The New York herald., 1877-09-05
THE OCEAN RACE.
Starting the Yachts for the
Cape May Cup.
AN INTERESTING SIGHT.
The Dreadnaught Leading the
Way Off the Highlands.

committee OF the New York Yacht Club together
with thirty or iorty gentlemen interested IN yachting
matters, left tho barge Office dock yesterday lew
minutes past two O'Clock for sandy Hook In order 10
start the entered yachts In the great Cape May race
The majority fthe company provided with heavy
overcoats and bags containing u change o cloth
ing, evidence sufficient that they intended to
repair on board the racing craft ana sec the iun OF
the struggle' to the end. 1t was a gathering that
would do honor TO any aquatic contest as there wero
among them many who had held the most important
offices in tho gift OF the yacht clubs Of this vicinity
while others arc zealously looking after the in.
tercsts OF these organizations. In the bay the wind
was fresh from thc westward, and though there
were misgvinss that u might fall lighter toward
evening, the party were steamed down tho harbor tn
the best possible spirits, ali agreeing that the four
yachts about 10 contend Tor the magu lcent challenge
cupwere collectively AS hanGsoue pleasure crafts as
could be found in the world and had but few superos
In speed These vessels were the Drcadnaugh, Idler,
Rambler and Vesta, and surely the encomiuns passed
upon them Will find thousands OF indorsers in the
ynchtnS community. Tho sioops Active Pirate
ana schooner Playful We're passed by the steamer
Raymond IN the run down the bay, each saluting the
club hag as she lett thcm astern.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE CUP
In little over two hours the Horseshoe was reached,
and tue racing craft found by Regatta Com
mitIee hove short and prepared To break ground 1t
required some time for the yachts boats 10 reach the
committees steamer and receive their guest but this
was done IN good time, when the word passed. t. get
under way for the starting point as practicable
The yachts indeed looked IN nne trim and capable of
acqutting themselves with honors In the task on hand
Their stanch hus and perfect appoint mens OF spars
rigging and canvas that no doubt
could possibly exist In this particular. The course
was long one and the prize worth winning; and,
therefore, nothing had been left undone by owners and
sailing masters to havo everything good shape for
the event. II had been nearly i've since the cup
had been first sailed for t being offered for compel
owners than the present, and the Palmer
Sattlea Tor the trophy. In 2oh, Oom.. the
Dreadnaught found the way round and ud u dg ed
the winner. The following year tho cup iell INTO tho
hands Of Mr.. j. + LouOat, o. the Enchantress, who
challenged the Dreadnaught unuer tho provisions of
the race accompanying the gin, but the latter craft
was not IN condition at tho time to undertake the busl
ness and the Enchantress IA walking over" the prze
lett the Dreadnauehts possession. The Enchantress
the same year crossed the Atlantic since been
IN foreign waters, tho cup, meanwhile, being
this race Is that the cup shall be held by the
winner thirty days without laoty to challenge, but
upon the expiration OF tnat period mo winner must
accept any challenge. and be prepared TO SAIL a race
the within fifteen days from the re.
ceipt challenge or forfeit the prize If held
successfully through three seasons by any
yacht the cup then becomes the bona de property OF
sucn holder II open Tor entry to schooners of any
hold he cup at the end OF season her liable
10 challenge during the season OF the year
course from tue Needles, Isle OF
Wight, TO and around stake boat of the harbor Of
Cherboury and return.
EVERYTHING READINESS
The committees steamer found the yachts with full
racing crews, and with but exception that OF the
Drcadnaught 1t was understood, with owners on
board. Prcssiu- business engagements prevented Mr.
Osborn accompInylu- his craft, and he placed her
in charge oi Mr.. Henry steers. As there Is no tim,
allowance the size of the yacts Is OF III
Of
record that the Rambler Is the largest, having n
tonnage OF 203 So tons; the Dreadnaupnt next of
264 03 tons; the Vesta third, about 2l5 tons and
the ldler, the smallest, 19l 26 TONS The exact mea
surement OF the Vesta cannot be given since she
was lenathcned alt and otherwise rebuilt not
been measured. Additional interest tached to tho
Vesas performance. inasmucn as II is her first race
OF the year and her first public trial since her atera
ton All set main club t0psails while in the Horse-
Shoe and lor the first time In the memory OF the New
York yachtmeu under her present ownership the
Rambler sported this piece oil canvas. ''Her
owner means 10 win, and won't lose any
tricks" cried all, gazing at the massive craft and
really Mr. Thomas had good reason for believing
that, under favorable circumstances OF wnd his craft
has show TOR the cup. as this season his boat has
been dong remarkably well, better evidence being
requ she sail ia than her performance ia
the Oeat TO windward from CuttyhunK to
Newpor, during the late cruise OF the New
York Club rhe Schooner Estelie, Mr. j. d.
Smnh, and Tempest, Mr. K. +. Elliott were also
iouud IN the Horseshoe the owner oi the former
coming down to The start, ana the latter to sail
over tue whole or portion o the course with tue four
racers although aot compet or for the prize. The
sailing regulations, as oows were sent ON board of
each yacht
Tue will sailed according to the sailing regu.
latIons and rules OF the New York Yacht Club, bat
without time allowance.
The start Will be lying one. and the time OF each
yacht IN starting will be taken as she passes between
buoy No. s. OIL Sandy Hook and the judges steamer
which VIII bc abreast OF the buoy
Inc signals Will be gwen from the judges steamer
ioIloas:-
For a preparatory signal, a prolonged blast OF tho
whistle.
Ten minutes later, Tor tho start, second blast OF
the whistle
Ten minutes later third blast OF the whistle will be
gwen and the time OF this whistle VIII be rs the
time oil any yacht starting thereaf err
The course Will be from buoy No. ., of Sandy Hook,
as above To and around the Five FatDom Bank light
snip. OIL Cape May, leaving it on either nand will,
ana back To Sandy Hook lightship, passing 10 the
wndward OF IL aud within 100 yards distance. Tho
time 10 be taken wnen The lightship bears abeam.
Ine owner OF each yacht Will take his own time at
the ehtshp Oh his RETURN and VIII report It to the
Regatta Committee.
CROSSING THE LINE.
win guests all on board, the Nesta, at 4h. 20m
first to get under way and run out to the starting
buoy. Tue idler was next to obey orders. then
II was Serious lob "I, for ,be ,n,or ~0'er; =,
gather hcadway, as the wind was light ut
The anchorage. and the competing craft were
quired to stanu of the point oi the Hook and, with
Jibs to wndward wait several minutes for the big
yacht to join item Coming out OF the Horseshoe tue
iacers presented magnificent picture All sheets
were ait anu the Vcsta led the way fine style
Here We could observe lew oi the wrinkles adopted
by the several sailing that they might not be
up the stay ready 10 break out at the WORD,
and her iorec ub topsail sent aoft
braed up. Tue Vesta's jlbtopsail was lying
loose on the flying jbboom and, the Rambcrs as
well as the Dreadnaughts folks. secped equally wide
awake The comin ices boat was placed IN position
to the eastward of buoy No s, and 4b. 56m. her
whistle blew to prepare for the start aud iuter-
Vening len minutes before the signal giving them per-
mission TO commence the Journey, the boats ma
noeuvred Tor good positions 10 go over tue line.
Al On. 06m. the starting signal gwen
with the steamers line being from the buoy to
the lighthouse ON the point OF the Hook. The Dread
nauaht was irst to come Tor IT, tnon the ldler
the Rambler anu last the vesta, tho official times Of
crossing being AZ ollows:-
H. N. S. H. NJ s.
Drcadnaught... OS % Rambler........ 10 IL
lder % SO Eestu.... IL 90
The yachts were all under u heavy press of
The Drcadnuugnt went over tne ue with every thing
set except her working staysail, which sent up
Immediately alter. The Idler's working staysail WAS
In position bcorc the line was reached, but her iD
topsai trick didn't work, as the stops wovldnt break
out, aud II bad 10 be lowered before tho trouble
adjusted which took five or more minutes The Vesta