The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-14
THE MAGIC'S VICTORY.
Around the Lightship for the COmmo-
dore's Challenge Cup.
CLOSE AND EXCITING STRUGGLE
The Magic Beats the Comet Am. Sos. Cor
rected Time and Tn. 09s. in
Sailing the Race.

The great race between the schooner yachts
Magic Mr.. william F. Garner. and Comet Mr..
william II. Langley, which took place yesterday
over the New York Club course for the Commo-
dore's Challenge Cup, had been In the minds OF
thousands OF the lovers OF aquatic sport in this
city and vicinity Tor weeks previous to its de-
csion 1t may be somewhat difhcult to narrate
exactly how the interest In relation to this event
became 80 widespread and deep-seated, per-
haps, yet 1t has existed ever since the chal-
lenge OF the Aagic's owner was given 10
the public, and only ceased last evening, whsn
the victory OF the grandest and most exciting
contest OF its character was awarded to the
queenly Magic Not in years have the yachtsmen
OF this country been treated to such glorious
picture OF nautical beauty as was seen yesterday
on the bay, and but lew such favorable occasions
have been experienced, as instead OF light breezes
or calm, october was true to herself and there
was the fascinating scene OF Old Oceans ioam-
capped waves, bearing on their heaving bosom
the pride OF our yachting archi lecture. No te-
dious and wearisome DRIFT marked the event, but
bellylDg canvas and quivering spars now
buried deep In the snowy cauldron Of seething
waters and anon leaping heavenward on the crest
Of some angry billow, greeted the vision.
The stanch ocean tug Cyclops, furnished by the
Nberallty OF Mr.. Garner, with the judges and
friends OF the respective owners lett her mornings
the Barge office dock at ten A. NJ, and healing
HoOkwaId, steamed merrily to the starting
point. or staten Island the competing yachts
were lying side and side ready for the tussle both
being pot-leaded-the Comet looking peculiar in
this dress, her white rail afordlng great contrast
to ner black, polished sides. On arriving at Q
point opposite the tall chimney on the shore near
Stapeton, the CycloDs was stopped and the mark
boat for the starting point anchored. On board
the tug were Messrs. William Krebs Charles A.
Minton and r. X. Cook as judges, with Mr.. Fred
eric Tams on the Comet and Mr.. Henry steers on
the Magic 20 look alter the interests OF their re-
spective friends
Here 1t was pleasant to note the interest which
the contest had created In yachting circles. The
waters OF the bay were covered with beautifully
modelled boats darling here and there, eager to
be Witnesses or the Tray. 1t added zest to the
scene and rejected much credit upon their owners,
q many OF them have been kept IN commission
up to this time, just to be on hand during the
present bout out to the lightship ana back. There
were the Wanderer, Idler, Rambler. Columbia,
Otner smaller ones, together with the new pilot
boat ''23n and the steamer Narragansett, the COM
embraced the opportunity to snow their own
mettle and to note that OF the racing craft, whose
dimensions are:-
Wateriine. Beam. contents
>. Name W., 0so ns-n y xest, ReeS II Eeet
Coaet :. WIN. Ii. Langley. 1908 ao.s S,sea a
TIE RACE.
M 70
ering Of the nag bid them come on. Hardly had
the racers noted the invitation before each yacht
dashed FORWARD across the line, the Comet being
nearest, going BY 2m l9e. In advance Of the Magic
which. singular to say, was Just the allowance due
work vS ana no Calculation at the end Of the the
journey, the boat in first being the win
ner. The time o. starting was as under;11 :.
Comet. i :. Is Marie. Il . =
Down before the wind they glided with foresails
earnest Everybody that knew the boats felt that
the Comet with her lighter draught and in smooth
tagonist or, II dld not her chances Of victory
were slight. She did hold her own handsomely in
Magic So perceptSy that the rends o. the leader
were exultant at the prospect At llh. 2em. sos.
the balloon ~ Of the Comet was set, and the
main main Club tsopsa,ls, ana went plougning
gutch OF canvas doing its duty. AS the Comet
passed the Lower Hospital Island she began TO
the gap on her ana when tine
nalf minutes astern. Shooting by the hospital
ship Illinois, the wind which had become putty ia
vOred the Magic, ana she lessened the distance
between them SO that 1t was freely commented
upon on the Cyclops. Everybody was delighted
handled. and wnen at I'm lem. the comet
TOOK in ner staysail, preparatory to jioblns
a s 81
seers. The usual greeting OF steam whistles and
lusty cheers rung out above the whrl OF waters as
sne was sm. 4Os ahead OF the Magic, thus gaming
AN. els. on her nom the start to this point. The
'''''' TURNING THE SPIT.
Comet ........ IL Is 90 Magic ........ IL "a 40
The race was now becoming merry inueed, and
the yacts were beginning to feel the effects Of the
heavy swell which came IN from the ocean. On
they danced, despite the on-rusning pillows. and
the Magic, sending up enormous staysail at l2h.
26m. $685. went spinning along at such tear
ing rate she began TO pick up her lost ground and
was fast becoming that dangerous customer which
she had SO long been called The lesser craft that
had accompanied the race began to have Q hard
deep down at every plunge, turned back. Both
racing boats were doing splendidly, and passing
the Magic made DSsng Of sss sRarp rons
waves and was last closing mp on the leader
VINO was not !. WORKING ag so SO Wen , out out, on the
leading, but the time she had gained running to
ss sp 4ne Wnd LAD sssso
the north-northeast and was freshening
10 rSe m
staysails and Jb topsalls with that intention.
They never presented . finer sight, pioaghing
their way toward this objective point the sea In
every direction was blaze OF white caps, and be-
lore each vessel there sweled out broad ex-
panse OF DOlnnR loan. Inc COmet uong ner
work well, iibbed around the ship. and Sm. 20s.
alter the Magic did the same, and with dash
was swiftly rushing after the leader, with matters
looking remarkably fine Tor her ultimate success,
rs the play down had been the Comets. but now
yhe beat nome was in favor OF the constant Magic.
The time was as f0ilows:-
TURNING THE LIaHTsHrP.
~. M. 8. II. N. g.
Comet.......... 20 Magic...... IL 40
The hard work had commenced, with the wind
increasing and the sea becoming more angry every
minute. The Magic tried to set her foregan top
sail, but abandoned the attempt At IN. Ism.
the Comet went about the port tack, az she
couldn't lay her course, while the Magic eating
well up to windward, stood on her way, and being
on the starboard tack made the Comet give way,