AT THE SIGN OF THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 402, 10 July 1928, Page 11

AT THE SIGN OF THE PENNANT

(By Keelson)

TO RACE NO MORE ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA KING FOLLOWS DRAKE'S MOTTO Yachtsmen the world over have heard with regret that the King's famous yacht Britannia has tinished her racing days and will be converted into a cruiser. The fine old clipper has been for so long identified with racing at Home that a regatta day at Cowes will seem strangely vacant without the proud ship that for 35 years has made history at the world's greatest sailing carnival. King George, her owner, is a true ; sailor and understands the technical!- j ties of the sport and took a very keen j and active part in the handling of the vessel when he raced on the Britannia. Francis Drake’s motto was: 'Let the gentlemen haul with the men,” and the King keeps to it. for he hauls on the main sheet, shoulder to shoulder with his crew. Thus lending a hand, he puts life and energy into the whole ship's company by working with them. Yacht racing is a rough, wet job in j hard weather, and contrary to the general opinion. Britannia is a vessel that takes a lot of sea on deck when she is hard pressed. Occasionally, too, the King used to take the wheel during a lace and steer the yacht himself. The only other king known to have steered his own yacht in a race was Charles 11.. in 1661. an incident which is recorded in the Diary of : Evelyn. STAR BOATS IN EUROPE i The * Star'” boats have now estubi lislied themselves in England. the i first boat, Joy, being sailed on the ; Solent by Mr. Colin Ratsey. France. Germany and other European couni tries are also showing interest. A boat * has been built at Cherbourg and will ; bo seen this summer at the Cowes j Regatta. Possibly a series of races for the European championship will be staged, as there are also fleets in Ireland and Scotland. The original builder of the Star boats, Mr. Ike Smith, of Port Washington, has turned out 9-' of them since 1911—an average of about six per annum. STAGGERING SPEED ! The British challengers for the Harmsworth Trophy speedboat race, to be held at Detroit, U.S.A., in September. have two boats reputed to be capable of the staggering speed of 90 i miles an hour.

VICTORIA’S PRIZE NIGHT FUNCTION AT SCOTS’ HALL To-morrow evening the Victoria. Cruising Club will hold its annual prize night in the Scots Hall. Syraonds street. A large number of trophies, cups and prizes will be distributed. The prize list was published in The Sun on Saturday. Dancing will be a feature of the eveninjf’s entertainment. YACHTING AS A BUSINESS BIG WINNINGS IN SYDNEY Racing in th* famous 18-footers in Sydney Harbour under the flag of the* Sydney Flying Squadron is quite a profitable business if you have a good boat and know how to handle her. Here are some of the amounts won by the “eighteens’* in last season’s races: H.C. Press 11. £122, Arline £ 90. Britannia £BS, Arawatta £B3, Australia £Bl. , Mississippi £79, Mascotte £73, N.S.W . 1 £7l. Florrie 11. £67. Scot £67. Gloria £65, Avalon £SB, Furious £57, Yendy? £53 10s, Keriki £52, Advance £3O 10s. Hall Mark £52, Eclipse £SO, L)efian« » £SO. Hastings £4B, Desdemona £4O. Kismet £37, Cutty Sark £35, Pa slim* ill. £24. CLUB ACTIVITIES At the meeting of the Manukau Yacht Club last evening, arrungemeniwere finalised for the prize night or. August 11. In order to augment the funds of the 12ft 6in class division a picture night in the Strand Theatre is j arranged for July 29. A working "bee will spend next Sunday clearing the 1 hauling-up site, in preparation for layj ins the skidway. # Devonport Yacht Club members held a highly successful dance in the parii ball last evening. President Trevithick land Commodore McKenzie, with a fill: committee, welcomed the guests.