The New York herald., 1875-09-16
Y A @ II t l N G..
Challenge Race--Madeleine
VS.. MOhawk.
Interesting Contest in the Bay
The Madeleine Wins.


stocks-and only months have elapsed since this
fine vessel was aunched-her owner, Vice Commodore
Garner, OF the New York Yacht Club, believing in the
future brilliant achievements Of his craft, manfuy ac
cepted challenge from Mr.. Dckerson, OF the yacht
Madeleine, which had already made herself noticeable
by some fine performances sail a the club
course time allowance the OF 900 10 be staked
by each contestant the result The took place
yesterday, and it had been anticipated with general
Interest especially in yachting circles. where the
merits Of the Madeleine well known large and
anxious assembage congregated in the vicinity of The
club house early yesterday morning. There was
over fine representation of the feet including such
yachts the Resolute, Ider, the famous America
Rambler, Dreadnaught Wanderer, Comet Estelle
Vesta Prospero and other schooners and sloops and
steamers, each conveying number of guests Ia
witness the contest Indeed, the awaited
all hands with great curiosity. Nothing hai
been spared by the owner OF either vessel
in the way OF preparation, and altogether
this contest, with suitable weather. promised to be one
of the exciting of the Tho sequel shows
the hopes of the sanguine yachtsmen may be
disappointed, for virtually the won and lost.
The hour announced for the start ten o'clock
everything being favorable but there being sign ofs
breeze at that time and the prospects being about az
miserable 1t could be thoughts were entertained o
postponing the affair to favorable occasion An
hour later however, indications showed that outside
the Narrows both cruising yachts and merchanmes
enjoying little wind from the southwark and II
was determined, therefore, to get the racers undeI
way The historic little schooner Magic acted stake
boat the officers selected being Mr. Alexander Taylor
judge for the Madeleine; Mr.. W. Bend Judge for the
Mohawk, and Mr. f. f. Chase, referee
was that sailed over in the club regatas the race TO M
governed by the customary rules From the starting
point OFF the club house the contestants to pro.
ceed to and around buoy No. 10, on the Southwest
Spit keeping IL the port hand and TO the south.
ward of buoy No Ss thence to and around the Sandy
Hook lightshp, keeping it the starboard
hand and return over the same course
keeping buoy No. 10 the sarboard
hand and keeping to the southwark Of buy No sh;
both yachts going and returning keeping the east
ward of buoys Nos O. IL and 10 the West Bank and
outside of buoy No. 5h on the point OF the Hook.
DIMENSIONS OF THE YACHTS.
The Mohawk was, of course compelled to give an al
lowance of time to her competitor, being much larger
every respect; but IL may be well stated that al
lowances of time the New York Yacht Club
average days give large vessels but little chance OF
ALL length water line, 12l feet extreme breadth Of
beam, 80 feet inches; depth of hold, feet nches
draught of water feet tonnage old measurement $50
TONS cubic contents in feet as per rule 2l O2O The
Madeeline-Length over all 106 feet length water
lne 95 feet; extreme breadth of BEAM ~ feet depth
of hold, feet inches; draught OF water, feet
inches; tonnage old measurement 15l 40 tons; cubic
contents in feet, as per rule S4s9lI The disparity
between the vessels will readily be perceived and nau
rally suggested itself to many taking into account the
wreched prospects of the weather and her allowance Of
time OF nearly seven minutes, that the Madeleine would
have an easy thing of it, and with those inclined to
make the matter interesting in the way of iev side
bets she was accordingly the favorite
There was no wind to speak of-barely enougn to
make steerage way but the from the stakeboa was
nevertheless fired at II 35 A. NJ to prepare to get under
way. Fifteen minutes allowed for this operation
and fifteen more to cross the line The second gun
accordingly fired at IL 80 A. NJ. but neither vessel
could approach the ne-hat ls between the stakeboat
and the club house-this part of the regulations was
waived and the contestants crossed as UNDER
Madeleine go: II "a Mohawk ;..... u I ~
being the first quarter of the ebb The Madeleine
about in close proximity to the old Fort Laiay
ette her example being soon followed by the Mohawk.
The wind began to freshen little, and as the Mohawk
stood closer in Fort Richmond, made a decided gain
mnary of the formed the prettiest
part of it, For instance, when the Madeleine
went about again on the port tack, hoping to
weather the Mohawk, she compelled to give way,
Mohawk having made rapid strides while the breeze
was freshening. TO those board the Mohawk this
feat must have proved source OF some delight
heightened, it doubt by the sulky style in
which the Madeleine had to yield the palm The
Mohawk then tackled toward the west bank
the Madeleine resuming the port tack as
the coast was clear On the next tack the
Madeleine crossed the bows Of the Mohawk with little
room spare and joined her company, both vessels
being almost Fithin speaking distance. The Mohawk
commenced 20 outfoot her adversary, when a lum-
compelled the former to pinch up thus
delaying her to con considerable extent. extent
tenacious follower and as the surroundings in the way
weather favorable hopes entertained that
test was exceedingly interesting, both vessels
being we'll their metal, TO speak. Al
though the Madeleine was by no means lag
gard her huge adversary decidedly outpontng her.
While this pretty and exciting performance proceed
ing the yacht vesta doubtless by accident marred
sderably the efforts OF the Mohawk by an il-timed
crossing of her bows, feat which she repeated at
later of the contest Too much never bt
taken by outsiders in honorable struggle. of this
kind and careessness want of knowledge iorms
little for the most innocent IN
reference The Madeleine again tackled shortly
affar ma
Swash Channel passing under the stern Of the Mohawk
which soon held a fine weather position which mo-
mentariy improved On her next tack she headed for
the Southwest Spit the Madeleine, well to leeward
promptly following her example In the vicinity OF
assembled and the Mohawk approached she
greeted with welcoming demonstrations The con-
testants rounded Buoy No. 10 as follows:-
Mohawk k...1 Il 81 50 Madeleine. II 4 10 10 %
This was a clear gain for the Mohawk a dead beat
to windward from the start. The Madeleine had
passed the starting point two minutes ahead and was
now behind nearly as much more, so that at this
stage and with the prevailing weather. poor II wal
for the Mohawk, those witnessing the contest enter
tanned little doubt to the triumph of the Vice Com
modore's vessel Both yachts kept on the starboard
tack toward Buoy No. S1s the wind meanwhile fresh
ening up and giving hope that rousng race
was yet in store. Guns fred from accompanying
vessels and steam yachts blew their widest Of
satisfaction. During this part Of the race, at least
there was infused into the spectacle that feeling OF
enthusiasm which the lee rail In the water
oftentmes inspires II trulva pretty struggle at
this stage, and had the wind held not only would
petors would have been put to a comparatively thor
ough test The Mohawk passed Buoy No Sis at In. 46m
and rounded Sandy Hook Point in splendid style. No
3 a Buoy passed by both vessels as UNDER
III w. s. H. NJ s.
Mohawk ... | 81 20 Madeleine. ..... SO 10
Both vessels sped their course, there being some
thing of "a on, but with every evidence of falling
off in the wind The Madeleine had both fore and main
club topsails set which sent her along in good shape,
In contradistncon to the Mohawk whose main
was not only useless ut the time, aud weak
oned her huge club topsail but made her run on
TO leeward to the decided advantage OF the Made
lene which in the prevailing light breeze had OBJ
tanned wndward position which must ensure her
victory This matter very much wondered At by
the Madeleine in working to windward, even
short tacks inside the Hook, the fact
of the Mohawk sagging OF leeward at
the critical period OF the occasoned con-
siderable comment shortly after three O'Clock this
Madeleine favored by light winds, obtained a decide,