New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-15
THE NAVAHOES TRIUMPH.

The Navahoe has had the singular fortune
of losing every race except the one which she
went over the sea TO win. The Brenton'S Reef
Gun has been awarded TO her owner, Mr. Car
roll after one of the closest and most exciting
contests ever witnessed in the English Chan
mel. During run of 100 miles from the
Needles around the Cherbourg breakwater and
back the Britannia and the Navahoc were at
no time more than a minute apart and the
greater part of the way they were fairly neck
and neck. like evenly matched racehorSes 80
close was the finish that it was impractcable
TO separate them but the Navahoe has been
declared the winner after a critical comparison
of the conditions at the beginning and at the
end of the race. The London press. which has
been cenSolious in its structures upon the Amer-
can Yacht. is compelled TO bear tribute to the
remarkable qualities displayed by her in this
race 1t was indeed a contest to inspire en-
tbusiasm. for it was over a long course of rough
water with the wind blowing gale and both
Yachts were sailed with admirable judgment
and pluck.
Mr.. Carroll has been sharply criticised for
imposing restrictions upon the designer of his
Yacht and for undertaking the speed OF his Eng
lish rivals When he was overwhelmed with n
run of mishaps and bad luck acg.d structures
were passed upon his self-confdence and lack
Of experience in Yachting. The Navahoe would
probably have been a faster yacht If The de-
sicner had been allowed more discretion: but
her chief defect was one into which almost
any other American yachtSman would have
been led. She was ovcrSparred and carried too
much sail for such weather aS ordinarily pre-
walls in the English Channel. Mr. Carroll
learned bv successive failures and accidents
that his yacht was fitted ont for American
rather than English racing conditions. lie
profited by experience, bore O series OF reverSeS
and no little ridicule with equanmty, and per-
sisted until he got the Navahoe in trim for
winning the race for which he had crossed the
ocean. The alterations in SparS and sails I'M
doub,edly contributed to his success and the
conditions of the race were markedly favor
able since the Navahoe had broad reach over
the whole course and was sailing AT hcr best
point but when every allowance or eXplana-
tion is made. Mr.. Carroll must be credited with
grit. intelligence and courage in pcrsevciing
until he could overcome adverse conditions.
If Mr. Carroll is an American yachtsman OF
the best type he has met with justice and fair
NAV characteristic Of English spoif>mcn. The
action OF the Prince of Wales and the Regatta
Committee in resigning the cup 10 him. when
the contest was extremely close. is 10 be heart
ily commended There was chance Of jockey
ing him out of his rights in the controversy
which followed the hasty decision Of the com
mittee in favor Of the Britannia. but adyan-
tage was not taken of il. English yacbtSmen
knew that something was at stake more Van-
able than the trophy won by the Genesta in
American waters. 1t was the English rcputa-
ton for fair play. American yachtSmen will
do well to be equally sensitive in regard 10
their good name as honest sportsmen when the
Valkyrie enters the lists against the Nigilant.
If the famous cup be retained in America after
the memorable contest Of this autumn, it must
not be by sharp practice or Yankee trick, or
any unsportSmanike device.