Huntsville gazette., 1885-09-19
ONE FOR THE YANK.
The International Yacht Race Be-
tween the Puritan and Genesta.
After Three Previous Trials the Race Made
and the Puritan Wins the First
Heat-An Exciting Race
and Close Finish.

Heat-An Exciting Race
and Close Finish.
NEW YORK, September 15.-At last,
after many attempts, the first of the
series of races which are to decide wheth-
er the American cup shall remain in
America or 60 to England, has been
sailed and the Puritan Won. The morn
ing broke cloudy and overcast, with a
good sailing breeze from the southwest,
which weather prophets said would prob
ably hold all day. But it only held for a
little while, and it turned out to be a
purely Puritan day-the sea smooth and
the wind light.
The race was to be over the inside
course, and therefore there was an i'm
mense crowd of steam yachts, tugs and
sailing boats of every kind on their way
to the starting point on the Narrows.
The excursion boats were crowded,
and everybody bubbled over with en-.
thusiasm. All night long the rival
yachts lay at anchor, the Genesta
off Tompkinsville, and the Puri-
tan off Stapleton. The sailors on
both were astir early getting things
ready. Both yachts began to set sails
about nine O'Clock. The big main sails
were "swayed' up, and then the men
rode the top sail halliards. At half-past
nine both got under way and sailed out
In the middle Of the Narrows, tacking
across and back again, waiting to start.
A large feet of excursion steamers and
tugs, brilliantly decked with flags aud
bunting, lay back of the judges and stake
boat.
At 0:45 a. m. the Lockenback blew
number of short sharp blasts which
meant that the champions must get
ready. Then at 1925 a. m. the prepara-
tory signal was given, and both yachts
headed for the line. The Puritan crossed
the line at 10:3l so a. M, and the &C.
nesta at 10:32.10. Both vessels stood
over toward the Long Island shore on the
slarboard tack, the Puritan to
windward. The first stretch was short
one, and at 10:37 the Genesta went about,
followed ten seconds later by the Puri-
tan. The enthusiasts aboard the excur-
sion boats perceived that the Puritan was
gaining bit, and they cheered and whs-
ties were blown, making an appalling
both boats heeled over under it until
they seemed in imminent danger OF up
setting. Then it Stacked and swerved
around a little more to the west The
Puritan caught this change first, and laid
her course directly toward Sandy Hook,
and gained rapidly on her opponent.
The parapets of Fort Wadsworth were
packed with people who cheered and
waived hats, handkerchiefs and parasols
as the racers went by. Just at the en-
trance of the Narrows the Genesta
worked to windward and improved her
position. Then the Puritan caught q
ant of wind and she went ahead so
rapidly that at. the upper Hospital
Island the Gen4sta was fully mile
astern, and the Puritan sailing fast. The
wind acted queerly. 1t came in
puffs and from different directions. At
IL: :37 a. m. there came a slight flaw
from the South, and the sails Of the Pur-
itan fiuttered so that she was obliged to
fill away on the port tack. The Genesta
caught it moment later, but she was
prepared for it, and did not 60 about.
Then the breeze died away almost en-
tirely. Both tackled several tacks, until
they were away in toward the
Jersey shore, and finally the
Puri an stood away on the stretch which
was to carry her past the sou Invest Spit
buoy, the first turning point in the race.
This buoy was passed by the Puritan at
l:2O:l5 p. M, and by the Genesta at
1:24:50 D. m. There was mighty scream
of delight from hundred whistles and
cheers from a thousand thrOats when
the Puritan rounded the Spit and heade
for the stake boat.
The big feet was spread out from
Sandy Hook to the Narrows The yachts
suffered great deal from the wash OF
the steamers, particularly the Genesta,
the people anxious to be near the Amerl-
can. forgetting they were retarding the
plucky foreigner. But it did not make
great deal of difference. because the
wind was so slight.
The Puritan rounded the Sandy Hook
light ship, the stake boat, at 2:l5:2O p.
M, and started for home. The GeneSta
turned at 2:20, both on the port tack. At
3:33:l5 D. m the Puritan rounded the
southwest Spit and the Genesta at 3:42.
The sail home was procession. In spite
of the fact that the Gepesta set her spin
maker, she could not make up the lost
ground. The immense feet kept a din
that must have caused the fis es to Won
der much, and it was increased when the
Puritan neared the finish by a salute OF
guns from Forts Wadsworth and Hamil-
ton.
The Puritan crossed the finishing line
al 4 40 p. m, and the Genesta at 4:56
l-2. Corrected time, Puritan, 4:3S 1-2;
Genesta, 4:44 1-2 Both vessels were
towed up to their anchorages. me
steamers went up the bay and landed
their thousands of passengers, But
away be hind was biz feet Of schooners,
sloops, cat boats aud every other sort
OF boats, who could not sail so fast
They completely choked the entrance TO
the Narrows, and as they struck the
strong ebb tide they remained for time
nearly stationary. They had just enough
wind to STEM the tide; but it they could
not sail, they could sing and shout and
cheer, 1t was most remarkable sight.
Finally the tide turned and they reached
home.
When the Genesta reached her anchor
age, it was discovered that she had split
the yoke Of her top mast. So the rae
ing committee gave her tomorrow to
make rep iirs. Ga Wednesday another