The Stiff Breeze which, on the 2nd of September stopped the regatta, increased at night to a gale, when Messrs. Kent's "Harbinger" schooner, after discharging coal, snapped her hawsers in the attemp to get away, and became a wreck.
More Casualties. On Monday, Sept. 5th, after a fine day, with an easterly breeze, the latter backed round to W. and S.W., and again increased to a strong gale, driving the following vessels broadside on to a turbulent sea, by which they were variously damaged. "The Jane", a dandy-rigged vessel, with paving stones for Mr. J. J. Tutt at Warrior Square the schooner "Frisk", with coals at London road for Mr. Mputland; the barque "Alice", with timber for Mr. G. Howell at Bopeep; the "Happy Return", with coal, at Bexhill; the brig "Lamburn", with coal at Langley Fort; and the schooner "Tryall" with coal at Eastbourne.
The Regatta
The annual aquatic sports, under the above title, which so many hundreds came to see and for which object so many of our home folk closed their shops and left their desks was a disappointment to all except such as could find pleasure in gazing upon "the blue, the fresh, the open sea", and many frail barks that were tossed to and fro on its ruffled bosom. The appointed day, Thursday, the 1st of September, arrived and with it the meteorological conditions foreshadowed in the "St Leonards Gazette" "Breezy air and cloudy sky; then, perhaps more fair and dry". The appearance of a likely verity of this forecasted excited in the minds of all whom it might concern a dubiousness as to whether the weather would be the right sort of weather for the undertaking. Out-of-door consultations were held by the Committee, and it was ultimately decided that the Oyes, Oyes, of a certain public functionary should set at rest the anxious mind by an announcement that so much of the regatta would be proceeded with as wind and weather would permit. In conformity with this resolution, it was arranged that the sailing match, together with the Launching of the Lifeboat, only, should be attempted. This accomplished, all further effort to carry out the original design was postponed to a more convenient season. The weather, however, improved towards evening, agreeably with the forecast already quoted and resulted in the great success of the Mechanics' Institution fete arranged for the same evening, as described on page 147.
The Second Day. On Friday morning, after a calm night, the sea presented a more favourable appearance, whilst at the hour -
