MUNICIPAL REGATTA.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1849, 4 September 1874, Page 3

MUNICIPAL REGATTA.

"Umon Jack sends the following for insertion:- Notwithstanding tho anticipations formed by tho knowing ones that tho number of craft to be ontered for the Councillor's Stakes would be as legion, six only aro found on tho list, but but they will show a fair share of sport to lovers of aquatics. They don't compose all the best of the Thames field • there are two or throe I could name which, if. properly handled, would have stood a good show for second or third place-very likely first, especially as the rules of tho regatta mako no restriction as to tbo build, Bize, or carrying capacity of tho competitors, This will also give a chanco to one or two of the smaller and less showy craft on tho list, who would not, had the race been restricted to vessels of heavy tonnage, have been able to compete with tbo larger ones. I will now give a list of the vessels ontered, with their distinguishing fligj, which will be hoisted every day while the vessels aro at anchor or trying a board or two to settle thi ir proper trim.

The ' Big Pub,' schooner, 50 tons; carries a red flag at the peak with in-

verted decanter in tumbler in white, and blue pennant at main.

The ' Wainui,' cutter, 40 tons, whito flag at peak with watering-pot in blue; pennant red, with "aqua pura" in white. The 'Sawbones,' schooner, 60 tons, black flag at peak with death's head and cross-bones in yollow; pennant yellow and laucefc-shaped, with "medicus" in bluo.

The 'Dublin Boy,' cutter, 40 tons, blue flag at peak with a horse in white; pennant white, with " B. S." in red. Tho ' Sawney,' cutter, 35 tons, red flag at peak, with ass eating a thistle in white; pennant blue, and "Ive nabbifc it" in white.

The 'Black Diamond,' schooner, 60 tons, green flag at peak, with pick and shovel in orange; pennant at main particoloured, with " Caledonia" in black.

'I he show of bunting is brilliant, and fresh as paint, and in the cases of Pub'and 'Black Diamond' gilding has not been spared, the vessels on the whole present a tolerable appearance. Tho ' Wainui' is especially plain, but this won't detract from her sailing qualities. Some of the skippers are prelty well up in the navigation, but as there are two or three banks in and near the course rather ugly at low-water, which require to bo well looked after in a sudden change of _ wind, they will have to keep their weather eyes lifting on the day of the match. I find that two have already grounded in trying the course and have engaged a pilot who pretends to know all the shoals and channels, but I have not much confidence iu him, as in a former contest he ran his vessel on the tail nf the Green Bank and jammed his consort on the Orange Itocks. He may do for fine weather, but can't stand blustering breezes; has no bottom in him, He has his eye upon another of the skippers who does not yet seemed indued to "fork out." At present I can give no positive opinion upon the merits of the different vessels, as there are so many dodges practised when their sailing qualities are being tried. Although the 'Big Pub,' 'Sawbones,' and 'Dublin Boy' gained places at the last regatta, they have made so many changes in hull and rigging tbifc I do not yet care to risk giving more than mere probabilities. The 'Pub' seems too heavy about the counters to make any running unless with with the wind dead aft and with anything of a cross sea will I imagine yaw terribly. She sprung a leak last trip, and several of her timbers are unsound. Was sent to .Melbourne for repairs and may turn out well; she is a heavy roller. • The ' Sawbones' showod well up iu the last race, and is not a bad sailor, but, getting rather old and weak in the upper works, has had a centro board fitted to steady her, but won't bear the strain,

The' Dublin Boy' has been lengthened, and is overmasted. She got a place by a fluke in the last race. She carries tailings from a patent buddle for ballast. Should there be heavy weather and she ships any sea, we may say good-bye to her chauce. Of the other craft, the ' Wainui' looks well to a nautical eye, has good lines, and if well handled may do well. Won a place for the Provincial Stakes. She carries water ballast—thebeat for racingbat has hardly enough after-canvas, to my fancy, to balance her head sails.—The ' c'awney' looks well, and should do well on a wind, and if the Bkipper and crew, who all hail from the same port, work together, she will make a good run.—The 'Black Diamond' has too much gilt about her for my fancy, which looks as if it were intended to direct one's attention from her faults. She too is overmasted for so old a hull, and was in a very leaky condition tilt lately. She has been caulked for this race, and may stand well at the end. She has won one or two races formerly, but missed stays, and fouled a rakish-looking pleasure yacht when running for the Stiggins' Cup, and sadly disappointed her backers, after which she went out of favour. Home have faith in her still, the gilt shuts their eyes to the fact that she is down by the head, and is unsteady unless carefully watched. I have no,v noted tho principal points about the intending competitors, sufficient to direct atteutioa to them, aud as it is my intention to take a run with each before the day of the sail, I shall be able to give a tolerable idea of the places they will occupy at the end of the match. The commodore's flag is not yet designed, or those of different vessels which will be moored near the flag ship. I shall bo able to describe them in a day or two. Vmos Jack.