Page:The history of yachting.djvu/188

 72 boats, vessels not known among us till the Dutch East India Company presented that curious piece to the King; being very excellent sailing vessels. It was on a wager between his other new pleasureboat—built frigate-like—and one of the Duke of York's; the wager 100 pounds sterling; the race from Greenwich to Gravesend and back. The King lost in going, the wind being contrary, but saved stakes in returning. There were divers noble persons and Lords on board, his Majesty sometimes steering himself. His barge and kitchen-boat attended. I brake fast this morning with the King at return in his smaller vessel, he being pleased to take me and only four more, who were noblemen, with him; but dined in his yacht where we ate together with his Majesty."

That is the only known account of the race; and it is by no means clear or satisfactory. The Encyclopædia Britannica (ninth edition) states that "In that year (1662) the Jamie was matched for £100 against a small Dutch yacht, under the Duke of York, from Greenwich to Gravesend and back, and beat her, the King steering part of the time—apparently, the first record of a yacht match and of amateur helmsmen."

This must be an error, as the only match sailed at that period of which any record appears, was in 1661, as stated by Evelyn. There can be no doubt that "his (the King's) other new pleasure-boat, built frigate-like," was the Katherine, the only other new pleasure-boats being the Bezan and the boat that Pepys records having seen going up