Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-08-11
YACHTING IN A GALE.

Exciting ReE~tta at OconOmowoc-The
Races ON La Belle Lake Sailed in Squat
ly Weather, Several of the Boats Being
DIsabled-ThS Yalaha Captures the First
Prize Easily.
In gallo of wind from the south, en-
livened by numerous squalls of unusual
force, the most exciting regatta ever
witnessed on La Belle lake occurred on
Saturday, August .. The triangular
course is ten miles in length and the
time made by Walter l.. Peck'S Nalaha,
1888, is the fastest on record here. At
ten o'clock all the yachts were ready,
some of them close reefed, but tho wind
was then too unsafe to venture out. An
hour later it had steadied down some
what, and the cat boats were sent away,
the Gladys crossing tho line first at
1O:55.5 SO. The Undine, Ethel and Lady
May followed. The wind blew straight
up the course, and as they sped before
it great streaks of foam followed. The
sloops got away ten minutes latcr-The
Tarpon, first; Yalaha, second; Naiad,
third; Undine, fourth; Varda, last.
The throng on shore was anxious and
excited, and many timo as gallant
craft careened over before q puff of un-
usual severity, there wero half-smoth-
cred screams. Glasses were kept in con-
slant use, and suddenly there was cry
that one of the boats had capsized. The
greatest excitement prevailed. Several
steamers were out at the furtherest end
of the course, and one could be seen
bearing down toward the disabled YES
sci. 1t was the Undlne, Captain Gale
Thompson. She had not upset, but her
mast had broken foot from the deck.
She was towed home. few moments
latter tho Narda was discovered running
before tho wind, evidently disabled.
Her cordage had not been able to stand
the strain. The jib halyards were gone
and she made her home port by the use
of the mainsail alone. Two of the best
and stanchcst crafts were thus put out
of tho race and the gravest fears were
entertained for others.
At the turn at the end of the first course
adisastrous collision between the Tarpon
and Yalaha was averted only by Com
modore Peck, he taking q risk that
caused him to foul, losing time and all
place in tho race. With promptness
and courtesy he reported his own error,
simply saying to the judges that he was
compelled to foul the Yalaha or run her
down and asking to be ruled out
The most slkillful seamanship ever
seen mere was eNnlDlUeu al
regatta and everybody was thankful
that the accidents were not more seri-
GUS. The Naiad showed wonderful quail
tiles for a sloop and stood the gale. The
Gladys also exhibited great stanchness.
They were apparently the steadiest
boats out. Following is the record:
sLooPs.
Yalann.. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 51:53
Tarpon (ruled ouD Observation-Disclosures. 5S;5I
Undine ........... ......:...... os;S9'
The Yalaha was sailed by Walter l..
Peck; the Tarpon, by Commodore Ferd
w. Peck; tho Naiad, by Clarence
Peck; the Undine, by Fred T. Peck.
CAT.BOATS.
Gladys (E Simmons) i :07 40 !
Ethel Crhomas G. Mller) ..1oS:l4
Lady May (Felix Morris)... III :oS:5Tl.
The prizes were: For sloops-The
annual prize pennant, marine glass,
presented by w. l.. Peck, of Chicago
gold compass, presented by the club.
For cat-rigged yachts-annual prize
pennant presented by the club; prize
buoy, presented by the commodore; set
of life preServers, presented by the
club.
In the evening ball in honor of the
event was held at Draper Hall.