THE BALLAST TRIMMERS.

THIS engrosses with the "Measurement" question, the attention of those who are concerned in racing matters, and the pages of the Yachting Magazine cannot be devoted to a better purpose than bringing it forward for discussion. In the February number we observed an article by "Mercator," who attacks the system of Shifting Ballast with all the ardour of a young aspirant to fame; but vehement declamation, and harsh names will not carry conviction, or eradicate the evil. Although giving him credit for his intentions we prefer the remarks of "M.P." in the April number, who writes with candour. He is evidently a yachting man, and explains very fairly the utility of shifting in some craft, but as a general rule he says "I beg to state that I by no means advocate trimming ballast." If it is necessary to the "beamy craft", as many suppose, why it must be allowed to all whether "lean-ribbed" or not.

We condemn the system of sealing down to prevent the practice, but we do not endeavour to provide a remedy-by a dispassionate view of the subject we may arrive at conclusions which will be advocated by those interested. In the first place we ask, is it fair to suppose that no shifting of any description of ballast takes place in a match where it is prohibited. "Oh! that's impossible, the ballast is sealed down!" granted; but we would ask any racing man whether it is not practicable to shift ballast even when it is sealed down. This supposition many may think absurd; but the initiated well know that it can be done. We do not mean to assert that it is a common practice, but let any man who understands the stability of a yacht watch her closely, and then turn over in his own mind whether she can stand under the pressure of canvas that is on her when in certain positions; whether he can reconcile his mind to the fact that, she is complying strictly to the rule laid down "no shifting of ballast allowed". How such a man will smile at the innocence of the Sailing Committee who promulgated such a law. He well knows from experience what is going forward; he knows there are a "thousand and one" ways of evading that law without fear of detection.

Taking it for granted that Shifting Ballast is a bad practice and ought under every circumstance to be scouted.-How is it to be prevented is the next question?-not by sealing down certainly; for we hold that to be unjust to the fair sailer. Many men enter their vessels to win by legitimate means, and sealing down is to them unjust; for instance suppose a yacht of this description comes in first-and is hailed the winner of the prize, the authorities proceed on board, and find the seals destroyed, or at least broken;-can they honestly accuse the crew of wilfully damag

ing those seals? may not an accident have caused it? Is it not possible that during a race of five or six hours, some trifle has not caused the mishap? Yet what is the result, the owner is mulcted of his prize, besides being branded with a direct fraud.

Now in our estimation the most consistent mode is to place on board each yacht a person thoroughly acquainted with the usages of yacht racing, who shall report to the Sailing Committee at the finish of the match, that, to his knowledge no shifting of ballast did take place, and then the prize will be awarded to the successful yacht without any doubt remaining. We know a gentleman who was engaged by the owner of a yacht to sail her in a match. On his repairing on board he was astonished to find the crew prepared to violate the law, he refused to stay unless they would forego their intention; the crew demurred, they were ambitious to win, and it was only settled by his declaring that if they attempted to assist the vessel by any act below, and she should win, he would denounce them, and they would only have a cruize for their pains. This determination was unanswerable, the crew promised obedience to his commands, and the result was the yacht won the prize by fair tactics only.

We merely mention this to show that, however, honourable an owner may be, it is just possible (not being on board himself) for his fair fame to be sullied by an over anxious crew. For no one would believe his crew would so act without orders.

We believe in a match last summer such a system as we propose was acted on, and a great outcry was raised about it, but why we cannot imagine; for is it not better to have a person on board to witness the proceedings than to win by a doubt.

Yacht racing was established for the purpose of trying the speed, without having recourse to covert acts which tend to destroy the craft, and soon render her unfit for service. The present class of clippers are built for speed alone, and during their successful tourney their owners are satisfied; but when, from the straining they have undergone, they become crank and unseaworthy, recourse is had to the builder; they are patched up again, but for a short period only. Now comes the tale; who will buy them? what are they fit for? Not for trading nor for any useful purpose as seaworthy craft. They must therefore be broken up, and thus ends after a brief career these vaunted clippers, at an immense sacrifice to their owners.

In a great measure Shifting of Ballast tends greatly to the deterioration of the vessel, and all owners who would save their pockets will discountenance the system, and adopt one which will work well, if fairly carried out.

MY CRADLE BOAT.

BY TOMMY BLUFFBOW.

CHAPTER VI.

THE Kitty being launched, rigged, and fitted for sea I had taken no ordinary pains in selecting two of the best men I could get to man her. I considered it a highly important step that she should be manned by good, active, daring fellows and I took particular pains to enquire into the character of each, that the new yacht might not share the fate of the old one. My captain's name was Dick Evers; a man

about 30 years of age, who had been accustomed to match sailing on

the Thames and elsewhere, and who was also well acquainted with the coast: he was a short thick set man, with a bold and manly countenance. I had often seen Dick at the helm of the leading yacht in a sailing match, and had frequently noticed the skilful and masterly manner in which he sailed and manoeuvred amongst his opponents. I had also seen him set a gaff-top-sail quicker than any man in the match; and perform other acts of seamanship worthy the notice of the most disinterested spectator. Such was the man I engaged as captain of the Kitty: many of my friends told me an ordinary seaman would have suited me just as well; because, during a match I always took the helm myself. And probably there was good reason for such an assertion, but still with such an one at my elbow, I was far more confident in extremes and difficulties than with two or three less experienced. It is a great consolation to have a man competent to take the helm under the most trying circumstances of match sailing; even though the yachtsman may be ever so experienced himself; and I can truly say I never regretted taking Dick Evers into my service; but, on the contrary, I always found him a great reference and authority under difficulties; and I felt my confidence and courage iron bound whilst he was with me on deck. My other new hand was John Lester, a seaman from the Marquis of Anglesey's yacht Pearl. Lester was a fine, handsome looking young sailor, twenty-two years of age. I had an excellent character with him, and he appeared the identical man for match sailing.

Having completed my crew and made the necessary arrangements for a few days' excursion, I hoisted Kitty's burgee at the mast-head; and under a sunny sky and gentle breeze, set out on our first cruize. Bob Hart was lying-to for us a few miles down the river.

It was quite understood between us that we were to keep together as

well as we could during the cruise, regardless of racing or sailing one against the other: neither yacht was supposed to be in trim, and we therefore determined on changing our ballast fore and aft, until the proper bearings were correctly ascertained. After eight hours sailing we brought up in the harbour of a small town at the mouth of the river; intending next day to try our vessels outside, just to discover what sort of seagoing qualities they possessed; so leaving the yachts in charge of our men, we repaired to the best inn we could find; where we made ourselves as comfortable as we could, and sat talking over our adventures and future intentions until a late hour. After breakfast next morning we "joined ship," and set sail, the wind still light, but the sky somewhat cloudy.

"We shall have a breeze before the day is gone, Sir," said Captain Evers.

"Glad to hear you say so," I replied. Half an hour's sailing carried us clear of the harbour; and the Fanny and Kitty for the first time soused their hulls in the salt sea waves. We were each carrying a whole main-sail, fore-sail and second jib, when Captain Evers drew my attention to some white scud two or three miles to windward.

"Down with a pair of reefs lads!" I instantly shouted, "Shift jib, and be as smart as you can!"

I turned my eye in the direction of my friend, and found he had observed the approaching squall, and was preparing for it. We had both taken the precaution of housing our topmasts before leaving the harbour; and with fore-sails run down, and good way on our tiny vessels, kissed the squall as it bore heavily upon us.

One luff, and a shake of our canvas, and we pressed boldly on our little clippers. The wind had now settled down into a strong unsteady breeze, causing a tumbling sea, and sousing our decks with buckets of spray. For three hours we fought a battle with wind and waves, at sea and having all the time been beating to windward, I signalled to my friend Hart that it was time to bear up and run for the harbour.

It would be unfair at this stage of my tale, to express an opinion as to the sailing qualities of either yacht; neither of which were as yet supposed to be in proper trim; besides which, new rigging and ropes had become so slack and stretched, that it was impossible for the yachts to do as much as might be expected from them when in better trim: I will therefore now only add that there appeared but very very little difference in their speed, either in a sea-way or smooth water.

That afternoon we cast anchor in a large harbour, beneath the shadow of a castle wall; and as on the day previously, my friend joined me NO. 6.-VOL. V.

2 K

ashore, and we spent the rest of the day together: although I had not quite so much of my friend's conversation as formerly, because it was at this town that the real, living, Fanny resided; and where and when Hart had the pleasure as he said "of introducing me to the young lady I had so frequently beard him speak of."

Miss Fanny Evans was a pretty, and highly interesting looking girl: very cheerful and apparently cordial-hearted, and accomplished. She was the only daughter of a wealthy retired Ship-owner, who was resting his gouty leg. on a stool near the fire: he looked fierce and revengeful whenever any one approached near his foot; but chatted good-naturedly to all who kept at a respectful distance from him.

"And do you not think you have been too venturesome to-day with your new yacht, Mr. Bluffbow?" enquired the young lady.

"We have certainly gone as far as prudence permitted,” I replied, "but I do not think we have at any moment endangered our lives, or risked the safety of the yachts."

"I am afraid you are both of you too courageous in venturing so far with such small vessels. I saw none so small as the Kitty and Fanny at sea to-day."

"And pray when are we to be honoured with your presence aboard the yachts, Miss Evans ?" I enquired.

"Oh, I will sail with you one day ere long," she replied; "but pray who is the young lady you have named your yacht after, Mr. Bluff bow?"

"Well really, Miss Evans, it is a mere whim of mine," I replied with some little confusion. "The fact is my friend Hart told me he should name his yacht after some pretty girl"

"I beg you will lavish no nonsense or flattery upon me, Sir," said the lady with a sterner look than I had yet seen on her face.

"I intended no flattery, Miss Evans," I replied, "I was merely repeating what Mr. Hart said.”

"Oh, yes, it's quite correct," said Hart, "that's the reason why I named my boat the Fanny, and my friend Bluffbow was moved by similar inspirations."

I was very glad Hart came to my rescue at that moment of difficulty, and for the first time I began to wish I had not named my boat after the pretty little Kitty.

Two days more were spent in a similar manner to the previous ones, we cruised about during the day; sometimes at sea, and sometimes in the river but every evening I accompanied my friend from the modelFanny to the living-Fanny.

:

We had determined on not sailing a private match, but waiting for