New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-05
READY FOR THE FRAY.

The two handsome vessels whose perform
ances this week will settle, for a year at
least, the yachting championship of the world
and the possession of the Americas Cup, are
now being overhauled in preparation for their
great contest. Upon the ninth page OF
this issue we present pictures or the
yachts under sail. To the non-professlonal
eye they Look very much alike, and yet In all
essential particulars they are about as dis
similar as tub and barrel. Since it became
definitely settled that the honor OF the star
spangled banner and the safety OF the much
coveted trophy were to be entrusted to the new
Boston sloop, both champions have made all
possible use of the intervening time before the
races. and it may be safely assumed that their
work on Tuesday will be the fruitOn of the
best study of the ripe experience of able pilots
and OF perfect discipline in the crews.
And yet, perhaps, little candid talk to the
Nayflower may not be out OF place. General
Paine is too clever man to suppose that he
owns his boat since she has become the Amerl-
can champion. lie doubtless appreciates his
true place as tile agent of the whole country IN
a national effort to retain glorious prize and to
convince our good friends over the water that
an American centre board slOOp is better boat
than British cutter. Looking at his duty in
the light of his responsibility, the Mayhower's
gallant owner must see that he must stop play
ing and go to work. When the preparatory
signal blows on Tuesday, 1t will mt be taken
in good spirit if the Mayhower is playfully
rubbing her nose on the COney Island beach.
1t will not do to have her lazly roaming over
the bay. The fact that she will prick up her
ears and tear along for the starting line In the
course of time does not satisfy the public
The MayflCwer's crew, too, are good deal
too Slow They seem to think that because she
is the fastest sailor in the world, they can bunge
as much as they please, and she will get there
lust the same. 1t is alleged in the papers that
in her last race they were eight minutes in
setting the spnnaker and that Lieutenant
HEM remarked Such work would not do on
my ship" The long and short of this Is that
the Mayfower must be sailed better. General
Paine can make up his mind that the Galateas
people will make no mistakes and give him no
careless advantage. We do not believe that the
Galatea is rs good as the Genesta, bnt
Lieutenant Henne believes it. The proof
of his confidence is his presence here
to-day, and the Mayflowers best course
is to accept his theory and to prepare to
meet rival who is at least as much better than
the Genesta as the May6ower is better than the
Puritan. In last years battle, the Puritan was
sailed with cOnsrmmate skill. Had the mis-
takes been made by her which have occurred
on the Mayfower in each of the races this year,
Sir Richard Sutton would now be in possession
of the Americas Cup.
The New-York Yacht Clubs committee has
made excellent arrangements this year for the
pubIic's accommodation, and if only the wind
blows generously and no accidents occur to the
champions, there will probably be seen on
Tuesday as fine and spirited contest as ever
delighted yachtsman's eye.