BLUFF AND INVERCARGILL REGATTA.

Southland Times, Issue 1191, 4 January 1870, Page 3

BLUFF AND INVERCARGILL REGATTA.

(feOM OtJR OWX CO-RESPONDENT.) ♦ This Eegatta, the first worthy of note 'that has taken place in Bluff waters, came off on New Year's Day. The was delightful, and to use nautical language, there was a fresh "breeze from the east, or just as much wind as the boats could stasrger under with whole canvas, and unfortunately in one case rather more. The number of excursionists who took ■advantage of the cheap railway fares was not by any means so numerous as could T)e wished, owing, I suppose, to the 'counter-attraction of the Caledonian Gathering, but those who did patronise the "regatta" had the pleasure of witnessing what was admitted by all the nautical men in the port to be the best contested race they ever beheld. I «hall endeavor to give you as detailed a description of it as possible, hoping that it may lead to the establishment of a Eegatta Club, and an annual regatta open to all boats in the province. The first race on " the card" was with sailing boats. I may here 3tate why it was put first on the programme. In order not to place the Invercargill boats at any disadvantage by those sailing •them not being acquainted with the set of the tide here, it was decided that it should take place at high water, hence the departure from what is usually regatta etiquette. For the sailing race there were five boats entered, of which the following are the particulars : — Mr Fordham's centre-board boat, built by White, of Williamstown, "Victoria, haying a working lag, jib, and jigger j sailed by Mr Fordham. The " Fire Flyi" owned by Mr Courts, of Invercargill, fore-and-aft schooner rigged, built at ritewart's Island by Seymour, and sailed by Mr Hannah. " Laughing Water," owned by Mr Engsland, iuilt by Mr Price, cutter-rigged, and sailed by Mr Dale. Eobert Henderson's life-boat, sailed by Mr Duncan, chief officer. Do cutter, sailed by Capt. Hendry. The pilot boat, built at the station, rig — standing lug, jib, and jigger ; sailed by her crew. Some little delay occurred at the starting, in consequence of the strong breeze, and the dffiiculty of getting the boats into their proper positions; however, at the appointed time (one o'clock) the signal was given, and they slipped from their anchors, standing across the channel, " close hauled ;" Mr Fordham's boat, like a restrained racer, immediately she was released, shot ahead of all her competitors, and, after making two tacks, rounded the first buoy, followed by the pilot boat, " Fire My," " Laughing "Water," and the Bobert Henderson'p lifeboat. From this buoy to the next, which" was distant two miles, the sailing of the boats running before the wind was to be tested, and it soon became evident that Mr Fordham's boat, with her large spread of canvas, was fast increasing the distance on her opponents. The pilot boat's crew, unwilling to be thus disposed — ■ — <£, w«re observed with surprise and alarm to set and boom out another main lug, and the little craft was then. under a perfect cloud of sail. The " Fire Fly " made good running before the wind, and picked up some lost ground wonderfully ; the same may be said of the " Laughing Water." After rounding the second buoy it was evident the race was Mr Fordham's, as his boat bad gained in time 30 seconds on the pilot boat, while running the distance of two miles, and during the next run of 2f miles, with the wind on the quarter she had gained one minute from the last buoy. The betting previous had been two to one on Mr Fordham's boat, but after rounding the flag boat any amount of odds would have been given. The course from the flag boat was 2|- miles, dead to windward. The " Fire My "as soon as she hauled her wind, took in her foresail, and evidently gave up the contest. The " Laughing Water," however, still carried all her sail, which completely buried the little craft. Fortunately for her crew she sank in shallow water, and they escaped with only a ducking. The contest was now between Mr Fordham's and the pilot boat, and as they approached the wharf, it was observed that the pilot boat had considerably lessened the distance between her and her powerful competitor. In passing the wharf a fine view of the contest was obtained from the decks of the " Victoria" and "Lord. Ashley," and cheer after cheer rang out as the boats tacked near the abips;.two more tacks and. a short run would decide the race. Mr Fordham's boat still kept a-head, but on the last tack the pilot boat came up to her, and rounded the buoy a boat's length a-head, which she maintained to the winning iirie, "and as the gun announced the winner, a round of cheers broke from the crowd for the two boats. The distance run by the boats was about 1 miles, which was accomplished in 1 hour and 10 minutes. The sailing of the boats by the respective crews, and especially Mr Fordham's, was gratifying to witness. The next race on the programme was a four-oared gig race, for which there were five boats entered, the length of the course being about 4 miles. The prize was taken by the Sea "Wave's boat, manned by a half-caste crew, with Capt. Wilkin as coxswain. The next and last was a dingy race, for which two boats entered, and the prize was easily won by Mr Fordham'a boat.