The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-08
NEW YORK YACHT SQUADRON.
A Pretty Start and Splendid
Run to Newport.
Columbia the First to Pass
Fort Adams.
NEWPORT GRAINED WITH YACHTS


A prettier start never effected from the his.
torc harbor OF New London. than that which
marked the exit OF the New york Yachts quadron
nom that port this morning. The crowds that
assembled IN the vicinity OF the Pequot House.
and in Its grounds ana on It's balconies as wen as
on the roof tops OF its adjoining cottages 20 wit
ness the start Tor Newport must have been some
what amazed at the sudden disappearance
OF the yachts, for scarcely had the
flagship fred the final gun tnan the entire neet
went or ike o streak OF lightning. so 20 speak.
The fact was due OF course, TO the fresh southeriy
breeze that prevailed, though the prospects all
the morning were decidedly bad. Indeed, most OF
she zach smsn had made up their minds that
weighing anchor would prove ruiJess task, Tor
the morning was hazy and altogether IN
prepltous 1t was not surprising, therefore,
that many OF the yachtsmen went ashore
early, II being partly understood ;hat in the
event OF there beng no sign OF a breeze, the neet
should remain in New London until Monday morn
ing 1t is matter TO be depored that the hos
pitable narbor OF New London IS not more thor
oughly appreciated, apart rom all the fasaionA
BE attractions OF the place.
The IDEA has occurred TO many yachts
men that the old sports thar formerly
marked the cruise Of our pleasure navy should be
reylyeG-such as giving prizes for boat contests
among the crews OF the different yachts thus
time would develop itself TO the best advantage.
The squadron IS, at this writing IN splendid Trim.
No club perhaps, IN the world could show feet
OF more thoroughly equipped vessels, more thor
oughly lifted FOR cruising purposes or faster, and
assurecly none wsose owners are more hospita-
ole. indeed, the good old days OF the elHo seem
20 have been IN many ways revived, and the fact
that the yachts are going 10 stand BY each other
until the termination or the cruise Is in Itself
ii fvFn
Ing circles.
Additional pleasure has been lent TO the squad
ron by the presence Of the new yacht Mohawk, a
me specimen Of a good American yacht, and in
every respect representative vessel. l limited
the other day, from what saw Of her perform
ances on the way from Glen Cove. thar she would
be heard from in the yachting world
before long, and have to-day 10 re-
cord her triumph, brilliant ana promising.
anu such as to make her owner feel that his COM
mendable experiment has not been made in vain.
Indeed should sne follow up rhe success sne
achieved THIS afternoon, her rivals in squadron
wiz be nard TO 1nd. II is needless TO add that
the Mohawk and her capacities absorbed most
OF the conversation il connection with the
arrival OF the feet at New London last night.
Vice Commodore Garner gave reception on
board, winch fashlonably attended, and IN
winch all the elements tRat conduce to enjoy
ment proved the first bright and memorable event
OF the squadron's cruise. On every hand the Mo-
hawk Is spoken OF IN terms Of the highest praise
but the best part OF 1t is that to-day she showed
herself worthy OF IL.
l nave already :ntimated that the prospects
this morning were anything but encouraging. In
eonsonance with the surroundings the 1eet mad
drowsy look, and altogether there was evidence
that anchors would not be weighed until Monday
morning; but a sharp report from the 1agship, az
ten O'Clock, warned all hands TO be In readiness
for the start, lair weather or FOUL and pres
emily boats were showing on shore and
peing hauled up on davlts, and soon after top
sails were run up, and the patient observer could
readily thar without much delay 'heavlng
ehorti was IN order Outside the har6or a dense
fog prevailed ana the cruise TO Newport was &C
cordingiy regarded with feelings Of Indifference
1he commanding oncer, however. mad sent
forth his mandate and the neet accordingly pre-
pared TO start. The yachts composing the nees IN
the narbor at this ZINE were tae Alarm, Monawk,
Eva, Meta, Restless, with the soops Yindex,
Active, Vision, North Star, Wind ard and Addie..
Promptly at eleven O'Clock the booming Of the
gun from the flagship warned the squadron TO get
under way. Anchors were hoisted IN a Ji1y and
now that decent breeze had set IN, sAd
Just such one as 10 give every craft a chance
TO get away, tie scene was exciting in the
extreme, might readily De surmlsed. The
handsome little sloops were tAe nrst
TO show their heels 10 New Lon
cSmbrics ashore. Il Was such a breeze az suited
the Columbia, which, with the Wauderer, worked
d.
lowed the Meta, the Icler and Dreadnsugnt, tue
Mohawk being among the last vessels 10 quit
their anchorage. The Rambler was not IN an ac-
tive Inoo0, and, 10 company with the Restless,
made the best OF her way out. With character
courtesy, the flagship Alarm allowed the
feet 20 precede her, although the breeze That sub
sequentiy prevailed placed her Ia good position
Al the start the sloops were in pretty bunch,
the Active asserting herself In good form. Pres
entity she Vision carried away her foretopFet,
the breeze increasing all the while, and altogether
the soops had abont as much as they couldsdo,
Ior under full san the Columbia soon appearedEin
front, with the Wanderer on her wind ward
quarter Following these were the Meta, Ider
and Dresdnaught. At noon a sterling breeze sent
courage into the hearts OF all hands VINO desired
TO carry sail and, taxing temporary adieu OF the
naKshlp the Rambler the Restless the Eva and
others, the Mohawk sailed boldly and quickly
brougnt the Dreadnaugnt and IdIer to terms she
passed Doth OF them 70 Wlndward and showed
some anxiety to overhaul tAe Wanderer, which,
a. 10. 30rn., was over mile ahead. The Mohawk
pointed beautifully, and was abOug 70 settle
her claS1ls with the Wanderer, when the Captain
OF that vessel took 1t into ms mead TO assume his
position 10 wind ward, at apparently rather snort
notice, but the gallant MonawK had subsequently
grand revenge. sac foIereacned the Wanderer
IL good style, and worked up TO an excellent wind
ward position, which she maintained throughout
the entire run, soon showing her heels TO The
to defeat. The Mohawk shot ahead ike an arr
row; the Columbia was stlll the leading vessel,
ground, but the speed with which the Mohawk
came up on her wtndward quarter maze IL
somewhat dubious a 10 which vessel would first
drop anchor this port Ia the vicinity
o. POINT Judith, however, she question was
promptly settleu we Mola"A hsc VFeInauteu
tne Columbia and hello good position on her
weather quarter, with every prospect OF defeating
her. wnen, doubtless anxious 10 Try some or his
new SAILS, the Vice Commodore sent up his pal
loon JiD-a performance that lost him
the FIRST position IN the feet; but
apart from this the Mohawk proved her
self splendid vessel as the record
shows ana IL Is 30 be hoped that before the cruise
Is ended she Will justify the prediction that sound
yacasmen make in her benaH. Nearing Bren-
toms Reef gRtship the COLUMBIA was still ahead,
the Mohawk giving her c,Ose quarter AID the
other vessels astern showing littc difference Ia
. position; bnt more caarHlng picture was never
presented by the cub than Oh TINS occasion.
AS tho Numerous vessels passed Point Judith
and tnen mace ior the llghtship, all IN close prOx-
unity except the Columbia and Mohawk, when went
anead the spectacle was pretty In the extreme,
and 10 may be mentioned moreover that this was
one OF the quickest runs ever made Dy the
Rouadron from New London 10 TINS port,
having, as regards the leading vessels &C.
cupied only a little less than four hours