The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-17
ICE BOATING.
EXCITING GAcE ON THE HUDSON AT POUCH
KEEPHIE-

KEEPsIE.
PoUGHKEzpsIE, Feb. 16, 1879.
There<is splendid ice boating on the Hudson every
where north of Peekskll and strangers arrive here
daily to participate in the novel scenes all being
warmly welcomed by the members of the Pough-
keepsio Ice Yacht Association. The mostcexciting
of the occurred yesterday afternoon and
it was gotten up for the benefit of the Athens ice
yacht sappho She is a spritsai boat. and her COM
ing here heralded in advance by wonderful
stories of her speed and with the statement that she
could sail closer to the wind than any other yacht
on runners. The rules required that the yachts
entering should sail oyer twelve-mile course,
tho starting flag being in the centre of the
river. opposite the ferry dock. and the turn
ing flag to be in the centre of the river. off
Blue Point the distance to be sailed twice The
prize silk pennant fifteen feet in length, gold
stars blue field. presented to the Poughkeepse Ice
Yacht Association by james wnslow of the ice yacht
Gypsy. The judges were Thomas Foster and Floy
NJ Johnston.
THE ENTRIES RACE.
When the proper signal was given the following
boats slid into line for the start-namely. Oracle,
Haze Buckhout's boat Comet Gust named). Snow
fake Bird Gypsy. Viking. Sappho. Hail and Icicle.
The shore was lined with spectators. and the Athens
yacht was watched closely. as she had many friends
who were aching to have her carry the prize home
with her. The wind was blowing strong and steady
from the southwest. making it certain that the
test would be very lively one. The yachts not in
the race lay close to the shore, head to the
wind, and the racing yachts stood with bows to the
southwest each sailing master at his tiller waiting
for the word. They got it at 3h. 49s. F. NJ, and all
away the glib surface. The. little Comet
took the breeze first and flew down the river like
gull leaving all the rest far astern. The Athens boat
Sappho sailed very well till she to crack
which extended from the dock OF the Buckeye works
west, when she turned northward again and gave up
the contest. She could have passed the crack easily
if her sailing master had desired. The Buckhout
boat kept the lead around the Blue Point flag and
came up the river again like lightning turning the
of all the rest followed by the Oracle. Icicle, Haze.
Viking Snow Flake, Gypsy, Hail and Bird in the
order mentioned.
THE SECOND RUN.
The second run down the river fully exciting
as the first and such boats the Haze, Gracic and
Hail going at terrific speed. The of the
Haze having been altered she sailing faster than
ever before Again the Buckhout boat led the dance
around the Blue Point flag, but in making the up
the river for the last time her sailing master made
great blunder by running her along the west shore
under the mountains, for the wind, which had ulled
considerably, almost left her, and while she
gliding along slowly the yachts further to the
ward we're overhauiing her rapidly, and mile from
the finish several of them were together and.
the excitement increased among the spectators.
The Icicle had the lead, but it for
instant only, when the handsome Haze rushed ahead,
with tremendous flaw whistllng through her rig
ging and the flying ice spray from her runners
sparkling in the sunlight like diamonds. Then the
Oracle caught the wind, and made splendid
with the Haze Viking and Snow Flake for the prize
close within their reach. Right in the of
the Haze deserted hand sled. and her sailing
master hadn't time to avoid It. She going like
lightning when hit it. and 1t crowded under her
runner plank and she couldn't get~rid of it.
For nearly half mile it obstructed her
speed. and she was compelled to stop. to have it
pulled away. During this time the Oracle
gained the lead of all, and whom freed from the hand
sled the Haze put after her with good flaw and hur
ried her to the finish; but it was too late, the
Oracle shot across the line like arrow winning the
prize by the skin of her teeth the boats making the
finish coming home in the following order and