The New York herald., 1870-08-19
One Of the Finest Race
This Season.
Races
Contest Between the Cambria and
Idler at Newport.
The Cambria the Winner by Eight Min
utes and Forty-three Seconds.


back anu the prize cup valued at fifty
guineas 1t was decidedly the finest race that
has taken place since the squadron arrived
here. The British craft won by eight minutes
and forty seconds on time, the Cambria
having allowed the Ider two minutes and
fifty seconds The very best qualities of the
yachts were brought into requiston, and the Cam
brla In carrying or the cup, unquestonaby proved
herself TO be A splendid vessel on the wind, which
was more favorable for the contest to-day than for
any event that has taken place this week In fact II
was Just strong enough for the display
or the weatherly qualities of both YES
seis and IN defeating the idler the Cambria
mas added much TO her reputation. especially in this
country since the former regarded by most
yachtmen as one of the ablest yachts In the
squadron. Indeed, the feeling prevailed generally
that the Idler would have easily 0utsailed her ad-
verssry, even beating to windward; while 1t
supposed by those who seemed % know
botn vessels that the Cambria would stand
little chance with her on the homestretch before the
wind II was claimed, however, that dad the Idler
not split her stem at time when ~ asweather-
ing the Cambria the result might ha ,e pcen differ
ent. Howbet, the British yacht sailed beautifully
when tue wind strongest, aud the
credit or the triumph she meritOriOusly
achieved must be accorded her. The Ider
was certainly winding her opponent when
the mishap occurred, ana was compelled to tack to
the westward TO remedy the open stem; but the YES
sells were over three miles apart at the time, and
even had no accident taken place 1t is dincult to
state what the result OF the contest would have
been. AS II was, the Cambria rounded the buoy
nineteen minutes ahead while the idler gained some
ive or six minutes the return before the wind.
All things considered, It splendid race, and q
fair opportunity afforded both vessels to exhibit
their sailing qualities to advantage So far as ma
nPuvrcs were concerned the contest not so in
eresng as some Of the races that preceded 1t; but
for speed and good sailing 1t has not been surpassed
There were very few tactics employed. long
stretches being made throughout and the distance
| between the competitors robbed the affair OF the
excitement which marked the with the Palmer
yesterday. when the two vessels kept together
within cable lengths OF each other til within three
miles OF Block Island.
The result OF the contest caused some surprise as
1t was generally anticipated that the idler would
win. She the favorite al odds, just as much rs
| the Cambria was the previous day. and when 1t
announced that the Cambria had won the cup con
| siderable astonishment was manifested, and not
| few were disappointed.
| THE COURSE AND TERMS OF THE RACE.
| As already mentioned the wind was extreme v
| favorable. The course was the same that sailed
over the previous day-namely, from a stakeboal
\
Dumping 10 ana around The buoy or Block Island
| aud return, the entire distance direct beng over
forty miles. 10 was the intention OF the Commodore
| TO proceed TO New Bedford with the neet but
| rs the wind fresh and che parties
anxious To race the squadron remained
| In the harbor here. BY the terms OF
the race, the yachts to sail according TO the
regulations OF the New YORK Yacht Club time allow
ance being given; ana as the Cambria was the larger
vessel the Idler received two minutes ifty seconds
and siX-tenths Of second. The respective measure.
ment Of the yachts was as follows -
Name Entered by To'nage. area.
Cambria. James Ashbury... 227.B 2lOj
ldler.. IT. q. Durant. 1885 I,93I6
At midday the yachts left their anchorage in the
| harbor and proceeded towards the fort. The Cam
| bria carried the same sails yesterday ma mely
dying jib ioresaysail, foresai mainsali and work
| Ing fore and main topsails. The Idier carried
the usual fore and aft sails, with the exception OF
| the fore gan topsail. which was hauled down. A
gun was fired from the Phantom for the yachts to
get ready, and "a few minutes later the contestants
crossed the line on a nying start In the following
ORDER
H. ~ s.
cambria. ........................ 12 20 30
ldler .......................... IL 30 OIL
1t was now the first OF the ebD, and the wind was
fresh from the southwest Starting ont In advance
the Cambria got to the wndward and first tackled
towards the Dumping, the Idler being imme-
diatey on her lee and following In the
wake OF her adversary, bu, went over
very close to the shore. The Idler was
the first to 20 about, but the Cambria
made pretty ong stretch close TO the land and on
making the first tack she was pretty well to the
windward. The der tacking from the fort
side, and the Cambria making towards Bateman's
Point, and when midway In the channel the Idler
passed under her stern, going In the opposite d.
recton, both being equi-distant from the shore on
either side. A short tack, however, on the part or
the IdIer again brought her in the wake Of the
Cambria.
The positions OF the vessels now much resembled
those OF the Palmer and Cambria when quitting the
barbor. The Cambria on making her second tack
was forty-fve seconds In stays, on her third nfty
seconds, and on her fourth about forty seconds her
average being about forty seven seconds Just as
the yachts cleared the channel the wind
freshened ana the sea was rolling some
what. The Cambria weathered Batemans Point
her sixth tack about half a mile
and took southeasterly course. the Ider
still following In her wake, and while the former
was gradually ousailing her the latter worked TO
wlndward In good style. This was very long
stretch and as the Cambria, close hauled was rush
ing swiftly through the water the Ider managed to
get a very good windward position and 80 they
parted company. On this stretch the wind altered
two points, which in some measure accounted for
the strides 10 wndward being made by the Idler.
The course now pursued by the Cambria was
south by west, half south, far out rom but opposite
the Narraganset shore. The Cambria gradually
wldened the gap. AT ten minutes to two O'Clock
the Idler tackled and headed towards Point Judith.
This Is the time the accident il said to have oc-
Cured to the stem of the lder. 1t was split open
and the chain OF the anchor seized the bobstay and
hove TO 1t, which secured the bowsprit and enabled
her to continue the race her course then being about
west by north.
AT haf-past two O'Clock the Ider was about three
miles and half on the Cambria's lee The wind
was very fresh and both yachts proceeded at