ballast; and that each yacht should carry two
judges to certify that these regulations were
strictly observed. Sandy Hook, New York,
was to be the starting-point: the Needles, off
the Isle of Wight, the winning-post.

At first the American press roundly
denounced the proposed race as a foolhardy
undertaking, almost sure to end in the drowning
of all concerned. Such gloomy prognostications,
however, only increased the public
interest in the event; and, as the time for the
race approached, the popular excitement vented
itself in tremendous wagers, only to be paralleled
by the betting in England upon the Derby.
The Fleetwing was decidedly and justly the
favourite; the Vesta being entirely untried at
sea, and the Henrietta being regarded as very
slow, though perfectly seaworthy. In their
previous performances, the Vesta had beaten
the Fleetwing, and both had outsailed the
Henrietta. To an inexperienced eye there
seemed very little differences in their build and
rigging. Their burdens, too, were very nearly
equal, the Fleetwing registering two hundred
and twelve tons, the Henrietta two hundred
and five, and the Vesta two hundred and
one, American measurement. By the
English system of measurement this tonnage
would be largely increased. Some difficulty
was experienced in securing seamen to cross
the Atlantic in such vessels and in such
weather. The men were willing enough to
engage, but their mothers, wives, and sweet-hearts
interfered, and persuaded them not to
sign articles. Moved by such feminine
solicitations, the picked crew of the Henrietta
deserted her, a few days before the start, and their
places had to be supplied by a lot of
land-lubbers, few of whom could climb a mast. To
make up for a similar deficiency on board the
Fleetwing, half a dozen merchant captains
volunteered for the voyage, and those brave
fellows were, unfortunately, the very men
whom Neptune doomed to death. To find the
necessary complement of judges for the yachts
was also not an easy matter. Invitations to
prominent yachtsmen were declined for various
reasons, and the gentlemen who finally served
in this capacity were almost all volunteers.
Messrs. Lorillard and Osgood, the owners of
the Vesta and the Fleetwing, were detained
at home by business, and reluctantly
relinquished their intention of sailing their own
yachts in the race. Thus it happened that,
although the Henrietta was an outsider in the
original match, although she had the reputation
of being slow, and although she was
very ill manned, yet the people suddenly made
her their pet, and loudly hoped that she would
win, because Mr. Bennett adhered to his
determination to sail in her. Public sympathy
was unanimously with "the only man who
goes in his own boat."

On the morning of the eleventh of December,
1866, the three yachts lay off Staten Island ready
to start. They had been very carefully equipped.
The trip was estimated to occupy about twenty
days; but the yachts were provisioned for at
least two months. Up to the last moment
hampers of provisions, boxes of wine and spirits,
cigars, and all sorts of comforts and luxuries were
sent on board by anxious friends. The day was
clear, cold, and bright; the ice was forming in
the harbour; and the wind was as westerly as
could be desired. All the flags in New York City
were flying; the wharves were crowded with
spectators; the harbour was dotted with
excursion steamers. At seven o'clock A.M. the
dark blue racing flag of the Henrietta was
displayed, and the yachts were taken in tow by
tugs to be drawn to their starting stations.
From this time no communication was
permitted between the yachts and the shore: partly
to prevent any further difficulties in regard to
the crews: and partly because several kind but
frightened friends had conceived the idea of
subpœnaing some of the yachtsmen as witnesses
in trials of which they knew nothing, in order
to preserve them from the perils of the sea. As
the yachts were towed down the Narrows,
followed by scores of steamers, propellers, sail-
boats, and pilot-boats, the enthusiasm was
absolutely painful to those on board, and
it was a relief when the calling of the roll
came to distract their overstrained feelings.
In the Fleetwing sailed Messrs. Centre and
Staples, of the New York Yacht Club, who
went as judges; Captain Thomas, who
commanded the yacht; and a crew of twenty-two
men. In the Vesta, were Messrs. George Lorillard
and Taylor, the judges; Captain Dayton,
and twenty-three petty officers and seamen. In
the Henrietta, were Mr. Bennett, the owner;
Messrs. Jerome, Knapp, and Fisk, judges and
guests; Captain Samuels, formerly of the clipper
ship Dreadnought; Sailing-Master Lyons; and
a crew of twenty-four seamen, including petty
officers, carpenter, sailmaker, and stewards.

At precisely one o'clock P.M., Mr. Fearing,
the club starter, gave the signal for the race.
Simultaneously the tugs were cast off, the
sailors flew aloft, and the yachts were covered
with canvas. The Fleetwing, having the most
northerly position, and by far the best crew,
easily gained an advantage at the start, and
dashed away before the fresh breeze as if
inspired to win. The Vesta followed almost as
quickly; but the Henrietta, lying close in
shore, had the worst of the start, and lagged
behind despondingly. The tugs and excursion
steamers sailed in a line after the yachts, bands
and bells and cheers uniting in an encouraging
clamour. As a striking contrast, the wreck of
the Scotland lay abeam, sternly suggesting the
dangers that were to be encountered on the
voyage. Presently the bright sun was obscured
by heavy clouds; the wind rapidly freshened;
the good-byes shouted from the steamers were
but faintly heard; the mournful strains of Auld
Lang Syne sadly reminded the yachtsmen of
the friends they were leaving. Then Sandy
Hook, the extreme point of land, sunk out of
sight; the Neversink Highlands faded into a
cloud and soon disappeared; the last tie to
home was dissolved; the open sea was before
the voyagers; and three cheers from all the