Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-09-08

New YORK, September 7th.-Th;s has
been the greatest yachting day that New
York has ever seen, and another day of
glory for Boston, for her latest and prettiest
product OF naval architecture, the yacht
Mayaower, has won the EsSt race of the
series against Ser powerful
antagonist the British cutster Galatea
With a steady breeze from the southwark,
permitting each to carry all their light
sails, the Galatea was beaten 1904, actual
time: or 1902, corrected time-:he May
flower having given her 3S seconds time
allowance, according to the New York
Yacht Club rules, under which the races
are sailed. The contest was ensinentlv
fair for both yachts, inasmuch rs half
the course sailed gave almost all
wind%ard work, while the other half
was with free sheets. Although
the cutter was defeated, she has
shown hersel: to be 2,tlste er vacLt han the
Genesta in a light breeze, and one that
may be very hard TO defeat in strong
breeze and seaway. II has been Il dav of
excitement such ~ is seldom seen in New
York. From dawn till dark, atioat or
ashore, in hotel, club or on change. the
yacht race was the leading topic Of conver-
sation. BY 10 O'Clock III the morning
thousands who were going to witness the
race bad embarked and were steanling
down the bay 10 the rendezvous of Bav
Ridge. There lay two types Of clipper
craft ready for 3 grand marine tournament.
Hundreds of sail yachts surrounded them,
some at anchor and some under way, but
all eager to DE on the move. Ten o'clock
was the time set for the start, but up 10
that hour a heavy veil of haze hung over
the city and harbor, not a breath Of wind
stirred the foliage, while the sun shown
fiercely down, as ii TO mock the efforts of
the yachtmen. Messr5. Robinson, Chase
and Cahoon, the regatta committee on
board the Luckenback. after passing sail
ing orders 10 General Paine, and Lieuten-
ant Hem, on board of their respective
yachts, instructed both to get under way,
and get IN position for prompt start when
the breeze comes. At 1879 q light breeze
from Il little east OF south came III from
scaward, cleared away the haze, and rip
pling the waters Of the bay. Quickly the
Two contestants, and the immense fleet of
steamers Of all sizes. from twenty-foot
launch to the three-decked Grand Repub-
lie, clustered about the startinG point. The
preparatory whistle screeehed out its warn
ing at 1915, and ten minutes later came on
for the start. Both yachts, carrying the
same sail, mainsail club, tOpsail, lib
and forestaysail. had been maneu-
vered into good positions, and down
they came for the imaginary line,
between the Luckanback and Buoy Is,
bearing east from her quarters, mile
away, at iive-knot gait, the Mayfower
apparently ahead, and close to the judges
boat. Not close enough, however, for with
twist of her long filler, Captain Brad
ford shot the handsome Galatea
between the Luckanback's bow and her
rival, and crossed the line second ahead,
amid the widest applause. Mrs. Hem. in
yachting costume, with scarlet Tam
o'Shanter cap, stood in the companion
hatchway, her husband standing on deck,
cool and confident. Captain Stone steered
the MayhoWer, with Joe" Ellsworth at
his elbow, and General Paine near the
wheel. The official start was: Galatea,
10:56:11; Maytlower, 10:5G:12. Both yachts
stood across the channel on starboard
tack, and began the battle for the Ameri-
can cup. Tacking close under the
Long Island shore, at 1l:30 they
made the stretch over for Staten Island.
The MaytloWer had the windward position,
and with the last ebb tide under her lee
boom she managed to keep it. and began
50 outfooting" the cutter at once. Hun
dreds watched this first part of the battle
from the nights of Forts Wadsworth aud
Hamilton. AT HOP ,he Galatea set her
lib top and sail, and at 11:12 the MayGower
tackled close under the quarantine, the cut
ter following suit minute later. The
breeze was fiesheDing every momct, and
the prospects for fine race were encour-
aging The large fleet of accompanying
steamers made trouble for the yachts at
times, and they had to be chased away by
the Judges boat. When the MaYtioWer
tackled to port at 1i:2i she had FOrs Lafay-
cite under her lee quarter, while the Gala
tea was yet under Fort Wadsworth. The
Boston sloop crossed her bow fully quar-
ter of mile TO winGward, three minutes
later, and kept steadily increasing her
lead. At 1889, when the Galatea tackled
to port near buoy I6, the Sloop was
leading her by three-quarters Of mile
The flood tide just began to make, and
Captain Joe = Ellsworth, who piloted the
Maytlower was working it for all it was
worth. Captain Sam Gibson, pilot Of the
Galate1, was also doing his best In this
direction, but the cutter was not equal to
the occasion. He finally split lacks y
with the sloop, and going about at 1920
held the port tack, while the MayhOweT
made two tacks, and gained by the opera
ton fully half mile. Both them made
short boards for buoy 81, the first timing
point. the Mayti1wer fetching around first
at f:01:0l, and the cutter al i:0T:07. They
were greeted with Il perfect ovation of
whistles from the attending steamers as
they flew away with sheets started for buoy
). The MayflOwer passed it al 1:S, and
the Galstea at LIS. To buoy 81 the
Maynower had already beaten the cut
Ter 5:17. From here to the outer
mark at the Sandy Hook light-ship, the
contest was extremely pretty. The May
flower slowly but surely outiooted the cut
ter. and tacking for the outer mark at
2::27:30, came grandly along for it on port
tack. As she squared away" round il a
Few minutes later, and her big balloon top
sail blossomed out of its stops, the whistle
that was given her could be heard
for miles. The official time of turning
was Mayfiower, 2:35:02 Galatea, 2:44:30.
Both made q splendid picture as they
rounded the light-ship. To this point thes
Mayilower had now beaten thej GalateR
$40, and as she was fully two miles
away, when the latter squared
away back TO northward came
the great f1Otllla oil steamers with
their freight of enthusiastic admirers.
The Mayflower with her big balloon lib top
sail bellying out in a now strong breeze came
horsing by buoy 8. one mile ahead ON the
home stretch, at 3:34, just as the Galatea
was passing the point of Sandy Hook. The
latter passed the buoy at 3:36. Both lying
over to port, came grandly down to finish
on the flood tide. Finding that the
spinnaker would draw, Lieutenant HEM
ordered it set to starboard at 4:13. Captain
Stone, finding the cutter oyerhauling him,
followed suit, and set the Mayil0wer's
spinnaker five minutes later. What grand
sight that finish was only an eye witness
can tell 1t was the grandest marine
spectacle ever seen in New York bay.
Surrounded by nearly five thousand steam
aud sailing craft, the Mayfiower came
tearing along through the narrow path
of water, and crossed the finishing line
amid the firing of guns. the screeching of
whistles and the waving OF acres OF bunt-
ing and hendkerchiefs. The Galatea re-
ceiFed as hearty welcome when she ar
rived, and when the judges told Lieutenant
HEM that he was beaten 1902, he laughed
and shouted back: II thought it was half
an hour" Three cheers and tiger were
given by the yachtsmen for the gallant
little Irishman and his charming wife.
Both yachts proceeded to the anchorage off
Bay Ridge, The next contest will be sailed