The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-27
Y A g 81 = I N q.
The Regatta fOI. the LOril-
lard Cup.
THREE CONTESTANTS FOR The PRIZE.
A Late Start-The Race Not Made in Time
Heavy Fog and Rain Storm.

NEWPORT, August 20, 1871.
DESTROYS as every sterling yachtsnan is of q good
sailing breeze wherewlth test his vessel It Is to
be regretted that the competitors for the regatta
yesterday were not more numerous Although tho
harbor Is crowded with magnificent display OF
schooner yachts only three entered for the Lorard
Cup-namely, the Sappho, Dreadnausht and Madgie.
Up to twelve O'Clock however, no indications Of a
race were exhibited; but the breeze freshening
about that hour it was deemed advisable that
the contest should at least be commenced.
The Fleet Captain made his rounds to
ascertain what vessels would enter the list,
and only the vessels mentioned responded
to the call The morning had been wet and
foggy, and it was generally feared that yachts
arriving at the starting point would be
obliged to put back as on Thursday. Ac-
cordingly many Of the yacht owners had little anx
iety about the matter and finally concluded TO let
their vessels remain ut their anchorages. The wind
commenced to blow pretty freshly from the south
west towards noon, and many Thought that so IA
vorabe wind should be taken advantage of.
The course to-day was o triangular one-nOne
better to test the capacities OF yacht-and although
the result was generally anticipated there can be no
question that for considerable portion OF the race
especially in boating to windward, the Sappho had
a fair competitor in the Dreadnaught. The Sappho
was the FIRST vessel in the harbor to get
underwegh, clearing the northern entrance
at about Q quarter to twelve O'Clock The
new schooner yacht Rambler was the next to issue
forth, and It was expected, now that the breeze
began to freshen, she would do something to add
to her yachting fame. At fifteen minutes past
twelve the Madgle, centre board yacht, started or
to participate in the contest, and although no al
lowance Of time was given, it was believed, Judging
chr
would prove q severe antagonist to contend
against. The new schooner yacht Dreadnaught
lay IN such position that she could not
well quit the harbor owing to the close proximity In
which she was anchored 70 other vessels and was
accordingly tOwed some distance by the steam
tender TO the flagship. The wind, like on the day
preceding, was fresh from the south to west, and
the four vessels worked lelsureiy up the passage.
Meanwhile the steam tender ran out towards
purpose OF starting the vessels The breeze fresh
ened and good race was anticipated. The vessels
passed the nag0oat as under
K E.ss 1''T 1e..r Arp01,tsccSsg'" T. s.
Dreadnaught Capt. samuels. l,sO6. 81 80
The Madgie hal fine lead in starting, and went
out under jib, dying Jib fore and malnsails. The
5appho was on the lee quarter OF the Dreadnaught,
ana the latter having pretty gooa way TOOK the the
sappho tackled to the westward, the Dreadnaught
doing likewise five minutes later. The yacht Ram
with the contestants but now put back to Newport.
At 2:le P. NJ the Sappho tackled to the south.
ward and passed unaer me ooa stern OF n the
behaved remarkably WELL and held her own with
her powerful adversary. The Sappho TOOK In both
topsails. Meanwhile the Madglo was we'll TO wind
ward but as the wind Increased 1t was evident she
could not cope with the two large vessels At 1850
Dreadnaught passed Point Judith, the Sappho on
her lee bow and the Madge still to wndward. The
last mentioned vessel finding that her chances were
f P. N. D''s'' "'n' "''N' ''' A''A' - 900
Up to the present time q splendid race had
occurred between the Dreadnaught and SapphO,
the former holding the weather position for n good
distance towards the buoy. As. however, the wind
shifted from west.southwest to southwest, In favor
of the Sappho that vessel began to head reach on
her opponent and IN her next tack for the buoy at
441 p M, crossed her bows. After exceedingly
interesting beat towards Block Island the two YES.
sells rounded the buoy Us foll0ws:-
Haeh ~ y TieM H. 4
The wind had moderated considerably on the way =.
and 1t was evident thas the race could not be COM
pleted within the time specined. Wing and wing
the two vessels made for the Vineyard sound Light
snIp the distance from the buoy being twenJy-siX
miles. There being but two contestants for the
prize there was no incident OF particular interest
on the way. The SapphO continued to hold the
lead but the relative positions OF the vessels were
much the same throughout; The following Is the
Lightshp:-
Yrch. n. M S; Yaeh. H. g
So Dreadnaught....... Is
Both vessels then hauled close on the wind for
Brenon's Rect Lightship, but as the wind began to
die out oil interest In the contest came to an end
Approaching BrentOn's Reef Llghtship a thick fog
set in. followed afterwards by heavy rain thun-
der and lightning. The Sappho passed the light
ship at eight minutes past twelve, and the Dread
naught at fifteen minutes past twelve Thus the
Sappho made the race-a distance OF sixty-seven
mlles-in ten hours and twelve minutes, ana the
Dreadnaught in ten hours and nineteen minutes
owing TO dense fog which set In the Dreadnaught
hove to for the night and came to her anchorage at
daylight TINS morning, at SIX O'Clock. Had the wind
held out the race would have been made, but with
what result 1t Is difficult to assert, since during the
time the strong breeze continued the two vessels
seemed pretty evenly matched. 1t was nevertheless
an interesting race 10 the buoy on Block Island