17 SEPTEMBER 1831, Page 11

THAMES YACHT Ctun.—There was a grand sailing-match on Thursday, for

two silver cups and covers, given by the members of the "Thames Yacht Club, in celebration of their Majesties' Coronation. The following account of the sport—remarkable for a modesty of expression rarely to be found in the chronicles of nautical feats on the Thames—is from the Times of Friday :—" Sailing-matches are all so like each other, that in attempting to describe one, it is difficult to avoid repeating what has been said a hundred times before. It is not very easy, besides, to say any thing on the subject at all, for, except to the initiated, a sailing- match appears to be the least interesting of all amusements. This AS chiefly, if not entirely, owing to the competition being carried on rather by mechanical means than animal exertion. There is too little variety, and too much of repose, in the incidents of a sailing-match, to satisfy those who have been accustomed to the excitement of a horse-race, or even of a boat-race. In the match on Thursday, the following boats sailed for the prizes :—

FIRST CLASS. .

Yachts. Tons. Where of. Owners' Names.

Emulation ............. 13.... London . Mr. A. Milne.

Matchless .... ....... . 21.... Milbank ....Mr. J. Hyatt.

Ellen ......... . 18.... Rotherhithe...... —Mr. G. Keen.'

Greyhound.. . . 29 ...London Mr. W. A. Newsome.

Rob Roy . M... London.... .... ...Mr. W. Fitch. Lady Louisa ....13....Rotherliithe Mr. T. Smith.

SECOND CLASS.

Water Witch S .. Westminster Mr. J. Unwin.

Daphne .... . . ... 7... Lambeth Mr. J. Nelson. Rowena..... 7.. Strand Lane Mr. J. Hell.

Donna del Lago .........9.... Deptford Mr. W. Everden.

Ariel 9 Lambeth ...... Lord H. Cholmonde/ey.

Vestris .. 8 ...Lambeth 'Mr. J. Weston.

Lady Emma.... ...... S.... Arundel Stairs Mr. R. C. Bucknall.

" The conditions of the match were, that the boats should start from Greenwich, and proceed round a boat moored off Gravesend, and then return to the former place. The first boat home of each class to be entitled to one of the prizes. The start took place at about a quarter past ten o'clock, at which period there was very little wind, and the boats did nothing more than move majestically slow before the breeze. When the little fleet arrived about Woolwich Reach, the wind fresh- ened so much as to fill out every inch of canvas, and laid the boats close down upon the water. A sailingsmatch without wind would be as incomplete as the play of Hamlet minus the character of the Prince of Denmark, and therefore this plentiful supply of the propelling power greatly revived the sinking spirits of the party. The boats now began to perform their various tacks, which we cannot undertake to describe, and which, perhaps,- but few readers would understand if we did. It certainly was a pretty sight to see the little boats crossing each other to and fro on the broad river, while,

• With win ning postures, now the wanton sails

Spread all their snares to charm the inconstant gales;' this moment breasting the wave, and the next lying along it, and occa- sionally dipping into it, as it were in dalliance. The Lady Louisa was the first boat which arrived at Gravesend, about half-past one o'clock ;

and she was followed by the Ellen and the Water Witch. The relative positions of the other boats it is not material to notice particularly; but some were so far behind, that they may be said, in the phraseology of the race.course, to have been nowhere.' A few minutes after five o'clock the Lady Louisa reached Greenwich, and thus became entitled to the prize fbr boats of the first class. The Water Witch came in shortly after, and thus established her claim to the second prize. The Sovereign steam-boat, ivhich had accompanied the boats during the match, was moored off Gravesend, and the prizes were delivered to the victors on board of her. The match appeared to excite more interest than matters of this nature usually do, and we were assured that the sport was excel- lent."