The New York herald., 1873-10-13
Return Of the Fleet to
Sandy Hook.
THE JAMES W. ELWELL'S EXPERIENCE.
Working Schooner William b. Van Name Wins
the $3.50 Prize Of Her Class and the Smack
Wallace Blackford Walks Over the Course.


ship is one over course that is at times as bad as
can be traversed by sailing vessel. At this sea-
son OF the year strong Winds. or, at least fresh
breezes, may always be expected, and 1t requires
vessel well built, ably manned ana properly gov
erned to win a race such as that which has just
terminated The yachts, pilot boats, working
schoOners and schooner smacks which COM
peted for the prizes offered had their work
cut out from the START and, though the
breezes were strong and banning at times, light
at others, and frequently variable, 1T was con-
clusvely proven that the skill OF the competent
mariner is more than match for the subtleness OF
old Neptune. Among the arrivals late Saturday
evening were the working schooner William II.
Van Name and schooner smack Wallace Blackford,
which completes the list OF winners, the former
beating the Reindeer, her only competitor, and
the latter waking over the course There are
now but the yachts Alarm and Eva and working
schooner Reindeer to hear from. Annexed will be
found additional reports of the races.
The Race Seen from tho James w.
Elwcu.
On BOARD PILOT BOAT JAMES w. ELwELI. No. ~
Oct. II, 1873. !
At just three minutes after three last Thursday,
by the clock on board the pilot boat Elwen the
signal whistle and the lowering OF the Yacht Club
flag on board the steam yacht Herald was given by
the judges for the competing vessels in the ocean
race to get ready. An ANXIOUS ten minutes sue
ceeded. The thirteen competitors were ready for
the start mainsal and ioresails were set, and ibs
and topsails were ready to be run up as soon
the final signal was given. Promptly it came.
anchors we're weighed and the vessels were on
Rather an amusing incident occurred Just pre-
vious to and at the moment OF getting under way.
The schooner smack Wallace Blackford, the only
one in the race. lay near the Elwell. There was
good but noisy crew on board OF her. Though
she was the only boat of her class in the contest
she was evidently determined to make it hot for
some OF the more pretentious looking vessels of the
feet, If possible. AS soon as the order to be away
was given the work on the deck OF that smack was
lively. She had not only her anchor under bow
first, but she went round as il she was on pivot.
"How's that for getting under way 2" sang out her
skipper, with proud consciousness of having ac-
conplished something smart.
DOWN THROUGH THE NARRows
the racers few, with every stitch OF canvas they
could carry The sight from the deck OF the Elwel
was beautiful one. Numbers OF steamboats, and
tugs, heavily 1reighted with sightseers, waived
adieux to the competing vessels. Yachts of every
rig from cat to schooner saluted them as they few
by. The wind fresh from the northeast, but
battling The Enchantress was among the first
yachts around the Southwest Spit, followed by the
Alarm, the Dreadnaught and the working schooner
Van Name At An. 32m. the pilot boat Fish
rounded; then came the Widgeon schooner Rein
deer, pilot boat Negus, fishing smack Batchford,
then the Elwell and the Blunt. The difference be.
tween the time Of the passing OF the Fish, which
was the first pilot boat around, and the Blunt, the
last, was about seven minutes Alter leaving the
buoy we had the wind abeam. IL was still fresh,
with heavy running. ALI hands had now
gone amidshps and not head was seen above the
rails. The Elwell, owing to the wind veering
little, was not able to weather the point OF the
Hook and had to make another tack. The Blunt.
taking advantage OF this manGuyre, continued on
her course and obtained the lead OF the Elwell.
THE POINT OF THE HOOK
was passed at ten minutes after five O'Clock.
With every sail that would draw, the whole fleet
were now fairly of for the Cape May Lghtship.
About quarter past 1--WE the steam yacht Herald
y gog M aae aed aen g the NeM
ers The race NORWEGIAN in earnest, with the Ewell
engaged in a stern chase. The wind was behind
were going through the water at lively rate.
shortly after the pretty little village Of seabright
prettily in the distance AT sundown we
were. still astern Of the fleet, bnr hoping
yacht sails on, was taking every advantage of the
wind aud was slipping through the water like
race horse. SO long as the wind continued light 1t
and 1t did during the night we knew she and the
Others OF her CLASS would be compelled to come
yacht Widgeon, good boat as she is, might not have
so fair a record. About quarter to six O'Clock
the Elwel overhaued the Blunt and allowed her
the honor OF following in her wake. The fishing
schooner Blatcnford was next brought abeam and
m HIo We wer pcr was
with the group and getting into good company.
At ten minutes alter eight O'Clock the moon rose
In all its splendor. We were now ten miles north
OF
BARNEGAT
with the wind increasing but puffy. AT half-past
eight O'Clock we sighted Barnegat light. Fifteen
minutes later the man at the lookout sighted three
the boats hove in sight. We now felt we were
overhauling the heet and gaining our lost ground,
and all on board felt in better spirits. Tne wind,
too 1reshening, and, although nearly all on
board were paying their respects to Neptune in
the cockpit OF the Elwell, Captain Warner made
no objection, and Jolly Jack Reardon, who stood at
the wheel, sang out to one OF the party, go in,
old man, we. mayn't be shipmates In long
time again" At hafpast ten O'Clock we
had Barnegat light abeam, bearing west. Four of
the leaders were still In sight. At half-past twelve
O'Clock Absecom light, bearing northwest, was in
sight. The wind was increasing every moment
but not blowing nearly strong as the larger boats
wished for. AT forty.seve minutes past two
Fathom bank appeared in sight. All was anxiety
on board the EWe we Every one on board m w, was tS on
story OF the racers whereabouts
THE FIRST ROCKETS SEEN
At seven minutes to three two rockets went into
the air, indicating that one OF the heet was close
by the Ship In twenty minutes two more were
seen. A sharp lookout was kept for the color OF
the lights, but the roughness OF the sea prevented
the lookout from being able to see them. AT
quarter past three two more rockets were seen
stars OF another pair lighted up the heavens. We
were now nearing the iigntship. At four
O'Clock the Elwell sent her rockets up
the fireworks OF four OF vessels had been seen.
About lh. 3m. the Widgeon, as nearly as could be
made out, turned the Ligntship. The wind had IN
creased in strength since midnight, and the order
TO shorten sail was given. The mainsail was
cordingy single reefed, the gantopsail was slowed
stay sai and dying jib taken IN.
ROUNDING THE LIGHrsHIP AT CAPE MAY.
At a 4h. Ism. we wore around the beacon, having
made the down In thirteen ana a half hours.
Going by we hailed those on board: -
..iow many have gone round 7"
'sSiX.r
'.Has the widgeon yet rounded ~
'sYes, sir.r
Before we had time to ask any more questions
we were out OF hearing 1t was consong to know
were not the last boat at this stage OF the race
as we had been in leaving the HOOK. After pass
ing, the course was altered, and, heading the
Elwell north by west hall north, we commenced to
beat home against O strong head wind and heavy