The Indianapolis journal., 1885-09-15
WON BY THE YANKEE SLOOP.
The Puritan Takes the First Heat in the
Race for the Americas Cup.
Course by Large Fleet Of Steamers
Enthusiastic Display at the Finish.

from the south, which had been blowing all
| night At o'clock there was large number of
yachts, both of the visiting clubs and the New
York, Atlantic, Brooklyn and other organiza-
tons, at anchor at Bay Ridge and Staten Island
AT 8 o'clock the wind freshened and hauled
around to the southwest, giving promise that
one of the races so long deferred, would be
finished to day. The judges boat the Lucken
bach, arrived at the starting point about 10
o'clock, at which time the tide was half flood,
running at it's full strength of four miles an
hour. At 10 O'clock while the Puritan was
standing on the port tack over the Staten Island
shore, she hoisted her jib topsal in stays, ready
to break OUT but the stays didn't happen to be
strong enough, for a puff of wind caught the can
vas and blew it out before it was wanted. The
jib topsail had to be lowered and was furled
the bowsprit. AT 1905 the Genesta. under main
sail, club topsail and jib, was running free up
the bay, passing the Puritan to windward the
boats heing about one eighth of a mile apart.
The stake boat, covered with flags from the end
of the bowsprit to the topmast head and down to
her beam ends anchored about two hundred
yards southwest of buoy No. IS. The Puritan,
on the starboard tack, headed to the line in obe
dience to the warning signal. The Genesta at
once hauled her wind to the same tack and set
her staysail.
There was smart seamanship displayed ir the
manner in which the racers were brought up to
the starting line Both had been tacking about
rather aimlessly, as it seemed to landsmen.
taking little over to Bay Ridge and then
gliding back in the direction of Staten Island
but when the preparatory signal was given each
was ready to take up position, and at 1870 they
were both off Owls Head. just north of the
stake boat, standing almost motionless, side by
side, their towering canvas mounting skyward
like two vast shafts of white marble. At
enough to stir the little ensigns at
the mast-heads of the yachts. which
lay drifting every side. and the water was as
qniet as the surface of an ordinary pond, al
though it had not the CLASSY surface which de-
notes perfect calm. After sailing about the
buoy for half an hour, in order to get into their
positions, to the great admiration of their sup
porters. they ranged side by side off Owls Head,
the Puritan to windward usual
At this moment the bay was alive with tugs
and yachts, and the white sails were dazzling.
The starting signal was given at 1884 and in
stantly the two boats began to move through the
water. The Puritan, under all plain sail, was off
frst and crossed the line a little ahead
a little the quicker at first, but
then the Genesta got breath of wind and ran
up to her'rival Both yachts stood on short
tack to the Long Island shore. Then the Genesta
suddenly whirled about a long leg for the
Staten Island shore, and few seconds later the
Puritan went about III pursuit
The scene presented by the yachts and steam
ers they passed Sandy Hook notably
picturesque one The Puritan. with every
stitch of canvas spread, led the procession.
Behind her came the steamers with various col
| ored flags floating above their heads. and the
yachts with white sails The Genesta fol-
lowed at some distance behind, also
under full SAIL She swept along with
hardly, if any, less grace than the Puritan. The
red caps of their sailors made them plainly dis
cernible on the deck The wind blowing
steadily at a rate of six miles an hour. The
Puritan appeared to gain on her rival after pass
ing Sandy Hook. She had the whole her
self, and Captain Croker evidently meant to
see that she kept it, He steered much closer to
the wind than did Captain Carter. From here
| to the outer mark was the most exciting part of
the contest Travelling at ten-kuot rate in
fresh breeze and heeling till their lee rails
awash, they made a pretty picture Quite
heavy swell came rolling in from the eastward,
and soon their crests were covered with
| of steamers, supplemented every mo-
mept by others from the city chased
each other at full speed for the light-ship to
witness the turn. which made as follows
Puritan, 214:54; GeneSta. 2:19l6 Both were
given perfect ovation of applause from steam
whistles, guns, and hundreds of throats as they
luffed grandy round the mark and kept away
with sheets started for the point off Sandy Hook.
The Puritan held her lead well, and both, with
booms off to starboard came to the westward
like race horses, only to strike into
a calm streak and hcad-wnd
off the Hook. The Puritan went about at 324
and stood into the Horseshoe for three minutes.
whom she able to weather buoys 81
and 10. The Genesta made the same tacks
later, and both rounded buoy 10 as follows:
Puritan 338:05; Genesta, $4,000 Setting her
balloon jlb tcpsail at once, and starting her
sheet broad off to starboard, she soon
although both had to stem the
ebb tide in very light air. The Genesta's spin
aker was sent out to port in eleven and one-half
minutes after rounding the buoy. The Puritan's
| spinaker boom was lowered, but the sail was not
set. She crossed the finish line at 4:3SO5 amid
the widest enthusiasm. the steamers that fairly
blocked the channel for mile to the southwark
closing up around her and making veri-
wh;ses table for fov with svt their
The Genesta arrived at 4:5452, and was greet
ed with similar reception. AS the yachts passed
| in by Fort Wadsworth, gun from the fort
fred in salute to each, and when the yachts came
| alongside of each other, the crew of the Genesta
standing at the rail facing the Puritan, gave
three cheers, led by Sir Richard Sutton. for the
winning yacht. Mr.. Forbes, waving his cap in
the air, led his crew in three-timesthree for the
| Englishmen.
Mr. lans, VI tne committee, In an interview
| after the race, said: II am satisfied that the
| Puritan has fairly outsailed the Genesta to-day,
| but think when they meet in a good breeze. it
| 1t will be nip and tuck" MIR. Forbes, General
| Paine and Mr.. Burgess are ali satisfied with the
! result and are ready to try it again on Wednes
| day, when the outside course will be sailed, the
breaking of the Genesta's m Gin cap" preventing
a race tomorrow.
| Captain Joe Ellsworth said tonight: "The
Englishman is mighty smart boat. and may
sailed in 1Oth
water"
The following table gives the actual result of
the races
Elapse Corrected
Yacht Start. Finish Time Time
Puritan 10h 32m 4h 38m 05s Oh 06m 05s Oh O6m O5s
Genesta l0h 32m 4h Sam SIS Oh 22m 52s 6h 22rn 24s
How Gen. Butler Got the America.