Page:The history of yachting.djvu/477

Rh all in line till opposite Sumerset House. The Olive Branch then shot ahead, but the Mercury soon passed her and got through the centre arch of Westminster Bridge, and kept the lead to Nine Elms, winning by a boat's length and a half at Vauxhall Stairs; when Captain Astley was presented with the cup, being the fifth won by the Mercury. A vast assemblage of boats were on the river, and the shores were lined with spectators."

July 27th, "The annual Silver Cup and cover given by the proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens was sailed for by the following gentlemen's pleasure boats: Mercury, 7 tons, Captain Astley; Atalanta, 7 tons, Captain Smith; Bellissima, 17 tons. Captain Fairbrother. The St. George was also entered, but withdrew. There was a stiff breeze from the southward, which occasioned the Bellissima being so much heavier than the others, to carry a great press of sail and enabled her to keep the lead the whole distance without the least chances of the others coming up. When opposite Wansworth the Atalanta declined the contest, but the Mercury persevered to the end and came in fifteen minutes after the Bellissima, which was the winning boat, and Captain Fairbrother was immediately taken into the Vauxhall cutter, and conducted to the Gardens by Mr. Barrett who presented him with a most elegant silver cup and cover valued at 30 Gns. amidst the shouts and plaudits of a vast concourse of spectators. The river displayed a scene of the utmost beauty and