The New York herald., 1872-09-21
Y A g III T T N e.
VISION vs.. GRAcIE.
Fresh Breeses and an Exciting Con-
test-The Vision the Winner.


For several days there Is been considerable dis
cussOn IN yachting circles to what would be the
result Of the challenge issued by the OF the
sloop yacht Vision to the noted Gracie both OF tho
New York Yacht Club. for the Commodores Chal
lenge Cup. Many thought that the latter craft,
famous for Its great and truly remarkable VIC
tories, could keep the prize, won so grandly from
the Addie, against all comers; but In this they
were sadly disappointed. The race was
made by the owners OF the yachts
just one week ago. and number
of gentlemen and ladies who had availed
themselves OF the invitations extended to be pres
ent got on board the tugboat W. Tittamer, at the
foot of Whitehall street, yesterday, shortly after
nine A. M. The morning did not look very favor
able, as there was blowing from the west-north-
west what the river men call "a two-reef breeze"
and q few Of the ladies' not liking the appearance
Of the river and bay left the tug before
starting. The Tittamer arrived at Staten Island
about eleven O'Clock and there met the Vision and
Oracle, with double reefs In their mainsalls, and 1t
was apparent that their owners had come to the
conclusion that they would have ''plenty OF wind
and enough to spare" Messrs. Alexander and
Colgate soon alter came on board the Tittamer,
and upon consultation with Mr.. W. Krebs, the
judge, 1t was agreed, as the wind was lreshening
every minute and then blowing half gale, that
the Club course should be abandoned and another
substituted. This, after some discussion, was or
ranged to be from the buoy on Craven Shoals to
buoy No. S72, on the Southwest Spit, and return,
going over the course twice-a distance OF about
thtty.two miles. While this arrangement was
being made both Of the yachts had taken another
reef In their mainsails, and preparations were
being made for rough time. The Columbia at this
time, without canvas, drifted down near the Ttta-
mer and cheers were mterchanged. The prepara.
tory whistle was blown at six minutes past twelve
O'Clock, the second Ave minutes later and soon
STARTING SIGNAL.
1t had been arranged that the start should he n.y.
ing one, and the yachts crossed the line as foowsA
sEss!s sssS S:,fssss :,fsssss,.:.'s :is
Before the start the few ladies remaining on the
Tittamer had been put ashore at their request at
ina Wou nave ali the Wind s coua stand
up under. Their topmasts were housed, and with
three reefs In their mainsals and ibs they went on
their mission At IL 10 the Graclc was beating nicely
up to wndward and the few spectators were already
oil the opinion that the race would be close and ex
and as the tide was ebb they went through the
water with astonishing rapidity. 1t was the gen.
chat the Vision
her canvas better than her antagonist, and that
the. almost invincible Oracle would at last
Oracle rS As endeavored S to set M her % dying jD,
but something was carried away and tho
one OF much interest. The yachts were plying
through the rough water faster and faster, and is
was that but few dry were on board
still led the Vision about
CABLE LENGTH, litI
and the yachts were fighting galantly for tho
windward position Now the ting Tlttamer jumped
to her work lively, and 1t was as much as sho
the boats. At 1880 they stood away for buoy s,1
on the Southwest Spit and passed IL as below,
although the given time is not onlcial:- uP
Oracle. Il IS Is i Vision Il Il s. a
At :O5 they were stn very close and on the port
tack the Oracle still slightly to the windward. At
H. n 30s. the Oracle stood over TO the southwark
and westward, and alterit was the opinion OF many
gentlemen that It was mistake, aud probably lt
was SO, from that time the vision commenced to
obtain slight advantage. AT III. 52 los the latter
went about, the Oracle Immediately following suit.
ao is as 0t % the S ncm e
crate, which fact gave great satisfaction. At two
O'Clock the Vision
in her mainsail, and the boats were almost fiyins
through the water. AT On sm. the Vision again
went about and with still another tack at 2h. 16m
she stood away for the buoy on Craven ShOal,
slightly leading the Oracle. Thc latter meanwhile
had followed the Visions example and shaken out
q reef, and both came bowling down to the turning
boat The buoy was rounded Us l0llows:-
Vision R% si Oracle ...........a q 70
Now the men on the yachts were working
with great earnestness, and the race had
become intensely exciting. The topmast OF
topsa op i'i might be set which was accomDshed
at 2h. Aim. 1t began to be decidedly puny again
and the excitement OF the morning was renewed.
| This was increased by the fact that, though
the Oracle had won SO many noble victories,
Vision every moment was opening the distance be-
tween them. At 2h. 58m. the flying Jib OF the
Oracle was carried away, ana from this moment
the race was practically lost to her. though had
not this mshap occurred it is safe to predict, with
out an accident TO the Vision, she would
have been the winner. At 2h som.
the jib topsar OF the Vision was sent
down, which aided her considerably. From this
time the Oracle dropped greatly astern and at the
| Southwest Spit buoy she '-t
GAVE UP THE RACE,
| standing towards the Horseshoe, where she re.
| NAMED all last night. The Vision rounded buoy No.
the starting point, which she reached at III. 39m.
29s., making the race in 4h. 25n. 5Ss.
Hearty congratulations were extended the
| owner Of the winning boat when the spectators
seemed greatly pleased at the capital performance
of his yacht. She carried her canvas finely and
stood up to her work magnifcenty. At the lower
landing on Staten Island the ladies taken down the
reached shortly after seven O'Clock. The time al
lOwance due the Vision from the Oracle is three
minutes and eighteen seconds.
Yachting Notes.
Tie following yachts passed the HERALD TeIe
graph Station at whitestone yesterday
Yacht Gypsie, N.Y.Y.C.' Mr.. Livingston, from New
London for New York.
Yacht CALYPSO, N.Y.Y.C., from City Island for
New York.
AQUATIC NOTES.