1929 International Championship – New Orleans, Louisiana

1929 International Championship – New Orleans, Louisiana

The following results are from George Elder's book "Forty Years Among The Stars". In common with the early Logs, it is interesting to note that in his results Elder does not give the yacht numbers of the boats which participated in the World's, but only just their names. It was not until the 1950 Log that yacht numbers were included in the results. From 1950 through 1976 both yacht numbers and names were given but starting with 1977 frequently only yacht numbers were given.

The last time both yacht numbers and yacht names were given was 1989. In later years, sometimes fleet designations were omitted. In these cases, some of the more obvious fleet designations were supplied. Also, from time to time only last names were supplied. First names, where known, were added.

Abbreviations etc: Dsa - Disabled. Dsq - Disqualified. Dns - Did Not Start. Wdr - Withdrew. Ch - Chairman. B - Builder. * - Defending Fleet. 0 - No points, reason not given.

1929 - AT NEW ORLEANS

Winning yacht No. 56. B - Owner, 1929.
Ch. Meeting and I.R.C. - G. W. Elder.

Regatta Report, 1930 Log

THE INTERNATIONALS OF '29 AT OLD NEW ORLEANS 

No story can do justice to the Internationals, past or present. It would be impossible to describe the high-pitched enthusiasm, the keen competition, the million and one thrills, that characterize this annual classic. The big cup has now made a complete circuit of North America. From year to year the entry list grows, new skippers come into the limelight, there are new attractions, new sights to be seen, and one might properly say "Join the Star Class and see the Worid". There is one thing very certain, no one will ever forget the Internationals of '29. 

Old New Orleans, the City of Mardi Gras, was the scene of the last great International Series. The Southern Yacht Club, the second oldest yacht club in America, was I. S. C. Y. R. A, headquarters. In the days of ‘49 it saw the Gold Rush, when men, women, and children swarmed across North America in search of fame and fortune. On its 80th birthday, it witnessed the rush for the Golden Star of '29, when bronzed and weather-beaten sailormen, young and old, came from every corner of the world in search of fame, an International title, and a good time. Few were successful on all three counts but everyone's ambition, with Tegard to the third item, was gratified. Southern hospitality is a very real thing. We have seen it, we have felt it, and we have partaken of it spiritually. The Star Class will never forget the efforts of its Vice President, of the local Fleet, or the warm welcome extended by the people of New Orleans. 

The big event was scheduled for October 10th to 15th, but challengers began to arrive far in advance. Twenty-three teams had entered, establishing a new record, and scarcely a ship from distant ports docked, at the longest wharf in the world, without unloading its precious cargo of small racing sloops. Then contestants, officials, their families, gentlemen of the press, and mere members, poured in. They came by land and sea, by automobile and in special trains and every individual was met by a reception committee. The steamship companies had made special rates for transporting the boats and now the hotels did the same in accommodating the visitors. Unattached males were guests of the Yacht Club and quartered in great dormitories on the upper floor. Meals were served at long Star tables on the veranda, overlooking Pontchartrain. The clubhouse was decorated with the flags of all competing nations and illuminated at night by a huge Association banner in electric lights. 

A word should also be said about the "Pen", where elaborate hauling out facilities had been provided. Yachts were taken from the water and then rolled to their respective berths on cradles equipped with wheels. From the "Pen", one sailed out through two drawbridges and then out of the end of the canal to the Lake. Pontchartrain is about 23 miles wide at this point and has an average draft of between 14 and 16 feet. The water is brackish and there appears to be no tide. There are no high-lands and off-shore winds are, therefore, steady. This will give the reader an idea of the stage setting for the 1929 Internationals. 

For about a week, prior to the Series, a freak hurricane had played havoc along the Florida coast and the Gulf of Mexico. The weather, however, cleared and during the Series the sun was shining every day. The Barbados boys, who had passed through this hurricane, were the cause of considerable worry, as their boat had not appeared and did not until the Series was over. Finally they were granted permission to charter a local one and sailed under a great handicap, since that boat was in no condition to compete against the freshly painted, highly polished, super-Stars from other Fleets. And so we come to that memorable first day, when the Coast Guard Committee Boat wound its way slowly out of the canal, lined with cruisers and houseboats bedecked with code flags and crowded with spectators, while 23 highly strung skippers sailed the cream of the Star Class out upon the turbulent waters of the Lake. 

The First Race 

Pontchartrain was dotted with whitecaps, sharp nasty little seas that the 20 knot breeze had kicked up across this expanse of shoal water. The course selected was to windward and leeward, the first leg being E. N. E. To leeward, but with a clear wind. Arthur Knapp took the Peggy Tee across the line to a beautiful start. From the "safe leeward position", the Western L. I. Sound challenger soon worked up to the weather and into an unbeatable lead. The veteran Fleet, which for four consecutive years had successfully defended the title, in the early days of the Internationals, was once again out in front. Pour Jee stayed in front and won, making the best time that has ever been made over an International Series course. 

It looked like taps for the Defender, before Gray had actually put her across the starting line. Taking a late start at the stakeboat to be to windward, Sparkler smashed into the Budsal, which had just gone about on its port tack. Robinson withdrew at once but Gray and Edrington lost minutes in getting untangled. in spite of this, the New Orleans boat overtook 19 others on that first 2 ½ mile beat and rounded the weather mark in third place. Juno, Ville Tomore, and Tomboy, were disabled. The Movie Star withdrew at the end of the first round, Fink believing that he had wrongfully forced another yacht to luff, - but some say that the skipper of that other let his boat go into irons while looking back at the Los Angeles crew. Phillips, veteran Internationalist from Vancouver, kept the Canadian boat in second place for a long time but Sparkler finally passed her on the second beat. The De fender increased her lead but Chico only just did beat out the novice entry Majella for third. Eel slipped across the line in fifth place, attracting no particular attention. 

The Second Race

The wind held E. N. E. but had freshened, making Pontchartrain even more troublesome than on the previous day. Several of the yachts came out reefed and signals were hoisted for the same course. The Defender went over with the gun and soon had developed a commanding lead. Gray seemed to fancy the rough going and the little cream colored boat kept increasing her lead and finally won by a good margin. 

Juno and Peggy Wee had a perfectly timed start. The Delaware boat was within a few yards of the Committee Boat within a second of the gun but Robertson evidently mistrusted his watch and spun about on the port tack just as it was fired, crashing into the Peggy Wee. To make matters worse, the Chicago entry came barging in also. The three boats floundered about for some time and it was a wonder that they ever did get clear in that sea without damage. Knapp picked up to eighth place but was never able to improve that position, and thus ended the veteran Fleet's hope of another gold star. 

Olla was second and Tempe third, as the first round ended. Then the Budsal began to move up. When they next converged and split tacks again at the same instant, they were about even, but by the time the windward mark had been reached, the Peconic boat was well established in second place. This position Robinson held until the finish, while the reefed Sunbeam took third prize and Bob Atwater won his first gold chevron. Eel beat out the Tompe for fourth place and again was not especially noticed until the point score was added up and it was found that the Chesapeake challenger was tied with Peggy Wee for second place in the Series, each having 39 points. Sparkler had 45 points and looked like a sure winner. All New Orleans felt sure of retaining the title and even Gray and Edrington, who are conservative, believed that such a lead could never be overcome. 

The Third Race

Conditions had changed. The wind had moderated, had hauled more to the north, and the Lake was smooth. This time the course was to be a triangular one, with a reaching start. All 23 boats went over almost in a straight line and it would have been impossible to say who was ahead. Western Long Island was still fighting, however, and Knapp was first to round the mark, holding this position almost to the finish line. The Defender seemed to go about as well in this weather as in the half gale of the previous day and worked up into second place at the end of the first round, only to drop back to fourth on the second windward leg, Okla and Eel passing her. 

Joe Watkins almost caught the Peggy Wee at the last mark. Knapp, bothered by the glare of the sun, misjudged the position of the finish line and sailed to the eastward of his correct course, taking Okla with him. This was the break that the Johnsons had been waiting for and it did not take them long to take advantage of it. As the two gray Long Island boats luffed, the 'Buzzards' bore off and went under their lee to win by a scant margin. Sparkler almost did the same but not quite. This proved to be the most exciting finish of the Series. 

The score now stood: Sparkler 65, Eel 2, Peggy Wee 61. No one else seemed to have a chance. Okla was a poor fourth with 57 points and Fleet Star and the old Rhody sailing her fifth International Series, were tied for a poorer fifth with 48 points. New Orleans was still sure of ultimate success, there were rumors that one local man had bet 6 to 1 on this-a rather rash bet---but people were beginning to realize that the Eel was a contender. . . .

Such was the situation on Saturday night and so it was destined to remain for some time. The evening schedule called for a Stag Smoker, a bath, and a long sleep Sunday morning. To be exact, the long sleep was an idea of the visitors and not included on the itinerary, which called for a walking tour through the city early Sunday A. M. No wheelchairs were provided and no one showed up except the Fathers of the Stars' and Jeff Davis, and they voted against the walking and took a taxi. The delegates went into session that evening and adopted the new rig. The meeting lasted from 5 to 10 P. M. 

Monday and Tuesday were bright and sunny and the boys got a good sunburn and that was all. The morning breeze died out by noon-true October weather, so the old timers told us. Eel and Sparkler were fighting it out, when the time limit put an end to the fourth race, the boats having covered a little more than one round. Then morning racing was attempted but with no better result. This time it was Budsal that took a beautiful port tack start, cutting across the other 22 entries on their starboard tack, and Robinson increased and held his lead until within sight of the finish line, when the "J" flag again brought hostilities to an end. El and Sparkler were again almost side by side. 

The I. R. C. may have had it easy enough during the day but their nights were not so peaceful during the period of the doldrums. Eel and Dream Star were involved in an intricate foul at the start of the first unfinished race and Tomboy and Movie Star got into a mix-up rounding one of the marks in the other. The Chicago boat was finally disqualified, in the first instance, and the unfortunate Miller in the second. Miller had been disabled twice, disqualified once and now was disqualified in a race not yet sailed, for both offenders were barred from entering the resailed races. 

The Fourth Race

By this time things were getting to be serious and it looked as if the Star Class would remain at New Orleans all winter. The race was started, therefore, at 9:15 A. M. Bel stepped out into the lead and Sparkler, as usual, was right behind her. Juno, recalled at the start, was soon up in third place and held it, Robertson entering the inner circle of the gold chevron wearers. Tempe likewise held her fourth place throughout the race. There was nothing especially interesting about this race except the way Eel kept increasing her lead in a desperate fight against the time limit. The 'Buzzards' won by a safe enough margin against the time limit and by over seven minutes from the defending Sparkler, cutting Gray's lead by another point. 

According to schedule, the Series should already have been over and the members on their way home. There was still a light northerly and the I. R. C. decided to try to wind things up that day with an afternoon race. They might have saved themselves the trouble, however, as the boats had only just rounded the first mark of a triangular course. Fleet Star leading, when they called it a day. 

The Fifth Race

The third attempt to sail the fifth race was successful, though it looked very unpromising for a long time. The smooth surface of the Lake was broken here and there by little overshots from the north. A triangular course was the order of the day, the first leg being a beat. The wind hauled slightly before the start, making the stakeboat the advantageous end of the line. There was scarcely a breath as the 22 boats crossed the line, almost making the mark. Right in the midst of them was the Defender. Whether the strain was telling or what, it was the first time that Gray had failed to cover the Eel. The Johnsons did not make a very impressive start either, in fact they had not at any time during the Series-finishes was what they excelled in. The solid South was divided, Eel was far to leeward and completely blanketed. With slightly eased sheet ,she then began to foot off to leeward. 

Sparkler broke away a little later and followed. Both went off on their starboard tacks to the westward, while the others made short tacks for their mark. It took the Eel over three quarters of an hour to get around that first mark, few thought that it would be a race. The De fender appeared to be in second place but as she converged with the fleet, it was seen that Okla and Juno had her. That was just as the old 'Buzzards' would have wanted it. 

Down the wind the Eel was making the rest of the procession look as if they were going backwards. Positions remained unchanged until just at the end of the first round, then Knapp came out from under the Defender's lee and went into fourth place. The title was slipping from Gray's grasp and he took a last long chance, he split tacks as he hauled Sparkler on the wind. He was no longer fighting the Eel but those other boats that were between them. Had he overtaken them, his tactics would have been considered remarkable judgment, but he did not overtake them; he was overtaken by Atwater, Robinson, and Mann from San Diego, and, therefore, was credited with using rotten judgment. Sparkler was back in Sth place, only two more reaches were left, and the only chance that New Orleans now had was in the 'Buzzards' losing to the time limit, but they were going like wildfire. 

Her green sides gleaming in the sunlight, every inch of her drafty sails drawing, the challenger from the Chesapeake crossed the finish line a good half hour within her time. The Johnsons had won three consecutive races, duplicating Jack Robinson's performance in 1924, and had won their Golden Star. A distant cheer came from the racing crews far astern, whistles and bells broke loose, a marine parade was staged, and the acting Mayor of New Orleans welcomed the victor's s they landed. They were rushed into his waiting automobile and a triumphal procession started through the streets of New Orleans. There was a long string of cars filled with Star enthusiasts and the Police and Fire Department with shrieking sirens, saw that they had Light of way. From the City Hall, the member's returned to the Club For the presentation of the prizes. Another page in Star Class history had been written and no such demonstration by civic authorities was ever before accorded to the winners of a yacht race before. 

New Orleans finished second, a first and a second in two years with the same yacht and crew being a remarkable and new record in the annals of the Star Class. Okla just beat Knapp out by one point for third, it being the fourth consecutive year in which Central L. I. Sound has placed in the Internationals. Strange to say, these two Long Island Fleets, which with Narragansett Bay are the only ones to have sailed every Series since the Association was formed, are but two points apart in their total point score for eight years. The Internationals and a three ring circus are much the same; it is impossible to see everything and the story of those who finished down the line can best be learned through a careful study of the summaries. There is one point of interest that should be mentioned. This was the first time that three Gold Star yachts have met in an International. Sparkler was one and Rhody and Tempe, the other two, ended in a tie for seventh place. 

It would not be right to end this article without mention of the glorious round of entertainment, for the social side of our Internationals has had much to do with its great success. The dinner and entertainment given by the local Fleet on the roof of the Jung Hotel will long be remembered. Every detail was carefully thought out. Large stars bearing the numbers of every competing yacht were hung from above, a huge cake---on which was a one-foot model of a Star- was in evidence and even the ice cream had as a center a red star. Then there was the dinner dance at the New Orleans Country Club, the Stag Smoker at the New Orleans Athletic Club, another Dinner Dance at the Metairie Golf Club, and the final banquet at the Southern Yacht Club. 

It would take pages to describe it all, for New Orleans has established a precedent that will be most difficult to duplicate in the future Internationals. Still each International seems to outdo the previous one and the boys from the Chesapeake-"Just wait until you come to Gibson Island in 1930". So we are waiting for another year to roll around when we can once more be together again competing for the greatest honor that yachting can bestow.