The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-09-08
THE YACHT RACE
FIRST OF THE SERIES OF RACES FOR
THE INTERNATIONAL CUP.
The American Yacht Puritan Leading
Her British Rival, Genesta, in the
Contest-The Latest Bul1e-
tins--A Gay Scene.

CHICAGO Sept S.-The following dis
patches have been received:
SANDY Hook. N. j., Sept. Z, las P. M
The yachts have started in the international
race for the Americas cup The Puritan
got off at :35 p m., followed by the
Genesta at 1:S6:l0. The wind is light, from
the southeast
$40 p m.-The yachts are now standing
to the ca, tward and are still near the light
ship. The Puritan Is to the windward and
about half mile ahead With the pres
emit wind IL Is notexpected that the race can
be sailed much within the prescribed time
seven hour, OF no race
$3.50 p. m.-Both yachts are standing
southwest The Puritan is well to wind
ward. The wind is very light
4p m-The Puritan has gained three
minutes forty-ive seconds so far, and is
leaving the Genesta all the time.
Ala p nh Both yachts are now standing
east-southeast The Puritan is mile to the
windward
To-day's race is twenty miles to wind
ward and return, over a course which will
take the yachts from the Sandy Hook light
house to the northwest for twenty miles and
back. The buoys were fixed this morning.
The second race on Wednesday will be from
point in the Narrows, near Fort Hamilton,
to the Sandy Hook hght-ship and return.
II these two races do not decide the contest
third race will be run over triangular
course on Friday.
Pools were sold on the steamer XIII Won
Kull, average prices being 500 for the Pur-
itan to $50 for the Genesta. The amount of
money spent to obtain good views of the
| race WIS almost fabulous, it being estimated
$500, 000 will rot cover the outlay. Gen.
Butler went down to the Horseshoe on his
yacht America.
The day here is honored generally in
| shipping quarters by liberal display
of English and American flags
Many of the proprietors of
excursion steamers gave out that they in
tended to be on the safe side, and that
therefore they would not carry tine fall
number of passengers allowed on board
| Some of them may have adhered to their
determination but so far as one could Judge
| from observation most Of the boats had,
when they left their piers, standing room
only.
The races began to-day will give New
| L
of aquatic excitement The stir that was
this morning everywhere observable was a
continuation of the public curiosity that be-
gan yesterday. Those who could not get
passage on the water gathered along shore
to see as far as they could across the water
and to be delighted by the fine display
of canvas up and down the narrows At
Fort Hamilton the crowd ashore was i'm
mense Thence each way the coast was
lined with people of all social grades and
conditions of life. The flocl1ing OF SO many
thousands 30 the shore and to eligible points
of view when there was nothing Of an ex-
citing character to be seen shows how com
pletely engrossed the public mind is with
the aquatic event of the week.
1t was thirty three years ago last August
since the International silver cup-the
| yachtsmans priceless trelsure--was won
from the English at Inc Royal Yacht
Squadron regatta at CoweS England
Since that time the Britishers have made
nve determined efforts to win back the
trophy and their prestige, but in every
instance without avail. 1t is -four
years since the cup was commended for
by any foreign yacht, and the contest
then was of Little interest, for the
Canadian yacht Atalanta proved most
inferior craft But this week races possess
a deep interest, for it is acknowledged that
the Genesta is one of the fastest yachts that
ever flew the British colors. The challenge
was issued nearly year ago, and the New
York Yacht club, recognizing that it would
not do to trust the cup TO any yacht in theil
squadron, resolved to build one, and at the
same time issued an invitation TO any other
club to do the same and enter her in the pre-
liminary races for the honor of competing
with the Genesta. The Eastern Yacht
club, of Boston, took up the invitation, and
in course of time two magnificent Graf
were added to the record of American
yachts; one, the Priscilla, belonging to the
New Workers. the other the Puritan, being
the property of the BOstonians. The trim
races between the rivals recently tool
place. The Puritan, TO the joy of heI
sponsors and the chagrin of the New York
ers, won two races out of tho three and TIN
international race committee of the New
York club were compelled, very sorely
against their will, to select her TO meet th'
Genesta-
The contest, however, has a much wide
significance than a mere friendly contes
J between two nations. All previous effort
: of British yachts TO recapture the prize hav
been somewhat in the nature of anticipates
, conclusions. But the Genesta is built upon
new model and In accordance with new prin
ciples of nautical science, and represents tn
most advanced.principles of British, modelin'
The English are eager to demonstrate TO tn
, world that they are masters of the winds
that they have at least solved the problem
Of the greatest speed under the broades
: canvas Modelers and builders are watch
2 ing the contest with unusual interest, an
the pride and prejudice of two nations ar
aroused. The final outcome of the race
awaited with intense anxiety.