New-York tribune., 1871-07-08
OUTDOOR SPORTS.
THE CAPE MAY REGATTA.


RETURN OF THE FLEET-FOGS AND THUNDER
sTORMS-NARRow ESCAPE OF TIE YACHT
COLUMBIA.
The regatta at Cape May having been sailed
and the prizes presented the yachts put in sailing
trim Wednesday night and II proposed to return
the following morning the home anchorage of Staten
Island. The steam-tugs which had been engaged
10 tow several Of the yachts out over the bar
pufed up and down the Bay; the sails were
all hoised. and the hour Of departure was at
hand. The Columbia, Madgie, Palmer Madeleine
Tidal Wave and Oracle raised anchor and started the
entrance OF the harbor fine breeze from the north
west fast carrying the yachts to the sea- when
heavy fog, which had been further up the bay,
dropped upon the feet and enveoped the vessels in
cloud dense the darkest night The yachts which
had not raised anchor lowered their sails and suspended
all preparation for departure. The Columbia and
Palmer, however kept on their course, having men on
the lookout and sounding bell continually. The Palmer
after few minutes OF this dangerous sailing, put back
whilc the adventurous Columbia neither tackled nor
fured sail
When nearing the bar all those board startled
by the cry Of the "A sail close starboard bow
All at the bow and fore-rggng of brig lowered
above the yacht The Columbia sailing at the rate
OF six knots, and when the helm put down by the
captain, she about in admirable sylepassing so
close to the stranger that the Columbias yawl-bOas
gazed her side The brig of fully $50 tuns burden,
and her crew were sitting at the bow surveying the
with the utmost cOmpOsure knowing that no harm
could TO them in collision with any sailing craft
that Bay One instant and the beautiful yacht
would have been total wreck and in the dense fog and
rough many OF her passengers would in all proba-
bity. have been lost MI Osgood maintained his pres
Of mind, and pufed cigar With perfect composure
The Columbia then in the bar, out Of the
channel, and anchored.
AZ 1880 the fog began 10 clear away, and in about 90
minutes the white sandy shores Of Cape Hcnopen could
be distinguished in the west The Tidal Wave, Palmer.
and Columbia started again, and GOT safely TO fog
detained them for about hour OF the Stockton Hotel
but when 70 cleared away the Palmer, Columbia Made
leine, Madc and Oracle began their sail for home.
The Palmer lay of about two miles upon the starboard
bow of the Columbia the Oracle Just behind the COlum
bia and tie Madeleine and Madge her port quarter,
near the shore. The wind blew very fresh, and the
yachts made 10 miles hour. The Palmer held the lead
until about o'clock, when the Columbia, by starting
her sheets and sailing more freely the wind, hauled up
abreast of her. The Madgie passed and took
the lead OF the Madeleine by half mile The
trim little Oracle held her position.
This the state Of affairs when the yachts passed
Atlantic City, but after the boats encountered an
other fog which compelled them sound their bells and
trumpets with renewed vigor. The thickness Of the
weather prevented an outlook upon the water of
than 90 feet. This continued until about IL O'Clock at
night when the stars shOne out, and the lighthouse at
Bamegat sighted. violent rain and thunder
storm encountered at o'clock. This was followed,
hHcH OH LoHe bIdnVH, uI squ'i NHioh OohPol0u "li
10 lay TO for time After getting under again.
short sail brought the yachts the Highlands and
The the Columbia, Oracle Palmer, Madeleine,
MadCe and Ramber-which latter, although she had
started from Cape May the evening before, had Just
Irvedall crossed the bar at Sandy Hook and headed
up the Lower Bay. The Columbia, Palmer, Madeleine,
and Oracle dropped about O'clock having made
he passage in hours. The Rambler beating again
between the Hook and the Narrows followed about an
hour later Thus ended for these boats the cruise to
Cape May.
The Regatta of the BayOnne Yacht Club,
which was announced for July 10, has been postponed
1ntil Thursday, July q.