Morning journal and courier., 1884-07-28


 the Sun-A Bright Day-F1ne Reeep-
 tion From the New York C1ub-Incf-
 dents of the ARafr-The Trip From
 Newport-The Race For the COmmo-
 dOre's Cup-Arrival at onset.
 ON BOARD MINERVA,
 NEW BEDFORD HARBoR,
 July 25, 1884.
 Some time early this morning robust member of our company not waiting for per mission from the trustees squeezed his head up through the companion and quickly took it in again fearing that the rest of the fleet lying to the westward of us might mis- take his ruddy countenance for the rising sun. Then, too, twas raining like shot. But now all is changed and Old Sol has cleared away the clouds, and the various crews are putting their craft in sailing trim to contest to-day for the commodore's cup. All arrangements for the race were made last evening. Commodore Rhodes, N. B. Y. O., and two members of the N. B. regatta com mittee kindly consenting to lay out the course and attend to all details. This favor was greatly appreciated as it left our boys un- hampered to the full enjoyment of the delightful reception which the New York club gave The tasteful club house was decorated and made brilliant by myr- fad of lanterns, and for three hours the most pleasing expressions of fraternity were ten dered and received Commodore Scranton's little speech in reply to Commodore Rhodes toast to the N. H. Y. c. was 8 very happy effort and struck the keynote for the even ing's pleasure. Pleasant conversation, songs in chorus, quartet and all the other 'ftets" known in music were indulged in, and even solos were done. City Auditor Toppen, N. B. Y. C., bore off the palm by his excellent rendition of the yachtman's favorite and feeling ditty entitled the E'Three Flies" Trustee Perry of the Minerva tackled the touching song "The Christening" and was followed by an excellently ren- dered rollicking song "Are you there, Moriartya'' Then Lieutenant Walker of the Minerva favored the company with 'sClementine,' depending the Minerva's company for the refrain His trust was well placed and proved so satisfactory that the same crew were compelled to do several things from their extensive repertoire. Al together a most delightful evening was passed and the memory of it will eyer exist and be oft recurred to. To write of all that hap pens as the happy hours fly by would be to fill pages beyond ones patience, but to live through such days as these are is 8 foretaste of heaven. Don't let that sentiment shock you landsman readers, but consider mo- ment how chosen company drawn closely by the ties of friendship, bound tighter still by companionship in danger-(for there is an element of danger which must exist in yacht ing,)-and dependence each on the other to do his duty in trying time, day and night together, all this and more. Then you may well see there is much in it, and those that know it's joys most highly prize them.
 The weather in Newport harbor Wednes- day night was extremely nasty. A perfect hurricane was blowing in the harbor. Our squadron from thence was accompanied by schooner Indolent and sloops Startling, Arazalia and Iolanthe of the New Bedford club.
 Yesterday morning the wind was west by north, and the outlook for @ pleasant run was not favorable. Commodore Scranton, of the New Haven club, after consultation with Commodore Rhodes, concluded to or der start, and mainsails were hoisted Several of the New Haven boats concluded not to leave port, and with the exception of the cutter Rajah, the Indolent and the Star ling, all the boats carried reefs.
 The starting gun was fired at 9:43 a. m., and it was merry work for the crews work ing out of the harbor. There was sharp lufing match between the Wild Pigeon and the Startling in working to windward. The 1ol but was unable to weather the opposite point and in taeking lost ground. The fleet passed out of the harbor with the Indolent at it's head. The Wild Pigeon was next, while on her weather quarter was the Startling. Next came the Sea Belle and Mi Acme, Raiah, Io1anthe, Arazalia, Ceres and Vixen in the order named. The hurricane of the previous night caused a tremendous swell and the ocean 'Fwith the brine on his gray locks' was in a state of terrible agita- tion. The tide was ebb and in the rips off the reef it seemed as if the seas must knock the small boats end over end. Sheets were started, but the strength of the wind let go The yachts took advantage of the light wind to shake out their reefs. This seemed to be attended with considerable difficulty as far as the Wild Pigeon was concerned and she was delayed long time. Finally when off Brenton's Reef the wind hauled to the south west. lu0 ydCuIS k0pG VIGIL OA IOLu OOd- comet to avoid the heavy seas which it was feared might break over the little craft if the shore was hugged. Off the river the In dolent was the leader with the Startling sec- ond. Schooner Minerva was fighting with the latter for supremacy and some distance astern, the cutter Rajah was creeping up on the leaders in a manner which caused some anxiety. Then came the Sea Belle, who was sailing very fast apparently, although she failed to attain 8 good position, the Wild Pigeon, Ceres and far astern the Arazalia, Iolanthe and Vixen. At this point the jolly guests on the Minerva gave Capt. Parker a unique greeting in concert and lowered their club signal at half-mast to express their humiliation at the way in which the New Bedford yachts were getting away from their fleet. At 11:45 the leaders were off Seaconnet lighthouse and Cutty- hunk was raised in the distance. The rela- tive positions of the fleet were unchanged at this point, although the yachts astern were favored with the stronger winds and crept up on the leaders. The yachts surged and reached through the rising seas and it was impossible not to feel the exhilaration of the sport. At this juneture it was decided to test the spinnaker of the Starling An i'm mense balloon jio on the Minerva was drawing powerfully and she was almost upon the sloop. It was no easy matter to accomplish this, as the little craft SOSSSA stopped it's entire length, and when it was sheeted home the boat forged ahead with considerable expedition. Just as it was draw ing the strap to the preventer backstay part ed, and it was thought the topmast would be carried away, but the stick proved good one and bore the strain until matters could be adjusted.
 Shortly after the Rajah hoisted a spin maker to port, and the light sails fluttered to the mastheads of every craft in the fleet. The Startling did magnifcently, and at 3 D. m., off Barney's Joy, to.Captain Parker's joy, the sloop passed the Indolent. The Minerva still held third place, but the Wild Pigeon was closing in her wake. The Arazalia was doing good work and held the sixth position, having passed the Vixen, Acme, Iolanthe and Sea Belle. The latter was crippled, however, having carried away the jaws of her gaff. Of Mishaum Point the wind was bafhing and spinmakers were hastily called in. Mainsails were jibed from starboard to port as the shippers jockeyed for the advan- tage of the light puffs. At length ripple on the water foretold the approach of breeze, and at 2.45 p. m., off Dumpling light, with mainsails and iibs hauled fiat, lee scuppers were singing. The Wild Pigeon passed the Starlinp and Indolent to leevard