YACHT RACE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4333, 8 February 1875, Page 2

YACHT RACE.

A match between two crack yachts, which was looked forward to with great interest, as deciding the respective merits of the. Xarifa and the Garibaldi, came off on Saturday last. The crafts are so well known to those who interest themselves in boating as to need but little description. The Xarifa measures about fifteen tons, and the Garibaldi about four and. a half tons ; the former a keel boat, and the latter a centreboard. Mr. Berg, of this city, built both. Owing to ah unintentional foul by the Garibaldi on Eegatta Day, and insufficient wind, the contest between these two clippers on that occasion was a most unsatisfactory one, and hence arose the match for £4O, which was decided on Saturday last. The amount, named as the stake is perhaps decimally the amount which actually changed hands at the conclusion of the race. The wind was a fine, strong, 'whole-sail yachting breeze, from the N.N.W,, though at times rather puffy, but always sufficient for ordinary working canvas. The course mutually arranged was from the yacht moorings, round Ward Island, thence round Somes Island, passing the Eosario on the port hand ; twice round, finishing at the wharf. Although the Garibaldi, which was by far the greater favorite at the start, did not get over a fourth of the course, it was evident from the .start which was the more powerful and faster yacht. The yachts started on even terms—that is to say, no tonnage time was allowed by the Xarifa, and the Garibaldi had free use of her centreboard and shiftin'* ballast. The following is an account of the race as it appeared from the Xarifa :

At half-past twelve Captain Halliday (starter), having inquired whether everything was ready, and being” answered affirmatively by both crews, dropped the flag. Springs were let go, canvas going up at a great rate on both boats, all working canvas drawing in the “ cracking of a biscuit.” The Garibaldi was the first to feel the breeze, and having outward place, -.-ot away quickly. In a few minutes the Xarifa began to feel her feet, and a stiff puff cominground Pipitea Point heeled both boats over till the Xarifa’s lee rail was out of sight, the water reaching to the top of the lee comings. The Garibaldi, with her centreboard and a freer sheet, appeared to make little better weather of it. But it was during this squall that the Xarifa brought out her points. Everythin'was held on to, not an inch being given the mainsail, but she righted herself beautifully. After this performance everyone—and there were nine souls on board—felt perfectly satisfied of their safety. When the puff had exhausted itself, and the hands had*tfflie to look round, they found the Xarifa had gained the distance lost at the start, and was heading the Garibaldi fast, although the big yacht was a few yards to leeward, which, of course, meant nothing with an almost free sheet. At Magazine Point the Xarifa was leading by about six lengths. Half way across Evans Bay the wind fell light. Both vessels were carrying top-

masts aloft. Up went the Garibaldi's small gafftopsail, the Xarifa replying with her jib-topsail. This state of things continued but a short time, for when Cow Bay Point was passed the small yacht ran aloft a kind of hybrid squaresail, the Xarifa .retaliating with a gaff-topsail. The distance between the two yachts was becoming more noticeable each minute, the Xarifa bearing her cloud of canvas beautifully, and the Garibaldi looking very pretty aloft, but appearing to be too heavily weighted with linen. Just before Ward Island was reached by the Xarifa, a squall caught her with all canvas set—a mainsail, gaff-topsail, jib, staysail, and jib-topsail—which heeled her over till her lee comings were under water, her topmast and jibboom bending like fishing rods, and everyone making themselves as small as possible on the weather side. But with this breath she did travel, the jib-topsail helping her to clear herself, and keeping her very dry forward. The water here was very lumpy, which materially interfered with the Garibaldi, which was thrashing and tearing at it at a great rate, and (as it appeared from the Xarifal almost burying herself. Ward Island was made by the Xarifa thirty minutes after starting, and with Mr. Pilot Holmes at the tiller the experiment of cracking a mussel on the outer rock was almost accomplished, the yacht being taken within six feet of the ugly lump of stone. Down came the kites, and the yacht was close-hauled for some hard beating. Three and a half minutes later the little yacht showed round, both vessels being now on their mettle. Here it was the Garibaldi was literally nowhere, for after each had made the long leg they went about together, when the Xarifa proved to be quite three-quarters of a mile dead to windward of the Garibaldi. Both vessels stood on the starboard tack for some time, the Xarifa going about first, and making a short stretch to weather Somes Island, which she successfully accomplished at four minutes past two, the Garibaldi a long way to leeward and beating the rough ,water most unmercifully. Fancy canvas, as the wind was then free, was sent aloft, and when the southern end of Somes Island was opened out, the Garibaldi was seen standing on the starboard tack. Shortly afterwards she eased off her sheet, and stood for home, without once rounding Somes Island. The Xarifa made fine time running from the island to the man-of-war, which was rounded at a quarter to three o'clock, circuit of fifteen miles, not including beating distance, being accomplished in two hours and a quarter. The race .was now virtually over, everything being made snug on board the large yacht, and next round was sailed comfortably, easy '•anvas and a dry deck making the trip ifc- very pleasant one. Somes Island was rounded the second time at half-past four, and at twelve minutes past five the winning water was reached. The Xarifa during the race proved her Weatherly qualities most uumistakeably, and her favorite position for speed appears to be lee rail under. Her owner, Mr. Fimiin, and her builder, Mr. Bei’g, are both to be congratulated, her performance on Saturday proving her to be one of the fastest and safest yachts in the country. The Garibaldi arrived at the wharf completely waterlogged. Her owners avow the misfortune to be inexplicable to them. The Garibaldi was sailed by her owners, and the Xarifa by Mr. Lancelot Holmes (at the tiller), and Messrs. Claud Smith and Lambert.