The New York herald., 1876-07-28
OCEAN YACHTING.
THE BENNETT CHALLENGE CUP RACE-A ZINE
BREEZE AND SPLENDID srARr-PRoBABLIrY


THE BENNETT CHALLENGE CUP RACE-A FINE
BREEZE AND SPLENDID srARr-PRoBABnITY
OF FAST RACE.
The ocean yacht for the Bennett Challenge Cup
was begun from the Sandy Hook Ligntship yesterday
under very favorable conditions OF wind and
weather The wind all that could be desired. 1t
blowing good olcsal breeze from the sousou'.
erst when the start made which enabled the
lay their along the Long lsi'nd beach
with lifted sheets Indeed. everything was Just
right the start, and 1t is doubtful pretter
star. was made in yacht in these waters,
the five yachts crossing the line within three minutes
OF each other and all save ons-the Countess of
Dunern-wi,h all their holiday canvas spread to the
breeze and Skipping along with lee scuppcrs under
water.
PREPARING FOR THE RACE
At halEpast twelve the steam tug Raymond left the
Battery with the judges and several members OF the
New York Yacht Club board and proceeded to the
club anchorage at stapeton Station Island, where the
Canadian yacht Countess Of DuIcrin found lying
at anchor All the other boats had previously got
under way and gone down the Bay. The Raymond
took the Countess in and helped her down the
point OF the HOOK, where she her on and pro-
ceeded to the Lightship. pessng her way out the
lder Wandcrer and Tidal Wave, which making
their way to the starting point, at which the America
had already arrived Shortly after the Countess
cast of by The Raymond she parted her main sheet
halyards and the malnsai had be lowered TO
pair damage, which was soon DONE and the mainsail
put IN place again.
At THE LcnrsMIr
The Raymond arrived at the Lightship at 3t.
3Om. and shortly after all the yachts arrived, and
tnen timc wasted In giving the several sail
ing masters their sailing directions. Finally, every
thing being readiness, the Raymont at 4h. 5Sm.
blew her whistle AS the signal to prepare to start.
The wind at the time was blowing good WHOLESALE
The Countess OF Duferin, wapderer and Idler were
standing toward the Jersey shore on the starooard
tack IN the order given The Tidal Wave was also
standing on the tack some way 10 the wind
ward of the others. The America was lying to- with
jib to windward JUS! below the mark;
At Al. SIN. the Raymond gave the signal which
gave them PERMISSION TO go, and at tho time
they were all heading for the mark except the
America which was still without headway, but she filed
away the signal and came tor the line In second
place
CROSSING THE LINE
The pretty Ider the first reach the mark. and
at Al l2m. 30s. she dashed over the line and com.
menced the race. She was under working canvas,
topsa and she dashed through the water she looked
every inch q winner The America the next TO
was carrying the same sails The came next.
and spread the same SAIL Then came the Tidal
Wave, under working topsa'ls and flying jib,
but she moving through the water Mt lively rate
and appeared to be holding her own Next came the
Canadian yacht Countess of Dunerin, only two MN
and twenty.sx seconds behind the leader; she
carrying mansail Iorcsai, jb, flying ib and jb top
SAIL aud did appear be moving through he water
nearly fast the other boats, though, OF course,
having no topsas SET II to be expected. Be-
low is the time OF
Name H. H. S. NdmS. H. NJ s.
Ider. ........... IL 80 Tidal Wave.....4 l3 50
America. .......4 IL SO Countess OF Duf-
Wanderer $500. 13 30 terin. -. ..... IL So
They all went Off with sheets to port and lay their
course down the beach and east. AS thoy
well under way they set staysais and balloon b top
sails and flew along at a ten knot gait. The Countess
had considerable trouble with her stavsa, aud It
some time before she got 1t in place, meanwhile the
other boats were gaining on her quite fast
Alter following the yachts for u few miles the Ray
mond turned around and started for home, and when
she left at Al. SON. tho positions were as fOllows:-
The Ider had the lead with the America on her lee
quarter and short distance behind her. but further
TO the wndward were the Tidal Wave aud Wanderer
the latter having slight advantage. however; then,
still further TO the windward and rearward was the
Countess OF DuIerin. still under working canvas only
excepting s,aysail and she appeared 10 be losing
ground every minute though she was working to the
wndward Of the ec all the time evidently expecting
the wind TO haul more to the eastward
THE LAST sERN THE YACHTS
When the yachts were last seen from the decks Of
tho judges steamer the positions OF the
unchanged. though the Idler appeared to be slowly
opening the gap between herself aud the America II
the breeze holds, NJ the start, they may be ex-
pected homo late tonight or early Saturday morning