The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-10-24
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TIE INTERNATIONAL CONTESTS.
The Sappho Again Victorious, She Beat
ing the Livonia by Twenty
five Minutes and Twenty
seven Seconds.
A Fine Breeze and q Splendid
Race.
The LivOnia "IIull Down. as the SapphO
Passes the Home StakebOat.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM Mr.. ASHBURY.
The Dauntless to Sail the
LivOnia To-Day.

mlnaIeu Yesterday In the signal deleat OF the BrSn
yacht. Four contests out Of the seven generously
allowed to be sailed by the Committee of Arrange
ments nave been won by American vessels, and the
prize still remains in the hands OF the New York
Yacht Club. The decisive victory achieved by the
Sappho yesterday at once blighted the hopes OF the
aspiring owner OF the Lvonia for this at least
and triumphantly terminated q series or contests
which, however interesting as yachting exhibitions
gave rise to little speculation from the scarf. Salts
factory conclusions however, may be deduced from
the races inasmuch as It has been clearly proved
that our keel as well as our contre- board
yachts are superior not only on the glad waters OF
the eight green" but also on the dark blue sea,
and that the happy combination the j,.ste maieu
Of beam and ballast, the type OF American yachts
Is far ahead OF the simple element OF ballast Alone
which 10 the distinctive characteristic OF foreign
sells of the pleasure navy. The ''Queens Cnn' -"
a. -. :. representative English yacht,
whose ON uv. - ""rnad every chance that any
thorough sportsman in the legitimate sense OF the
term could possibly expect. His defeSt Is no dis
credit to him whatever, but rather lenuS 70 show
that o marked advance in the model and cGsustruc.
ton Of American yachts has been made since 1851,
when the much-c0veted bautle was carried or,
probably never to recross the ocean. The race yes
terday presents but few features for any comment
1t was victory against which the most persistent
Britisher could not say word. The result was con-
fdently predicted by all who pretended to have any
knowledge OF the relative merits OF the contestants
and nobody was surprised at the termination OF
the contest. There was good field for the display
OF the qualities or both vessels. and the Lvona was
'squarely'' beaten.
The committee boat Seth Low left the foot or
vestry street shortly after nine O'Clock, and
proceeded with all despatch 10 the anchorage
ground, opposite the New York Yacht Club House.
Vice Commodore Douglas was promptly informed
that the SapphO was the vessel selected to sail
against the Lvonia. and preparations for the event
were at once made on board the former craft The
prospects Of fine race were very encouraging,
there being at the time a good whole sail breeze
from the westward. The members OF the Com
mittee by the way were congratulating them.
selves on the fact that the contest would be alto
getner speedy affair, and lost but little
time in getting the competing vessels In
readiness. The surroundings were gay and
enlivenlng as The accompanying steamers crowded
with spectators, came hurrylng to the scene. There
were among others the Magenta, which looked
dark mass; the Arrowsmith, D. II. Martin, Ante.
lope, Eastern Queen Josephine and twice many
tugbOats all laden with passengers, who anxiously
awaited the start. There was undoubtedly larger
number OF people witnessed the race yesterday than
has hitherto attended any OF the contests,
the general interest being Of course centred In
what was supposed TO be the "wind up" of the
series. 1t was a glorious morning-bright, cheerful
pleasant day Tor all hands. quietly riding
at anchor lay the four vessels nominated by
ana most noticeable OF all was the gallant CoumDIa
which was deservedy sauted by enthusiastic cheers
yachts were there besides, whose trim and saucy
looks excited admlration-to wit: the famous little
scores OF sloops whose extravagant bunting at
once betokened symptoms Of approaching fes-
THE CONTESTANTS.
sa ppi' N xme9caS G' ponrl.. Appoo"Tgs
Lvonia English james Ashbury. ISL
The Sappho was In o rather awkward position at
the time the announcement OF her selection was
OF every possible description BY way OF preface to
her subsequent brilliant performance the Sappho
dragged her anchor and was very near running into
the government dock, but by good management she
avoided 1t. The Livona, with her curved bowspr1t
ike handsome Roman nose, lay at anchor nearest
the shore and, having toss ed ior position, she re-
NAMED where she Was on the weather side OF her op;
All s
aries having been finally arranged. the coors were
hauled down the committee boat at 1l:l6 A. NJ. as
q signal to prepare, and five minutes later shrill
whistle advised the yachts TO be or
THE START.
ing nearly due west: Up went the Jlbs on both |
vessels with commendable rapidity. II was the de-
near together as possible, swinging TO the south.
Scarcely had the signal been given when the wind |
free and clear took nice flaw, went about to the |
northward, and filed away passing the stakeboat |
with her mainsaII to wlndward. An effort was made |
to swing to the southwark SO that she might pay of
IN tnat direction put as sme wna Gonnnm n 70 6e
anchor, and, having paid OF to the northward, stood
in shore and went about. Meanwhile the Ltvonia had
got magnificent send,or being nearly three
minutes anead IN the start and well settled to her
work before the sappho got fairly under way. Tne
and carried instead jibheaded mantopsail. On
the Sappho were her working topsais having also
beautifully as she went in hot haste alter her oppo
rient. The spectacle was exceedingly effective,
sells ' headed towards the Narrows Tne Lvonia had
the lead OF fully. half mile, and the question
vas was as TO the. exact point, at which
the sappho would overhaul and and pass her:
did the excitement on the steamers increased. With
rails under water the two yachts went like grey
hounds the appearance OF both OF them all the while
eliclting expressions OF decided qualification. The
Liyona passed Fort Richmond at ll:27 A. NJ, and
The Sappho about minute and half later show
ing that she overhauing her with rapid strides.
Nothing could be more magnificent than the specta-
Gle presented as the two vessels issued
THROUGH THE NARR0ws.
II was evident that the Sappho was fast crawling
up on her adversary and at the same time eating 10
behold. Approaching the West Bank the sappho
symptoms OF surrendering but, on the con
tfary, stood up splendidy, and to those unac-
Sappho looked every inch like the win
ming craft She was apparently resolved not
end Kept close up which probably retarded her
speed. However, the Sapph0 gained on her, creep
Ing up on her eeward quarter In gallant style. At
1l:45 A. NJ. the Livonia passed the hospital, the
Sappho being barely haf a minute astern. Six
minutes later both vessels were abreast and as the
Sappho finally shot past the Livona the greatest
was displayed on board the accompany
ing steamers. IL may be stated that the Sapph0
got ahead all anxiety as to the result OF the contest
was at an end. Al il:46 A. M. the sappho passed
the hospital snip Illinois, the Llvona being about
vessels rounded the Southwest Spit as UNDER
W. s. S
Sappho. ~ 10 IL Lvonia.. IL is So
The scene at the turning Of the buoy was very ami.
mating, the change OF positions creating q general
Juror all round. The yachts, with the wind nearly
aft, now made Tor the llQhtship the LivOnia send