Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-06
Rounding the Mark.

Now there arose a deafening chorus Of
whistles and booming Of guns until the
very atmosphere seemed to vibrate in uni
son. The Vigilant at this time seemed al
most hull down, about five miles astern and
1t looked then as though the Valkyrie would
make a sorry spectacle of her.
As the American boat neared the mark she
made also the same error Of Judgment as
the Englishman. and went on the port tack
at hours and 45 minutes, remaining 30 Sec
onds In stays. She was forced to tack again
at $50 and 1853 In order to weather the mark
which was passed to starboard. As the Wig
liant doubled the turning point she broke
out her balloon jib topsail. which had already
been RUIZ up in stops. and hauled down the
medtum-sized one. To the surprise Of every
one. however, she did not set her spinnaker,
for the wind had begun to haul little for
ward and there was danger Of its becalming
the other headsails.
AS the start was single gun one both
yachts were timed from IL hours Is minutes
W seconds. and this is practically their ac-
tual crossing time. as they were only a few
seconds after the gun. It. therefore took
the English boat hours IL minutes 20 sec
onds, and the American hours SO minutes
NJ seconds to make the run Of eight miles,
and the close reach of seven-a difference of
26 minutes 20 seconds.
This also represents the Valkyrie's actual
gain In covering this distance. II the allow
ance OF l minute AZ seconds, which the Wig
ing length. be added to this difference 1t will
seem that the English yacht beat the Amer
lean % minutes 0S seconds over the fifteen
mile course from Sandy Hook lightship to
the first turn.
After the yachts had doubled the mark
and eased away for home, the wind became
much lighter, and when the valkyrie took
In her spinnaker, at 4:l5. she seemed to be
almost In the dOldrumS. Two miles astern
came the Vigilant, with her sails quite full.
apparently bringing up freshening breeze.
The Race Given Up.
The Vigilant was the first to announce her
intention Of giving up the unsatisfactory
contest. which she did by hauling down her
jib topsail and taking a line from the tug.
The Valkyrie did likewise, being taken in
tow by the tug Luckenbach.
At this time the Englishman was leading
the American by one mile. which, added to
the allowance Of one minute and forty-eieht
seconds. gave the Valkyrie really a lead of
nearly mile and half.
Capt. Hansen Says "Hard Luck"
New York Herald reporter boarded the
Vigilant last night of the Atlantic Club
house and asked Capt Hansen to what
cause he ascribed the loss Of wind and the
| fact Of his boat having dragged behind SO
| far in the race
THAT is answered quickly and easily
| enough" he replied. 1T was just a case
| of luck for one of the boats. The Valkyrie
| caught the wind when she needed it and
We didn't. We had the wind from the
southwark at one time, but got into the
| 'doldrums to leeward and couldn't get
| steering way for twenty minutes, while
| the Valkyrie was getting the wind at the
| same time. OF course she hauled away
| from us. as she couldn't help doing.
| Because Of the wind it wasn't a fail
race and neither of the boats had a chance
| to show what she could do. 1t was Just
| chance that the Englishman had the wind
| with him and We didn't. 1t was only luck
| that 1t wasn't the other way"
| Before seeing C.pt. Hansen the reporter
| had heard on good authority that half ar
| hour before some Of the crew of the Val
| kyrie had been sent ashore for stores anc
| had told several men at the boat LANDING
| near the Atlantic Yacht Club house thai
the Earl Of Dunraven and Capt. Cranfield
had made the assertion after the race thai
| they were more afraid Of the Navahot
than of the Vigilant' and that "they
| weren't bit afraid of her."
/ When ne mentioned this incident to Capt
Hansen and asked him what he thought Of
| the reported assertion. he pulled at his pipe
| easily for a few moments before answer
ing, and then said. In a quiet, easy way:
| well, / think that such a statement Is
childish. Any one who knows what he IL
| talking about wouldn't say anything like
how things come out then If there is goot
| wind. The yachts haven't done any sailins
| yet"
Twill Mr.. Herreshoff be at the vigilant'.
wheel again in Saturdays racer the re-
| porter asked.
| Capt. Hansen hesitated a moment ant
| then replied rather grimly:
| II can't tell anything about that
| He then moved away, as though anxiou:
| to turn in after the days experience.