The Designer of the Genesta and Galatea.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 179, 20 November 1886, Page 6

The Designer of the Genesta and Galatea.

J. Beaver Webb was born at Kinsale, Ireland, in the month of August, 1549. Hewas educated at Trinity College, Dublin* in 1871j as a civil engineer, but spent front 1557 to the present date chiefly yachting. In 1867 Mr Webb owned the 30-foot sloop Truant, in 1568 the 48 Bsle, in IS7I the 45* foot Nevada ; in 1572 he built the 36-foofc Louise, followed by the 35-foot Wild Rose in 1873, the 21-foot Israfel in 1874, the ston Freda in the centennial year, which he raced for three eeaaone, during which time Mr Webb won thirty-eight out of forty races with her. In 1579 hewon seventeen prizes with the 40 ton Britannia. In ISSO Mr Webb built the 20-ton Fieda, with which he won twenty-two prize 3. Up to the present date* 112 prizes have been won by this craft, which is the largest number ever captured by one vessel. Besides the yachts already named Mr Webb has built the Genesta andGalatea. From all that has been said on this side of the Atlantic about J. jßeaver Webb, one would have imagined h'm to be a bearded and grizzly old tar, who had spent his wholelife among ropes and canvas. But in reality he is a type of sporting gentleman. He is an enthusiastic student of sea-racing and sea-racer?, just as we will find young mei> giving their time and talents to the developments of the turf and horseflesh. Mr Webb has had the ambition since a youth of de' veloping a type of yacht that would be th© fleetest in the world, one that would capture the international challenge cup, known as the America's Cup, which the yacht) America won over all the yachts in Europe in ISSI, and which has been successfully defended by American yachts on several occasions since. Britannia may rule the wave, but she cannot in truth be termed mistress of the seas as long as that cup remains on this side of the Atlantic. So, with this purpose in view, Mr Webb has been studying and designing yachts for vear3. — 11 N. Y. Marine Journal."