Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-13
THE YACHT RACE FINISH.
Washington Woman's Description Of the
Spectacle ct Vineyard Haven.

lbe6criDtlOn the
Spectacle 1t Vineyard Haven.
Correspondents Of The Evening Star.
MATTHIAS VINEYARD, August Q, 1891.
have just returned from lovely sail, which
will try to give you some idea of. The fleet
of the New York Yacht Club was expected in
our little harbor this afternoon, August 8. and
Judge A. Of New York, who owns beautiful
place on the shore of the bay. asked me to &C.
company him, with a small party of friends, to
witness the yachts come in and the finish Of
the annual race. The feet left Newport at 8
a. m, only about half their number entering the
race. which began from Brenton's Point We
embarked in OUR sail boat at o'clock. The
afternoon was perfect and the water calm. with
hardly a ripple to disturb its surface--too
light breeze, our skipper said, to please the
racers The lovely harbor was already lively
with innumerable cat boats fitting about and
several steam launches were steaming around
one OF which was owned by the Associated
Press, and in another from Woods Holl was
seen the chief of the fish commission. The
little village OF Vineyard Haven, at the head
OF the bay, had an unwonted wideawake ap-
pearance. with several flags flying and yehi-
cles on the wharf in readiness for chance WIS.,
itors from the expected yachts. Everything
wore an ar OF expectancy, which added to the
excitement of the hour. We sailed avay
toward the entrance of the harbor, passed the
two light houses, and rounding the point on
the west side out into the sound soon sighted
the Electra, Commodore Gerry's flag ship.
Following and surrounding her was a bevy Of
superb steam yachts, eighteen, think, owned
by our American millionsires, most of whom,
Weth gay parties, were enjoying the beautiful
san They entered and anchored in the bay
leaving the Electra a short distance outside,
ready to decide the winners of the race by es-
tablishing an imaginary line from the steamer
q llv i'm,
the water near the west chop light house The
sky was nearly cloudless and the atmosphere
SO clear one could see Buzzards bay, Mushon
Island, Woods Holl and Falmouth on the main
land with great distinctness. Many beautiful
yachts which were not in the race
and had started from Newport at an earlier
hour followed closely in the wake of the steam
yachts and enhanced the beauty of the scene.
THE RACERS SIGHTED.
1t was about O'Clock when the racers first
came in sight. 1t was long. stately process
sion, occasionally two abreast, but generally
single file, with majestic masts and every sail
set, even to the balloon sail, to catch the light
winds. With the low descending sun back Of
them, they formed an exquisite picture. We
crulsed about close to them and near the flag
ship and watched with interest each yacht as it
neared the finish line. We knew when its bow
passed the line by the short blow from the
steam whistle of the Electra. The Constella-
uoh, the MaynOwer, the Qulckstep and the
Marguerite were the fortunate leaders OF their
respective classes. The boats were marvels OF
beauty and order from stem to stern. The sails
were OF immaculate whiteness and the active
sailors In their white uniform were very pic
turesque. trading schooner in their midst
In the bay was in striking contrast. A few min
utes before sunset the race was ended. The
Electra lifted anchor and steamed into the BAY
When her anchor dropped it was the signal for
the gun Of each yacht to fire. We in the midst
OF this multitude of boats. could easily imagine
we were witnessing a naval engagement. Again
at sunset the Electra's gun doomed forth. the
signal to lower all flags. Already the feet
nearly hundred in number, presented busy
aspect. The crews appeared in the masts furl
ing the sails all OF which had canvass covers to
preserve them. Steam launches and small boats
were lowered from some to take the owners on
shore and SIC nal flags appeared on others to
show that their owners were away or on board
or at supper. We found the scene so fascinat-
ing that we did not turn our faces homeward
until lights appeared on the yachts. A long
line Of electric lights on the Electra extended
from the top of the two masts down to the deck
on each side, presenting gorgeous spectacle
1t seemed as If suddenly brilliant city had
sprung up in our midst. We landed at the lit
tie pier at o'clock and the delightful sail was
ended. A. Il.