The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-09-25

Two days after the Boston sloop Puritan's
first victory over the English cutter Genesta
in the international yacht race for the
Americas cup, the second of the series of
contests took place. The result rendered
third race unnecessary, as the Puritan won
again after magnificent contest. The cup
which was wreste1 from England by
the yacht America thirty-four years
ago, and has never gone back, although fire.
quently contested for, now remains in this
country until the next would-be champion
comes across the seas to claim the Yachting
supremacy of the world. The course was
from the Scotland lightship outside of New
y DIRK bay, twenty miles to leeward, which
was eastsoutheast, and return. Wind and
wave were favorable to bringing out the best
points Of the English boat. The sea was
lumpy, and the breeze freshened almost to
gale. Details of the race are as follows:
The judges boat, Luckenbach, dropped
over to point just east of the Scotland
Lightship and dropped anchor, forming the
line of start. At 1915 she sounded the warn
ing signal, and the yachts went through
their manoeuvers for position to cross the line.
1t was beautiful sight to watch them tack
ing for position, with clear field to them
selves, the excursion boats and accom-
panying yachts for once keeping well to
leeward and astern. At II o'clock the pre-
paratory signal was sounded and the yachts
approached the line. The Genesta was to
leeward Of the sloop, but many lengths ahead.
1t seemed as though the Puritan was anxious
to have the cutter cross the line ahead If
that was her purpose, it was accomplished,
for the boats made their start thus:
H. NJ S. H. NJ S.
Genesta. II O5 10 Puritan. III O6 Oh
AS the Genesta went over the line she set
her big spinaker and shook out her jib top
sail. The Puritan hung out her spinaker
and set out her balloon jib topsail. Sheets
We're Stacked off, booms cooled away out, and
the race was begun. The breeze blew over
the port quarter at not less than seven
knot pace, the sea was smooth and the tide
flood. The weather gratified the Puritan's
friends at this time
There was not such large fleet of accom-
panying vessels as on any previous days when
the yachts met but there was still goodly
number of steam yachts and steam passenger
boats, and the latter were all crowded.
After a close and exciting race, in which
each yacht was at times ahead, thu Puritan
crossed the finishing line ahead of the Genesta
by about quarter of mile.
The screeching of whistles, firing Of can
non, ringing of bells, blowing of trumpets,
and cheering accompanied either boat as it
finished. The crews Of the contending yachts
also cheered each other heartily.
Here is summary of the race:
Elapsed Corrected
Finish Time. Time.
II. M. S. H. NJ $. II. NJ. $.
Puritan...... A 90 Is 5 O3 II > OF "A
GeneSta. ...... 10 80 % % > OF 5.
The Genesta had the best of the start by
forty-five seconds, and the Puritan finished
one minute and forty-five seconds ahead
This gives the Puritan the victory over the
forty-mile course by two minutes and nine
seconds actual time, and by one minute and
thirty eight seconds after allowing her an
tagonist the thirty-one seconds time allowance
of corrected time. After crossing the line bott
yachts hove to, and were taken in tow tC
their moorings off Staten Island.
The scene about Staten Island after tn,
two racers came to an anchorage, was a re
markable one. Yachtsmen by the hundreds
visited each craft. On the Puritan feas
was spread and partaken of with many
sincere wishes and much mirth
The officers of the American sloop were near
ly shaken to pieces by their enthusiastic ad
mirers, Upward of 100 congratulatory dis
patches were received from Boston, wher
the greatest enthusiasm prevailed over tn
Puritan's victory.