The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-14
YACHTING.

Veteran Keels ON the Concentrating Race
Between the Crazy june and the Comet
The Latter Declared the Winner--A Damp
ening Incident.
The announcement that the yachts comet and
Crazy Jane would contend in twenty milo race
for purse Of $500 drew large number Of yacht
men to Greenville, N. j., yesterday. The circum
stance that these boats raced together seventeen
years ago and that they were frequently matched
since that time gave the contest interest than
probably 1t would otherwise have received. The
Comet is eighteen feet three inches from stem to
stern and the Crazy Jane about one inch less but
the former Is considerably larger. The wind was
from the northwest and blowing heavy. Much dis
cussion was INDUCED in by the crowd as to whether
the boats could stand the weather outside; for al
though it was comparatively smooth In shore the
white-tOpped waves that coursed round the light
house gave unmistakable evidence that 'nackerel
gale" was blowing. Opinion was pretty evenly bal
anced between the disputants; but the result proved
that both were right. The course was from the dock
at Greenville a the lighthouse around it and back
beating 10 wGidward, six times in oil a distance OF
twenty miles. This, however, was considered too
much, and after some discussion between the prin-
cipas 1t was at length decided to send out stake
boat to a distance OF mile and half In the drec-
ton Of the lighthouse, which was accordingly done.
Six men were put on board the Crazy Jane as much
for ballast as for work, with Robert Ellsworth as
skipper The Comet was nearly as heavily freghted,
and had Sam ketchum as sailing master.
owing to the difference IN the relative size Of the
boats the Crazy Jane was allowed ten seconds
time. The start was effected at 3h. ON 20s. by the
Jane rushing from the dock at splendid pace with
double reef and free before the wind in the direction
OF the objective point Ten seconds later the Comet
dashed forward and then the chances Of the race
were eagerly discussed, and neavy betting at rs to
20 on the latter boat occupied the spectators until
more exciting event drew of their attention from
the Wllte sails OF the racers SCuddfnQ along tile
water. AT the moment Of the start number
OF men Jumped d.. INTO
up got her under way and gave chase. Wise ones
shook their heads careless ones laughed and every
spirits would come to grief. When about mile out
she frequently dipped her gan IN the water. and
What all feared came to pass ia few minutes. the
Julia tumbled over. aud her passengers sprawled
boat; others got up on the bottom. They remained
In this condition only about ten minutes, AZ the
yacht which took out the stakeboat was passing at
the time on her return TO the dock and rescued them
ashore wettsr and Wiser, and the Julia was SUB
BY this time the racing yachts were close up to
the stakeb0af. The Comet passed the Crazy Jane a
lew hundred yards from " ana rounded it at 3h
ION. and Ass. The Crazy Jane was close after her,
and followed her up very well in the subsequent
run to wndward. Both boats were in much danger
moment 70 see one or both Of them topple over. 1t
was up to this time, when both boats were nearly
" ana asod. e ana nal, to the West
but ketchum In the Comet made q better calcnIa-
ton as to distance than did Ellsworth In the
Crazy Jane, for he went about at the proper
time and came rushing back the homeward
stretch IN splendid style, far ahead Of his opponent
who unwisely kept on for nearly quarter Of mile.
The Comet rounded tho nagboat at 81. 46m.
and started for the next reach; but the
Crazy jane which came IN minute later, gave
up the contest Ellsworth refusing to risk his life
again outside II was then blowing harder than
at any time previous To the race, and Ellsworth's
Nalaf l.x
the race out caused good deal OF dissatisfaction
The race was of course decided in favor OF tho
O'Clock tram brought nearly all the spectators OF
the race to town.