The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-24
Y A G HrIN
This Sappho and Dauntless OCEAN Raco-Pre-
partitions for the Event-The Visitors
to the Screw Dock and What
They Think About il,

~
The ailabsorbing topic OF conversation In yachting
circles Is the coming contest between the sappho
and Dauntess, the two largest vessels OF their build
Ia this country Long before the nnal arrange
ments for the race were completed yachtmen aud
Others were wont 70 comment freely upon the quail.
Ties or both the aapphO and Dantless and the sight
OF either OF them always raised the hope that their
respective merits would some day DO ia,rly tested
Both had their admirers, and general desire was at
all times manifested to have Question OF superiority
decided. Since the signal defeat OF the Cambria by
the Sappho In England the latter has been regarded
everywhere a. one OF the nest vessels In the world
The large amount OF money spent on improving her
seaworthness and speed, ana the magnificent dts
play she made on the other side tended 10 raise her
very high in the estimation Of American yachtmen;
and since her return she has deseryedly attracted
considerable attention. She mas NOT participated
very largely In the annual cruise Or regattss, but
SUFFICIENT has been seen OF her TO enable
one to form pretty ialr estimate
OF her capacities. Aud pursuant to almost
The universal wish the prelirainaries for her ap.
proacng race with the Dtuntess satisfactorily
arranged. The course, previously announced
viii be from Sandy Hook iighship twenty 1--we
miles To wndward and hack. This win perhaps be
as good q test as o0uid be thought or considering
the advanced period 81 the season. The Sappho In
some six tons larger than the Dauntess but all
question OF time allowance has been waived, aud
the competitors VIII race solely their merits.
Since the day when the contest was rst agreed to
no time has been lost IN the way OF making ample
preparations. The Sappno went upon the ways, and
was thoroughly overhsuled and poteaded ana was
rendered "a smooth glass. The Dauntless fol-
lowed suit, and took her place last saturday week.
and left the ways on Wednesday morning. As the
race was nxed for the following Friday 10 was sup
posed that neither could no IN better fighting"
trim. The Sappho. however. went on the ways
cs This s pot aen on er pro-
per, which, by the way, has undergone handsome
polishing From morning III night the preparations
were brisKly carried on ana nothing In the opinion
OF those in charge, has been lett undone that could
In the slightest degree contribute to her speed
Changes have been made both inside and outside ana
while on the Ways yesterday she was Wished by
large crowds. The Dauntess lay alongside awaiting
her turn for final touch up and throughout the
day both vessels were infinitely criticised by The
numbers of people that thronged the docks. What
attracted particular attention TO the Sappho was
peculiar looking prov fastened right under her Dob
stay, not Ut all unlike those much dreaded lcstrtl-
mentS To De seen on rams or rigateS OF ~ IL
very sharp iron plate, and has been attached To tine
stem by Mr. X. Fish Tor the purpose VI making tie
vessel eat well 10 windward Mr. Fish has been
very energetic within the last week two carry
Ing out every possible alteration and Improvement
that his fertile mind could suggest. The mainmast
has been fished near the head OF The mast aud ia
add W the well known swiitness OF The 5appno. The
Dauntless, winch has been In readiness To receive
her finishing stroke since Saturday morning, viii go
Oh the ways to-day. between the Two GIe workinen
at the dock have had lively times or IT, ana quite an
interesting contest has been gong TO soc which
shall be ast In the water before TIE event. indeed
quite little race has been maintained from the
water 10 the dock, ana back agar, ana Is somewhat
suggestive OF the celebrated romance OF Jack ana J
whose exploits up and down the nil readily
be called 10 mind In the eyes OF some or the
iookers-on yesterday the new Prov 81 The SaDpho
ntttn hail
were sufficiently obtuse not 10 perceive its ad-
yantages. group OF broad-shouidered, large-fised
general prospects OF the race. A bronze-iaced Hi
herman, rugged up IN blue, who seemed TO know all
about ~ remarked with conhd;ng wink:
''She'll 90 like racehOrse, bedaQ y
"Ay,' said another, IAN II give the iecDergs
enough to do to keep ont OF her way it's poor com
fort they'll have. sure, Il thst ribsvitter agn
tnem.n
aus loike the I'm OF ash isn't ittr quietly re.
marked stuinpy little fellow, lnlcnty gazlag on the
"An' sure It was Fisn-Bob Fisl,--shat put IL
THERE reoined the second speaker Cnoran. OF the
pun he had made; 'san lie iist knows what he's
| about.n
An old SAT-, more enlightened than the rest. here
put ln BY way Of iniOrmatIon Its to make her
| up to wlnd'ard. She'll point better.n
"Ihats It, now, ehr' nodded speaker number Two,
who, evidently wondering ut the yeasels power.of
nastication added quite innocrntly. "We, in trorl
she'll be able for her share wid thar big tooth
large number OF gentlemen Interested in yacht.
Ing. as well as in tho coming race, also came TO the
dock and criticised the contestants discussing Their
merits and occasionally eerring TO their prospects.
''lt all depends up the wiadn remarked an old
eacntman quietly scanning the lines OF the Sappho
1T all depends up the wind how the race wii 90.
II iIbow hard-and hope they'll have half gate
II will be The finest ever seen IN TINS any ossi
country"
"A close thing guess, sala hls friend
Eyes; there won't be much difference between
them."
'.Pity the race isn't to Cape May Iight.hip qua
back.n
'.It's long enough. TWENTY-FIVE mile. to WIND
ward and back viii be a good test.'
'HOws the betting up townp'
every way head or tau for your choice"
In this manner was the gossip carried through
out the day Both vessels had their supporters. ana
their capacities were severely canvassed accord
tngy. Beyond question tue race Is exciting
great deal Of interest and the Issue liz awaited with
not little anxiety The Sappho VIII leave the dock
az seven O'Clock this niOrning, and will proceed To
the anchorage ground OFT the Grub house Staten
Island, The Dauntess Will go on the dock wnen
the Sappb0 leaves, ana viii be lowed to staten
Island ~ eight O'Clock tonight. Under favorable
circumstances the race viii probably take place to-
morrow.