TOTLAND BAY REGATTA
The annual regatta at this charming and popular marine retreat took place on Thursday last under the auspices of the New Solent Yacht Club, which has now obtained a firm footing at Totland Bay. The weather was beautifully fine, and the heat at times was quite tropical. There was a moderate breeze, but not enough for the yachts, which took a considerable time in going over the course. The bay, which is peculiarly well adapted for a regatta, was studded with steamers, yachts, and pleasure boats. The pier was prettily decorated with bunting, and a very handsome arch at the gateway bearing the device, “Success to Totland,” was greatly admired. The coastguard station and the neighbouring residences also displayed a variety of flags, the whole bay having a very picturesque and beautiful effect. There was a large attendance, steamers arriving in constant succession from Bournemouth, Weymouth, Lymington, Portsmouth, Southampton, Hyde, and Cowes, all being packed, and at one time it was computed that there must have been no fewer than 4000 people present on the pier and shore. The splendid band and pipers of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, under Bandmaster J. Grant, performed a selection of music during the afternoon and evening. This was the last public performance of this fine band in the Isle of Wight, at least for the present, as the Regiment leave on Monday for Cork, but their magnificent playing on this and other occasions will long be remembered in the Island. Amongst those present, and who so kindly contributed to the regatta prizes, were Mr. and Mrs. Dormer, Sir Andrew and Lady Clark and family, Sir Alfred and Lady Bagge, Mr. and Mrs. Granville Ward, and Mr. Ward, Mr. Fox, Archdeacon and Mrs. Sumner, Mrs. and the Misses Hammerley, Col. Crozier, Mr. Palgrave, Mr. and Mrs. Beresford Fitzgerald, Mr. Pearson, Q.C., and Mrs. Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. Tattersall and Mr. O. Tattersall, Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Burnett, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Burnett, Mr. and Mrs. Wilmot, Mr. and Mrs. Leacher, Mr. and Mrs. Bayliffe, Mr. and Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Hunter and the Misses Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. Thacker and family, Mr. and the Misses Norton, Mr. and Mrs. Sacheverel-Coke, Mr. and Mrs. Haslitt, Mr. and Mrs. Aitken, Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon, Mr. and Mrs. Bethel, Mr. and Mrs. Hudson, Mrs. Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Norris, Mrs. Clark, Mr. Worthington, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Mrs. Dobeck and family, Rev. and Mrs. Hay Aitken, Rev. and Mrs. Cobbold, Mr. and Mrs. Cobbold, Rev. and Mrs. Carlisle, Rev. and Mrs. Hodge, Miss Myers, Mrs. Falcon and Miss Falcon, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Waterhouse, and Mr. and Mrs. W. Waterhouse. A most interesting programme was provided, and the races resulted as follows:-
For small yachts or pleasure boats not exceeding 30 feet. Measurement, low water line. Open to all corners. No limit to sails. Time allowance, one minute per foot. 1st prize value £5 ; 2nd, £2; 3rd, £1-1, Minima, St. Julian Arabin, Esq.; 2, Cyprus. A. L. Blake, Esq.; 3, Thistle, W. Murdoch, Esq.; 4, Abeona, W. Allen, Esq.
For open sailing boats not exceeding 21 feet. Belonging to Totland Bay only. Conditions same as No. 1. 1st prize, £2 ; 2nd, £1 15s, 3rd, £1-1, Nelly, Miss Hammersley ; 2, Alpha, T. Davie ; 3, Muriel, Miss M. Thacker.
Military race. Open to all comers. For four-oared boats with not less than four feet beam. 1st prize, £1 10s.; 2nd, £1 ; 3rd, 10s.-1, Hurst Castle ; 2, London battery ; 3, Irish battery.
For four-oared coastguard galleys and whale boats. Open to all comers. 1st prize, £2 ; 2nd 15s-1, The Girl I Love, Mr. J. Owen; 2, Cherub. Mr. Thorn.
For four-oared galleys with not less than four feet beam. Open to all corners. 1st prize, £1 10s; 2nd, 15s -1, Lily Langtry, Mr. Scovell ; 2, Unknown, L. Ring, Esq.
For open sailing boats not exceeding 20 feet. Open to all corners. Time allowance, one minute per foot. No limit to sails. 1st prize, £2 ; 2nd, £1 ; 3rd, 10s. —Muriel sailed over course and took first prize.
For two-oared boats (without coxswains), rowed by men belonging to Totland only. 1st prize, 15s.; 2nd 10s -1, Gem, Mr. H. Hayman ; 2, Dot, Mr. Spencer; 3, Nelly, Mr. Conway.
For single-handed punts not exceeding 12 feet. Open to all comers. 1st prize, 15s; 2nd, 10s.-1, Primrose, Mr. H. Hayman; 2, Mabel, Mr. Davie.
For four-oared galleys (without coxswain.), rowed by youths not exceeding 18 years of age, and belonging to Totland, Yarmouth, and Freshwater only. 1st prize, 15s.; 2nd, 10s.-1, Lily Langtry, Mr. Scovell.
Derby race, 1st for civilians, 2nd for coastguards. 1st prize, 15s.; 2nd, 10s.—Dead heat between Robert the Devil and Blink Bonny.
The arrangements were carried out by a Committee composed of the following gentlemen, and they are to be cordially congratulated on the splendid success of the regatta :—Mr. E. Granville Ward, J.P., Mr. A. Bayliffe, Mr. J. W. Burnett, Mr. G. R. Burnett, Mr. H. Elias (vice-commodore of the New Solent Yacht Club), Mr. J. Giles, Col. Lyons, Mr. L. Ring, Mr. B. Thacker, and Mr. C. Tattersall, with Mr. E. Fox as hon. sec. and treasurer, in which capacities he rendered most valuable service. The rowing matches were all splendidly contested, some of the finishes being intensely exciting, especially the military race, and the race for two-oared boats, while the aquatic Derby created the greatest amusement. The horses entered were—Robert the Devil, Hermit, St. Gatien, Gladiateur, Flying Dutchman, and Blink Bonny—and a splendid race resulted in a tie as above-mentioned. The jockeys were arrayed in elaborate costumes, and the frequent duckings to which they were subjected caused roars of laughter. At the conclusion of the races the prize winners assembled on the tennis lawn of the Totland Bay Hotel, where a large number of visitors and friends had already taken up positions, and there the prizes were gracefully presented by Lady Clark, assisted by Mr. Fox.
Mr. Fox, in proposing a vote of thanks to Lady Clark, for so kindly presenting the prizes, said he must take that opportunity of thanking all the visitors at the hotel and friends who had so kindly contributed to the prizes. Upwards of £6O had been given away, and he thought that augured well for the success of future regattas. On behalf of the Committee he also desired to express his thanks to Col. Lyons and the officers of the Royal Artillery for their ready assistance in helping to make the regatta a success. Three hearty cheers were given for Lady Clark, and Sir Andrew Clark, in replying, thanked Mr. Fox for so kindly proposing a vote of thanks, and in a few well-chosen words congratulated the prize winners, and encouraged the losers. Sir Andrew then called for three cheers for Mr. Fox, whose exertions, he said, had been the main cause of the success of the day. Three cheers were enthusiastically given and Mr. Fox made a suitable response. God save the Queen, played by the band, which had also assembled on the lawn, brought the proceedings to a close. As the sun set, a magnificent sight was presented, namely, Headon Hill, on which the heather is now in full bloom, and as the sun went down, the hill looked all on fire, being one mass of vivid purple. After dark there was a display of fireworks by Mr. Pain, of the Crystal Palace, and the Hermitage, the charming residence of Mr. Ring, was illuminated with Chinese lanterns and coloured lights, presenting a very pretty appearance. The whole regatta and after proceedings were a most unqualified success, and reflected the greatest credit on the energy and zeal of the promoters, who succeeded admirably in providing a most pleasant day’s amusement, and one which will long be remembered in the neighbourhood.
