Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-09-18
HOLDS HER GRIP.
The Yankee Yacht Victorious inthe
Great Race Yesterday.

The Yankee Yacht Victorious inthe
Great Race Yesterday.
NEW YORK, Sept. 1.-THE Genesta
and Puritan have begun the race.
They crossed the line at 1924 am.
1880 a.m.-The boats started on
the port tack, the Puritan securing an
advantage OF half length. After ten
minutes run in on the Long Island
shore, both boats almost Simultaneous
ly put about for the Narrows, the Pu-
ritan still leading.
11:10 a.m.-The Puritan is now
going through the Narrows. leading
the Genesta by IL of a mile. The
shores of Long Island and Staten
Island are crowded with people and
boats Of every description follow in the
wake Of the contesting yachts.
In the 38-mile race over the New
York Yacht Clubs course to-day, the
Puritan defeated the Genesta 16 min
utes and l9 seconds corrected time, l6
minutes and AZ seconds actual time.
The wind was extremely light from
the start to Sandy Hook going out, and
from there to the finish bearing in from
the Hook to the light ship and back
there was a good 8.knot breeze. The
tide was flood during the first half Of the
race, and also coming home. A Large
feet assembled in the harbor and ac-
companied the yachts over the entire
course.
The scene at the finish was one Of
the grandest ever witnessed. Both
yachts were saluted by every vessel
and gun from Fort Wadeworth
Staten Island. Owing to the cracking
Of the iron cap Of the Genesta's main.
mast, the outside race ispostponed till
Wednesday.
Owls HEAD, UPPER BAY, Sept. IA
The morning opened with an over
cast sky, but with good strong
breeze from the south, which had
been blowing all night. AT six
o'clock there was a large number
Of yachts Of the visiting clubs an(
other organizations at anchor at Bay
Ridge and Staten Island. At 9 O'Clock
the wind had freshened and hauled
around to the southwest, giving prom
ise that one of the races so long de
ferred would be finished to-day. Th,
judges boat, the "Lackenback," ar
rived at the starting point about ter
o'clock, at which time the tide wa
half flood, rising at the full strength o
four miles an hour at ten O'Clock
while the Puritan was standing on tn,
port tack over the Staten Island
shore, she hoiSted her jib topsail il
tops, ready to break out, but
the stops did not happen to be strong
enough, for puff of wind caught the
canvas and blew 1t out deeper than 1t
was wanted. The jib top sail had to
be lowered and was furled on the
bowsprit.
At 1905 the Genesta, under main,
sail, club topsail and jib, was running
free up the bay, passing the Puritan tC
windward, the boats being about one
eighth Of a mile apart, the stake boat
covered with flags from the end Of her
bowsprit to the top masthead and
down to her beam end, about two hun
dred yards southwest of buoy No. 49,
the Puritan off the starboard tack
headed to the line. In obedience to
the waving signal, the Genesta at
once hauled her wind to the same tack
and set her stay sail.
At 1910 am. the Genesta anC
Puritan, after sailing about the bay
for half an hour in order to get into
their positions, to the great admira
tion of their supporters, ranged side
by side off Owls Heads, the Puritan
to windward as usual.
At this moment the bay was alive
with tugs and yachts and the white
sails were dazzling. The starting
signal was given at 10:40 and instantly
the two boats began TO move through
the water. The Puritan, under all
plain sail, was off first and crossed the
line a little ahead of the Genesta. She
seemed to move a little the quicker at
first. but then the Genesta got a breath
Of wind and ran up to her rival. Both
yachts stood on short tack to the
Long Island shore, and a few seconds
later the Puritan went about in pur,
suit.
SANDY Hook, Sept. 14.-The scene
presented by the yatchs and
steamers as they passed Sandy
Hook was as notably picturesque
one. The Puritan with every stitch
Of canvas spread, led the procession
Behind her came the steamer with
various colored flags floating above
their heads, and the yatchs with white
sails, The Genesta followed at some
distance behind, also under full sail.
She swept along with hardly, If any
less grace than the Puritan. The red
caps of her sailors made them plainly
discernable on the deck. The wind was
blowing steadily at rate of six miles
an hour. The Puritan appeared to gain
again on her rival. After passing
Sandy Hook she had the whole sea to
herself, and Capt. Crocker evidently
meant to see that she kept it. He
steered much closer to the wind than
did Capt. Carter.
2:45 p.m-The Puritan and Genesta
are on the port tack. The Puritan
keeps her position to the windward,
-. a "a lanl~c froro -. L.. a. .t a.