The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-04
A TUG RACE.
Fast Time-Over Twelve Miles an Hour.

W
From the Boston Journal, Feb. 81
For some time past there has been great deal OF
talk among the large number OF persons attached TO
the steamtug service In Boston harbor as to the
sailing qualities Of two OF the finest boats IN the
business-the L. A. Belknap and the Elsie. Both
are that are known outside boats, as when INTEL
harbor. they 20 down the BAY to secure the pr,ze
anu In many instances the Belknap and Elsie have
both endeavored to obtain the same vessel This
rivalry has attracted attention to the two boats
and AS the Elsie mas come OF the victor In several
oil these impromptu races. It led at length TO the
Tor "a purse OF 500 side the course being down
the narbor to Bell Buoy and return, distance Of
The race came on yesterday afternoon, the boats
starting from point on Commercial whaif. md
way no f Essr ny
stationed the Judges-Aessrs. James Martin,
Ebrldge Martin ana Charles A. Hayden. One OF
the articles OF the race restricted each tug TO q
steam pressure OF seventy-nve pounds, and to see
that this was faithfully adhered TO, each boat car.
RED an experienced engineer in the interests OF
their opponent. MIR. John Long accompanied the
belknap ana William Peters the Elsie The start
made at two O'Clock, at which time the wnarves
for witnessing the initial portion Of the con-
test, were tnronged with spectators, while
tnither The water, Tor winters day, was
CAIN almost as a mill pond. At single sound OF the
Ing boats cast OF their lines precisely two O'CLOCK
anu as tney gradually obtained Roadway The excite
.hcut amOnS Tue spectators was cOnSluefdDle.
heavy clouds OF smoke rolled up from the smoke
STACKS VI the competing tugs tokens OF the ACTIVITY
among the employees OF the two boats. The start
was All even one, but as the boats, which kept well
over toward last Boston, approached the 1ats the
Belknap slowly took the lead, and finally gained a
position directly In Hont OF the Elsie. giving tnaL
tug her BACK water. on Governors Island near
Buoy NO. IL, the Belknap had increased ner lead 10
nine lengths, and at Buoy No. sne was some fifteen
lengths TO the 'front.' The time to this pOinf was
twenty-five minutes. The Beknap passed NixJs
Mate nifty seconds ahead or tbs Elsie ana m
the Bell Buoy, Hardng's Ledge, some Three
miles below Boston Light, which was the turn.
Ing point IN the race the Belknap was one minute
and twenty-five seconds ahead, her time from inc
start being nfty-ninc minutes. On the return tne
tugs maintained about the same relative posltons
and the Beiknap reached the starting point az two
minutes OF four, one hour aud nfty-eght minutes
from the time OF starting. the Elsie coming In three
minutes later. Thus ended this novel aquatic race
the nrsi, we believe, That has transpred IN boston
narDor. anu although not so exciting as race where
the boats are propelled by men Of wind and muscle
THE BOATS.
The L. A. Be.Knap, the winning boat IA com.
manded by Captain Gates, VINO is owner OF the line
OF tugs that bear his name. she was built some Iour
years since by Archibald X son of Pliladelpbla
She has a twenty inch cylln0er.
The Elsie Is commanded py Captain Frost was
built about one year ago at the Atlantic WORKS IN
East Boston. she has an eighteen inch cylinder
and Is allowed ny law 10 carry steam pressure OF
eighty pounds.