Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-13
VALKYRIE LEADING.
Another Contest for the Americas
Cup.
RACE TO WINDWARD AND BACK.
Wind Blowing Hard From the
East at the Start.
ACCIDENT TO THE vALKYRIE.

SANDY EOOk, N. j., Oct. 13.-1t was
quite foggy early this morning and heavy
mist was falling, which made men turn up
their coat collars to protect their threats
from the cold damp air.
The fifteen mile to windward and return
race between the American sloop Vigilant
and the British cutter vaikyrie. which
ended Wednesday in a fluke, after the
boats had covered more than half the
course, was to be resailed today. Super
stitious old shell backs along the beach
pointed out this morning the Ill omens of
the day for a race or any other venture.
It was not only Friday. an unlucky day
in their calendars, but the 18th Of the
month as well. This combination made the
grizzled seadogs wag their heads in an
exceedingly wise manner as they pre-
dicted that something was bound to hap
pen before the day was done. Those per-
sons who laugh at superstitious fancies
and make the wish father to the thought
were firm in their belief that the some
thing that was to happen in this par
ticular case was another defeat OF the
valkyrie, and the final victory Of the saucy
white sloop that, blow high or blow low"
has fulfilled the hopes of every American
in the land.
Prepared for Anything.
Mr.. Herreshof. designer Of the Vigilant.
when told last night that a hurricane was
coming Up from the south and was due
here today. said: I'VE are prepared for any
thing. The Valkyrie people have been ask
ing for a stiff breeze and hope they will
be accommodated. Wen be there all
right"
The vigilant and her antagonist. VAL
kyrie, lay of Bay Ridge yesterday getting
into readiness for today's race. Little
was done on the white sloop beyond tight
ening shrouds and readjusting pulley
blocks. but on the Valkyrie a change was
made which Lord Dunraven thinks will
make her a better foe for the Vigilant
than she has been. An extra ton Of lead
ballast was placed in her hold amidships.
This made her set lower in the water and
Increased her load water line
Her owner stated. in an interview, that
her water line had been made nearly one
foot shorter than when she raced in British
waters. and made a phenomenal record
among British boats. Lord Dunraven ar
rived at the conclusion that he had tighten
ed the boat too much, and he therefore de-
cided to put III more ballast before another
race takes place.
After the additional ballast had been put
aboard and made fast. the Valkyrie was
lowed to Erie basin. where Official Measur-
er Hyslop ran his steel tape over her and
furnished the racing committee with the
new measurement The increased length OF
water line cuts down the time allowance
which the boat received from the vigilant
from one minute forty-eight seconds to one
minute thirty-three seconds. 1t Is expected
| that the loss of fifteen seconds in time al
lCwance will be more than compensated for
by the improved sailing ability of the yacht.
After being measured she was lowed back
to her anchorage ground at Bay Ridge.
Quite Sea.
In the upper bay and on the rivers ad-
jacent to New York city this morning quite
a sea was kicking up and q good breeze
from the east was carrying the smoke and
steam from the tunnels of steam craft rap
idly to the westward. Shippers said the
barometer was falling and that the storm
which the weather sharps have sighted
coming this way from the West Indies
would reach here some time today.
Old barnacles shook their heads wisely,
though somewhat fearfully. and said that
the time was not far of. They thought the
storm would break before noon. and that
1t would blow great guns. This was, how
ever. what everybody had been wishing for
and yachtsmen were delighted with the
prospects.
The Britfsher'S scheme Of putting a ton
Of lead In his bow was variously commented
upon. Many persons were of the opinion
that the boat would gain more In speed
than she lost Of her time allowance while
the sarcastic ones asked what difference II
made to boat that was beaten ten minutes
to take fifteen seconds of Of her allowance
At any rate the New York Yacht Club and
especially the owners Of the Vigilant show
commendable spirit Of generosity In al
lowing the Englishman to make a change.
1t Is well-known rule In yachting circles
that a yacht cannot make any changes In
her rig during club course or races.
On Board the Racers.
When the United Press tugs had got well
down the narrows this morning VaIkyrte,
in tow Of the tug Pulver, was seen standing
into Gravesend bay. Her crew were just
hosting her mainsail In their peculiar In
glish fashion. Far down the bay the YAM
kee cup defender could be seen. also in tow.
AS usual, she had been the first to leave
the anchorage grounds of Bay Ridge She
already had up her mainsail, and at the
time she was first sighted her crew were
just putting up her working jib, prepara-
tory. as 1t developed a little later. to sailing
out to the Sandy Hook lightship. She stood
well into the Horse Shoe for few minutes
longer and then threw or her towing line,
put down her helm to port and stood out to
sea. She stood up to the strong breeze in
| fine style and trotted along at a great rate.
The Valkyrie as she passed Sandy Hook
bound for the Hghtship was still in tow.
but In addition to her mainsail she had
set her working jib. and It looked as If she
might cut loose from the tug at any mo-
ment and stand out to sea under her own
sail. The wind at this time was breezing
up perceptibly. A large fleet Of sailing
craft was standing in and out Of the har-
bor their sails bellied out like huge bal
looms and their pulls keeled over consider
ably from the strength Of the wind and the
| rapidity with which they were being driven
through the water. A pleasing incident
happened just as Valkyrie was standing
out at the Hook. Pilot boat No. ~, the
Mary Williams. her sails dra wing to their
full power and sending her graceful hull
swiftly through the water. passed Valkyrie
here. bound in. As she did so she fired a
salute from her cannon and dipped her
colors, and the Englishman gracefully re-
piled to the salute
Accident to the Valkyrie.
The wind was blowing fresh from the east
when the Vigilant and Valkyr1e left their
anchorage or Day Ridge and two Of their