Truant and Flirt were entered, but for some reason did not put in an appearance. The course was from Birkenhead Ferry round a flag-boat stationed off Eastham, thence round a flag-boat stationed off the Dingle, back round the Eastham flag-boat, thence back round the Dingle flag-boat, returning direct to Birkenhead Ferry, passing between the shore and flagboat moored off the Clubhouse, leaving the last mentioned flag-boat on the starboard hand; all other marks and boats to be left on the port hand. All being in readiness at 2h. 12m. the start took place, the Spray dashing off with a slight lead, followed closely by Glide, and the others well up. The Electric was rather close to the second vessel, endeavouring with persevering tenacity to overhaul the new favorite. She did not exactly like her position as third, although her opponent did belong to the family. In this order they passed the first flag-boat off Eastham and the Glide gradually drew on the Spray, and after a futile attempt of the latter to retain the lead her antagonist shot round the flag-boat at the Dingle 7 minutes 15 seconds ahead: the following being the time at each point :— They now proceeded amidst much excitement towards Eastham on the second round, and the Spray succeeded in lessening the gap between herself and the Glide considerably; the others vainly struggling to overhaul even the Spray. The only changes that occurred before passing Eastham was the Zephyr wresting third place from Electric. In this order they dashed away for the Dingle, without any change, and the two flag-boats on the second round were passed thus:— As a match draws towards conclusion much excitement generally prevails, but in this case the interest caused by the close and capital sailing of the two favorites was more intense than is usually exhibited, every nautical tact and manœuvre the respective crews resorted to to secure the honour of winning the prize. The Glide however was victorious, and with "shouts that rent the sky" she was hailed the winner by a few seconds only. The match finished thus:Glide........... h. m. S. 8. Spray h. m. S. 5 0 10 Thus this valuable prize has by ten seconds only been wrested from Mr. Bowen, who in the event of the Spray winning, would have become its pos sessor. But now it will once more at least be contended for. The sailing of the Match was beyond all doubt equal, if not superior, to any contested on the Mersey. The cup was presented to Mr. Wilkinson by Mr. Bramah, who observed he had been deputed as a member of the Committee, to present to that gentleman the Cup from the Birkenhead Model Yacht Club. It was a most agreeable duty, for he felt assured that all must have admired the noble manner in which the yacht had been sailed. The cup had been preserved to the club for another year, though he hoped it would ultimately be in Mr. Wilkinson's possession. (Cheers) The admirable manner in which Mr. Wilkinson had uniformly sailed his boats in connection with the Club could not fail to be appreciated by every Member, and in presenting the prize he expressed a hope that his career so nobly began, would be crowned with success for the future. After paying a compliment to the family of Mr. Wilkinson, he wished him long life and success, and that he might always be first in the race. (Cheers.) The health of Mr. Wilkinson and success to the boat was then drank in bumpers of champagne, after which the company separated. The Glide is a new boat, and this is the second cup she has won. She was built by Mr. Wilkinson expressly for the Birkenhead Model Yacht Club races, and is one of the many excellent boats which he has brought out from time to time. The present is the seventh cup which Mr. Wilkinson has taken, and since he became connected with the Club he has exerted himself most commendably in promoting its success. It appears that a question has been raised as to the result of the race between the Glide and the Spray, and a protest against the decision was sent to the Secretary by Mr. Bower, the owner of the Spray. The matter will no doubt form the subject of enquiry, though, according to the decision of the Secretary and the other gentlemen who assisted him in timing the boats, the match was decided to be fairly and honourably won. BRIGHTON REGATTA. THE weather before the appointed day (Aug. 26th) had been changeable, and even on the day previous it was blowing strong from S.S.W., which caused a heavy swell, and many considered the sports doomedhowever, the morning of the eventful day was ushered in with as pleasing a prospect as could be desired: the wind had shifted to N. W., and a bright sun shining. This favorable change made a quite a sensation amongst the holiday folks, and trains and steamers poured in their thousands to show the inhabitants their exertions were appreciated. The first race was for a cup value £100, for schooners of and above 50 tons, belonging to any Royal Club. Time race, for every ton above 150, five seconds; above 75 and up to 150 inclusive, eight seconds; above 50 and up to 75 inclusive, nine seconds. Three to start or no The Alarm had been entered by letter, but was unable to get round in time. The course was of a diamond form, commencing opposite the Pierhead, thence to a boat to the westward off the Jenny Rock, round a boat, out at sea five miles, thence to a flag-boat off Rottingdean, and back to the starting-boat, twice round, making in all a distance of about forty miles. The preparatory having been fired the three yachts above-named obeyed the summons, and at 12h. 47m. the starting gun sent them away, Wildfire leading, next Vestal, and Georgiana having a disadvantageous position could not get off so speedily as her competitors. The Vestal had her jib set first, but the Wildfire was first to set topsail. It was a dead beat to Shoreham. The race was peculiarly interesting and pretty, the Vestal continuing to windward for some distance, and maintaining a most extraordinary race with her very powerful opponent. After proceeding about two miles, they all tacked, and then the Wildfire was leading apparently by four or five minutes, the Vestal second, the Georgiana third, making up for the loss she had sustained, in getting away at the start. They arrived at the boat off the Jenny Rocks as follows: After rounding the mark-boat, the Georgiana laid down to her work, and overhauled the Vestal, and beam and beam they thrashed through the water, the little one with a determined effort to keep the lead, and for a mile or so she succeeded, the Georgiana completely covering her, and she was obscured from the gaze of those upon the shore by the former's canvas, but the moment she got half a length ahead, the Vestal, by her position, prevented her from making any further advance, and so they continued, as gallant and as fine a race as ever was seen. They then separated, and the Georgiana led slightly. All this time the Wildfire was going right away, and so far headed her rivals in the race as to entirely do away with any prospect of success on their part. They passed the boat at sea, in the following order and time : The same gallant race between the Vestal and Georgiana was continued. until accident put an end to a contest which was watched with much interest. In beating up, the Georgiana carried away her topmast, and slightly led the Vestal, when the latter, in trying to weather the nearest life-boat, got athwart it, and stove her own stern in, setting her sails flying. The Wildfire cracked on at a fine pace, and accomplished the distance at 5h. 45m. The other was not timed. The yachts sailed under mainsail, foresail, jib, flying jib, and gaff-topsail, with the exception of the Vestal, who carried a staysail instead of the latter. Nine or ten rowing matches took place during the day for very good prizes. HIGH WATER TIDE TABLE FOR OCTOBER. High Water Lon. Bridge morn after. h. m. h. m. The time of high water at the following places may be ascertained, by adding to, or substracting from, the time at London Bridge. 17 3 52 4 13 4 1 2 .... 4 2 3 5 23 Dungeness.......... 3 17 3 8 Folkestone...... 3 37 12 0 22 0 45 Flamboro' Head... .... 3 48 Portsmouth....... 024531 23 Ostende...... 53 Honfleur 39 New York.. TO CORRESPONDENTS. THE VELOCITY OF TIDES.-THE PRESENT YACHT MEASUREMENT AND ITS ReSULTS.-YACHTING STATISTICS, and SUMMER SCENES ON THE SCOTTISH COAST in our next. All communications must be directed to the Editor, 6, New Church Street, Edgware Road. London:-Hunt, Printer, Church Street, Edgware Road, HUNT'S YACHTING MAGAZINE. NOVEMBER, 1856. ON THE VELOCITY OF THE TIDE IN THE THAMES, AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS. SOME experiments have lately been made in the river, which have brought out results different from what may have been expected even by those who are accustomed to live on it, or on its banks, and I think they may serve as a preliminary basis for other, and more extensive observations to be made in future, by some of your readers who have more opportunity and leisure than myself to investigate them. They were undertaken in consequence of the intention of the Metropolitan Board of Works to carry the sewerage of London into the Thames at some point below Woolwich; and one of its members, a most talented and excellent individual, originated the idea that the lower or deepest part of the water during the ebb, ran down at a greater velocity than the top, by which any sewerage emptied there would be carried down at a greater rate than if emptied on the surface, and that, during the flood, the sea, or cleaner water, came in on the top only, mixing, probably, with the lower and dirtier current, NO. 11.-VOL. v. 3 P |