Page:The history of yachting.djvu/332

 164 A short account of this sailing match was published at the time in the Gentleman's Magazine, which records that twelve vessels started though not mentioning their names, but relates that the Princess Augusta "in the going down to Woolwich was a mile before the rest, and at the Hope three miles, but in coming up by the shifting of the winds and the situation they were all in, two shot by her at Gravesend; notwithstanding which she came in first by ten minutes, which was the next day at forty minutes past two in the afternoon. The Prince of Wales with five or six attendants in his Chinese barge and the rowers in Chinese habits drove gently before for some time and a crowd of boats about him, the people frequently huzzaing, at which he pulled off his hat. It was almost a perfect calm and not the least damage happened, though the river seemed overspread with sailing yachts, galleys, and small boats"; also, that Mr. Bellas "on receiving the prize generously gave the value of it among the men that had worked the boat."

Naturally, this race probably attracted unusual attention to yachting on the Thames, from the fact that the prize sailed for was given by Prince George, and it is pleasant to think of this lad of royal birth—too young himself to take part in rowing or sailing—yet finding pleasure in giving enjoyment to others. From the account of this race it would appear that there must have been a number of pleasure-boats or small yachts owned on the Thames at that period, and possibly other matches may