HARD-BOILED HISTORY

THE OCEAN YACHT RACE BETWEEN THE “FLEETWING” AND THE “HENRIETTA.”

From Harper’s Weekly, September 30, 1865:

The race between the rival yachts Fleetwing and Henrietta began on the 11th instant. At a little after 8 o’clock in the morning the yachts started from the lightship off Sandy Hook and were soon out of sight. The Henrietta led the race under a slight southeast wind, while the Fleetwing was rather to the windward. At first the breeze freshened, but it subsequently died completely away. The weather throughout the voyage was very fickle, and the contest proved to be what is called a ” drifting” race, and was thus deprived of much of the interest which would have belonged to it under other circumstances. Wednesday at noon the fleet-wing passed the lightship on its return an hour be-fore the Henrietta. The former vessel was there-fore declared the winner, though the voyage is by no means regarded as a decisive proof of the sailing qualities of either vessel.

The Fleetwing was docked off Hunter’s Point. She has just been built, and is owned by Mr. G. A. OSGOOD, son-in-law of Commodore VANDERBILT. Her length is 106 feet, beam 21 feet, and depth of hold 10 feet, with a tonnage of about 200 tons. The Henrietta, owned by Mr. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, JUN., has less length of bottom, and her entrance is not so sharp. Her appearance is strongly suggestive of strength and endurance. She was built three years since, but has recently been improved.

(Sonsofthesouth)