THE ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON REGATTA.

BY A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON.

To the Editor of the Sporting Review.

Fanny, Cowes, August 18th, 1840.

SIR, Variety of engagements on the one hand, and indolence on the other, have prevented my contributing, for some months, to your pages; but, doubtful whether any of your correspondents in the Royal Yacht Squadron are here at present, I am induced again to take up my pen for the purpose of furnishing you with a true and correct account of our regatta. Every occurrence, whether of public or private interest, must now be published. Great or little events, from the Derby to a donkey race, figure alike in print; railroads and penny-postage, rendering all familiar with the facts of yesterday, tend to the approximation even of our antipodes. It is only to be regretted that the daily chroniclers do not somewhat more frequently prove right by accident; that Lord John cannot be gathered quietly to his fathers, without raising a most elaborate and detailed history of the life and death of his brother, Lord Harry; in short, that the lie circumstantial should not yet have yielded, in any degree, to the means of information, even when no purpose can have awakened the inventive faculties of the reporter; and where it is evident that none can be more deceived than the deceiver. Our regatta, this week, has not passed off, unhappily, without the occurrence of some of those circumstances so liable to misrepresentation; circumstances in which the feelings of individuals are deeply involved; and it is, therefore, in the cause of truth, and nothing but the truth, that I once more trespass upon your pages. The busy hum of men, the human voice divine in a crowded club-room on shore, together with the urgency of your time for press, leave me no alternative than that of writing at the swing-table of my own cabin, subject to the oscillations occasioned by a gale of forty-eight hours' continuance. If, therefore, my scrawl is more illegible, or my style more than commonly deficient in grace of composition, I claim an unusual degree of indulgence.

For Her Majesty's Cup; a Piece of Plate worthy of the Royal donor :- three cutters -the Reindeer (107 tons), J. Moore, Esq.; the Dream (104 tons), G. Bentinck, Esq.; and the Antelope (90 tons), Viscount Powerscourt, started at eleven, a. m., on Monday, the 17th inst., to sail the usual course eastward, round the Nab-light, returning through Cowes roads, westward, off Yarmouth, and back to the goal off Cowes Castle. In our climate it is not very often that the weather is perfect for the trial of a vessel's merits in sailing. We have either little better than no wind, or, like yesterday, a day in which one would not send a dog to sea. At the hour of starting, the wind which had blown hard all the morning, had increased to a whole gale. The Antelope took the lead for about a mile, but was soon passed by the Reindeer, which was never again headed. On reaching the Nab-light, the Dream was second, about two minutes astern of the

Reindeer; the Antelope about the same distance in rear of both. Here occurred the catastrophe which must for ever cast a gloom upon the retrospect of this race. The Reindeer, while rounding the Nab-light on the starboard tack, had two of her crew upon the taffrail, getting a pull of the main-sheet; when, either in consequence of her surging in a very heavy sea, or that, in belaying, the sheet ran through their hands, both were knocked overboard. The Reindeer then being half a cable's length from the light vessel, instantly hailed her to lower her life-boat, which was immediately done. It was evident that to hoist out the little boat which the Reindeer carried, must cause a sacrifice of life to all engaged in the attempt to rescue the men by such means, in a sea where a lifeboat could scarcely float. As soon as the Reindeer was on the larboard tack, her crew saw one man picked up, and in the next minute the other was also reported saved. All on board then simultaneously gave three hearty cheers, and she proceeded on her course. The Dream hove to in readiness to offer assistance, and Lord Powerscourt, in the Antelope, exerting himself to the utmost (at once abandoning all chance of the race), succeeded in getting, with a boat-hook, the body of one of the men on board. It appeared that the life-boat had saved one; the other was a corpse before any aid could reach him; the men in the life-boat having no hook, the body constantly eluded their grasp, though several times they had hold of the clothes; and thus were those on board the Reindeer deceived into the sanguine hope, that the first attempt had been, in both cases, successful. Lord Powerscourt, prompted by the best feelings of humanity, took both sufferers on board, and conveyed them into Portsmouth harbour; there, by timely measures, one was completely restored. The Reindeer continued far ahead, and, as the Dream bore up, resigning the contest on reaching Cowes roads, went the remainder of the course alone, arriving at the winning station at fifty-three minutes and fifteen seconds past four, in happy ignorance of all which was destined to wrest the wreath of triumph from her brows, and fill her Cup with bitterness. It was not because question arose, whether a vessel losing any of her crew, could be entitled to the prize,-a discussion which was soon set at rest,-the Commodore having decided at a meeting convened for consideration of the subject, that such accident did not disqualify it was on account of the seeming contrast between the proceedings of the Reindeer and the Antelope, on such an occasion, that Mr. Moore found absolute misery instead of pleasure in his victory. Considering that the character of Mr. Moore is as much appreciated at Cowes as at Melton, London, or every quarter in which he his known, it would be offering him an insult to appear as his apologist, or to lead one of your readers to imagine, for an instant, that any one, in the smallest degree acquainted with him, could suppose him capable of any other conduct than that which would have suggested itself to the breast of the kindest-hearted and most generous of men. have not had a moment's conference with him, personally, on so painful a subject (the event has already thrown him into a state of agitation, detrimental to his health); and the Emperor of Morocco is not more ignorant of this letter than himself; but, as it cannot be denied that there were (as there were sure to be) two

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versions of the story; that, as a faithful reporter, I must admit that there were not wanting those who ascribed to the excitement of the race a callous indifference to the peril of the men overboard, which interfered with much that might otherwise have been done to save them, I have thus minutely detailed the evidence afforded me, vivá voce, by Captain Popham, R. N., and Colonel Robbins, both of whom were on board the Reindeer.

Where there is too plausible pretext for blame; where, upon the mere facts of the case, it does not appear why the Reindeer did not heave to immediately, like her competitors, it is necessary to prove that which can only be shewn by those concerned in the conduct of the Reindeer, that their view of the melancholy occurrence was, at the moment, different from that of those nearer to the spot; that they imagined both men rescued at once by the life-boat: in short, to prove that the animus by which Mr. Moore was influenced, was directly opposite to that which has been very heedlessly attributed to him. The utmost that can be urged against the Reindeer is, that, in the confusion of the moment, in the encounter of a head wind and heavy sea, the utility or expediency of adopting any further measures did not, unfortunately, occur to those on board her. Whether the result could, or could not, by any possibility, have been more successful, is not for men to determine: but, so far from anything like a manifestation of eagerness on the part of Mr. Moore to continue the race, rather than wait to ascertain the fate of those in such danger, his first exclamation was, "D- the Cup, think only of the men!" and it was solely for reasons I have already stated, that his motives became liable to any other than a just interpretation. Everything which took place at the time, all that has since occurred, reflects the highest honour upon all parties concerned. Upon being declared the winner, Mr. Moore insisted upon returning the Cup to Lord Yarborough, saying, that the sight of it to him must ever be fraught with pain and regret; at the same time requesting that it might be presented to Lord Powerscourt, hoping that he would accept a trophy to which his exertions had so fully entitled him. Lord Powerscourt, at first, naturally enough, declined accepting any such acknowledgment of having done more than his duty; but, subsequently, it was properly explained to him by Lord Conyngham, that it was not offered in shape of reward, but simply as a compliment from Mr. Moore, a tribute to Lord Powerscourt's merit as an opponent in the race, commemorative of the high sense entertained by the whole squadron of the part he had taken; and that, in accepting it, he would offer the only solace in his power to the deeply wounded feelings of Mr. Moore. With this view of the case, Lord Powerscourt consented to receive the Cup, thus terminating the affair, as far as regards possession of the same, to universal satisfaction.

He

It is almost needless to add, that Mr. Moore has done all that might be expected, to relieve, as far as he can, the suffering widow and surviving family of Wm. Short, the seaman drowned. immediately settled a pension of twenty pounds a-year upon the widow, and invested a hundred pounds for the benefit of the children. A general subscription was also raised amongst the members of the squadron.

Wednesday, August 19th.-I find that, while writing the above,

on board, yesterday, Lord Wilton made a statement, at the Club-house, of his observations, as one, also, of the party in the Reindeer, agreeing in all particulars with this which I have, upon equal authority, com

municated.

I have already so far exceeded my limits, that it remains for me only briefly to notice, in completion of my account of the regatta, the race between the schooners this day, for the Club Cup, or, rather, for One Hundred Sovereigns instead of the Cup. This prize had remained open to cutters (from 70 to 90 tons) up to three, p.m., on Saturday; but, as the Fanny was the only cutter entered for it, and, by the regulations, three are required to make a race, it was on Monday opened to the schooners, three of which,-the Ariel (118 tons), A. Hill, Esq.; Flower of Yarrow (141 tons), Viscount Exmouth; Harriet (102 tons), J. Beardmore, Esq., took their stations at the starting-place for the same course as that for the Queen's Cup. The Crusader, belonging to Mr. B. Sheridan, and the Louisa, Sir Hyde Parker, also entered, but were not forthcoming. The weather was altogether as propitious as that of Monday was unfavourable for the purpose. A fine, fresh, topsail breeze carried them briskly on, attended by a countless fleet of yachts, of all classes, throughout the day. The race between the Ariel and the Flower of Yarrow was, from end to end, most interesting, the odds varying repeatedly during their progress. The Flower of Yarrow was first round the Nab-light, having the advantage in going free; and, in returning, seemed still to hold her own upon a wind, maintaining the lead, and being backed to win when off the buoy of the No Man. She then made a very ill-judged tack towards the Island shore, instead of keeping quietly in front of the Ariel, and, soon experienced the fruit of not leaving well alone, and quitting a worsted adversary. The Ariel kept her reach; and, while the Flower had stood almost out of the wind under the lee of the Island, fetched to windward of her, and obtained a lead, which she never again resigned. The Harriet was very early out of the question. There was scarcely an interval of two minutes on rounding the vessel off Yarmouth; and, had the distance been greater to run before the wind, it is more than probable that the Flower of Yarrow might have regained her advantage. As it was, the Ariel was admirably sailed, and fairly entitled to all the honours of victory. Their arrival at the winning-post was as follows:

The ball, on Tuesday, was attended, as the newspapers will have informed the public, by "all the beauty, rank and fashion," which the varied attractions of the week have congregated. The display of fireworks, on Monday, was, at least, equal to any that I ever beheld. Possibly, they might have shewn to more advantage, as I heard many in the crowd remark, but for the presence of the harvest moon: but who could behold that moon, ever a subject for the moralist, and not feel the utter insignificance of all the brilliancy below?

Friday, August 21st.-The weather, upon which the pleasures of yachting so much depend, has continued favourable during the remainder of the week; and nothing but that which has been the

unlucky cause of this letter has occurred materially to distinguish this annual festival from its predecessors.

The dinner at the Club-house, yesterday, took place as usual, our excellent Commodore presiding over a party of forty-two members of the squadron, and their friends—a large assembly, considering that few would now, as formerly, be at the expense of a yacht for sailing only in the channel, and that there is not a quarter of the globe in which the burgee of the Royal British Squadron may not be found. I am happy to say that this truly national pursuit is on the increase; but, as it is high time to close this despatch, I will only add, that, at any future time, any information in my power to offer shall be much at your service, from Yours, &c. &c.

A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON.

THE APPROACHING DONCASTER ST. LEGER.

August 29th.

Ir a method be ever discovered whereby success at games of chance shall be ensured, gambling will lose not the least powerful of its stimulants. It may be doubted whether excitement does not divide the palm with the "auri sacra fames," in packing many a circle around the Scylla of hazard, and Charybdis of rouge et noir. With this view of our subject, it will be conceived that our purpose is not to fortel the winner of the forthcoming Leger: were it known, what business would people have "i' th' north ?”

Still, while we hold our peace about effects, there may be some interest, if not service, in a passing allusion to causes-so far as they may be known to us beyond such knowledge as appears to be public. Launcelot is first favourite for the great northern race: no need to say anything introductory of him; he has been beaten at all ages-two and three: and if he win the Leger, it won't be according to the line afforded by his Derby running. Gibraltar we thus spoke of, last month :-" He ought to be a good speculation at anything above 10 to 1." So far our prognostication has proved correct; he now averages about half that price.

But Crucifix is the "great creature," and the great feature in this race. Her value, six weeks ago, was 5 to 2 agst. her; now it is about six times as much. This change took place because she was announced to be amiss at the close of July, and paid forfeit in her Goodwood engagements. She did not go to Goodwood because she was lame. We state this, as rumours are abroad that she was" saved," in consequence of Lord George Bentinck having taken heavy odds about her for three events, one of them being the St. Leger. Such is not the case; her noble owner has no such bet. Her appearance at Doncaster will depend upon the same contingency that settled the Goodwood question. Her leg filled after her preparatory gallop for the latter: should the same result follow the Doncaster criterion, of course it will be "no go;" but, if she stand sound, there will be a pretty "gittin' up stairs." It is fitting, however, that our country cousins should be told that the C and the G-, and other big bores, are firing away against her, right and left, with all their strength. The next in favour is Maroon, who was beaten, at the Hippodrome June Meeting, by Fitzroy and The Currier, giving them 4 lb, but who has since been a winner: Broadwath, of some provincial odour; Theon, who ought to have won the Derby; Dr. Caius, who has been running and winning as honest as steel;-these, with one or two more, constituting the lot of outsiders up to this writing. So far the bettors round appear well: the field, unless some Wonder comes to light, looks harmless enough.