YACHTS THAT MEN LOVE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1928, Page 7

YACHTS THAT MEN LOVE

BEAUTY OF FORM. “Of all tilings fashioned by the hands of man,” says Mr John fecott Hughes, in his “Famous Yachts” perhaps a ship comes nearest to his heart. No other inanimate thing can arouse in him such deep affection.

■■And from time to time a ship is 'built possesing shell excellency—of beauty of form, perhaps, but quite often of characteristics less definable —that she appeals to an emotion akin to love in multitudes of men to whom that ship herself is, or was, no more than a cherished sight, seen maybe but once.”

A mere glance at the beautiful illustrations of Mr Hughes’s book is sufficient to kindle some reflection of his own enthusiasm. There are pictures o!’ all the most famous yachts of the past century, from Arrow to Brittannia, and very lovely things they are. Mr Hughes gives us just the right amount of detail about the historv of each.

Of them all perhaps America had the most eventful career. This most celebrated schooner was built to win, and won. the cup presented by the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1851. That cup has remained across the Atlantic ever since, despite the heroic efforts of Sir Thomas Lipton and others to recover it.

But America sailed on through many vicissitudes. She came into British hands, and during the Crimean War was- allowed to rot away at (V.wes. Then she was refitted and went back to America, where she fought successively on both sides in the Civil AYar, and afterwards confined to serve her country as train-ing-ship to the Naval Academy of Anna nolis.

Tn 1870 she raced again in defence of kr.r own cup, which was retained by another American yacht. She won a race as late as 1897 and still to he seen, laid up in honourable retirement. in the Dewey Basin. Truly, an historic ship. AH who love to read of famous vessels such as this should by Mr Hughts's delightful book.