Page 30 - Zephyr Built 1873 Rescue Project 2024 Her History

the top of flood was reached there was a general movement towards the
longer, but would ask them to drink the health of Commodore Bundey
with all the honours. (Cheers.)
The toast was drunk amid loud cheers and musical honours Mr.
COMMODORE BUNDEY, M P., who was greeted with loud cheers,
said he thanked them very sincerely for the way in which they had
honoured the toast his friend Mr. Barrow had been kind enough to
propose in terms he felt he did not deserve. Cries of "No." He would
say this— that there was no sport, no amusement, nearer to his heart
than the noble sport of yachting. Anything that would induce the
young men of the community to go into the open air and get health
instead of going into places where health was lost was a clear gain.
(Cheers.) While many other things depended upon chance proficiency
depended upon skill. However good a rider might be his horse might
turn tail when he took him to a fence, but a yacht could not do that. If
there was any mistake it was the man's. Now he did feel very sincerely
their kindness in being there that day. He had no selfish object in
inviting there, but be wished to instil into the minds of those who could
afford it a willingness to patronise and enter into this noble sport.
Every man had his hobby or ambition, and he did not know that he had
a higher ambition than to be thought a good yachtsman. (Laughter and
cheers.) The Club when formed was a small one — the gentlemen who
formed it were all there that day—and from the time they commenced
they never had a dissentient word, and when he went among them he
knew they were glad to see him. The Club was progressing. They had
Mr. Elder's yacht, the President's, and this, and he hoped that next year
they would have several more. In the summer time the health of any
one engaged in sedentary occupations like his— for he was sometimes
compelled to work pretty late—must necessarily suffer unless he took
some recreation. Owing to his engaging in yachting he had been
enabled to go out from Friday till
Monday and keep his health, and was more fit in mind and body to do
his work. He thanked them very sincerely for their attendance, and he
hoped one and all would agree with him that yachting was a sport
worthy of support. Any man who kept a yacht must be content to give
up other amusements, and spend his money on yachting and nothing
else. It was very unselfish, because a man was capable of giving
pleasure to others besides himself. He thanked them very sincerely for
the honour they had done him. (Cheers.)
From the time that the tide reached the end of the ways until high
water a constant stream of visitors boarded the yacht, and when at last
bows. There was perched the Commodore's tiny daughter, Miss Ellie,
with a bottle of wine suspended from the stem-head by tricoloured
ribands. With measured beat the pen mauls came home on wedges as
the craft rose slowly and rested on the cradle. Down went the dog
shores, and crack went the bottle as the little lady gave the craft the
name of the Zephyr, and hundreds of throats roared out a lusty cheer
for her success. The yacht took her place on the water daintily, and
when ballasted down will carry her canvas well. There was a slight
hitch somewhere, but sailor-like, the crew of the City of Adelaide came
to the rescue,and the Zephyr was soon moored afloat. Then came the
debarkation, no trifle where there was a crowd on board and no landing
available.
The President of the Marine Board, with the Margaret, towed the
Bronzewing back to the Company's Wharf, where the party landed in
good time for the last train, after a thoroughly enjoyable and successful
affair. When the Hygeia grows into form and
is ready for a similar process, it will be difficult to arrange matters
better. Everybody seemed
to be in good humour and bent upon enjoyment. Even old taciturn sea
captains, who are
prone to growl at everything, wore a smile, and is the evening drew to
a close there were very few who had participation in the festivities but
heartily wished success to the Commodore and his new yacht. In our
business columns Mr. Bundey thanks the masters of the ships in
harbour for the compliment they paid him, and the captain, officers,
and crew of the City of Adelaide for the aid they rendered.