COWES WEEK

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 26, 25 October 1921, Page 9

COWES WEEK

A NEW ATMOSPHERE AMERICANS REPLACE GERMAN VISITORS Cowes, August 6. The Cowes Week; even if it did not enhance, certainly maintained, its former prestige as the most fashionable society and yachting carnival of the year. The function, it will be recollected, was of European celebrity before the war. The German Emperor, and occasionally the Tsar of Russia, used to come on their huge and palatial yachts, and with them an aristocratic retinue from the Continent. Times have changed, and the crowned heads of foreign lands this year gave place to representatives of the American Republic. With the exception of the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family, the conspicuous figures of the carnival were Vice-Admiral Niblack and his officers of the battleship Utah. They entered with characteristic frans-Atlantio vigour into the gaieties of the occasion. The United States bluejackets mustered in great force ashore each day, fraternising with the Jack Tars from the British guardship Resolution, and not infrequently with the young lassies of the town. The gallant vice-admiral, a fine, jovial man with the free and easy manner of the sailor, walked through Cowes this morning. He was almost bubbling over with pleasure at the good time he, his officers, and” crew have had. "We have had a. most enjoyable holiday,” he said. "Everybody has treated us with the greatest kindness and consideration, and our reception has been most cordial." Real White Men. The American yachtsmen competing in tho Solent for the British-Amorican Cup have gained the golden opinion of their British rivals. On all hands it is conceded that they have exhibited the finest sportsmanlike spirit. As matters stand at present, it looks as though they will bo well beaten in the contest, but that has made nd difference. “They are real white men” was tho view given by one of fheir British competitors. The Americans, on their part, fully reciprocated tlie perfectly straight manner in which their British yachting brethren have played the game. Socially, the week was a brilliant success. The Royal Yacht Squadron was almost packed with visitors. The charming residences on the promenade to Egypt Point and on the wooded elopes which run almost down to the sea had a fuller complement than has been known for years. Half the peerage almost had travelled across to Cowes to take part in the closing celebration of the season. Dinners, dances, and entertainments had never been so numerous. The King’s Successes. Despite the weather, the yachting was, generally speaking, far from unsatisfactory. Yachtsmen would navo wished for a little less both of wind and rain, but not till Friday did the elements really interfere, with the success of the doings afloat. The mishaps recorded were to some extent what yachtsmen expect. They would rather suffer them than be t faced with glassy seas and dead calms. The King’s quartet of successes in five races nas awakened interest in the sport, and has given it a necessary fillip. Not a few yacht-owners will be spurred on in the endeavour to follow such an example. His Majesty, indeed, was fan life and soul of the yachting. He sailed daily, whatever the weather, and his victories were thoroughly deserved and immensely popular. To-day Cowes had almost recovered its normal placid aspect. The Victoria and Albert and the Alexandra lay in the roadstead. They were surrounded by a largo fleet of pleasure yachts, though some had departed overnight. The Utah lefc in the evening for Gravesend.