The Portland daily press., 1888-04-07
CRACK FISHERMEN RACING.
undefeated Burgess Sees His Boat
Distance the Fleet.

BosToN, April 6.-In the great fishermen's
race yesterday the.undefeated Burgess again
proved that he is king Of the seas. The day
was all that could be desired for sailing
race, yacht or otherwise. A vessel was tried
at all points of sailing, and boat could have
only one excuse for defeat-want of speed
In the early morning the wind was light,
and it looked as If there was hardly enough
air to sail the course in the given time.
Yachtsmen and others were early on hand,
and long before the sailing time the steamer
Longfelow swas crowded with interested
spectators, anxious to see the contest. On
the way down the harbor to the starting
point off Boston Light, the racers were
passed in tow of numerous tugs, and, of
course, came under the usual fire of COM
ments as to their respective abilities. On
board the Longfellow the opinion was about
equally :diyided between the Phillips, the
schooner built from Mr.. Burgess's design
and the Gloucester boat Merritt.
At 11.20 O'Clock the signal for the start
was given and the five boats were off The
Merritt, pot loaded to the rail, looked slick
as whistle, and she had no trouble in get
ting across the line we'll in advance. The
McManus went across next, though some
distance behind, then came the Roulette,
and she was followed by the BabSon. The
Phillips came across last and barely saved
her handicap. She appeared to work slow,
but she soon goot over 1t.
The first part of the contest developed into
a struggle for the lead between the Merritt
and Phillips, until off Minots Ledge, the
Burgess boat got the weather gauge ON her
rival, and soon was in the lead At LAO the
leader was about opposite Scltuate, ana
making for the stake boat, the tug DalDy,
which was anchored off Marshfeld. 1t was
the general opinion in the pilot house OF the
Longfellow that the course was much far
ther than 10 miles, aud Capt. Smith deter
mined to log it home TO ascertain the exact
distance. At 1.55 the Merritt came about,
followed by the Phillips at 1.58. The others
soon came about, and all were ON the star
board tack making for the stake boat. The
Phillips continued to increase her lead. She
lost much time in tacking, as she had to take
in her staysail before doing so, while the
Merritt, by a double tackle, kept hers aloft
all the time.
The Phillips Immediately set a large bal
loon jib and made for the finish. The Mer-
ritt after turning the stake boat, put up her
foretopmast again and set all sails allowed
by the rules kShe was carrying fore and
main sails, fore and malntopsalls,, lorestay-
sail, jib, flying jib and jlbtopsail. Every
sail was drawing, but the boat was making
much fuss as she went through the water.
The Roulette carried away her flying Jlp-
boom on the beat out, and she was much
handicapped on the way home. Captain
Smith was not satisfied with the speed Of the
Longfelow, and whistled down the tube for
more steam the engines responded, and the
steamer was logging twelve knots, and then
Just kept up with the leaders The WIND
again canted and was blowing nearly due
south, necessitating the boats to haul In their
sheets. The wind also increased, and the
Merritt was Obliged to take in her foretop-
sail and then went some easier. The Phil
lipslhaving the race well in hand, and mot
wanting to strain herself, changed her bal
loon for jibtopsail, which eased her, but
did not seem to Tetard her speed. At 3
O'Clock the Merritt had to take in heTsjibtop-
sail, as she was nearly rail under. The
Phillips went along and easily showed the
way. AT 3.04 the Merritt had to drop her
mainstaysail.
AS the white beauty crossed the line she
was greeted with whistles and cheer upon
cheer. Mr.. Burgess, clad in rubber coat and
hat, looked in vain for dry spot, but could
not find one, so his customary s0mersault
was omitted. He looked happy, however,
and well he might, for he proved that his de-
signs could not be beaten, even though these
designs were exemplifed in an everyday
fisherman.
The rain came down in torrents at the
finish of the race, and a grand Scurry was
made for home. The Longfellow arrived at
her dock about o'clock, and all were salts
aged, can be very successful affair. Fol-
fc fha Of afo ol