Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-01
THE ..NECA" WINS THE RACE.

The Pilot Boats in squall-Ihe win
ming Craft Rounds the Lightship in
Twenty-TwO Hours and Forty Min
utes from the start.
The race between the pilot boats MEGA
and Frances Elizabeth was concluded
when the Mecca on her return course.
rounded Martins Industry Lightship at
500 o'clock yesterday morning, with her
I competitor nowhere in sight. Probably
no similar event in Southern waters has
ever excited the interest that has been
{ taken in this race.
There was general inquiry all over
Z the civ Yesterday as TO the result. DUt
- nothing definite could be learned, the
/ hackers OF both boats held confidently 70
their favOrite craft. The Tybee tele-
-ubOue failed TO give any information until
I ; O'Clock. when the first report was re-
cefved and posted on the MORNING NEWS
bulletin. stating that oRe OF the boats
/ Drobahlv the .sNeca' was in sight. but
no signs Of the Frances Elizabeth"
Various rumOrs were circulated during
the dav. II was believed by many that
I the boats had been capsiZed IN the squat
on Monday afternoon. Other unfOunded
reports led the public to from, various
opinions. Heavy bets We're however,
.
/ the fayOrite.
/ The first correct report OF the result
was received when the winning boat
reached Tvbee. and the full particulars
/ were announced on her arrival at the city
| about eight O'Clock last night.
Vice Commodore L. :. Wayne and Cap
/ tain George W. Hussey were the judges
/ Of the race. and sailed RESPECTIVELY as the
quests Of the ''Neca" and Elizabeth
/ The boats left anchor at Tybee about 1890
/ O'Clock Monday morning, and, followed
bv the MARY Odell." reached the light
ship about half-past six. The toss for
I position was won By the "Neca," who
took her place to the windward.
The start was made at GAG, the boats
crossing the line less than thirty seconds
I apart and under a brisk southwest breeze.
I The ~Neca'' at once took the lead, bear
ing northeast, and at $50, two hours out,
was two miles in advance. At l1:46.
three hours later, she was still bearing on
under a fine wind and three miles ahead
Just before reaching Rattlesnake Shoals
a heavy squall came up and both boats
shortened sail. The ''Neca' rounded the
Lightship in the teeth of the gale at 3:26
p. N. under her jib. The Frances Eliza
beth" reefing her mainsail, followed eight
minutes later, under single reef and jib.
The tug Monarch with large party
from Charleston. were out. and cheered
the boats as they passed.
On the return course the ''Neca' bore
down in the gale and kept the lead
throughout uztil the finish. On
the turn the wind was blowing
southwest. but deadened down in few
hours to almost a calm, and the boats
worked along with a light wind until
about O'Clock Yesterday morning. when
fresh breeze sprung up, and the MEGA
bounded down to the finish, rounding
the Martin Industry lightship at ,: 26
. O'Clock. - hours and 40 minutes from
the start. The Frances Elizabeth
1 was nowhere in sight. and the winning
boat started back over the course,
I meeting her about two hours out. The
/ Judges declared the race In favor Of the
/ MEGA who took the passengers from
/ the elizabeth and headed back for
Tybee. The Frances EllZabeth's" time
was not taken, but she conceded the race
1 by four hours, and without rounding the
I Iiehtship started on her return to Charles
ton.
The MEGA then worked in to Tybee
Z under light wind until about 4 O'Clock.
when OFF the bell buoy, she was struck by
/ another squat. and, reehng down, came
in under bare poles. After the squall a
I calm followed, and the boat worked up
the river until she was met by the tug
/ John W. Lynn and was lowed TO the
city.
The defeat Of the Frances Elizabeth
was naturally accepted by her crew, but
/ was plainly disappointment. The back
ers and friends of the "Neca" are equally
. iubildnt over her victory. 1t is not i'm
possible that a second race will be arrang-
I ed % be sailed at an early day. The win
ming craft was visited by large numbers
/ Of pilots and others interested in the
/ race, as she lay at anchor last night with
! her pennant floating from her mast.