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The greatest sporting event on the water this year will be the international yacht race for the Americas cup, held under the auspices of the New York Yacht Club. Great interest is being manifested by the yachtsmen and others throughout the whole country n the coming contest, while the patriotic pride of many wealthy men in the race has been aroused to such a pitch that they have ordered several new and costly yachts to be built for the protection of the cup. Even General Butler has dropped politics (and law) long enough to say that he wants to enter the ancient America in the race. England will send two very fast yachts, with the hope that one of them will walk away with the prize. These are the cutters Genesta and Galatea. The former is the favorite, and seems to be most feared by the Yankee yachtsmen. It is understood that the match is to be three races, best two to win—one a triangle 40 miles, one over the New York Club course, and the third, if necessary, 20 miles and return, starting from Sandy Hook. The Genesta was built by Messrs. Henderson Bros., at Patrick-on-the-Clyde. She is 90 feet over all, 81 feet on the water line, 15 feet beam, 11% feet depth of hold, and 13 feet draught. Although originally she had only 60 tons of lead outside, she now carries 70 tons of lead on her keel. She has also been recently coppered aridfitted with new and heavier spars. Keelson stringers, frames, and strengthening plates are all of steel, while the planking is teak and elm. With great accommodations beneath, the cutters fittings are plain but substantial. ThJdeck fittings present several novelties. The bowsprit comes over the steamhead in the center of the yacht, with more than the usual difficulties in reefing it. To obviate this difficulty, one of the checks of the steel bits is hinged. This device permits of the bowsprit heel being swung round clear of the scuttle and the capstan, and run aft alongside the mast. The fore scuttle, oval in form, is a steel tube, round which the wire-fall of the bobstay tackle is coiled in easier turns than it would be belayed in the ordinary way. Just before the mast is a second scuttle, which accommodates the steward, and also the crew, on racing days. Behind the mast is a third scuttle, down which canvas can be lowered into the sailroom under the cabin sole. The Genesta will be without any provisions for screening the weather spray, besides a racing cabin. The Genesta has a fine saloon fitted up lightly and elegantly, It ladies cabin aft, and spacious accommodations for the crew, steward, and captain. The whole length of the yacht has been utilized, and the space obtained is remarkable. The Genesta is to be in charge of C. Carter, who is well known on the Clyde as a clever yacht sailor. She is owned by Sir Richard Sutton. Our first page engraving is taken from an instantaneous photograph, representing the Genesta plowing through the water at full speed; it clearly shows the wave line, and indicates the ease with which she parts the water. All through the yachting season last year this boat met the best of the British fleets, and although not always a winner, she proved herself to be without doubt the best all around boat in the kingdom. A New Military. Shield. Some interesting experiments have been carried out at Ryde, Eng., with anew arm of defense. The implement is simply a steel shield to be fixed on the muzzle of a rifle as a bayonet is fixed. It covers one superficial foot, weighs three pounds, can be easily slung under the arm, anddoes not appear to be unwieldy. On skirmishing duty the infantry soldier would take his cover with him, place the point in the earth, lie behind it, and Pick off his men with ease, the shield forming a rest for the rifle. The shield, which is claimed to be bullet proof, has been submitted to the War Office, 1 and the military authorities are said to view it with some favor.
