The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-28

Out towards Sandy Hook yesterday morning,
among seafarng men, some said this and some said
that. The excitement was about coming to climax.
Opinions had almost been exhausted. After the
twentieth day the yachts had been to sea
there was, ever aud anon an anxious glance
cast towards the horizon by those wont
to peer through glasses for many years.
Steamers, pilot boats and pleasure craft passing
each other in this way were sure to ask, "What news
about the yachtsf ?" The contestants were ex-
peced, and to that end the bay was alive with
yachts anxious to greet the winner Of the race
The reports conveyed by inward bound vessels
tended, If possible to increase the excitement
ana every little bit Of Information was received with
relish. Sea sages gave the yachts twenty-five days.
and considered that II the race was made In that
time that great feat would be accomplished. The
courses taken by the yachts were merely
surmlsed, and the fact was that the rea-
tive positions Of the yachts was perfect mystery
to the community at large. 1t was known, however,
that the contestants could not be very far away and
as they neareu the goal intense anxiety prevailed
Head winds prevailed on Monday and Tuesday,
that Is so Tar as the inward bound track OF
the European steamers was concerned, and il
was naturally inferred that delay must necessarily
ensue Yesterday the wind was quite fresh, about
eastnortheast. The carly part OF the day was hot
and sultry, and as matters stood another period OF
expectancy in store for the thousands who were
only too willing to hail the winner in triumph.
At midday there was god stu breeze. The
crowds assembled at Sandy Hook, forgetting for
while the savage attacks Of sand flies and other viii
famous invaders began to shake Off the lethargic
feeling which the barren and wholly forsaken spot
Infused AS the day wore ON the wind increased,
and "the man with the telescope was besieged with
innumcrable inquiries as to whether either OF the
yachts was in Sight.
AT THE LIGHTsuIP
a heavy sea kept running, and at one O'Clock a
squan broke and quickly assumed a very threaten
ing aspect The yachts that had been cruising IN
the neighborhoOd beat hasty retreat, and outward
bound vessels were seen to depart closely rcefed.
Indeed very few OF the latter quilted the bay for the
ocean looked ominous, ana the prospect was dreary
in the extreme. For time drlzzng rain fell, and
seamen took the hint to make everything as snug as
possible. At half-past one O'Clock the sgual
commenced IN earnest, ana the red light
SHIP as If delighting in the storm, rocked
merriy OH the deep. Now she plunged, and
anon She reared, and often seemed anxious
TO break loose, as If to revel among the crested
waves Ships, few Of them, indeed, were seen roll
ing, and an English brig, bound to sea, on nearing
the Llghtship, wisely turned back to her anchor
age 1t was altogether gloomy sight, and for
the minds Of many to whom .self-preservation
seemed the first law OF nature At two O'Clock the
rays OF the sun triumphanty struggled through the
misty clouds and danced upon the angry waters.
The appearance Of Sol was opportune. Captain
James Cosgrove, OF tho Ligntship VINO, by the way,
has been assiduousy on the look out for
week, went on deck, and, with his unerring
eye closely scanned the horizon. There was MOTH
ing-stopj He looked again, and long. The Cap
tain is an old hand and thorough seaman, seldom
making mistake ana slow to express an opinion.
1t was said that he looked again. SO he did,
and the glass remained near his weather
beaten forehead for a considerable period. That
glass he slowly lowered and gazcd toward some
thing with his naked eye, His face changed not
whit, but there was importance In Its expression.
He gazed again, and strange looking square sails
appeared in sight. II was but
DIM sPECK,
suspicious craft, he saba yacht, to be sure bat
not q Yankee one. Could 1t be the Cambria The
captain revealed his thoughts, and all hands rushed
forward with excitement. This was at ten minutes
past two O'Clock, The telescope was handed round.
Whatever the vessel was she was coming at tremen-
dous speed. Her hull was invisible and thing but
two white square sails relieved the barrenness OF the
vast horizon. There was anxiety aboard thae light
ship and little talk "Can you see the nag captain -
Was asked by some. There was no response Ohd