THE TRIP OF THR BRUCE TO AKAROA.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 167, 18 December 1874, Page 3

THE TRIP OF THR BRUCE TO AKAROA.

It will be remembered that the Akaroa people kindly consented to hold their regatta on Anniversary Day, instead of on the Ist January, so as not to clash with the Lyttelton regatta. So it was determined that a number of visitors should go to Akaroa as spectators, and the s.s. Bruce was advertised for the trip. Wednesday morning was a very gloomy one, but hopes were entertained that it would clear, and the 7.20 train brought a number of visitors from Christchurch, and at about four minutes to eight a start was effected. There was a large company on board, many ladies being of the party in spite of the wretched weather, and very gay they all were iu the smooth water going down the harbor, and very hearty were the cheers exchanged with the Pleiades that had just arrived. Captain Macfarlane, however, when questioned as to the state of the sea outside shook his head ominously, and said that in hazy weather there was generally a heavy roll on, and so it proved, the sea getting worse and worse after Pigeon Bay was passed. One by one the pipes went out, and fewer bravadoes as to being good sailors were heard every minute, and before the Long Look Out was reached, nearly all board had paid a visit to the lee scuppers. Meanwhile the rain, instead of ceasing, poured down more and more heavily, and the dainty toilets of the morning began to have a draggled appearance. The Bruce behaved admirably, shewing herself to be a splendid sea boat, aud the officers were very kind aud attentive. At last the Akaroa Heads were passed, and as the water grew smoother there was a stirring amongst the dead bones, the passengers crawling up one by one. When they reached the deck a glorious sight lay before them — Akaroa was enveloped in a thick fog, the wharf was deserted, and not a flair, aud hardly a person, was to be seen. The wharf was reached at last about 12.30, a good passage considering the heavy beam sea of about four hours and a-half. There was no welcome, however. Akaroa seemed amazed at the stupidity of Christchurch and Lyttelton in turning out on such a day. It appeared they had telegraphed to Lyttelton, asking if the Bruce was coming, but had received no answer, and so, concluding she was not, they had adjourned the regatta till Thursday. However, a gentleman with a bell travelled about and succeeded in convening about four of the inhabitants of Akaroa, who held a public meeting under the verandah of Mr Garwood's shop, and decided, after due daliberation—and on hearing that the Lytteltonians could not remain another day—that the All-comers' Sailing race, the Fouroared Whaleboat race, and the Scullers' race, in all of which Lyttelton boats were entered, should be held that afternoon. There were no signs of its clearing. Akaroa was wet —Akaroa was dirty—Akaroa was miserable, and without fires. The unhappy strangers wandered about in search of comfort and a hot meal, and found none. At last, after an immense amount of deliberation, the first race was started. Mr Towusend acted as starter, Mr Macgregor took the entries, and Captain Malcolmson, of the Antelope (which was the flagship), was the judge, and all these gentlemen worked hard for the success of the regatta, and endeavored to give all who asked them the fullest information regarding it. The entries for the All Comers Sailing race were the Scud, C. W. Bridge, of Akaroa; the Alert, W. Simms, of Akaroa; the Florence, T. Ockford, of Lyttelton; the Mistletoe, B. Hoist, of Akaroa; Edith Wynne, J. Boberts, of Lyttelton; and the Lurline, E. O'Niel of Lyttelton. The first prize was £ls, second £5, entry £l. A good start was effected by Mr Townsend ; in choice of places the Edith Wynne took the in-shore position, aud being one of the lightest boats got away before the heavier crafts. The wind was light S.E. at the start, but before reaching the Red House point several heavy puffs were experienced by all the boats. After passing the Reef, a fair strong breeze was experienced by all. The course from this poiut was nearly straight across the Harbor to the buoy off Wainui Island, and the respective qualities of the boats were here plainly shown, the Edith Wynne leading by about fifty yards, followed by the Lurline. The Scud, which was far behind, made a more direct course for the buoy, and gained upon and passed all the boats but the Edith Wynne and the Lurline. The weather was remarkably thick, and there was great difficulty in picking up the turning buoy. The Edith Wynne was round first, the Lurline following about -fiO yards behind, the Scud third. From this buoy the race was fully three miles down to a buoy off German Bay. The position of the relative boats was not changed. On rounding the last buoy the boats were brought up to the wind, the Edith Wynne and Lurline making tack for tack to enable them to round the in-shore buoy at Akaroa; both boats were well handled by Messrs Packard and O'Neil. The Lurline made the longest Btretch across the harbor. After rounding the buoy, the Scud laH well up for the point, aud we thought at one time she would have weathered it and won the race, but it proved that she, as well as the others, was obliged to tack. At this point the Florence, Alert, and Mistletoe were in close proximity. The Edith Wynne went about after a short tack off shore stretched towards the turning boat, tacked, and ran past the flag ship some fifteen minutes before the Lurline, which was second, the Scud third. It was a rule of the regatta committee that centre boards should be sealed. The Scud, well known in Lyttelton waters, is now differently rigged, carrying a mainsail in place of lug. The four-oared Whaleboat race was next run. The first prize was £l2, the second £4, and the entry money 15s. Five boats entered. The Banshee, O'Neil, of Lyttelton ; the Venus, old crew, of Lyttelton ; the Blue Bell, Brough, of Akaroa ; the Mist, C. A. Nalder, of Akaroa ; and the Lowland Lass, C. W. Bridge, of Akaroa. The Lowland Lass and Mist were scratched. A fair start was effected, the Blue Bell and Banshee leading, Venus last. This order was maintained till half-way to the buoy, when the Ranshee passed the Blue Bell. Further on the Venus crept up and also passed the Akaroa boat. At the turning buoy there wore only three lengths between the first and second boats. The Venus made a worse turn than the Banshee and dropped further behind, Thia position was. maintained to

the finish, the Banshee winning by several lengths, the Blue Bell a long way behind. The names of the crew of the winning boat were—Bow, H. O'Neil ; No 2, T. Arkis ; No 3, J. Scott; stroke, S. Banfordj cox, John Gardner. They received a hanflsome present from Messrs Coatcs and Co, of four pint plated tankards, with a half pint for the coxswain.

We forgot to mention that Mr H. Wagstaff was secretary. It was delermined not to hold the Scullers' race, in consequence of the heavy rain. The visitors now had nothing to do but wander about the town, as Captain Macfarlano had decided not to sail till 3 a.m. on Thursday, as the weather was so thick that he thought it doubtful whether he could make Godley Heads. The greater number found their way to Mr Wagstaff's and Bruce's Hotel. Tlie rain still poured down unceasingly, everyone was damp, to say the least of it; songg were sung, games played, condolences interchanged, and attempts made to dry clothes. Akaroa seemed stupefied by the invasion. At last about a quarter-past three the warning whistle was heard, and all hastened on board the Bruce. An effort was made to sail about half-past, but she was stuck, and it was five before the tide was high enough for her to get away. The trip back to Lyttelton was far more pleasant than the going, very few being ill, but all hands were glad to be inside the Heads once more. The other events took place yesterday. There will also be a cricket match between Rllesmere and Akaroa. Too high compliments can hardly be passed to the officers of the Bruce for their kindness to all.