THE YACHT SECRET in NELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 31, 5 February 1877, Page 2

THE YACHT SECRET in NELSON

The following letter from a correspondent, evidently one of the owners of the yacht Secret, appeared in the Auckland Star of Friday last. That the owners had very great ground for complaint against the committee for laying out a course on which there was even rhe bare possibility of shoal water occurring during any part of the race cannot be questioned; but, on the other hand, we must assert that the insinuations of favoritism are utterly uncalled for. Without further comment we publish the letter: I closed my last as we dropped anchor inside the Boulder Bank, Nelson. In the present you will be able to follow our movements up to date. After the usual scrubbing and polishing we went on shore, when we found good reason for congratulating ourselves on our quick run from Lyttelton: a few hours longer and the Secret would have been debarred from taking part in the race. It wanted four days of the Kegatta, and yet, strange to say, all vessels were to be entered before eight o'clock on the evening of our arrival, and no post entries were allowed. No doubt the committee had their own object in view, but by pursuing such a course it was (to put it in a very mild form) allowing strangers " very little latitude." On the 16th (day before the Kegatta) accompanied by Captain Lowe, the pilot, and several gentlemen (?) on the sailing committee, we went out for a spin, intending with the aid of our visitors to have a run round the course. On getting outside, however, we were very much disappointed to find they apparently knew no more about it thau we did ourselves. The only information (?) gained was from the pilot, who told us that we might sail over the course with impunity, as there was any amount of water. The first race on the programme was for open sailing boats, but the committee decided to postpone it, as there was too little wind (it was a dead calm). Imagine our surprise, therefore, when an hour later a boat came

alongside, and we were; told to prepare for the start. When ths gun fired there was no more wind than would fill your hat. However, the ebb tide took u'sj "put .clear of the entrance, and we then got a light air, which enabled us to overhaul pur opponents, the • Gannet and Claymore. When the first flag- v boat was rounded we had a lead of ten minutes, which distance was increased to 13| minutes, when we completed the first round. It was at this time, and whilst steering a direct course as laid down by the chart handed to us a few minutes before starting, that the Secret ran aground. All hands were at once sent out on the bowspriti but it was "no go;" we were hard aud fast, and bumping heavily. While Mr Thomas Niccol proceeded to hoist signals for a steamer, Captain Lombard, who was as "cool as a cucumber" the whole time, gave orders to rip up the cabin floor, which was done without delay, and about three tons of ballast shifted forward. This had the desired effect, the vessel forged ahead slowly, and in about 33 minutes, we were once more afloat. By the time ballast Avas trimmed and order restored, the Gannet was " hull down." However we decided to give chase, and when within five miles of the winniug post we came up alongside., of. her. It was too late though to win the race) for we had to give a time allowance 0£..15,:-minutes. It was impossible in the short distance, and with the light air blowing, to gain this advantage";- so a i course was, steered for, the [_ entrance, which was reached abput~B; p.m?/ anything, but pleased with/ our day's 5 sport. -Immediately on landingja protest was entered, and- after several needless p v qstpqnemenfcsjduring' which time all preparations had been completed'on board the Secret for -.•sailing -to,, Wellington the Committee, who were [evidently at their wit's end, ;gave their decision;- whic^T was, ; that "'the race should be sailed over again on a day !to be arranged between the owners of ; Secret and Gannet," but the owner iof the latter yacht having got a notion into hishead that he had not the ghost of a chance unless the Secret -were., compelled^ to : go over a hurdle, very wisely decided not to ruti. The ■ result' is that the. prize retertsto the Vdtnmittee, aud I think that they could not utilise ' it to greater ; advantage than in taking a few ; lessons in the arfrof managing a Regatta, for • a greater want of system and unaniraityin a ; committee, it were almost impossible to find. <