The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-23

Gala Day at Eridgeport-Gpirited Race Between
the Bella and the Tiger for 10000
Fresh Breeze and Well Contested
struggle-Over $50, 900 staked on
the Result-Ihs Bella Victorious
BRIDGEPORT, June %, 1870
Appetizer or q more exciting race has not taken
place Tor years than that between the little s00p
yachts Bella and Tiger. which came or to-day In the
presence of large aud interested assemblage. In
deed, no event of the kind could have been more
closely contested while not single element was
wanting to render 1t beautiful and scientific exhi
billion, aordng, as 1t did, considerable delight to
many, and great amount Of anxiety to others during
the progress Of the affair." for large sums were saked
On the result. The Bella Ia o Brooklyn boat. and
belongs to the Bayonne Yacht Club. She is favor
ably known as fast racer, and one, moreover, that
has never yet been defeated, while the Tiger, new
boat was regarded in Bridgeport and vicinity as
something that could not be vanqulshed by any
craft similar her In dimensions The admirers OF
both crafts therefore confident to an enthusiasts
TIC degree not hestatng to back their assertions by
substantial tokens Of their appreciation. The Tiger
il twentyseven feet ten inches In length. and the
Bella two inches less. being allowed for the difer
ence fortyfve seconds both carrying jib, mainsail
and topsaii.
more magnificent day for contest could not
have favored such splendid ana satisfactory dis
play. 1t was anticipated by thousands Of people
with great interesta fact that was fully proved by
the numbers that witnessed and appauded the race.
Tue fine steamer Sylvan Grove left Peck slip at six
A. M. yesterday morning conveying, many persons to
Bridgeport; but 1t not until she arrived at that
city that the extent OF the appreciation OF the aar
became known The piers and wharves were
crowded, ana visagcs smiling with hopefulness were
to be met In all directions about the harbor. The
Bridgeport Band marched through the city and ar
irving at the wharf struck MP some lively and popu-
lar airs which considerably enhanced the pleasure
OF the scene.
The Sylvan Grove, which was under command OF
superintendent Charles II. Longstreet. quickly be-
came crowded in every part, and as loads Of good
things were being slowed away for the comfort OF
the inner man quite pleasurable excitement pre-
vailed. But the Sylvan Grove was not the only
rier the mOmeni0us occasion. Every yacht In
the harbor was crowded by gay and fashionable
throngs Even lazy-.ooking schOoners and sloops
whose daily loads comprise either bricks or timber,
were touched up and by the addition Of
fancy-looking bunting were brought into
harmony with tier duck-llke companions.
In fact. few boats in Bridgeport were allowed
to remain idle, and as the motley-looking neet
headed for the Sound the was as picturesque
as 1t was pleasant The elements were favorable i'd
every respect and 1t is exaggeration to state that
o more evenly-matched, fairer more sklful and
exciting event could not have been witnessed.
Even those who lost heavily on the result candidly
confcssedsshat the race was marked by all that
honest dealing, good stewardship aud harmony tina I
c0ntrlbXe to make yachting the nobest pastlme 4
the day. And 1t must not be forgotten THAI,
although vanqutshed, the Bridgeport boat most
calamity held her own and was in every
way deserving the high encomiums which her
brilliant performance ELECTED. The Bella proved a
trump and. ably handled as she was, added another
triumph to the splendid record she already bears.
The day was such as TO thoroughly test the capaci.
ties of the competitors aud their best points were
throughout displayed 10 the greatest advantage.
THE ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT
set forth thas the yachts were to sail ten miles
to windward ana return from a nagboat
outside Bridgeport harbor. the consideration
being $1,000 q SIDE immediately as the
steamer got into the sound betting commenced
briskly and 500 to $50 the leila were freely
offered and taken, put it was understood mat large
amounts had already been staked. 1t was reas0na
bly, suppose that over 900 has been invested IN
the issue The length Of the crafts was as follows
Yachts. Otcne5s Length.
Tiger. Nicholas Duryea.. 2710
Bella Francs Bradbury. 27.0s
THE START.
Shortly after eleven O'Clock the competitors got
into line and prepared Tor the contest IL was blow
! ing fresh from the westnorthwest, and the dead
beat to the wlndward was anxloilsly looked forward
TO the intiat0rysep 10 try the powers OF the yachts
and the skill OF their sailors. AT thirty-fou minutes
past eleven O'Clock A. NJ the fagboat boomed forth
the signal to depart, and With Nightingale rapid t
the yachts were or The Bella, II anything had the
was not much perceptible difference between them
Booming her jib on the starDDasd side the Bella
Die was followed by the Tiger, though somehow her
b did not seem to take at all, anu her competitor
gradually increased her lead.
| TIE RACE.
TIC Tiger stood out toward the southeast, and as
the wind was now beginning co haul round to west
southwest. ner position was very favorable, anf
| passing Point NOpcint she commenced to come III
with her contes ant, which shortly alter, seeming tC
catch every puff swiftly widenel the gap, and tht
betting Increased accordingly In favor or the Bella
| Both yachts had one reef in the mainsail, which
however, they shook out when halfway across 1bt
course and pointed toward the stern 0. The Bella
with the intention doubtless OF getting 10 the WIND
off, and the boats resumed their old psi
lions, which they maintained for some
and at Intervals, we her jb took the WIND, made
good progress. But The Bella was now a long dis
lance ahead and rs II was thought thai The contes
element incident 10 the occasion negan to subside
while betting men eagerly orered .$25 to SIS on tn,
Bella. The Tiger very prndently let her jib go owe
when halfway across The Sound, The wind at The
time being nearly abea,n. The betting at this time
towards The Stratford Light and when within
couple Of miles from the stakeboat opposite For
Jefferson the wind freshened considerably and til,
contestants darted along in rapid style. AT 1873
T. M. the Tiger began 70 overhaul the Bella
and not long alter came almost in line with her
@ circumstance which raised her greatly IN the esii
nation OF the spectators. Great speculation was
duged I'm as to which woad round the stakeboa
first and $40 to $40 were offered on tn
Bella aud taken. At this time the Bella was
standing out on the starb0ard tack, rather wild
| apparently, while the Tiger coming over from thu
| port side made direct shoot for the fagboat
Within a few hundred yards OF tho turning point tn
Tiger passed her opponent but subsequently did no
gam much. The following were the order and tim
4 IN which the yachts
ROUNDED TIE sTAKEBoAT.
| Yuclts. H. NJ s
Tiger. .............. ............ ..... IL 40 .
beiia . =, =. =. . ~ ~
between them after racing over ten miles and. amls