Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-07
PURITAN SURE WINNER
THE GENESTA TO HAVE 81 SEC
ONDS TIME ALLOWANCE.

Weather Beaten Sons of Neptune Ger
tain That the Britisher Stands No
Ohance-A Big Fleet to Follow the
Cup Contestants The Rules Governing
the Race.
NEW YORK, Sept 6.-The yacht Puri-
tan was towed at O'Clock this morning
from the dry dock on which she had been
cleaned and pot-leaded to the American
docks at Tompkinsville, Staten island,
where, shortly after 10 O'Clock, John NJ.
Wilson, the New York Yacht Clubs
measurer, took her accurate measure
ment. She was found to be S3 S5-l00 feet
sailing length and 81 feet 10 inches on the
water line. This measurement makes
her allow the Genesta exactly thirty
one seconds over the course she
will sail. Fifty yachts, including
many of the eastern and Boston yacht
clubs, accompanied the Puritan and
Genesta from their auchorages TO the
Horse Shoe Sandy Hook. The wind was
light at the start, but in the run out
when the fresh breeze came from the
westward the Puritan slipped past the
Genesta and held the advantage to the
anchorage. The start will be made to-
morrow morning at half past 10 O'Clock.
Two hundred yachts are lying at the rem
|
pany the contestants over the course.
PUBLIC INTEREST.
Public interest in the race is augment
ing with wonderful rapidity, and much
betting is the result. There is decided
Puritan "boom" on, and confidence In the
boat is increasing so rapidly that the
Genesta will be swamped under odds If
| nothing occurs to stem the tide. Upon
the conclusion Of the Purtan-Prlscilla
races, betting on the result OF the contest
between the Puritan and the Genesta was
about even, with the odds slightly In favor
| OF the English boat. Yet, for some unex-
planned reason. this has gradually yeered
around until now odds OF five to three are
| given IN favor OF the Puritan.
Enthusiastic Puritan men are now bet
| ting even that the Genesta will not win
one of the races, that she will be fifteen
minutes behind her rival at the end OF the
first race, and that Sir Richard Sutton
will have to walk home. One thing is
certain, the active betting on the Genesta
has suddenly ceased, although up to
week ago any amount OF money could be
| had on her.
There is no better index Of the compara-
| tive speed of the two boats than the range
OF the betting. Nine-tenths of the money
that is ''put up' Is staked by men who
wish to make something out of the race,
| anu VINO thIe NUtuihk dupub AhlAOHdl
| pride or English or American models.
They stake their money upon the boat
| they think will win, taking the opinions
OF experts who have examined both boats
as their guide. Thus it will be seen that
opinion centres upon the Puritan as the
better boat, which she probably is.
Impartial judges, however, are unable
to account for the sudden change OF popu-
lar opinion I'm favor of the Puritan. She
| haa fOna nnfhfpU within a uaak that uaa
not expected Of her, and the Genesta has
not shown herself to be less worthy than
| Of yore. Nevertheless the Puritan men
have successfully bulled the market and
driven the Genesta men off the field.
There are now barrels OF money ready
to be staked on the Puritan on even
| terms, but nobody seems disposed TO take
it up. Many Efforts have been made to
get bets in London, but without avail.
The English people seem unwilling to risk
q shilling on their boat.
The Genesta vas officially measured
Friday. Her sailing length, which is
compounded Of her water line measure
ment and sail area, was found to be 81 $40
feet. The Genesta is 96 4-10 over all, Is
extreme beam and draws IL feet and 6
| inches.
The Puritan is owned by a party Of
twelve Boston gentlemen, who jointly
| contributed the money required 70 build,
| equip, and commission her. The most
active members Of the syndicate are j.
| Malcom Forbes, Gen. Paine, and DR.. Bry-
ant. She was designed 10y Edward Bur-
CESS. Of Boston, and built by George Law
ley l. Son, at City Point. Work was be-
! gun in March Of the current year, and the
boat was launched on May 26 with un-
| usual absence Of ceremony. Her dimen-
sions are as follows: Length over all 93
feet, length on the water line 81 feet 10
inches, beam 227 feet, draught So. The
length OF her mast, from deck 10 hounds,
is go feet; topmast. from tib to sheave, ~
feet; bOwsprit cupboard. - feet; boom, 70
feet; gaff, AZ leet; spinnaker pole, so feet.
| THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OPINIONS
ON THE RACE.
Commodore John Hyslop, ono of the
pronounced cutter advocates In the coun-
try, SAYS: "In fresh wholesale breeze
and with paratiyely smooth water
the Puritan will beat the Genesta. II,
however, there should be gale from the
eastward Sunday, continuing through the
night, and Kicking up ugly easterly swell,
the Genesta will beat the Puritan Monday,
whether the wind be light or strong.
Capt. Nicholas Dand, now IN command
Of the steam yacht Stranger, who was for
some years in command Of the schooner
| yacht Wanderer and a seaman Of great
| experience. says: "li IL blows u reeiing
! breeze At the start, so that the Puritan
can reduce her canvas before the race be.
| gins she will heat the Genesta ten or
twelve minutes. H. however, tney start
with the whole sail and have TO reef dur
ing the race, the Genestn can trice up
her track and swather around the mark
without being Obliged 10 lose any time IN
reefng, and she may win. or, II the
wind be extremely light, she will win II
she can make the race inside OF tho seven
hours. Under other circumstances the
! Puritan will have the best Of IL. In a
strong breeze and smooth water | don't
think the Genesta has ghost OF
! chance"
A RATHER AMUSING STORY
is told Of that veteran fnancier and
sportsman, William X. Trayers. Several
weeks ago, before the cruise Of the New
/ York Yacht Club, he met az Newport an
! English acquaintance, who offered 20 bet
4 him 500 10 $40 that the Genesta would
/ win. II shall have 10 take YOU" replied
/ Mr.. Trayers, as promptly as his well
+ known deliberate utterance would per-
I nit The bet was made, and then Mr..
| Travers said: "Let us 90 that bet
/ once again" The second bet was made.
s'Now,r exclaimed Mr.. Trayers, warming
/ up 20 the excitement Of the sport, "let Us
/ 10 IL five times Oyerv Bot his English
4 friend had not calculated on awakening
such an Unsuitable appetite, ana, express