The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-19
VICTORIOUS ViGILANT.
She Takes the Lead in the Race
for the Astor Cup.
A CLOSE AND EXCITING CONTEST.

In the Opinion of Yachtsmen tho vigilnnt
Is Already Destined to Dcfend the
America Cup Against Lord Dunrayen's
yalkyrie-The Jubilee Came In Second.
NEWPORT, r. T., Aug 1S-The America
cup is safe. The defender is rs good rs
chosen. Such was the unanimous verdict
OF every expert yachtsinan that witnessed
the race off Brenton Reef yesterday. 1t
was the first fa% merits of the respective
boats, and the Vigilant sailed like a witch
and stood up like house. No more
superb burst of speed has ever been wit
messed in this or any other country than
that made by the Vigilant as she gybed
around the outer mark, eased her sheets
anu ran for the finish. 1t was not only
great victory for the Vigilant, but the
triumph of ideas for the ordinary center
board. The type of boat that has so ably
defended the cup thoroughly and eirec-
lively outsailed fin keels and every other
device that could be attached to the bot
tom of racing craft.
On board all of the big sloops there was
no dearth of talent, for each skipper had
an advisory board with him. Nat HERES
hoff and Hank IIoff sailed the Colonia,
Designer Stewart helped Captain Sherlock
on the Pilgrim, General Paine advised
with Jack Barr on the Jubilee, and G. Oil
yer lselin was by the side of Skipper Hau-
sen on the Nigilant throughout the entire
race. Despite all this array of skilled and
experienced men, the Vigilant sneaked
through their lees and blanketed them
whenever she felt disposed. The wind
blew steady and strong from start to fin
ish, and neither fiuke nor calm married any
part of the contest.
AT 1l:3 the signal gun to start the big
sloops doomed across the water. Almost
simultaneously with the gun the Jubilee
and the Vigilant both on the starboard
tack, bore down for the line and crossed
close under the flagship, with the Jubilee
to windward. After them came the
Colonia, about length astern, and then
came the Vigilant.
All of the yachts carried jibs, staysails,
mainsails and club topsails, breaking out
their baby jib topsails as they went over
the line. The Jubilee and Pilgrim soon
took on their light sails. however, followed
by the others Il half hour later. The Pill
grim now ran through the lee of the
Jubilee and seemed to shoot rapidly ahead
but she was treated to a dose of the same
medicine few minutes later The Colona
was now about 500 yards nstern of the
Pilgrim, and the Vigilant the same dis
lance from the Colonial though she was
eating right up into the wind
AT ll:50 the Pilgrim, having been blan-
ketcd by the Jubilee, split tacks with the
Others an d stood off to the southwest and
passed astcrn of the Vigilant This left
the three others in line ahead on the star
board tack, with the Jubilee leading, but
to lceward of the Colonia, which was in
turn To leeward of the Vigilant or the
three boats the Vigilant seemed to hold IL
better luff and her sails were set neatcr.
The Nigilant was so far to windward that
she had easily the lead of the others Even
thus early it looked as though the Vigil
liant was sure winner.
So OH to the end of the race the Vigilant
mt every turn showed her superiority. The
NiSilant seemed to hold IL better lift and
move faster through the water as she
nehrcd the turning mark, II red flag upon
buoy, fifteen miles to windward of
Brentons Reef lightship. The yachts gybed
around in the following order: Nigilnnt.
2:O0:31; Jubilee. 3.12:20; Colonia, 2:l3:l5:
Pilgrim, 2:l6:42.
In the run home the Vigilant held her
lead, and would have probably Increased
il had not the weather been so thick that
she mistook another vessel for the light
ship and stood too far to the eastward.
This necessitated her taking in the spin
maker and balloon jbtopsail, gybng over
10 the port tack, and losing probably three
or four minutes
The Jubilee and Colonia held each other
to the finish, but the Pilgrim, carrying
away the jaws of her gaif, gave up the
race. The Jubilee, after crossing the
finish, also carried away hers.
The following is the summary of the
races: