Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-09-08
LOVELY "MAYFLOWER"
SHE BEATS THE ENGLISH YACHT GALA
TEA" I2 MINUTES 40 SECONDS
In The Race at New York Ysstsrday-A Splendid
Victory Over Gallan. Crah-Ths Grandea Of
Marine Spsctaels Witnessed BY fhOus-
ands Of Enthusiastic Spectators

NEW YORK, september Tine start IN
the first competitive race for the American
Cup between the English cutter Galatea
and the Boston sloop May Flower, was
made ut 10:5i-30 o clock this morning, and
was witnessed by at least $4,000 persons.
Both yachts went over the line at the same
time For more than an hour they hugyed
the starting point, each manouyering for
any advantage that shift in the wind or
the last ebb of the tide might give them.
Chance favored the Galatea, for just rs the
whistle of the Luther F. Ward screeched
out the signal for the start brisk wind set
in from the southwest and gave
the English cutter the advantage
Of position. The clouds that had hagged
the wind during the early morning hours
seemed To break just in time, and tho
white winged flyers took their course in
fine style. Never was there aprettier start,
and never were two yachts pitted against
each other in better or more perfect work
ing order. Nor were there ever before two
yachts 80 unlike in build that rcscmbled
one another more closely. Over the line
the Galatca caught the wind and drew
ahead of the May Flower with bound.
Her lead, however, WAS not long held. Tho
jib topsail of the May Flower was set, and
il failed sufficiently Ia bring her hose and
nose with the cutter, although she was per
,.n,l., Lla,EAs.l hN liar Than lh.s
race began in earnest Both boats
were handled rs closely rs they
would stand, the May Flower
being e.lsed oil little toward the Long
Island shore, thus getting the lead Of tho
Galatca. The English boat was then put
about and stood of toward Staten Island.
The May Flower WAS put abont almost ~
quickly and headed in the same direction.
The wind had ireshened considerably by
this time, and the competing yachts prom
scd much for their respective owners. As
they went down the narrows the May
Flower seemed 10 have a fair lead.
To buoy the May Flower had already
beaten the cutter . minutes and I'D seconds.
From here To the outer mark, Sandy Hook
lightship, the contest was
EXTREMELY PRETTY.
The May Flower slowly hut surely out
footed the cutter, and tacking for the outer
mark at 2:21:G0 came grandly along for IL
on the port tack. As she squared away
round il few minutes later and her by
balloon topSail bloSsomed out oi its tops,
the whistle scrcnadc that was given her
could bc heard for miles.
The official time Of turning the buoy
was: Mayhowcr 2:35sr2, Galatca 2:ii:D.
Both made Il splendid turn ~ they round
cd the ligh, ship. TO this point the May
flower had now beaten the Galatca 9mln-
utes and - seconds, and she was fully two
miles away when the latter squared away.
Back Ia the nOrthward came the great
il0tilli of steamers with their freight oi
enthusiastic admirers. The Mayilowcr,
with her big balloon jib topSail bcllying
out in the now strong breeze, came
by buoy N on the home stretch
at 2::I, just ~ the Galatea was passing tho
point of SANDY Hook. The latter passed
the buoy ut BAG and both angling over Ia
port came down Ia the finish on the Hood
tide. Finding that the spinnacker would
not draw Lic,rnant lIeDn ordered II sct tO
starboard at Alb. Captain Stone finding
the cutter ovcrhauling him followed suit
and set the MayilOwcr's spinnacker . min
utcs later. What "A grand finish that was
only an eye witness can tell. IL wp
THE GRANDEsT MAXINE SPECTACLE
ever scen in New York bay. Surrounded
by nearly five hundred steamers and sail
ing craft, the May Flower came tearing
along through q narrow path of water and
crossed the finish line amid the firing oi
guns and the scrclcb Of whistles. Tho
Gala,cl received as hearty a welcome when
she arrived, and when the judges told
Lieut.. Hem that he was beaten
twelve minutes, two seconds he laughei
and shouted back, IL thought
il was half AN hour" Three cheers and q
tiger were given by the yachtsincn for the
gallant little lrishman and his charming
wife. Both yachts proceeded Ia their
anchorage OF Bay Ridge. The next con
test will be sailed on Thursday over a
starting from Sandy Hook Lighship.
AsPLESDID VICTORY.
The sloop yacht Mayhower has won thc
first race ofthc international series against
a powerful antagonist, with n steady whole
sail breeze from the southwark, permitting
each TO carry all their light sails. The
Galatea was beaten ~ minutes ~
seconds actual time, or IL
minute 2 seconds corrected time,
the Mayhowcr having given her - seconds
time allowance, according to the New York
yacht club rules under which the raoes are
sailed. The contest was eminently fair for
both yachts, inasmucb ~ half the course
sailed gave almost all wiDdward work
while the other half was with free sheets.
Although the cutter was defeated, she has
shown herself to be faster yacht than tbr
Gencsta in n light breeze, and one that
may be very hard 20 defeat in a strong
breeze aud sea way.