The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-08

NEW YORK. Oct. 7.-Bowling along nm
der a fair wind the American cup defender
Vigilant crossed the line at Sandy Hool
lightship at $40 o'clock this afternoon
winner IN the first. of the iuternationa
| races for the Americas cup. The Valkyris
arrived home almost eight minutes later
and both were taken in tow by thei,
respective tenders and hurried to tlIeil
places of shelter off Bay Ridge. 1t was a
magnificent contest from every point o
view, and demonstrated Ito the English at
leasD the superior construction of the
center-boarder over the cutter, as well as
the superior workmanship of the men who
handled the English boat. One thing
only was lacking to bring out in those who
witnessed the race-landsmen and yachts
men alike-the fullest measure Of enthu-
siasm during its propress, and that WAS
wind. There was never more than a light
wind during the day, and sometimes it
was scarcely more than puff.
At 11:25 O'Clock the boats went across
the line together, aud kept within easy
range OF each other for an hour or more.
Rounding the stake the Vigilant had
nearly ten minutes the best of it,aud even
on the mile reach which followed the cup
defender was seen to creep away from her
opponent. Nearer and nearer the Vigilaut
crept to the swinging light ship. Long be-
fore the screaming of whistles told of a
royal battle ended. 100000 tongues had
proclaimed in true American accord that
she had won.
The Valkyrie had an advantage of about
l5O feet at the start, and at the end of the
first mile she was a good ten lengths
ahead. The Valkyrie increased her lead
at least one more length during the first
two miles. At the END of four and half
miles, however, the Vigilanc suddenly
shot ahead. The Vigilant had caught Il
slant of wind, although she was consid-
erably to the leeward. that the Valkyris
was not touched by. Within fifteen min
utes she was fully n quarter of a mile In
the lead. and the lead was increased TO a
full mile before she had sailed five miles.
Up to the end Of the course there was no
Incident to be recorded further than
those that have been mentioned.
DETAILS OF THE RACE.
New YORK. Oct. 7.-When the sun rose
this morning through the mist, pretty
yachts, large and small, rocked peacefully
at anchor off the Atlantic Yacht club
house at Bay Ridge, opposite Staten
island. Among them were the two gallant
cup contestants. the Vigilant. the pride of
the United States, and the Valkyrie, the
hope of Great Britain. The crews Of each
OF the rival yachts were astir early, each
determined to battle TO the utmost for the
of the world. The weather
indications were for clear day, aud the
weather prophet said that there was plenty
of wind coming. This Information put re-
M yveH fl ir,f fha y.-S nd do
termined, if it was in their power, that this,
the second attempt, should count for
1t had rained hard last mig ht,
and early this morning a heavy fog hung
over the bay and the river, but the yachts
men relied fully on the weather prophets
promise. and were unde.erred IN their
for the great race.
Despite the damp, chilly weather 100, 600
noisy people, il not more, crowded the
hundreds OF excursion craft to witness
the great event. An endless fleet of excur-
sion boats, yachts and other craft
churned up the bay on the way TO the
starting point. At Staten island, at Bay
Ridge and about Fort Wadswcrth, on
the Nayesink highlands and at Sandy
Hook the same old crowds seemed to be
gathered.
By 9:15 O'Clock the sky had cleared beau
tifully and splendid day for the race
seemed assured. The wind was increas-
ing in velocity, and everybody felt happy
and confident that this would be day OF
days, and that before the sun set the Vigi-
liant or the Valkyrie would be declared
winner of the first of the series of five
races for the Americas cup. AT $50
O'Clock the cheering news was received
that the wind was blowing west by south
west at the rate OF thirteen miles an hour
and was increasing in velocity. All tue
Clouds were disappearing from the sky.
A few minutes later the VIgilant was of
the Hook, lp tow, with her maiusail up,
and soon the Valkyrie was seen, also in
tow, in the same waters, hosting her
The boats were close together
and looked pretty. At 1905 o'clock both
yachts had cast off from their tows, half
mile apart and near the Scotland light
ship, with sails hoiSted. AT l0:44 O'Clock
the flagship May WAS discerned off The
light ship, getting into position to start,
and a cheer went up from the crowds. At
l0:55 o'clock, with the wind north north
west, ten miles an hour. the yachts were
making short tacks and maneuveripg for
place. AT HIS O'clock the preparatory
gun was fired AT ll:22 o'clock the VIgi-
amt moved ahout, and came up into the
wind, and at ll:25:22 o'clock the Nalkyrie
first over the line. The Nigilant
breaks out her balloon jio iu fine style and
ais away just astern of the ValkyYie at
Ll:25:21 O'Clock.
AT 11:3o o'clock both yachts had their
plnnakers TO starboard, and the Vigilant
eemed to De overhaulIag the Nalkyrie 10 |
sinoward. AT 1875 O'Clock the Valkyrie |
commenced To wicen the gap, and at 1l:41
o'clock was plainly increasing her lead |
Both yachts We're going dead before the /
Wind. The breeze, III addition. continued |
% tail. and the sails of neither boat were !
kept full. At lls52 the Nalkyrie was still /
,oldiug her lead and the VigiIans was /
leadIng 10 the eastward.
Al 12::25 O'Clock p. M the VigilaIt had |
'peaed o,st clear lead OF 1Oo yards. At !
2:S7 o'clock, half way over the course. th. |
Iigilans Was fully hslf mile in the lead, /
mi at i2:4S O'Clock had increased her lead |
O u mile, aud was showing the Brisisher /
Ter heels In fine style. Unless the Yalkyr.e |
,ouid do better, her Chances OF winning |
we're small. The yachts We're now sailing /
between six aud seven knots an bour
At 1:i2 O'Clock both boats were under /
ull sail, the VIgilaut being about the /
anne distance ahead, though the Vaikyrie /
vas gaining some. Sea captains werr -