yvonne Cutter 1889 9.80 34.10 1,726 813 658 254 34.00 21.60 — 22.85 44.30 19.20 40.20 19.30 46.20 28.50
Doreen Lugger July 15, 1892 9.96 38.05 1,572 1,061 511 — 38.38 — 33.38 18.75 57.80 24.30 42.40 16.90 34.40 29.70
5-Raters Alwida Cutter May 15, 1890 4.95 29.66 1,002 684 318 — 29.70 19.50 — 22.10 41.10 13.30 36.00 18.30 28.80 22.10
Glycera Cutter May 15, 1890 4.93 30.97 957 657 300 — 29.30 19.30 — 21.50 40.70 16.70 35.80 17.70 28.00 21.40
Archee Cutter Aug. 21, 1890 4.96 30.43 980 675 305 — 30.50 19.50 — 21.40 40.50 17.25 36.00 18.10 29.00 21.00
Quinque Cutter May 29, 1890 4.99 31.56 951 645 306 — 28.80 19.00 — ?0 40.00 16.70 35.30 17.60 25.90 23.60
Windfall Lug. cut. May 19, 1891 4.97 32.89 909 659 250 — 30.40 — 27.00 17.70 47.00 19.10 33.80 12.40 25.00 20.00
Savourna Lug. slp. June 2, 1891 4.94 33.40 888 669 219 — 31.65 — 28.60 12.00 47.00 20.50 34.00 11.00 26.50 16.53
Iernia Lug. slp. June 5, 1891 4.99 31.48 953 774 179 — 35.75 — 29.30 12.00 48.00 22.60 37.50 11.50 26.05 13.75
Cyane Lug. slp. June 3, 1892 4.95 33.75 880 668 212 — 35.50 — 28.00 13.25 46.00 19.50 33.00 12.20 29.20 14.50
Quinque Lug. slp. July 21, 1892 4.96 33.15 898 677 221 — 35.95 — 29.60 12.75 46.30 21.00 33.50 11.40 27.45 16.10
Dacia Lug. slp. June 15, 1892 5.00 33.83 888 700 188 — 31.87 — 31.60 13.00 49.40 20.20 33.00 12.20 28.13 13.33
2½-raters Thalassa Sloop 1887 2.46 20.94 706 422 208 76 22.58 15.85 — ? 31.50 ? 27.80 14.50 25.41 16.33
Thalassa Sloop May 17, 1889 2.49 22.95 652 452 200 — 22.60 14.80 — ? 34.80 12.50 29.80 15.70 24.90 16.10
Humming Bird Lug. slp. July 12, 1889 2.44 25.90 567 432 135 — 23.46 — 23.20 11.50 39.00 15.20 26.50 10.20 23.54 12.00
Mliss Sloop May 15, 1890 2.50 24.97 603 448 155 — 24.50 16.00 — 17.70 32.50 14.20 29.50 14.70 22.20 14.00
Cock-a-Whoop Lug. slp. June 18, 1890 2.50 25.00 600 438 162 — 24.10 — 23.00 ? 36.20 16.80 26.80 10.00 24.10 13.40
Babe Lug. slp. 1890 and 1891 2.48 26.76 557 429 127 — 23.60 — 22.90 11.60 36.50 15.60 25.40 10.50 21.70 11.70
Fiera Lug. slp. June 12, 1891 2.49 28.00 536 425 111 — 23.80 — 23.00 11.30 38.00 15.50 26.20 10.00 20.50 10.80
June 18, 1892 2.45 27.36 539 114 11.10
Avadavat Lug. slp. June 10, 1891 2.49 28.00 536 425 111 — 23.80 — 23.00 11.30 38.00 15.50 26.20 10.00 20.50 10.80
Janetta Lug. slp. Aug. 14, 1891 2.48 26.45 563 430 133 — 23.80 — 23.00 11.60 38.00 15.50 28.80 10.50 22.60 11.80
Molly Lug. slp. 1892 2.49 28.26 531 439 92 — 25.30 — 24.50 9.50 38.00 17.00 26.70 8.70 17.10 10.70
Stork Lug. slp. 1892 2.50 28.52 527 442 85 — 25.30 — 24.50 9.10 38.40 17.00 27.00 8.50 15.70 10.80
Faugh-a-Ballagh Lug. slp. May 30, 1892 2.48 27.48 543 433 110 — 23.80 — 23.70 11.30 38.50 15.30 25.80 10.30 20.00 11.00
Cockatoo Lug. slp. June 28, 1892 2.41 27.24 533 436 97 — 23.30 — 24.00 12.30 40.30 14.50 25.60 ? 20.10 9.70
Papoose Lug. slp. June 11, 1892 2.50 27.65 543 446 97 — 23.60 — 24.00 12.50 40.50 14.80 26.20 11.20 20.10 9.70
Polynia Lug. slp. July 1892 2.47 28.15 528 431 97 — 23.60 — 24.60 10.75 39.40 15.40 25.40 10.00 18.50 10.50
Gareth Lug. slp. July 30, 1892 2.48 28.02 533 442 91 — 24.90 — 24.50 10.60 40.30 15.40 26.20 10.00 10.70 9.70
Wenonah Sloop Aug. 3, 1892 2.40 25.05 577 449 128 — 27.40 14.90 — ? ? ? ? ? 19.60 13.10
1-raters Pup Lug. slp. 1890 0.99 18.21 328 272 72 — 20.00 — 18.40 7.80 29.50 13.20 21.20 7.30 15.20 9.40
July 1892 0.99 17.37 344
Rogue Lug. slp. Aug. 18, 1892 0.99 20.91 285 238 47 — 18.50 — 18.30 7.00 28.00 12.50 19.40 6.50 13.50 7.00
Barbet Lug. slp. Aug. 23, 1892 0.97 20.27 288 249 39 — 19.00 — 18.90 6.25 29.00 12.90 20.00 6.20 10.20 7.60
Doushka Lug. slp. June 30, 1892 0.98 21.07 281 245 36 — ? — 19.00 5.75 28.80 13.20 20.00 5.50 10.00 7.20
Nansheen Lug. slp. May 28, 1892 0.99 20.24 297 251 46 — 19.50 — 17.00 8.00 28.00 12.40 20.50 7.50 12.80 7.20
Mahatma Lug. slp. Apr. 27, 1892 0.99 20.61 289 242 47 — 18.40 — 17.70 6.50 27.00 13.10 20.00 5.90 14.70 6.50
½-raters Coquette Lug. slp. May 14, 1891 0.50 15.58 192 192 — — 16.80 — 14.90 7.60 25.20 10.30 17.80 7.00 — —
Dee Dee Lug. slp. July 14, 1891 0.50 17.17 177 149 28 — 14.80 — 14.90 4.60 21.50 10.80 15.80 4.20 11.00 5.10
Jeanie Lug. slp. June 18, 1891 0.50 16.25 187 162 25 — ? — 12.70 6.10 22.90 9.70 17.00 5.60 12.30 4.10
Spruce Yawl Aug. 27, 1891 0.41 16.20 154 123 — — ? 12.90 — 4.75 17.00 10.40 13.80 4.40 — —
Eileen Lug. slp. May 13, 1891 0.49 15.90 185 144 (mizz. 30

Some of these town regattas are managed in a most remarkable manner, the fireworks at night being perhaps the most important matter for consideration in the eyes of the Committee.

A year or two back, the raters at Cowes were started in a line with the committee vessel, with no outside limit! On the day of the race it was a lee shore; consequently Lord Dunraven, Mr. Perceval, and one or two others who were wider awake than the rest, started in the dim distance, well to windward, and romped down full and bye to the first mark.

At Lymington the 5-raters are started from a line at the river-mouth from a little boat, by a little man, with a little gun and a big flag, and the finish is right up the river, in a narrow place thronged with small boats, with probably a four-oared race in progress. After an accident has taken place and a few people are drowned, this may be altered.

At Totland Bay in 1892 there was a handicap for which two very unequal boats had entered. The sailing committee could not agree about the handicap; some bright genius therefore proposed that the difference of time between the boats at the end of the first round should be multiplied by 3 for the handicap on the three rounds, and it is said that this was actually done! And so on. These regattas are very good fun, if only because the unexpected usually occurs.

The men who have made the Solent racing what it is must now be mentioned:—

Mr. Wolff, the Hon. Sec. of the R.S.Y.C., and the late Mr. McCheane, Hon. Sec. of the R.P.C.Y.C., have already been alluded to. Colonel Bucknill, Hon. Sec. of the Castle Yacht Club; Mr. Blair Onslow Cochrane, Hon. Sec. of the Bembridge Sailing Club; Mr. Barrow, Hon. Sec. of the Island Sailing Club; Mr. Herbert Ridsdale, Hon. Sec. of the Hamble Branch of the Minima Sailing Club, have in like manner worked hard and very successfully in the cause. So also have many of the flag officers in the various clubs, and especially should be mentioned Mr. Frederick Cox, who for years has been a persevering patron of the sport—both in the Solent length classes and afterwards in the present Solent classes (Y.R.A. rating). Mr. Cox's sons and daughters have raced a number of yachts: 'Lil,' 'Verena,' 'Madcap,' 'Merrythought,' 'Kitten,' 'Ethel,' 'Mliss,' 'Troublesome,' 'Fiera,' 'Mosquito,' all under the protecting wing of the head centre, typified by the steamer 'Zinaida.' Mr. Cox is Commodore of the Royal Southampton, Rear Commodore (or is it Rear Admiral now?) of the Royal London, and Rear Commodore of the Castle Yacht Clubs. He is also a member of the Council Y.R.A.

Solent Owners' Racing Colours.

Captain Hughes and his family of sons and daughters have followed the sport for a long time in the same enthusiastic way, and have raced the following boats: 'Lil,' 'Fairy,' 'Jenny Wren,' 'Madcap,' 'Flutterby,' 'Humming Bird,' 'Cock-a-Whoop,' and 'Cockatoo.' Captain Hughes was most active in starting the Castle Yacht Club, and for a short time was the Hon. Sec.

In addition to the above, the chief patrons and promoters of the sport during the past few years have been the Marquis of Exeter, the Marquis of Ailsa, the Earl of Dunraven, the Earl of Desart, the Earl of Dudley, the late Mr. Sidney Watson, Colonel the Hon. H. G. L. Crichton, Captain the Hon. J. M. Yorke, Colonel F. Dugmore, Captain J. R. F. Fullerton, R.N., Admiral the Hon. Victor Montagu, R.N., Mr. W. H. Forster, Mr. R. S. Hankinson, Mr. P. Perceval, jun., Mr. George Schenley, the Hon. G. Colville, Captain Cecil Drummond, Captain Du Boulay, Captain Davenport, Mr. Wilson Hoare, R.N., Mr. Granville Keele, Admiral Hallowes, R.N., Mr. Paul Ralli, Mr. W. A. Beauclerk, Mr. A. D. Clarke, Mr. H. R. Langrishe, Captain C. E. Haynes, R.E., Lieut.-Colonel Moreton, Mr. F. L. Popham, Mr. E. F. Quilter, Mr. W. S. Nicholson, Mr. J. P. Ranwell, Mr. L. M. Ames, Captain R. Alexander, Mr. G. F. Flemmich, Mr. H. L. Hewitt, Mr. A. Manning, Mr. R. Vogan, and a number more, whose names would fill a page.

The ladies who have taken an active part in the racing should also be mentioned, as their presence has done much to make the sport popular and fashionable. Prominent among them are Ladies Fanny and Blanche Stanhope, Mrs. Sidney Watson, Mrs. Schenley and her sisters the Misses Hughes, Mrs. Rudston-Read and her sister Miss Cox, Mrs. H. Duff-Gordon and her sister Miss Hammersley, Mrs. Arthur Heygate, Mrs. Blair Onslow Cochrane, the Misses Sutton, and Colonel Bucknill's daughters.

Oilskins and sou'-westers are really very becoming, and if this fact were generally known, the ranks of the ladies might gain recruits, and this word leads to the next division of our subject:—

HINTS TO THE NOVICE

If a beginner wish to learn the art of small-yacht racing he cannot do better than start with a second-hand 1-rater, costing say from 50l. to 80l. Such a boat if new would cost from 100l. to 150l.

The next step is to hire a good lad (sixteen or seventeen years old) for the crew, wages from 16 s. to 20s. a week, and some racing money, say 5s. for a first, and 2s. 6d. for a second or third prize. No prize, no racing money. The lad will ask for a suit of clothes, and if he seem likely to suit, the suit may be given on the distinct understanding that, should he leave the job voluntarily or on account of misbehaviour, the clothes will be kept by the owner. The clothes are part of the equipment of the yacht, and belong to the owner, who should see that they are worn on board, and not kept entirely for shore service. Nothing looks worse than a ramshackle, untidy fellow on a smart little yacht. Racing boats and crews should be as smart at the starting line as guns and gunners on parade.

The young owner must then settle how much racing he can manage, and on what days it will be most convenient. 'Thalassa's' Almanac, published by King & Co., High Street, Southampton, may be consulted with advantage, as an attempt is made therein to give the whole of the club programmes for the season, so far as they are known by the secretaries at the beginning of the year.

It will be found that Saturdays are practically secured by the Royal Southampton and the Royal Portsmouth Clubs; Mondays by the Royal London and the Castle Clubs; Wednesdays by the Royal Albert Yacht Club and the Island Sailing Club; Thursdays are chosen by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, and Fridays by the Solent Yacht Club and the Minima Sailing Club.

Examine the Almanac again, note which of the clubs give 'open' races and which 'club' races; and then it will be easy to settle which clubs are most convenient, and to take the necessary steps for being entered as a candidate.

The next point to settle is the best headquarters for the little ship, and this depends on so many personal considerations that advice is impossible. Remember, however, that a 1-rater requires a sheltered anchorage, and that moorings keep mud off the decks, and save time and bother. The best anchorages for small boats are: (1) the Itchen river, at or above the Floating Bridge; (2) the Hamble river, at or above the Salterns; (3) Calshot, up the Creek; (4) Portsmouth Harbour, especially up Haslar Creek; (5) Bembridge Harbour; (6) Wooton Creek; (7) Cowes, above the ferry; (8) Beaulieu river, inside the coastguard station; (9) Newtown river; (10) Yarmouth, the harbour; (11) Lymington river; (12) Keyhaven.

Do not anchor for the night, or moor so small a boat as a 1-rater off the pier at Southampton, off Hythe, at Calshot (except up the creek), in Cowes Harbour (except up the river), off Ryde, off Southsea, in Yarmouth Roads, or in Totland Bay. If you do so, you will wake some stormy morning to find her more or less damaged, and possibly wrecked. The boy will have very strong opinions concerning the best place for moorings. Don't listen to him. Fix on the place that suits yourself and your friends best.

Next decide where you will go for the everlasting scrub, paint up, and frequent repairs. If on the Itchen, there are Fay & Co., Summers & Payne, and Field close to the Floating Bridge to choose from. If on the Medina, either White, Ratsey, or Sibbick. If on the Hamble, there are Luke & Co. If in Portsmouth Harbour, Camper & Nicholson at Gosport, or Reid on the Portsmouth basin. If sails give out, repairs can be quickly done at reasonable charges by Beaton of Bugle Street, Southampton; but new sails for racing should be obtained from Ratsey at Cowes or Lapthorn at Gosport.

The next step to take is very interesting. Collect your lady friends, and ask each of them to design a racing flag; paint each design full size, and examine them simultaneously from a distance, say one cable at least, as a flag should be easily distinguished at this distance in any weather. Two colours are generally sufficient. Black, or some dark colour, with white or yellow; also red, with white or yellow. If three colours be used, separate the red from the dark colours by white or yellow. Employ strong contrasts. Remember that a simple design shows best and costs least. Also that a flag with horizontal seams flies better than any other, except one with no seams at all. However small the boat, the racing flag should never be less than 10 inches wide by 8½ inches high. The winning flags may be smaller, say 6 or 7 inches square, for a ½- or a 1-rater. The following dimensions may be regarded as 'suitable sizes' (see Rule 11, Y.R.A.) for the racing flags in the 'Solent classes':—

height width
½-raters and 1-raters 8 inches by 10 inches
2½-raters 10 " " 12 "
5-raters 12 " " 14 "
10-raters 14 " " 17 "

Having settled on the size and pattern of flag, proceed to Mr. Wolff, High Street, Southampton, and order two or three, and (say) a dozen of the smaller size to hoist as winning flags. Make a solemn vow to win a dozen flags in the season, and if you fail the first year, stick to your colours and try again.

The boat must now be prepared for the racing; all ropes and gear carefully examined, her top sides and bottom carefully rubbed down, painted, and varnished, until everything is as fit as a fiddle, and the bottom smooth as a bottle.

Next buy a copy of the Y.R.A. Rules, Dixon Kemp's book on 'Yacht and Boat Sailing,' and King's 'Channel Pilot.' Study each carefully, especially Chapter VIII. of Kemp's book. More than half the difficulties and troubles connected with the sport are due to ignorance of the rules.[16] In every other sport such ignorance is regarded with the contempt it deserves, but in yacht and boat racing the rules are somewhat complex and difficult—all the more reason for learning them carefully.

Every racing owner should enter his yacht strictly in accordance with Rule 5, Y.R.A., and it saves trouble if an owner has a card with the declaration at entry, his personal address, and the yacht's racing flag printed upon it.

Care should be taken to post this 'entry' so that the club secretary receives it in proper time. Do not rely on the 48 hours' clause, but examine the club programme, as the entries are not unfrequently closed earlier.

The day before the race give the most distinct instructions to crew as to the time and place of meeting on the morrow, and keep the appointment punctually.

Provide yourself with a chronograph, and it may help you to win prizes by means of good starts.

Get to the starting line half an hour before your start if you can, and get a card of the races if one has not already reached you through the post. Read it carefully, and, should anything appear to be doubtful, have it cleared up by the race officer, or by the club secretary.

If other races start before you, do not get in the way of the starting boats.

Note when the ten minutes preparatory flag for your own race is hoisted; you will then be the better prepared to start your chronograph at the first gun. See Rule 17.

After first gun, stand off and on near the starting line. Remember that you are now 'under the rules.' Have Rule 18 by heart, and understand each clause of it. During the last half-minute before the second or starting gun, manoeuvre for the place you wish to secure, be there at the flash of gun, and if possible just to windward, or just ahead of your most dangerous antagonist. If you think you are over the line at gunfire, keep a sharp look out for your recall numeral (Rule 12), and directly it is displayed return, and cross the line; but keep clear of other competitors in doing so. After the start do not go in for a luffing match or allow yourself to be luffed by a yacht you do not fear. Stick to the boat you fear most. Remember Rule 19 in rounding the marks. If the weather be light, keep your weather eye open for every cat's-paw, and do not lose an inch during the whole race by careless steering. Be careful when you come to the run to put spinnaker up on the best side; and, if you run by the lee, shift it over at once without parleying with the boy. After the finish, if you win, sign the declaration (Rule 10, Y.R.A.) and send it ashore as soon as possible. If you have any cause for protest against another yacht, or should any protest be lodged against your own yacht, go ashore at once and see the matter through. After the race it has been customary for the second yacht to cheer the winner—like shaking hands after a boxing match—but this old custom is now dying out. Never permit your crew to bandy remarks with the hands on other yachts, either during a race or after it. If your boat wins, lower the racing flag, and hoist the club burgee with your winning flag one fathom below it. If she do not win, sail home with the racing flag still flying, this being the label of your boat's raison d'Être. Never accept a prize unless you feel that every rule and regulation has been properly followed; see that your opponents follow them too; cut those men who do not race honourably, and show them up if you can. Keep a log, and enter upon it everything of interest concerning the boat and the racing. Every little change of gear should be carefully noted; the position of crew when the boat goes best, and every detail which may help to point the way to any improvement, either in the boat herself or in the type which she represents. Such a log enables you to draw up an accurate record at the end of the season, and is valuable in later years as a reminder of past pleasures and adventures.

ROYAL SOUTHAMPTON YACHT CLUB EST. 1875. "BRAMBLES COURSE."
F. S. Weller.

At the end of the first or second season you may decide to have a larger boat and crew. If so, consider carefully whether you will not skip the 2½ rating class and start a 5-rater.

Two paid hands are required with a 2½, and a 5 can be managed with the same crew if Corinthian help be obtainable. The maintenance of a 2½ is not much smaller than that of a 5, and the latter is a little ship in which you can sleep with comfort and cook a meal. A modern 5 is 11 tons Thames measurement, and can go anywhere when properly built, like the 'Windfall,' 'Quinque,' and 'Savourna.'

As Lord Dunraven truly said, 'the 5's and the 20's are the cheapest classes'; and to these I would add the 1's. The ½-, 2½-, and 10-raters are the dearest classes. Many men may, like yourself, be wishing to go a class higher, and you may therefore pick up a good boat at a low price towards the end of the racing season. If not, you must build; and the great question then arises, who to go to?

The most successful designers on the Solent in the 2½ and the 5-rater classes are Mr. Arthur Payne and Mr. Charles Nicholson; but Mr. G. L. Watson and Mr. Willie Fife were equally invincible on the Clyde, until the appearance in 1892 of Mr. Herreshoff's 2½ 'Wenonah.' Mr. C. P. Clayton and Mr. A. Richardson are also designers of great ability, while Mr. G. M. Soper and Mr. Herbert Ridsdale have produced some fast boats for the orders they have received. Whomsoever you select, have your boat built under his very eye. If a Scotch designer, build in Scotland; if a Solent designer, build there. Moreover, look after the boat yourself when she is building, and learn the tricks of the trade—if you can. Insist upon having your boat fitted out at least a fortnight before the first race, as a new boat often requires no end of doctoring before her best trim is discovered. Her new sails also require to be carefully stretched, in suitable weather; and finally she should be officially measured before she races. For these several reasons it is necessary to specify date of completion in the contract, and to have a clause whereby the builder can be heavily fined week by week for non-fulfilment—such fines being deducted from the final payment. There should also be a clause empowering the owner to complete the work in the builder's yard himself in the event of the builder, from any cause whatever, being unable to carry out the contract. An arbitration clause in the event of a disagreement is very desirable. Insure the yacht against fire to the full amount of the work done as it proceeds. A 5-rater, complete with sails, properly 'found' in every way, should not cost more than 500l., including the designer's fee, and a modern 2½ rater should not cost more than 300l. They cost less than 260l. in 1887-8 and 1888-9. The difference is due to higher pay per hour for labour, the Societies now refusing to permit piecework, also to more expensive materials, higher finish, and greater length of hull.

As for the crew, the owner of a 5 may consider himself fortunate if he can secure the services of a good man as skipper for 30s. a week, clothes (about 5l. worth), 20s. racing money for a first prize, and 10s. for a second or a third prize.

It is a mistake to give racing money for losing. At present it is only done by a few wealthy and thoughtless owners, who will soon ruin the sport unless the majority combine to put a stop to their extravagance.

Losing money is legitimate enough in the large racers, where the yachts make long passages by night and day in all weathers from regatta to regatta. By such crews the losing money is earned, but the crews of small Solent racers, who sleep comfortably at home in their beds, and often have little or nothing to do between the races, should not get it.

It costs from 100l. to 150l. to maintain and race a 5- or a 2½ rater for the twenty weeks of the season, from which may be deducted the value of the prizes won, less entrance fees and racing money. This sum covers a crew of two paid hands, and the owner of a 5 must enlist two or three Corinthians to help at each race. Unfortunately, there is a lamentable deficiency of these mariners on the Solent.

DETAILS OF YACHT CLUBS AND SAILING CLUBS ON THE SOLENT

—— Royal Yacht Squadron Royal London Yacht Club Royal Southern Yacht Club Royal Victoria Yacht Club Royal Albert Yacht Club Royal Southampton Yacht Club Solent Yacht Club Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club Castle Yacht Club Bembridge Sailing Club Island Sailing Club Minima Sailing Club Totals
Established 1812 1838 1843 1844 1864 1875 1878 1880 1887 1886 1889 1889
Head-quarters Cowes 1882 Cowes Sthmptn Ryde Sthsea Sthmptn Yrmth Prtsmth Calshot Bmbrdg Cowes Hamble
Entrance Fee £ 100 ... 2g. 5g. 4g. 2g. 1g. 2g. £ 3 2g. 1g. ½g.
Ann. subscription £ 11 4g. 3g. 6g. 4g. 1½g. 1g. 2g. £ 3 1g. 1g. ½g.
6g. 4g. 2g.
1892.
No. of members 224 650 300 300 300 711 90 500 100 150 140 250
Prizes, cash, won £ 409 £ 128 £ 207 £ 400 £ 227 £ 435 £ 40 £ 434 £ 204 £ 85 £ 105 £ 87 £ 2,761
Cups, Value won £ 110 ... £ 75 £ 235 £ 207 Medals £ 20 £ 10 £ 148 £ 85 £ 25 £ 18 £ 933
Race sailed.
60-R. &c. 4 1 1 3 1 1 ... ... ... ... ... ... 12
40-R. 1 1 2 4 1 4 ... 1 ... ... ... ... 14
20-R. ... ... 1 ... ... 2 ... ... 2 ... ... ... 5
10-R. 1 ... ... 1 ... 4 ... ... 1 ... ... ... 7
5-R. 1 1 2 3 6 8 3 4 12 ... ... ... 40
2½-R. 1 2 2 9 6 8 3 9 12 2 9 2 65
1-R. ... 2 2 7 6 8 1 7 9 1 9 12 64
½-R. ... 2 2 7 6 8 3 9 7 13 9 9 75
Yachts' cutters ... ... 2 ... ... ... ... 1 2 ... ... ... 5
Handicaps sailed 2 1 2 2 2 4 1 2 2 ... ... 1 19
Other races sailed ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 22 4 6 32
Total races sailed 10 10 16 36 28 47 11 34 47 38 31 30 338
Race days 4 3 2 10 6 11 3 11 12 33 9 12 116

SOME SOLENT RACERS, PRIOR TO 1886

Rig Yacht Owner and Designer R. S.A. L.W.L O.H. L.O.A. B. D. Drght. Displ. tons Ballast tons When built
Fwrd. Aft
21-FOOTERS
S. Fairy Capt. J. W. Hughes
Stockham		 2.50 717 20.8 ? ? ? 8.5 3.4 ? ? ? 1881
C. Bird-o' Freedom Mr. H. L. Popham
Feltham		 ? ? 21.0 ? ? ? 6.3 5.0 ? ? ? 1883
S. Tootsie (Minnow) M. A. E. Payne
Payne		 1.25 ? 16.5 .25 .16 ? 6.6 4.5 4.0 2.25 1.5 1885
C. Minima Mr. St. J. Arabin
Payne		 4.65 1,333 20.8 ? ? 33.0 8.4 6.6 6.7 6.00 4.0 1886
C. Volador Lt. A. H. Oliver, R.N.
Clayton		 ? 1,300 21.0 4.50 8.00 33.5 8.5 6.6 6.5 6.60 3.2 1886
C. Scylla Mr. L. Ergremont
Luke		 ? ? 21.0 ? ? ? 8.9 5.3 ? ? ? 1886
25-FOOTERS
C. Frolic Mr. E. Bridges Webb
Hatcher		 7.26 1,741 25.0 ? ? ? 9.0 ? ? ? ? 1882
C. Lil Mr. F. Cox
Clayton		 7.26 1,742 25.0 4.60 6.30 35.9 9.1 6.8 6.7 8.60 5.3 1884
C. Verena Mr. R. H. Cox
Clayton		 7.96 1,910 25.0 5.50 8.40 38.9 9.8 ? 7.2 9.40 5.3 1886
30-FOOTERS
C. Bonina Mr. A. O. Baylay
Dixon Kemp		 9.14 1,830 30.0 ? ? 41.0 9.7 7.4 7.3 13.10 7.5 1882
C. Keepsake Mr. H. W. Forster
Clayton		 8.66 1,730 30.0 4.40 6.30 40.7 9.7 ? 7.0 13.70 7.8 1882
C. Eclipse Mr. A. Manning
Clayton		 9.40 2,090 30.0 5.20 8.00 43.2 10.1 7.5 7.7 13.50 8.0 1884
C. Curtsey Mr. H. W. Forster
Clayton		 10.80 2,180 30.0 6.00 8.30 44.3 10.5 8.0 7.8 13.80 7.6 1885

10-RATERS, 1882-92

Rig Yacht Owner and Designer R. S.A. L.W.L O.H. L.O.A. B. D. Drght. Displ. tons Ballast tons When built
Fwrd. Aft
C. Dolly Varden Mr. T. W. Ratsey
J. S. White		 9.99 1,663 36.09 0.50 0.40 37.0 11.3 4.6 6.10 13.0 6.50 1872
C. Frolic Mr. Bridges Webb
Hatcher		 7.21 1,704 25.41 ? ? ? 9.0 ? ? ? ? 1882
C. Doris Messrs. R. & B. Allan
Watson		 9.48 1,681 33.86 ? ? 5.6 6.6 ? ? ? 1885
C. Jenny Wren Mr. R. E. Froude
Owner		 9.59 1,705 33.79 ? ? ? 5.5 6.8 ? ? ? 1885
C. Verena Mr. R. H. Cox
Clayton		 7.10 1,716 24.85 5.60 8.40 38.90 9.8 7.2 7.20 9.40 5.30 1886
C. Wanderer Mr. J. Lee Barber
Brighton		 9.00 1,580 34.15 ? ? ? 9.0 5.0 ? ? ? 1886
C. Lollipop Mr. Arabin
Payne		 6.49 1,325 29.30 0.20 8.00 37.50 9.2 7.3 ? 10.70 ? 1888
C. Dis Mr. A. D. Clarke
Soper		 9.94 1,658 36.00 6.00 9.10 51.10 9.1 7.1 7.70 14.80 8.00 1888
C. Decima Mr. Arabin
Payne		 9.98 1,679 36.00 1.00 9.40 46.40 11.0 7.5 8.50 14.30 ? 1889
C. Yvonne Mr. P. Donaldson
Fife		 9.80 1,726 34.10 5.50 8.50 48.10 8.9 6.6 8.10 12.90 7.75 1889
C. Drina Prince B. Strattmann
Dixon Kemp		 9.95 1,801 33.17 0.48 7.80 41.45 9.8 6.7 8.40 15.00 7.20 1889
C. Nety (Lil) Admiral the Hon.
Victor Montagu, R.N.
Clayton		 8.82 1,764 30.00 4.50 6.20 40.70 9.5 6.8 6.80 8.60 ? 1884
1889
L.C. Doreen Mr. J. Gretton
Fife		 9.96 1,572 35.05 8.20 10.30 56.50 11.2 7.5 8.50 1.00 8.0 1892

5-RATERS, 1888-92

Rig Yacht Owner and Designer R. S.A. L.W.L O.H. L.O.A. B. D. Drght. Displ. tons Ballast tons When built
Fwrd. Aft
C. Chittywee Mr. H. Farmer
Ash		 4.80 1,213 28.20 ? ? ? 4.80 ? ? ? ? 1882
C. Fair Geraldine Mr. L. M. Ames
Clayton		 4.98 1,000 30.00 4.50 7.50 42.00 7.50 5.5 5.30 8.0 4.6 1888
C. Flutterby Mr. F. Hughes
Owner		 3.98 938 25.50 ? ? ? 8.10 4.5 ? ? ? 1888
C. Lollipop Mr. Perceval
Payne		 4.98 1,000 29.50 0.21 8.08 37.79 9.20 7.3 7.00 ? ? 1888
C. Alwida Earl of Dunraven
Payne		 4.97 1,003 29.75 1.31 1.79 32.85 8.40 6.0 7.20 8.2 ? 1890
C. Glycera Mr. Perceval
Payne		 4.98 967 31.16 1.04 1.41 33.61 8.60 5.6 7.00 8.3 ? 1890
C. Quinque Col. Bucknill
Owner		 4.99 948 31.61 1.34 ? ? 9.00 6.1 6.60 8.6 5.3 1890
L.S. Ditto Ditto 4.98 997 30.02 1.34 1.90 33.26 9.00 6.1 7.00 8.7 5.0 1891
L.S. Ditto Ditto 4.96 898 33.15 1.45 2.50 37.10 9.00 6.1 7.50 8.7 4.7 1892
C. Archee (C.B.) Mr. J. McNish
Watson		 4.96 980 30.43 6.67 7.90 45.00 9.30 4.4 5.10
8.00		 8.8 4.5 1890
C. Valentine Mrs. Schenley
Watson		 4.95 997 29.83 6.17 8.00 44.00 7.20 6.3 7.40 8.2 ? 1890
L.C. Windfall Mrs. Schenley
Payne		 4.97 909 32.89 1.11 1.30 35.30 8.66 6.0 7.00 ? ? 1891
L.S. Savourna Mr. Perceval
Payne		 4.94 888 33.40 1.18 1.22 35.80 8.75 6.0 7.20 ? ? 1891
C. Katherine Mr. W. A. Black
Owner		 4.99 969 30.94 ? ? ? 7.50 ? 6.50 ? 5.4 1891
L.S. Iernia Mr. H. R. Langrishe
Fife		 4.99 953 31.48 6.00 8.42 45.90 8.00 6.0 7.20 8.7 5.4 1891
L.S. Cyane Earl of Dunraven
Payne		 4.95 880 33.75 3.10 1.50 38.35 8.40 5.5 7.75 ? ? 1892
L.S. Dacia Mr. H. R. Langrishe
Nicholson		 5.00 888 33.83 5.14 9.17 48.14 8.30 ? 8.60 ? ? 1892

2½-RATERS, 1887-92

Rig Yacht Owner and Designer R. S.A. L.W.L O.H. L.O.A. B. D. Drght. Displ. tons Ballast tons When built
Fwrd. Aft
L. Heathen Chinee Mr. W. A. Beauclerk
Mackenzie		 2.34 571 24.70 ? ? ? 6.00 3.20 ? ? ? 1879
C. Bird-o'-Freedom Mr. H. S. Popham
Feltham		 2.50 625 21.00
24.00		 ? ? ? 6.30
6.30		 5.00
6.00		 ? ? altd. 1883
S. Fairy Captain J. W. Hughes
Pickett		 2.50 723 20.77 ? ? ? 8.40 3.30 ? ? altd. 1881
S. Thalassa Col. Bucknill
Payne		 2.49 714 20.94 ? ? ? 7.40 4.90 5.80 ? ? 1887
S. Madcap Miss Cox
Clayton		 2.49
2.49		 714
694		 21.00
21.62		 ?
0.20		 ?
6.30		 ?
27.50		 7.30
7.30		 4.00
4.00		 5.40 4.1 2.7 1887
1888
S. Ada Mr. A. Manning
Owner		 2.50 612 24.48 3.50 4.35 32.33 7.00 5.00 5.00 ? ? 1888
C. Chipmunk Mr. Sidney C. Watson
Luke		 2.48 749 19.87 4.0 8.00 32.00 7.70 4.50 6.00 3.2 2.5 1888
S. Lady Nan Mr. W. Waller
Payne		 2.50 653 22.97 0.50 1.25 24.65 8.30 4.70 5.70 4.1 ? 1888
C. Trixy Mr. G. Sibbick
Ratsey		 2.40 600 20.00 3.95 6.25 30.00 8.00 5.00 5.20 4.0 2.5 1888
S. Tottie Mr. Simpson
Watson		 1.75 500 21.00 4.20 4.60 29.80 4.50 4.3 ? ? ? 1888
L. Queen Mab Mrs. J. B. C. West
Watson		 2.49 619 24.21 5.00 6.20 35.40 5.10 4.7 6.00 4.3 ? 1889
L. Thief Mrs. G. A. Schenley
Watson		 2.45 606 24.34 4.90 6.20 35.40 5.10 4.70 6.00 4.3 ? 1889
L. Cosette, C.B. Earl of Dunraven
Watson		 2.48 609 24.46 4.80 6.00 35.30 5.70 4.00 4.50 4.5 ? 1889
L. G.G. Capt. G. W. Garrett
Stevens		 2.48 574 25.94 2.90 2.00 30.80 10.00 4.00 2.00
7.00		 3.5 2.1 1889
L. Humming Bird Capt. J. W. Hughes
Payne		 2.44 567 25.90 0.75 0.72 27.35 7.41 4.20 6.00 ? ? 1889
L. Cock-a-Whoop Lt. F. & Mr. A. C. Hughes
Payne		 2.50 600 25.00 1.25 0.91 27.16 8.60 4.50 5.75 ? ? 1889
L. Babe Mr. W. A. Beauclerk
Payne		 2.46 553 26.76 0.75 1.25 28.76 6.70 4.25 6.00 ? ? 1890
C. Camilla Mr. G. Keele
Payne		 2.47 563 26.45 0.91 1.16 28.52 7.20 4.00 4.80 ? ? 1890
L. Janetta Mr. Newton Robinson
Payne		 2.49 566 26.51 0.92 1.10 28.53 7.50 4.30 5.80 ? ? 1890
L. Mliss Mrs. R. Read & Miss Cox
Payne		 2.50 603 24.97 1.00 1.25 27.22 7.00 4.50 5.80 ? ? 1890
L. Dolphin Mr. A. C. Kennedy
Clayton		 2.48 581 25.08 2.70 2.60 30.40 7.50 4.50 5.80 3.6 ? 1890
L. Troublesome Mrs. Rudston Read
Soper		 2.47 566 26.30 4.80 6.20 37.30 7.30 5.80 5.80 5.7 3.0 1890
L. Avadavat Mr. Wilson Hoare
Payne		 2.49 536 28.00 0.75 1.23 29.98 6.50 4.50 6.40 ? ? 1891
L. Fiera Miss Cox
Payne		 2.49
2.44		 535
536		 28.00
27.36		 ?
2.70		 ?
1.23		 ?
31.29		 6.50 4.50 6.40 ? altd. 1891
L. Squirrel Sir W. G. Pearce
Stone		 2.50 578 25.95 ? ? ? 6.50 ? ? ? ? 1891
L. Undine Mr. E. N. Harvey
Clayton		 2.49 577 25.99 2.50 3.20 30.70 7.20 4.50 6.00 3.8 2.3 1891
L. Calva Mr. F. B. Jameson
Payne		 2.50 565 26.55 4.00 1.29 31.84 7.25 4.00 6.00 ? ? 1892
L. Cockatoo Lt. F. and Mr. A. C. Hughes
Payne		 2.47 545 27.24 3.66 1.24 32.14 8.00 5.00 6.00 ? ? 1892
L. Hoopoo Capt. Britten, R.N., & the Hon. G. Colville
Payne		 2.49 539 27.83 2.50 1.20 31.53 6.80 5.00 6.00 ? ? 1892
L. Papoose Mr. Paul Ralli
Payne		 2.50 543 27.65 3.50 1.25 32.40 7.00 4.50 6.00 ? ? 1892
L. Polynia Mr. W. S. Armitage
Payne		 2.47 528 28.15 3.70 1.22 33.10 7.20 4.50 6.00 ? ? 1892
L. Faugh-a-Ballagh Mr. A. Hardie Jackson
Payne		 2.48 542 27.48 2.25 1.16 30.90 7.00 4.25 6.50 ? ? 1892
L. Mynah Lieut. F. Elwes
Payne		 2.50 544 27.65 2.25 1.30 31.20 7.00 4.25 6.50 ? ? 1892
L. Molly Mr. Jessop
Nicholson		 2.41 531 28.26 3.98 5.99 38.23 6.60 ? 6.50 3.7 2.3 1892
L. Stork, C.B. Capt. S. Y. H. Davenport
Nicholson		 2.43 527 28.52 3.66 6.08 38.26 7.00 ? 3.70
?		 3.6 2.2 1892
L. Gareth Mr. Henderson
Nicholson		 2.48 533 28.02 3.78 4.90 36.70 ? ? ? ? ? 1892
L. Bud Earl of Desart
Soper		 2.47 534 28.0 1.80 2.70 32.50 7.30 ? 6.40 4.3 2.4 1892
L. Modwen Mr. C. Mac Iver
Livingstone		 2.50 564 26.69 2.59 5.99 35.27 7.33 3.80 3.20 3.6 2.1 1892
S. Wenonah Mr. H. Allan
Herreshoff		 2.40 577 25.00 ? ? 37.50 7.50 3.00 6.1 ? ? 1892

1-RATERS, 1891-92

Rig Yacht Owner and Designer R. S.A. L.W.L O.H. L.O.A. B. D. Drght. Displ. cwt. Ballast cwt. When built
Fwrd. Aft
L.S. Pup (C.B.) Mr. T. W. Ratsey
Clayton		 0.99 343 17.37 1.46 2.32 21.12 6.60 2.9 1.9
5.0		 22 7.5 1890
— Unit Mr. G. F. Flemmich
Owner		 0.94 308 18.40 ? ? ? 5.40 4.0 ? ? ? 1890
— Cobweb Mr. B. O. Cochrane
? Designer		 0.75 ? ? ? ? ? 5.80 4.5 ? ? ? 1890
Split L. Cariad Dr. P. W. Hughes
Sibbick		 1.00 285 21.00 ? ? 26.60 6.60 2.6 ? ? ? 1892
L.S. Barbet Mr. Wilson Hoare
Payne		 0.97 288 20.97 3.05 1.00 24.32 5.95 2.5 4.0 ? ? 1892
L.S. Argula Mr. H. R. Langrishe and E. K. B. Tighe
Nicholson		 over rating ? ? ? 5.90 ? 2.6 34 15.0 1892
L.S Nansheen (C.B.) Mr. T. C. Burrowes
Fife		 0.99 297 20.24 4.18 3.38 27.80 6.60 2.3 2.5 30 17.0 1892
L.S. Rogue (Bulb Keel) Mr. R. Vogan
Ridsdale		 0.99 285 20.91 5.06 2.51 28.48 5.75 2.2 4.5 21 13.0 1892
L.S. Doushka Mr. P. Perceval
Payne		 0.98 281 21.07 3.10 1.70 25.87 6.00 2.5 4.5 ? ? 1892
— Mahatma Mr. G. F. Flemmich
Owner		 0.99 289 20.61 2.67 1.36 24.64 5.30 2.7 ? ? ? 1892

½-RATERS, 1890-92

Rig Yacht Owner and Designer R. S.A. L.W.L O.H. L.O.A. B. D. Drght. Displ. cwt. Ballast cwt. When built
Fwrd. Aft
L.S. Tiny Mr. Vogan
Ridsdale		 0.50 193 15.52 1.25 0.40 17.17 5.00 2.45 3.0 18 14 1890
L.S. Bairn Mr. E. F. Quilter
Clayton		 0.49 185 16.10 1.65 1.00 18.75 6.10 1.30 1.3 14 4 1891
L.S. Coquette Mr. E. Jessop
Nicholson		 0.49 191 15.58 1.53 1.97 19.08 4.50 3.00 3.0 15 9 1891
L.S. Eileen Miss Sutton
Payne		 0.48 185 15.90 0.82 0.61 17.33 4.80 2.70 3.0 ? ? 1891
L.S. Jeanie Mr. Cochrane
Fife		 0.48 182 15.94 0.88 4.51 21.33 5.20 3.00 2.9 22 12 1891
L.S. Narua Mr. Perceval
Payne		 0.48 183 15.97 0.81 0.58 17.36 5.00 2.80 3.0 ? ? 1891
L.S. Dancing Girl Mr. Hewitt
Ridsdale		 0.50 189 15.99 1.03 0.70 17.72 4.80 2.40 3.0 16 12 1891
L.S. Kittiwake Lt. L. C. Elwes
Payne		 0.50 178 17.16 1.25 0.50 18.91 5.00 2.70 3.0 ? ? 1891
L.S. Dee Dee Mr. Paul Ralli
Payne		 0.50 177 17.17 0.25 0.71 19.13 4.41 2.70 3.0 ? ? 1891
L.S. Mosquito Mr. Rudston Read
Soper		 0.49 179 16.60 0.90 2.10 19.60 4.90 ? 2.9 20 6 1891
L.S. Ladybird Miss Hammersley
Payne		 0.49 176 17.04 1.00 0.40 18.65 5.00 2.50 2.9 ? ? 1891
L. Ywl. Spruce Mr. Brand
T. L. Smith		 0.41 154 16.20 0.15 1.75 18.10 5.00 1.50 0.5 ? nil 1891
Ywl. Torpedo Mr. Stewart
?		 0.50 170 17.30 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 1891
L.S. Daisy Mr. Soper
Soper		 0.50 176 17.10 4.23 2.65 23.98 5.80 ? 3.3 15 7 1892
S. Wee Winn Miss W. Sutton
Herreshoff		 0.46 178 15.61 3.78 4.53 23.92 4.80 1.30 2.9 8 3 1892
L.S. Lilliput The late Mr. S. Watson
Payne		 0.50 180 16.50 3.00 0.50 20.00 4.90 2.0 3.0 ? ? 1892
L.S. Pique Miss Sutton
Payne		 0.50 176 17.00 3.12 0.66 20.78 5.00 2.00 2.9 ? ? 1892
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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