The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-08-17
THE CUP DEFENDERS.
OF Today in the Race for the
Astor Cup.
THE PILGRIM IN BETTER FORM

Zach OF tho -Four Big Sloops Have Ad-
herents Who choerfuiiy Back Their
w {Opinions with Cash-Ihe international
VI Races viii Probably Begin Sept. rs.
NEWPORT, r. l., Aug. 1.-THE cup de-
a Tenders Jubilee. Vigilant, Calluna and
Pilgrim started shortly after II o'clock to.
in the race for the Astor cup. The
todrse is fifteen niiles to windward and
lAreturn.
z The ViSilant is the favorite in the bet
ting, but each Of the other three big yachts
have their adherents who cheerfully back
their opinions with cash.
The cup defender Vigilant ran into
Brenton's Cove yesterday afternoon an
hour ahead OF the New York Yacht club
fleet. She was not racing, nor had she
sailed along in company with the other
boats, having left New Bedford at 6 O'Clock
in the morning to Jog along under easy
canvas rs far as Brcnton's Reef. on the
lightship the Vigilant espied the Pilgrim
standing towards her, close hauled on the
port tack. The fin keel was not out fol
fun, but seemed on business bent She
s.oCs over toward the reef till almost
abeam of the centre board sloop, when she
went about, and sudden shift of wind
gave them both some windward threshing
to reach the harbor.
Commodore James d. Smith, chairman
OF the American cup committee and Ms
, A. Cass Garfield were on board the Pill
grim anxiously watching every move OF
the rival boats 1t was the evident inten.
tion OF the Pilgrim to have met the Vigi
liant further of shore and given her battlt
on the open sea. The Iselen boat had left
much sooner than was expected and wus
consequently too near the harbor to give
the Pilgrim fair chance at her danger
ously speedy rival They tackled about
each few times however, but it was diff
fcult to say which boat showed the better
form. There were some decided improve
ment in each, for the Viglant was fcttered
with new and larger maiuboom. a spai
that had been sent down to her by the
uerreshoffs, and the working topsnil o
the Pilgrim was laced tighter down to The
BOOM
A reporter of the United Press inter
:. viewed Commodore Smith after his return
4 10 the Pocohontas "Yes, it is true" h.
said, that Commodore Garfield and
were invited TO take sail upon the ney,
cup defender. She was merely out fol
practice. and our presence had no ofiicia
Significance. We had sailed on the Other
big sloops at different times, and gladly
oeNcPluu INVITATION 10 NlslJ the I'll
grim"
what do you think of her as compared
with the other cup defenders" was asked
THAT is question which privately
would be pleased to answer, but my Of
hcial position in theAmerican cup commit
Zee prevents my expressing any public
opinion until after the trial races l viii
say, However, that both Mr.. Garfield anL
myself were very much pleased with tn,
plgrim's work today In fact, l think
Americans should be proud Of such spcci
mems of naval architecture as these fouI
big sloops." ...
will they not be measured before the
race2p
ar not, though we have expressed
,inion very strongly. on the subject
so have the regatta committee. This
N their province, however, md not ours.
D. Iwill of course be impossible to decide
which is the winner If the races are at all
hclose."
- ~ as your commander decided whether
to euange the date Of the international
raeer'
"Well, we have made no official an
nouncement of the fact, but after recciy.
Ing Lord Dunrayen's request that they
be sailed earlier, II possible, we have nladn
every effort TO comply. / think YOU can
be safe in saying that the trials Will be-
'hsgln Sept. md the cup races Sept. IS"