The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-06-30
A PURITAN DAY.
Boston's Pride, with Capt. crocker
at the Helm, Wins the Great
Yacht Race.

Boston's Pride, with Capt. crocker
at the Helm, Wins the Great
Yacht Race.
A Multitude of People Witness the
Exciting Contest Between
the Giants,
The Most Remarkable Race Ever
Sailed on the New England Coast.
| MARBLEHEAD, June 90. = Thousands
| thronged Marblehead this morning to wit
ness the great regatta of the Eastern Yacht
| Club. 1t is safe to say that no such crowd
| has for many years left Boston for the inya-
| sion of the quaint old shoe making town
| down the shore. The trains on the Eastern
railroad were sight to behold. Every inch
| of standing room on the cars was occupied
| even to the lowest steps on the platform, on
each of which dozen perspiring but happy
| individuals might be seen hanging on with
precarious grip Every window was filled
with eager faces and the aisles were crowded
| with men, women and children, to such an
| extent that it was seemingly hopelessly
| undertaking for the conductors to attempt to
work Their way from one end of the train to
| the other. In addition to the enormous
crowd carried by the Eastern road, five
| steamers alse left Boston for Marblehead,
| carving between them total of $500 or
more. The scene on board the steamers,
was to a high degree, .enlivening. The, fleet
made a lively procession down the harbor.
1rxr nd ncfn NiaiO1 ltr fbn
race. There was a good sailing breeze from
the west northwest in the early morning
which continued to grow stronger as the day
advanced. Upwards OF one hundred sails
embracing some of the finest yachts in New
England waters were at anchor in the har-
Dor. Crowds of people poured into town
from every quarter. The yachts hoisted
their sails at about 10.15 and some 10 or 20
minutes later the fleet was moving out of
Marblehead harbor. The immense cloud of
snowy canvas stretching around the point of
neck presented beautiful sight. The May
flower led and the Puritan followed. Both
pointed for the Priscilla but the latter did not
come out until IL and then simply stood off
and on. The Twilight arrived from Boston
at 1915 and soon after the judges steamer,
the William Clark, came out upon the start
ing line. The wind at this time was fresh
ening and gave free run down the course to
the eastern stake boat.
AT noon exactly the whistle was blown for
the yachts to get ready for the start and 20
minutes later down they came bound for the
first stake boat The Priscilla was first the
Fortuna second the Mayflower third and the
Puritan fourth. The other yachts in the
race followed on after. At this time there
was stiff breeze from the west. The big
sloops rounded the first stake boat in this or
der: Priscilla at 1876, Puritan 12.41, May
flower 12.42 The wind was still blowing a
good topsail breeze The first stake in the
finish was turned by the Puritan at 2.20, the
Priscilla at 2.21 and the Mayhower at 2.25.
The Puritan was outrunning them all before
the wind, The yachts rounded the second
stake boat as follows: Priscilla 1.02.5, May
flower LOG, Puritan, 107 At the third stake
seen. The Puritan turned the third boat
ahead at LOS, the Priscilla at 1.52 and the
Mayflower at 1.53.
The Puritan crossed the finish line at 3.34,
winning the race. The Priscilla was second
at 3.37 and Mayflower third at 3.39.
The interest which attaches to the contest
of the MayhoweT, Puritan and Priscilla to-
day has gone far toward creating popular
misapprehension that the race was especial
ly arranged for trial OF the speed OF the
three great sloops. The fact is that it is the
annual regatta of tie Eastern Yacht club,
an occasion which in past years, as in the
present, has been sufficient to call together
a noble feet of pleasure crafts, though there
was added no eager anticipation of strug-
gle for the emblem of the yachting suprema-
cy of the world. 1t happens that this year
the three aspirants for the proud position Of
Americas champion in the coming interna-
tiOnal race form by themselves class IN this
annual regatta.
Another Account.
BOSTON, June 29.-Again has the famous
white sloop Puritan demonstrated her invin-
cibility, and this tirrre established beyond all
cavil the fact well expressed by party OF
New York yachtSmen at the conclusion of
Yesterdays race that ''the Puritan is a dam
dy, and with Crocker at the helm there is
nothing that sails blue water that can touch
her." The regatta sailed off Marblehead to-
day was in point OF weater, wind, reputa-
tion of competing yachts, multitude OF spec
tators and profound interest excited in the
minds of the general public the most remark
able race ever sailed on the New England
coast.
seription. The wind, which at the start,
blew a whole sail breeze rapidly increased to
a Is knot breeze which held throughout the
entire race. The bay off Marblehead was
literally covered by innumerable steam and
sailing vessels of all kinds covered with en-
thusiastic passengers and the adjacent shores
were lined with spectators. Previous to the
start the sea was very smooth and the wind
fresh. As the big slo0ps were executing pre-
liminary maneuVors while awaiting the sig
nal the Priscilla and Mayt0Wer, under full
sail with their huge racing topsails set, made
magnificent appearance. Their frequent
spurts of marvellous speed gave foretaste
of what was to come, and followers OF BoS-
toms pet gaZed gloomily at her diminutiye
working topsaiis. putting their trust how
ever, to the Puritan's luck and the tacitnrn
blue coated man in the stern sheets. AT 12.-
05 o'clock, the whistle from the judges
steamer, signalized the start. The Priscilla
crossed the line at 1908 o'clock, the Puritan
at L. 1.30 o'clock, handicapped one and one
half minutes, and the Mayfower at 1912
o'clock, handicapped two minutes. With
sheets full and bye the sloops flew down the
first leg of the course. On this run the Pur-
itan, to the astonishment Of all, held her own
against the Mayflower and both Boston boats
gained slightly upon the Priscilla.
The turn was made by the Priscilla at
| 12, 35, 90, the Puritan u, 49, 90, the Mayfow
er12. 80. 90 Sheets were now trimmed aft
and beautiful race ensued across the sec
ond leg. Tie Mayflower slowly but steadily
wethered and out footed the white sloop
forcing her to fall off and crossing her bow
near the second turn which was made as fol
lows: Priscilla /, O3, 20; Mayfower /, OF, %;
Puritan /, OF, 45. The wind had now hauled
almost dead to the west, and had freshened
to about 13 knot breeze. All the sloops af-
| ter rounding, stood on the port tack and took
in their jib topsails. The Priscilla tackled at
/, u, 45, taking in her club topsails. The
Puritan and Mayfower came about a few
seconds later. The wind was now blowing a
strong Is knot breeze. The Puritan rapidly
overhauled the !Mayf1ower hand over hand,
cut under her lee crossed her bow, and out
lOUllliS liCl, 1oiAiJ nov ONSA
the water.
The Priscilla came about at 1.27, the Puri-
tan at 1880, and the Mayfower at 1.30. The
latter was unable to carry her working top
sail, and sent it down on the last tack. The
Puritan flew like q race horse, and at 148.45,
saluted by shrieks from scores of steamers,
whistles, and cheers from hundreds of spec
tators, she crossed the Priscilla bow, tackled
at 1872 and headed for the stake-boat. The
Priscilla came about at 1.50 Is to the leeward
and astern Of the Puritan, and the MayfloWer
tackled at 1920, astern of the Priscilla. The
stake-boat was made by the Puritan at ! .52. so.
Priscilla 1.53.40 Mayfower 1.56.25. All the
yachts now set their jib-topsails and work
| ing-topsals, and started a second time
| around the course On the first leg the
| yachts maintained their relative positions.
| The Puritan turned at 220.45, the Priscilla
at 2.21.1S, and the Mayfiower at 2.24.34. In
| the run across the second leg the Priscilla
| slightly gained on the leader, the turn being
made by the Puritan at 247.45, the Priscilla
| at 2.48.25, and the Mayfiower at 2.51.47. The
| Puritan now, as before ran away from the
rest of the fleet. and by two short and one
| long tacks, with topmast housed and stiff
| 15-knot breeze blowing, she crossed the line
| the winner at 3.35; the Priscilla made long
| tack toward Beverly shore and on her return
| the Maytlower crossed her bow and appar-
| entity led, but on the next tack the Priscilla