The following is from the 1963 book “The Sailboat Classes of North America” by Fessenden S. Blanchard. The late Commodore George W. Elder, in his delightfully written Forty Years among the Stars, gives an example of the irregularity of these regulations. The story was told by George “Pop” Corry, an almost legendary character in the early days of the Star class. The event occurred before 1907, when the Bug one-design class, predecessor of the Stars, made its appearance. A race was arranged for Swampscott dories and other small centerboard boats; they were to sail from Cow Bay (now called Manhasset Bay) to Hempstead Harbor, the next bay to the east. "This was a free for all," as George Elder describes it, based on Pop Corry's story. "No rules, other than right-of-way, were to apply”. That meant that you didn't have to round any given buoys, but cut corners as pleased. The first in was to be the winner. Since there were no powerboats, the question of a tow was not considered. Immediately after crossing the starting line, one of the entries sailed back to the club and beached the boat. The crew went overboard and carried the boat to a farm wagon which was waiting. Passing through the village of Port Washington, they picked up a little German band that was playing in front of a saloon. It was only a short distance overland to Hempstead Harbor. When they reached there they launched the boat, stepped the mast, and as there was no crew limit, crowded the four-piece German band aboard. It almost sank the boat, but the weather was light and they only had a short distance to go. With the band playing “There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight”, they crossed the finish line. Having complied with all the conditions of the race, the triumphal procession started home with the cup before the first sail was sighted in the mouth of Hempstead Harbor. George Elder ends his yarn by saying that George Corry was always known to be a pious, temperate, and truthful yachtsman.