The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-08

bOWinR along un0er Iair VIM, tno
ViGilant crossed the line at Sandy Hook
lightship at $50 this afternoon. The Valky-
rie arrived home almost eight minutes
later and both were at once taken in tow
by their respective tenders and hurried to
their place of shelter off Bay Ridge. Ii
was magnificent contest from navy points
OF view. and demonstrated for the day. at
least. the superior construction OF the GEN.
ter -bosrder over the cutter. as well as the
superior craftsmanship of the men who
handledthe English boat. One thing only
was lacking to bring out in those who wit
messed the race. landsmen and yachtsmen
alike. the fullest measure of enthusiasm
during its progress. and that was the
wind. Never more than light wind pre-
vailed during the Cay. and sometimes it
was scarcely more than puff.
Neither of the yachts had intimated q
desire for a postpoEement, and at IL A. NJ.
the signal went up Oh the flagship for the
course east-southeast. Fifteen minutes
later the preparatory gun was fired and at
l1:25 the boats went over the line. They
had maneuvered like two great birds at the
start ana bare few seconds separated
them. They were away together and kept
within easy range of each other for an
hour or more. Rounding the stake boat
the Vigiiant had nearly ten minutes the
hest Of il, and even on a mile reach. which
followed the territory of the mark the
cup defender was seen to creep away from
her opponent. At the home line the flotil-
la had again formed a crescent which was
increased in siZo by the steamers that
left their docks at noon to see the
an
the water reached their rails and yet the
thousands OF spectators brayed the dan
gers of chance immersion and clambered
to every point of vantage. They showed JOY
In their cOuntenance ss the pigilant crept
steadily nearer the swinging nghtshlp
Their JOY burst it's bounds as the brave
little NigIlant dipped gracefully through
the waves. and long before the screaming
OF whistles told of royal battle ended o
hundred thousand tongues proclaimed in
true American accord that. as yet, the
queen of the centerboarders and cutters is
here, and has still speed aud strength TO
bear the name of cup-defender In reality.
THE START.
When the committee in charge of the
race. who were stationed on Commodore
Morgan's flagship May. decided that the
course should begin with lee run to the
east northeast before the west-northwest
wind. q signal on the May was run up to
announce that fact. This was at IL A. NJ.
The shippers III charge of the racers hav-
ing accepted the conditions of the weather
and the judgment Of the committee. which
was To the effect that the race should be
started, they began to skirmah for
favorable position above the line
over 0fds, the mark @ nss thss opened s sns ass
race under the most favorable advantages.
The preparatory gun had been fired sharp
on the time. 11:15. and when the starting
gun was touched Off there was only q ques-
tion of about $50 feet between the two
yachts the Nalkyric having the lead. at
that time the wind was blowing at the rate
of about seven miles an hour. Almost
simultaneously the yachts lowered their
spinnsker booms sent up their big side
sails and began the journey. Up to that
time the Valkyre had not only held her
own. bue had increased her lead pretty
nearly half her own length. The cutter
kept on Increasing her lend. At the end Of
mile ahe was good two lengths ahead.
On each boat the sailor work was splendid.
The Valkyrie increased her lead one more
length during the first two miles. From
that point up To a distance of four and one
half miles the ViQilant held her own. At
the end OF four and one-half milee. how
ever. . change came. The American boat
had been on the lee quarter of the English
man and, as said before. some distance be
hind. Suddenly she shot ahead. The VlR-
liant had caught slant of wind. although
she was considerably to leeward. that the
Falkyrie was not touched by. lt was in o
measure a reversal of what had occurred
on Thursday. However that may be. the
Vigilant went ahead pounding the
water with her spoon bow. and
within fifteen minutes was fully
quarter of mile in the lead.
In another quarter of an hour she was so
far ahead of her adversary that everybody
couid see that che had far more than an
even chance to beat the cutter IN the run
before the wind TO the outer mark.
The American boat not only held her
lead. but increased It to n full mile before
she had sailed five miles. 1t was about
this time that the wind hauled away round
to south southwest. The Vigilsnt hauled
aboard her sDinnaker In n remarkably
short space of time. the work done by the
seamen the American boat being
in that action especially commendable.
The NalKyrie held on to her spinnaker for
at least seven minutes alter this. Main
sheets were tautened at this time on both
boats. The Valkvrie remained at her mile
distance on the weather quarter of the Vigil
liant, and could not gain any. Half all hour
after this the wind shifted again. almost
back to the point that 1t had come from at
the start. Once more spiDDskers were
rigged. The wind was about equal ca the
sails OF either. and the Valkyrie cOuld not
improve her position. On the contrary.
she rather dropped oil. The VigiIant went
on again. and did not stop In that process
10 the end of the outward journey.
IN SPLENDID STYLE.
The American boat made her turn of the
outer mark amid the greatest enthusiasm
As she rounded. the Yigiants men hauled
down her balloon jib topsaIl once more in
splendid style. and in place of it ran MP a
piece of canvas that looked like napkin
In comparison with The other tremendous
spread that had been eeen. The wind was
now about west perhaps half a point to
the south. and. instead of beat home as
all hands had relied on. it became n ques-
tion OF long reach with perhaps O tack
or two toward the fnish to find the home
line. Ii was ON the reach that the cutter
was supposed to be the best The reach
lasted after the Valkyrie had made her turn
and both boats were heading for home.
about one mile. During that reach, with
NIL things equal In the way of wind the
Nigilant actually gained on the cutter.
Then there was another shift In the wind
and the boats were both compelled TO haul
sheets aft as far as possible and saIl clnseiy
by the wind. In the lateral distance be-
tween the stern of the Vigilant and tho DO W
| of the Valkyrie the latter certainly ap-
peared TO gain ground. The Val.
I kyTie eeemed to be overhaul