The 'Challenge' in the meantime, capitally sailed and handled, crept away steadily, and the 'Hinda' drew up on the 'Sheilah,' while the 'Sunshine' still kept the rear, not seeming to like the rough water. At 2 hrs. 27 mins. 35 secs. the 'Challenge' stayed round the buoy in Kingstown Harbour, followed by the 'Sheilah' 2 hrs. 33 mins. 10 secs., having her tricolour flag flying from her crosstree. The 'Hinda' rounded at 2 hrs. 34 mins. 55 secs., and the 'Sunshine' at 2 hrs. 37 mins. 30 secs. The wind was now much more westerly, and the squalls stronger. The 'Sheilah' set her balloon foresail for the reach out, in hopes of lessening the distance between her and the leader, and certainly gained a little. After the gybe Mr. French determined to shift his jib, especially as the starboard whisker had begun to buckle, and for this purpose gybed back and ran in under Howth—a great loss of time, for when the boom came over again the 'Hinda' was ahead.
The 'Sunshine,' after reaching Rosebeg, carried away her mast bodily, some 17 ft. from the deck, and the whole top-hamper fell overboard, leaving her helpless, and in anything but a pleasant predicament with so heavy a sea running, and the rocks of Howth under her lee. However, several yachts and a tug went off to her assistance, and after drifting round the Bailey, the tug got hold of her and brought her back, a sad wreck, to Kingstown Harbour. Meanwhile the squalls were becoming sharper, and the sea heavier and more broken, threatening destruction to bowsprits and bobstays, as the little vessels wallowed in the trough. The 'Sheilah,' showing her power, drew up abreast and close to the 'Hinda' between the Burfords, and all hands were admiring the way she was carrying her canvas, having her jib-topsail still aloft, and going like a bird, when crash! away went her mast, just under the hounds, leaving her quite as helpless as the 'Sunshine,' but in clearer and more open water. No one was hurt, and the 'Sheilah' at once triced up her tack, lowered her foresail, and hove to alongside her disabled consort in order to give help if required. Her crew employed themselves, while waiting, in hauling down a reef. This 'Challenge' perceived, and having matters quite safe, she at once followed suit, and made all snug for the thrash home of four miles; a happy matter for her, as her mast was badly sprung and might have gone at any moment. By the time the reefs were down, the 'Whirlwind,' 77-ton yawl, belonging to Mr. J. Townsend, had hastened to the assistance of her disabled little sister, and sending a warp to her, took her in tow. The 'Challenge,' on resuming her course, was well ahead, and eventually the race ended by her rounding the flagships at 4 hrs. 37 mins. 10 secs., winning the prize for her owner, the helmsman's prize for Mr. Alec Richardson, and tankards for her crew, who deserved them well for their pluck in coming from Liverpool and for the way they sailed and handled their vessel. In addition to other damages, it was discovered on reaching the Harbour that the 'Sheilah's' mast, with the rigging and all, had settled down 2 inches, having badly torn the wood of the mast, while 'Challenge's' mast was also reported 'queer' aloft.
The No. 1 Corinthian Match, which took place in 1879, would also give subject for much interesting reading and reflection did space permit, for smarter seamanship or a more exciting finish could not have been seen anywhere, not even in the bonny Clyde. It is only right to say that the members of this little club spare no energy or pains in order to become efficient racing yachtsmen; and to go out on a dirty afternoon to practise under difficulties shifting sail, reefing down, sending up and housing topmast, reefing in bowsprit and seamanship in general, is one of the means that have been before now employed to bring about the state of perfection which is exhibited by its leading hands, and for which the club is and always has been so famous.
At the beginning of the eighties the courses underwent some slight alterations, and as these hold good at the present day it may be found useful information if they are given here.
No. 1 Course.—From outside Kingstown Harbour to the South Bar buoy, thence to Rosebeg Bank buoy, the Kish Lightship, to a flagship moored off the East Pier End; three times round—48 miles.
No. 2 Course.—The same as No. 1; only twice round—32 miles.
No. 3 Course.—Kingstown Harbour to South Bar buoy, thence to Rosebeg Bank buoy, North Burford buoy, South Burford buoy, to flagship moored off the East Pier End; twice round—24 miles.
No. 4 Course.—Same as No. 3, only once round, thence to South Bar buoy and the flagship off the Pier—16 miles.
No. 5 Course.—Kingstown to South Bar buoy, thence to a flagboat moored two miles S.E. half-E., and to the flagship; twice round—4 miles.
Of the various new classes that have sprung up within the last ten years, perhaps that in which the 3-tonners 'Rival,' 'Duchess,' 'Senta,' 'Currytush,' and 'Mimmie' are chiefly prominent has given about the most sport. Of these little ships, the 'Currytush,' one of the late Mr. Payton's greatest successes, could not only show her tail to the flyers of her class wherever she presented herself, but she gave the Solent 30-ft. class a good dressing in a thrash to windward against a nasty head sea and in a hard blow. The small class for yachts of seven or six tons and under has always been a great favourite in Dublin Bay, but for two or three years a regular 5-ton class held sway, and the season of 1885 witnessed its dying kick in the coming together of the 'Shona,' 'Luath,' 'Delvin,' and 'Doris.' The 'Luath' and 'Doris' were new this season. The 18-ft. and 25-ft. open-boat classes, however, both have run these very fine in public favour, especially the latter. The rule of measurement adopted, and the conditions of sailing, are as follows:—