The Hawaiian gazette., 1886-09-28
The White Winged Racers.

With q steady breeze from the southwark per-
hitting each TO carry all their light sails, the
Galatea was beaten l. minutes and 40 seconds
actual time, or L minutes and seconds corrected
time, the MayhOver having given her IS seconds
time allowance, according 10 the New York Yacht
Club rules, under which the races are sailed. The
contest was emIneutly fair for both yachts, mas
much as half the course sailed gave almost all
windward work, while the other half was with free
sheets. Although the cutter was defeated, she has
shown herself to be fGSter yacht than the Genesta
IN q light breeze, and one that may be very hard
to defeat IL strong breeze.
The preparatory whistle screeched out its warn
ing at IQ45, and ten minutes later came on for the
start, both yachts, carrying the same sail main
sail, cIUb-tOpsau, Ilb and forestry sail, had been
maneuYered into good positions. Mrs. Hem, in
yachting costume, with 4 scarlet Tam OShauter
cap, stood on the companion hatchway, her hus-
band standing on deck, cool and confident. Capt.
Stone stsered the MayfoYer, with Joe Ellsworth
at his elbow and General Paine near the wheel.
The official start was Galatea, 10J6:l1; May
flower, 105612. Both yachts stood across the
channel on the starbOat tack and began their
battle for the Americas cup. Locking close under
Long Island shore, at 80 they made stretch
over for Staten Island. The Mayfower held the
windward position nd with the last ebb tide under
herle bow, she managed to keep It,and began out
footing the cutter at once.
When the Mayhoger tackled to port at II:2l she
had Fort Lafayette under her lee quarter, while
the Galatea was yet under Fort WadsEorth. The
Boston slOop crossed her bow fully quarter of
mile to windward, three minutes later, and kept
steadily increasing her Lead. st I1s59, when the
Galatea tackled to port near buoy t. the sloop was
leading her by three-Q quarters of mile. Both
then made short boards for buoy 81, the first
timing point, the MayfOwer fetching around first
at 1Dl;5l aud the cutter at 1g7:0T. They were
greeted with perfect ovation of whistles from
the attending steamers as they few away with
sheets started for buoy .. The MayhOwer passed
il at lis and the Galatea at 1:25.
To buoy 81 the Mayhower had already beaten
the cutter minutes II seconds. From here to the
outer mark at Sunday Hook lightship the contest
was extremely pretty. The Mayfower slowly but
surely outfOoted the cutter, and lacking for the
outer marx at 2.2Is30, came graudly along for ii
on the port tack. As she squared away round 1t
few minutes later, and her big balloon tOpsaiI
blossomed out of Its tops, the whistle serenade
that was given her could be heard for miles. The
Official time of turning was: MayhoTer 2.35:02.
Galatea 2:44.30. Both made splendid pictures as
they rounded the ightship. 70 this point the
Maydover had nov beaten the Galatea minutes
70 seconds The MayfOwer, with her big balloon
lib topSail bellying out in the now strong breeze
came booming by buoy 5, one mile on the home
stretch, at 334. Just as the Galatea was passing
the point of Sunday Hook. The latter passed the
buoy at 3:46, and both angling over to port, came
grandly down to the finish on the food tide.
What grand sight that finish was only an eve
witness can tell. 1t was the grandest marine
spectacle ever seen in New York bay. Surrounded
by nearly five thousand steam and sailing craft
the MayfOEer came tearing along through the
narrow path of water, and crossed the finish line
amid the firing OF guns, screeching of whistles and
waving of acres Of bunting and handkerchiefs.
The Galatea received as hearty welcome when
she arrived.
The following comparative statement will show
at glance the principal dimensions of the English
and American champions: