THE BERMUDA RIG. BERMUDA sailing boats have been long famous in their own habitat. They do not seem to transplant to advantage—it may be for want of proper handling--as yet they are not a success in our home waters. They have been tried on the Clyde, at Plymouth, and in the Solent without success. The Bermudian rig is very noticeable; first the extreme height of the pole mast, to the head of which the mainsail tapers up; next the iong boom passes before and past the mast with a tackle to haul it back to flatten the sail, whilst the main sheet keeps it down till all is taut —in fact, the mainsail gives the idea of a mainsail and jack-yarder all in one. The true Bermuda type is generally about five tons; length, 25 ft.; beam, about 7 ft.; the mast, 44 ft.; the boom, 33 ft.; bowsprit, 19 ft. The hull is constructed of cedar; in Bermuda all is cedar and onions. Many are the cedar coffins exported, and if a Bermudian wishes to pay you a great compliment you are called an "onion.' Perhaps it was an ephemeral term and has since passed away; still, the complimentary epithet had its day, and a long one too. These boats mostly have a plate on the keel, not a centre-board, and are fast on a wind. Fortunately the weather is generally very moderate, so much so that there is no chance of reefing her down, for the sail is generally lashed to the mast-head, not hoisted. In case of an untimely puff, the only chance is to "luff her up" smartly before the squall catches, or over she must go. 54 When running they set a square-headed spinnaker, which is of enormous size, almost rivalling the spread of muslin shown in the Royal Sydney yachts of 24 ft. in length. The best fun, however, for true "water babies" is racing in the dinghey class, little open boats of 14 ft. in length, open of course, probably with a mast twice her own length. The canvas can be imagined, to balance which live ballast is shipped, consisting of five enthusiasts, who are prepared to swim for their lives without any notice. Once on board, all are carefully packed to balance the nutshell, and then they are pushed off. Manoeuvring for the start creates great excitement amongst the spectators, and if no more than one turns turtle it is voted rather tame. For all that, it is rare fun, and the performers are generally very accomplished in the art of dinghey-sailing with live ballast. SYDNEY. SYDNEY FLYING SQUADRON. WHAT a change now from those early days when Botany Bay represented all the British public knew of this vast continent, a bay christened with a name so simple and peaceful that it seemed unnatural to associate it with penal servitude and punishment for crime. Discovered by Cook, he gave it the name of Botany Bay from the number and variety of flowers which were found growing on the shore. That was on April 28, 1770. Some eighteen years afterwards our Government transplanted thither 800 convicts, about 200 of whom were women, and settled them down in a lovely climate at Port Jackson, deeming it a good site for future development; and, indeed, most successful and remarkable has been its rapid growth and prosperity. The descendants of the first settlers are now only known as Government people, and the wild oats of their ancestors forgotten. Port Jackson is now Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, so named after Lord Sydney, a Secretary for the Colonies. Sydney is now the heart of Australia, and the only aborigines to be met with are the Port Jackson sharks, with their complicated dental construction; and even they are becoming less vicious than they used to be. In Sydney and the lovely bay yachting has taken firm root. In the Colonies there must be a struggle before it can even get a footing, for yachting is always an outcome of prosperity, being a rather expensive amusement, and Colonial life puts business before pleasure. Sydney is the Cowes of Australia, and has two prominent yacht clubs, founded thirty years ago—the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in 1863, and the Prince Alfred Yacht Club in 1867. Boat sailing has naturally been carried on to a great extent for many years. What Englishman could resist the temptation of such a splendid cruising ground of about twelve |