YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1079, 18 March 1911, Page 12

YACHTING.

» [Br Maixsbeet.]

To-day—Postponed race for 2nd-class yachts. Saturday, March'2s.—Postponed races for Ist, 2nd, and 3rd-class yachts. Easter Monday.—P.N.Y.C. Picnic. Lord Islington's "Viking." A visit was paid by a representative of the "New Zealand Yachtsmen' on board the Viking, Lord Islington's yacht, which is at preieut lying in tho graving dock. On entering tlie main cabin tho visitor will bo struck by its handsome and recherche appearance. The cushions and backs have been re-made and re-covered with blue moquettc. In ( the ladies' cabin the cushions aud backs have also been re-nuido aud re-covcred with beautiful blue silk tapestry, the favourite colour of Lady Islington. On the floor is a pretty Axminster carpet in keeping with the cushions. The floor of tho main cabin is covered with linoleum. Tho wliolo of the cabin fittings are of riniu with mottled kauri panels. The cushions of the saloon are covered with pretty art canvas. All interior brass work has been elrctroplatcd, which adds a finish to both cabins. Tho c-anip stools used for seating have been polished and re-covered in samo material as the cushions. The whole of the upholstering and polishing work, etc., lias l>eeu carried out by Messrs. Winks and Hall, the well-known upholsterers and cabinetmakers of Shortland Street, to tho order of Mr. C. Bailey, junr. The whole of this work has been carried out iu a most creditable manner, and speaks well for the firm's capabilities. Tho same firm aro doing the upholstering work for tho, Tongan Government's launch, which is being built by Mr. Bailey. The cushions and backs aro of moroccoline and hair. The backs are liung with eyelets and knobs, so that they can bo easily taken off at any timo. The finishing rail, is of polished teak wood, and the cabin floors are eovercd with linoleum.

The Yacht Concert. Tlie attendance at the Port Nicholson Yacht Club's concert seemed to show that the public aro taking interest iu this fino sport. Financially the event has had tho result of putting tho club in a"better position. Tho proprietors, of the West Royal Pictures are giving a special programme of yachting pictures shortly in aid of the club's funds. It is the intention of the proprietary to take moving pictures of yachting iu Wellington. Eh? To Westport? Encouraged by tho success which attended the recent, ocean race to Port Underwood, a number of local yachting sports intend moving in the direction of getting a long-distance race.oft' during the Christmas holidays next year. The idea is to cruise in company to Westport, and then race back. Current Events. Another addition to Wellington's licet of yachts, is expected to arrive here shortly. The addition, it isj'omoured, is the Auckland yacht Tangnroa, which has been purchased by Mr. "Sid." Williams. The Tangaroa has a straight stem, and is an old typo of boat, but is a good style of cruiser. Her principle dimensions are, length 32ft., beam Sft. Gin., and draft about Oft,

The points to dato for the Winder Cup, presented to tho Te Aro Sailing Club by .Mr. Geo. Winder, are as follow:—Redwing, (i 7; Winifred, SS; Kailare, !i"; Lotus, ,'i7; Viileta, . r >2; Nail, 19; Dareen, 20. The postponed race for second-class yachts will take place this afternoon. The secretary of tho RN.Y.C. wishes to notify yaehrowners that when a race, for which they originally entered but withdrew from," has to be mailed they may take part in the postponed race should they catc to do so.

A Great Yachtsman—Captain Barr

Under the heading of "A Great Yachtsman," the linglish "Yachtsman," in its is.-uo of February 2. gives a full and interesting account of the famous yacht skipper, Charles liarr, who at. tho early age of ■15 years was so suddenly, nn the morning of January 24 last, severed from the sport for which he had made so much history. On the morning of his death Captain Barr arose apparently in llis usual health, and after going down stairs to breakfast was suddenly seized with illness, and falling forward into his wife's arms.Jie expired in a very short time. Dr. Tibbs, who had beeii summoned, fortified that death was due to heart, disease. Born of Scottish parents, at Gourqck, "Charlie" Barr, as lie was familiarly known throughout the yachting world, was a naturalised American citizen. In 1880 he left the Clyde, where he had gained his nautical experience, in the famous Fife-designed 40-footer Minerva, which carried all before her iu her class. So impressed were tho Americans with the yacht that the IlerreshotT-design-ed Gloriana was subsequently built, Banhaving charge of her. From this out the renowned professional had numerous commands, including Navahoe, which he brought to England in 1693, Vigilant, Columbia, and Reliance, with which ho sn successfully resisted in 1903 the third attempt of Sir Thomas Lipton to win th'e great cup with his third Shamrock. It «emcd only in keeping with his triumphant career that, in his last season, "ho should have swept the board at Kiel and Cowes with Mr. Alexander Cochrane'.? beautiful schooner Westward, when Meteor, Germania. and other notable yachts were so badly beaten. Perhaps the finest tribute of all paid to the memory of the late yachtsman is that of Mr. Alexander Cochrane, who, in consequence of Barr's death, has withdrawn Westward from all engagements for the coming seasonSydney "Referee."