The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-10-01 00:00:00

THE INTERNATIONAL YACHT RACE

VICTORY OF THE VOLUNTEER.

From an early hour on Tuesday morning the out-
look at New York was by no means reassuring for a
satisfactory test between the Volunteer and the
Thistle. The prospects of a breeze sufficient to give
the yachts a good race were very slight. At daybreak
there was but a moderate westerly wind blowing, at
the rate of only two miles per hour, and grave fears
were entertained that a postponement would be impera-
tive. Still, every preparation was made for the contest,
and although even during the race there were
doubts as to the vessels finishing the race, the
Volunteer eventually achieved a creditable victory
over the Scotch cutter by no less than four miles.
As the morning wore on a thick haze gathered o‘er
the water, with every appearance of a dense fog later
on. Thousands of intending sightseers made their
way to the steamboat landings before eight o'clock,
and an hour later the scene was one not to be for-
gotten. Indeed, during the whole history of yachting
in America there has never been so much interest
excited as was manifested on Tuesday. From the
gigantic river steamers down to the smallest tugboat
every available vessel was heavily freighted; whilst on
land thousands of people congregated at all pro
minent points, both shores along the Narrows being
densely thronged. The start was fixed for ten
&clock, but half an hour before that time the fog
increased and the wind died away to nothing;
there being hardly sufficient to float a pennon.
This state of things caused keen disappointment,
but nevertheless on board the competing yachts all
was bustle and animation. Each was ready at 10
o'clock, but anchors were not weighed, as the commit-
tee did not consider the wind and weather favourable,
and decided to wait. An hour later the weather
cleared, and a slight westerly breeze sprang up. This,
however, was not sufficient to allow of a fair trial, but
after waiting some time a noticeable improvement
took place. Amid great excitement the signal was
given, and exactly at 12.35 the Thistle, which had been
in readiness, crossed the imaginary line a minute ahead
of the Volunteer. The wind was very light, blowing only
three miles an hour, with a steady ebb tide running.
Each stood on the port tack, bnt making very little pro-
gress, although nearly every stitch of canvas was
set. The breeze ' now freshened, and the Volunteer
was the first to reap the benefit of it, and she slipped
by the cutter, the latter being almost becalmed, much
to the delight of the onlookers. The defending yacht
continued to leave the Thistle, and in less than an
hour from starting had gained a mile and a half.
Although by this time the Thistle had run into the
wind, her rival increased her advantage. As the tide
commenced to flow the wind dropped, and there
appeared little prospect of the race being finished
within the prescribed time. In making for Sandy
Hook the wind:freshened, and the Thistle commenced
to make up a lige leeway, but was hampered by the
wash of the following steamboats, and fell away
again. The pace improved as the vessels left the
Hook, but in the seaward run to the light ship the
Volunteer maintained her advantage and finishekthe
first half of the course 16 minutes ahead.

Her victory even at this point was almost assured
as the wind again freshened, and splendid progress
was made in the run home. A most exciting struggle
took place over every inch of the journey, but
although at times the Thistle appeared to gain, the
American sloop sailed away again. Nearing the
finishing point there was a tremendous fleet of
vessels, and amid a perfect din of whistles and fog-
horns the Volunteer crossed the line at sb. 25min.
30sec. The Thistle was timed at sh. 44min. 45sec.
On calculating tha difference of time allowance it vms
found that the Volunteer had won by eight minutes.
Thus the Americans again upheld their supremacy,
and rejoicings over the victory were great throughout
the United States.