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1930 International Championship – Chesapeake Bay, Maryland 

1930 International Championship – Chesapeake Bay, Maryland 

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.

1930 - ON CHESAPEAKE BAY

Skipper Crew Yacht Fleet
Race 1
Race 2
Race 3
Race 4
Race 5
Pts.
A. Knapp N. Weed Peggy Wee W. Long Island Sound
1
3
7
2
4
98
W. Hubbard T. Dittmar Tempe IV Newport Harbor
2
7
1
1
9
95
J. Watkins W. McHugh Okla II C. Long Island Sound
4
4
3
8
4
93
S. Dale C. Grover Vixen Barnegat Bay
3
1
6
10
7
88
J. Miller G. Miller Flapper Hampton Roads
17
2
2
5
6
83
G. Gray D. Wuescher Chico New Orleans
5
15
4
4
5
82
J. Johnson C. Johnson Ripple Chesapeake Bay
6
5
5
3
13
82
E. Poor E. Towl Tsan Peconic-Gardiners
7
10
14
16
1
67
C. Motley J. Atkin Joy Solent
9
11
11
7
13
64
T. Parkman T. Parkman Fleet Star Gravesend Bay
13
6
12
13
10
61
M. deSena R. Gomez Yuyu Habana
16
8
9
21
2
59
R. Bradley F. Bloom Moselle II Illinois River
8
9
8
Dsq
8
59
J. Rockwell A. Tigh Lintik Philippines
11
19
19
6
18
48
D. Atwater E. Elsbree Moonshine Narragansett Bay
14
17
10
11
19
40
C. Stewart J. Mason Fawn Elk River
19
16
21
17
12
40
H. Halsted P. duGumoens Chuckle Great South Bay
20
18
20
11
11
35
H. Doulton W. Soule Emmeline Santa Barbara
10
Wdr
16
9
Wdr
34
R. Anderson C. Dyer Nalu Hawaiian Islands
15
20
15
14
17
34
F. Manegold M. Nibon Fram Lake Michigan
19
16
21
12
16
33
J. Peytel J. Lebrun Startle Paris
21
12
17
19
15
31
S. Smith Mrs. Smith Red Star II Otsego Lake
18
21
13
18
21
24
E. Kelly J. McClatchey Licette Cannes
22
19
22
20
20
12

Winning yacht No. 455. B - New England Boat Works.
Cos Cob. Conn. Ch. I.R.C. and Meeting - G. W. Elder.

Regatta Report from the 1931 Log

LOG OF THE STAR CLASS

PEGGY WEE WINS 1930 INTERNATIONALS

After five years, five long years during which it has made a complete circuit of North America, the international Championship Trophy has come home: home to Western Long Island Sound, birthplace of the Star, where the "Internationals" originated, and where the title was successfully defended until 1926 by this, the largest and oldest of all Star fleets. For four years the veteran fleet, that made Star history. has been unable to win a major championship, scarcely even an open inter-fleet event, but it's a long way that has no turning, and in 1930 Arthur Knapp and Newell Weed---representing their fleet for the second time with Peggy Wee-came through and ended Long Island's long struggle to regain its lost laurels.

It was a great series, a series that will never be forgotten. From start to finish it abounded with thrills and was not won until the last round of the last race. Western Long Island's early lead was soon overshadowed by Barnegat Bay's triumph. Then came Newport Harbor's two consecutive victories, making it seem almost a certainty that the title was going to California. Finally, on the last day, starting last and remaining in eleventh place until the final round, Arthur Knapp overcame Tempe's two-point lead by the most spectacular comeback that has ever been witnessed in an International Series, and thereby added a fourth gold star to the banner of Western Long Island Sound.

Although there was one entry less than in 1929, owing to the last-minute withdrawal of the Delaware River Fleet, the event was far more representative than in former years. No longer was it merely an International Series but a world-wide one. It brought together for the first time the cream of the small boat talent of Europe, Asia, and America. Europe was represented not only by the British Isles but by the North and South of France. From across the wide Pacific, challengers came from Hawaii and the far-off Philippines. There was Cuba's lone entry from the tropical seas, while every coast of North America, as well as many of its lakes and rivers, was represented. The most remark able thing of all was that throughout the entire week of racing there was not the slightest sign of any bad feeling among these twenty-two entries from the far corners of the earth, nor was there a single word of criticism directed against the Race Committee, a fact which speaks well for the I. S. C. Y. R. A. and its system of management.

The International Series of 1930 was sailed on the Chesapeake, off Gibson Island, a small island about twenty miles from Baltimore, Mary land. Possibly five miles in circumference and bounded by the Chesapeake and the Magothy Rivers, it is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of beach on which the boathouse is located, over which flew the flags of eight nations, above them the huge white banner of the I. S. C. Y. R. A. Close to the boathouse a new dock had been con structed, equipped with a number of hand cranes, by means of which racing crews could haul out their own boats at any time with ease. This dock was on the lee side, a completely landlocked harbor where the yachts could rest at anchor in perfect safety. From there it was about a two-mile tow to Mountain Bar Point, where the Chesapeake and the river meet. At this point yachts are boarded and from there it is only a short sail out to the starting line on the bay. 

The Gibson Island Club, headquarters of the Association for the 1930 Internationals, was about midway between the inner harbor and the point. The clubhouse and its little white cottages are nestled in a grove of tall trees on the banks of the Chesapeake, a most picturesque spot. Here arrivals were welcomed in true southern style with cooling beverages that no one north of the Mason and Dixon Line knows how to mix. The island is a summer resort, dotted with many attractive cottages. These homes we were destined to visit and remember, for every evening from six to seven a different resident entertained the members, and the memory of these famous gatherings will long be cherished. Following these social festivities, the members returned to dine at the clubhouse. The large dining room was always packed to capacity; there was a mad babble of voices, among which you could hear English spoken with about every known accent. Once again one saw suspended on the walls the flags of many nations, some flags that could scarcely be identified, and it made you realize how great had been the international development of this Star Class even within the last year. All in all, Gibson Island was an ideal spot for an International Series. 

The preliminaries are every bit as interesting as the International races. There was the reception of the first French challengers, who were met at the station by several cars displaying French and American flags and escorted from there to the island by a squad of motorcycle police. There was the inspecting of the yachts on the dock. where they rested in rows, their highly polished sides glistening in the sunlight. With few exceptions they were perfection, but let it be said at this point that of all ultra-perfect Stars, in so far as finish is concerned, the Emmeline from Santa Barbara stands in a class by herself and is a credit to her owner, Harold Doulton.

Then there was the measuring of sails, a hard and thankless job, which F. W. Teves handled alone for two solid days, two of the hottest days of the year. Prior to the start of the series, members, who were not contestants, divided their time between the boathouse, where they watched the racing crews working on their boats and stretching out sails, and the clubhouse veranda, where one met old friends and was introduced to new ones, discussed past Inter nationals and speculated upon the outcome of the one about to be sailed. And then, yes, we almost forgot to mention this, there was Kelly (born in the South of France) whose red shirt and yellow pants never failed to create a sensation. 

The first session of the annual meeting was held on Thursday, Sept. 25th, and lasted well into the night. The I. R. C. was ratified, and course and mark officials appointed. At last, the great day arrived, the I. R. C. emerged from the little room in the back, where they had been making final arrangements, the group photo was taken, automobiles and buses transported crews and visitors to the Point, and the Coast Guard boats followed by a great gallery of yachts and the twenty-two competing Stars sailed for the line. 

THE FIRST RACE, on Sept. 26th, 1930, was sailed over a windward and leeward course, twice around, a total of ten miles. The starting line was between a Coast Guard boat and a stakeboat, almost directly in front of the Gibson Island Club. The weather mark went out in tow of its marker, the latter logging off the distance. Course officials came alongside the committee boat and reported "All accounted for.” The course number was shot into the big signal frame, patrols cleared the line, the guns on the committee boat boomed out their preliminary messages at fifteen-minute intervals, and they were off. 

Lintik, from the Philippines, went out into the lead in the safe leeward position, followed closely by the British challenger Joy. Stars were splitting tacks in every direction, the bay was full of them, and it soon became impossible to determine who held the lead. When they finally converged at the mark, Peggy Wee was first to round, followed by Tempe IV and Vixen. With a brisk S. S. E. wind behind them, a good full sail breeze, the yachts made fast time on the run home, maintaining same position on this leg and throughout the remainder of the race. With Okla, these four yachts were destined to be the real contenders and to finish the series in almost that same order, though no one realized it at that time. 

Hubbard cut down Knapp's lead by thirty-three seconds on the run, but Peggy Wee regained twenty seconds of this on the next beat and increased her lead to over a minute on the final down wind work to draw first blood. The Tempe stretched out the distance between herself and Viren on this last run. Positions changed among the trailers, but it would be impossible to begin to note them. Their respective positions at each mark can be found in the tabulated score sheet. The race was not an especially interesting one from the spectator's point of view, there being no close finishes among the leaders or spectacular incidents. 

THE SECOND RACE was also over a windward and leeward course, but the wind was off-shore--that is, W. N. W., and the line was established out by Baltimore Light, giving the yachts a beat toward the shore on their first leg of a three times around course. It became necessary to postpone the start fifteen minutes because of a cigarette, which somehow fell into Okla's sail, which burst into flame when Watkins tried to hoist it. 

The wind was pretty shifty, as is characteristic of a northwester, and at times the puffs were hard, though there was no sea. Tomboy Miller went out into the lead with Flapper, and what is more, he held it for over half the race. Then Vixen passed him on the second round down wind. Our dashing young International Secretary was a close third until he sailed into a flat spot between the puffs and Peggy Wee, Okla, and Ripple passed him. Yes, the Buzzards were in the race, but oh! what they would have given about that time for the old Eel. Peggy Wee finally finished a poor third and Tempe slipped back to seventh. 

Vixen and Peggy Wee were now tied with forty-two points each. Okla had moved up to third place in the series with thirty-eight points and Tempe appeared to have shot her bolt and to be out of it. It was a great night for the supporters of Slade Dale. It began to look very much like Barnegat Bay for 1931. Some of their members are said to have celebrated who never have been known to celebrate before; that is, in just that manner. And make-believe old Hampton Roads was not celebrating, too; Tomboy Miller had won his first gold chevron that day. Yes, sir, Barnegat Bay and Hampton Roads members were muchly in evidence that night. 

THE THIRD RACE, which brings us up to Sunday, the 28th, was marred by a shift of wind that occurred between the preparatory and the start and turned the triangular course into a merry-go-round. Nevertheless, it was an interesting race from the spectators' point of view and an exciting one. Incidentally, it was the fastest triangular race ever sailed in the Internationals. 

Chico, New Orleans' challenger, came into the picture for the first time. Gray, runner-up in 1929, was first to round the first mark, followed by Tempe and Chuckle. The next leg, which was intended to be to windward, was a close reach. A few did not go about at once and lost by it. Flapper, having once tasted blood, could not be held and went up from seventh to the lead on this leg. Tempe passed Chico but could not hold the flying Virginian. At this point we turn back to record Yuyu's performance. The Cuban challenger crossed the line too soon and was recalled. It was some time before de Sena saw that it was his number that was up. This cost him a good two minutes and he was a bad last at the first mark with a stern chase ahead of him and with no windward work to help. From that hopeless position the game little Cuban passed boat after boat until he finally finished ninth, a remark able performance. 

To return to the leaders again, Flapper entered the home stretch with a half minute lead on Tempe. It was then that Hubbard, sailing his fifth consecutive International Series, again demonstrated his down wind sailing ability, for which he has become famous. Gradually the Californian cut down Miller's lead until scarcely a length separated them when within about twenty yards of the line. At this critical point Miller jibed. Tempe had been bothering his wind and he feared that she might pass him, though this would have been impossible in so short a distance. With his boom far out to starboard, Miller was forced to sail slightly toward the committee boat end of the line, while Hubbard could sail for the mark, directly ahead. Flapper crossed Tempe's bow at an angle and just as they reached the line the latter's bow came out under that of the Flapper, to win by about two feet; it was timed at one second, but half a second would be nearer correct. 

Okla beat out Chico for third and it was Peggy Wee this time that fell back to seventh, both Ripple and Vixen crossing ahead of her in the order named. Now it was Viren and Tempe who were tied for the lead with fifty-nine points each, and Peggy Wee and Okla were tied with fifty-eight points each. Anyone's series still in so far as these four boats were concerned. And if anyone doubted this, they should have heard the bidding on these four boats when the Calcutta pool was auctioned off that night after the movies. 

For the FOURTH RACE on Tuesday, Monday having been a rest day on which the members were taken on a tour through the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the course was once again to windward and back, three times around. These short courses were necessary to keep the yachts between the channel and the shore, for the Graighill Channel is so narrow that steamers, which are continually passing up and down, have right-of-way in it over small sailing craft. These courses, however, had one great advantage, they kept the yachts racing over the same bottom and prevented lucky breaks which so often occur when the yachts split tacks and are so widely separated on the longer twice around courses. 

The northeasterly wind was the lightest experienced during the series, but a good sailing breeze nevertheless. There was a jam at the start, Joy and Startle being wedged in between two converging groups. It was impossible, however, for the I. R. C. to trace which of the many other yachts involved brought this about and no action could be taken. Majella, the Great Lakes champion, was first to reach the windward mark on her port tack and Okla approached on the starboard tack. Bradley had overstood a little and there was ample room for Watkins to have gone about inside of Majella. but the Southport veteran had other plans. By forcing the Illinois River craft about, she would have in turn forced several others that were coming up on her weather and Okla could have rounded first with a clear wind. Bradley did not give way and Okla, forced about, fell back to fifth under the lee of a blanket of sails. The incident was reported by the mark official and Majella, though she finished fourth in that race, was disqualified. A similar report with regard to Chico and Vixen did not result in a disqualification, as the I. R. C. decided that Vixen had started to go about and had enough way to have done so and kept clear, had Gray held his course. 

Peggy Wee led the Tempe by one second at the end of the first round, but then Hubbard and Dittmar got their boat going and ran out from under Knapp's lee, easily outfooting the Long Island boat and holding their lead until the finish. The defender seemed to relish this light going and finished third, giving the Buzzards their only prize during the series. These Johnson brothers, from the eastern shore of the Chesapeake, are sailormen nevertheless and will be heard from in years to come, as they have been in the past. 

Tempe had won two consecutive races and had a commanding two-point lead over Peggy Wee. The series had narrowed down to these two boats, Vixen and Okla having been practically eliminated as contenders for the golden star, as there was but one more race to go. Gilbert Gray might have given Hubbard some interesting information on how much a two-point lead means when entering the last race, but it is doubtful whether anyone would have believed him. The title was going to the Pacific, at least 99% of those who attended the stag crab feast that night at the boathouse were thoroughly convinced of this. Knapp and Weed were not so sure of this. They did not attend this party but went to bed early. 

THE LAST RACE, the most thrilling of all, will long be remembered. During the night, a hard northeaster started to blow and had reached gale velocity by daybreak. The weather, which had been cool, turned cold. Open fires were burning brightly when the members gathered for breakfast that morning. The sky was grey; it looked and felt like snow. By noon the wind abated to a hard twenty-five-mile blow and the Chesapeake was kicking up a nasty chop. Sweaters and sweatshirts were at a premium and racing crews were reluctant to leave the harbor, prematurely drenched as they were in that wintry wind. 

For the final race, the I. R. C. selected a triangular course, giving the yachts a run, a beat, and a broad reach. The large fleet of spectator yachts was well thinned out and only a few ventured forth with Andy Tripp on his famous observation boat, which was chased about by more Coast Guard boats than any rum runner in history. And it should certainly be mentioned at this point that the gray-hulled patrol boats were very much on the job every day, although the spectator fleet was rather more orderly than at the usual big regatta. 

With the bark of the gun Peggy Wee hit the line. To be exact, there was just the slightest streak of daylight between her bow and the upright on Smithy's little stakeboat. Knapp, thinking he was over, spun back. As a matter of fact, he would not have been recalled. Jibs winged, the rest tore off down the wind with Peggy Wee last. There was nothing to it now, it was California's series. It is strange, however, what a difference just a few short moments make. By the time the yachts had reached the leeward mark, in that short wild ride, Peggy Wee closed the gap and was right with Tempe as they rounded. Long Island rooters began to sit up and take notice--there was still a chance. But when the yachts hauled on the wind they were once more plunged in gloom. Hubbard had the Tempe going again, as she dug her nose into the rugged waters, and this veteran skipper of many Internationals passed boat after boat until he reached the weather mark in fifth place. Peggy Wee had had trouble holding her own and was back in eleventh position. 

Even California's followers lost interest in the fight for titular honors. It was all over now but the shouting. Glasses were focused upon the leaders who were they? No one had paid much attention to that up to then. Tsan was out in front, Poor getting everything out of his old rigged boat that was in her. He had passed Vixen on the wind and built up a good lead. Both Chico and Vixen made several attempts to overtake Tsan, only to fall back again, and Poor held his lead to the end for a Peconie victory. Then came the Yuyu, de Sena having worked her up into second place on that last memorable beat. When the little blue yacht from Havana flashed across the line it received an ovation that equaled that of the series winner, for de Sena had won for Cuba her first daily place in an International Series. The little Cuban, the only man in his country who can today boast of a gold chevron on his sail, flung his hat far out across the water, and, despite the cold, sailed home the happiest Cuban that has ever stepped on United States soil. And then came Okla, with old reliable Watkins, for a third place in the race and in the series. For three consecutive years Joe Watkins has finished among the first three. 

To return to the historic struggle for the title, Tempe picked up still another point on Peggy Wee on the second round and made Knapp's chances more hopeless than ever. Then it began to blow harder than ever. Arthur shook out. It was a last desperate chance, more of a bluff than anything, for he believed that Tempe could not carry her full sail to as good advantage as Peggy Wee and that Hubbard would copy him, which he did. On that last short thrash into the 30-mile wind, Peggy Wee, no longer pinched but driving with full sail, began to crawl up on the Tempe. Knapp closed up the gap and then passed Hubbard. Even that was not enough; he must put at least two boats between them to win. Hubbard could no longer make the Tempe perform, with her full sail she was falling back. If he could only hold Knapp until they reached the weather mark it still would be his series, but it just could not be done and Hubbard rounded ninth while Peggy Wee had crawled up to fourth place. Thus, they finished and Arthur Knapp and Newell Weed snatched a last minute victory out of what appeared to be a certain defeat on the last half of the last round of the race and added a fourth gold star to the banner of Western Long Island Sound. 

The I. R. C., consisting of G. W. Elder, G. A. Corry, J. R. Miller, H. M. Dowsett, and C. H. Reeves, packed up their equipment and came ashore. For the last time they locked themselves in the committee room and with the help of the interpreter, M. Minnigerode, worked out the points. The Distant Fleet Trophy went to Chico, second to Majella. Joy carried off the Invaders' Trophy to England, while second went to Yuyu. The Fawn was awarded the Novice Trophy, while second was to be carried back to sunny France by Lebrun and Peytel, the most popular team in the series. The committee room door opened, the score sheet was posted on the official bulletin board, and the Internationals of 1930 had become history. 

If mention has not been made of all entries, it is because it has become quite impossible to follow the performances of all and record them. It must be remembered, however, that everyone cannot win and that regardless of their records in the series, every entry is a champion, a champion in his own locality, or otherwise with but a few exceptions - he could not have qualified for and been present in the Internationals. Many strive in vain year after year for the privilege to just sail in this great classic. Many will never win that right. To have been in it, to have one's name among the list of contestants, should be honor enough for any man. Of one thing we can be certain, no matter how disappointed one may have been, there is not a contestant or spectator who can deny the fact that they had the time of their lives at Gibson Island. 

From every angle the 1930 series was the most successful ever held. You may have heard this statement made before, but it is true, nevertheless. Not a detail was overlooked by the local members and the hospitality of the Gibson Islanders will never be forgotten. Special mention should be made of the cooperation received from the Coast Guard, the Clyde-Mallory Line, the French Line, and the work done by J. Rulon Miller, C. H. Reeves, Dr. Hugh Young, Murdock Norris, and other local members, without whose assistance the Internationals could never have been held. The weather was ideal. Not a drop of rain fell during the week of racing, nor had any for months, though there was no sign of any drouth indoors. There was not a single drifting match, at no time was the time limit even remotely threatened or thought of. Twenty of the yachts carried the new rig, and two the old. In all but one race, in which there was a good sailing breeze, there was a brisk wind, on the heavy side of a good full sail breeze or stronger up to the half gale of the last day. The records are sufficient proof, therefore, that the new rig, properly handled, will win any normal series. 

On the evening after the last race there was a farewell banquet at the Gibson Island Club. Commodore Corry presented the series prizes and as the crews from other lands came up to receive them their National Anthems were played. The music and dancing lasted into the early hours of the morning and the great logs burned merrily in the large open fireplaces, as one by one, members took their leave and said farewell until they should meet again on Long Island Sound in 1931. 

 

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