Morning journal and courier., 1893-05-27
WAS THERE A Race

WAS THERE A RACE
The Omcials Of the New Haven
Steamboat Company Deny That Any
Trial Of Speed Took Place Between
she Peck and the Puritan-Others,
However, Say That the Race Did
Take Place and that the Peck Was
Beaten Fifteen Miles In n Fifty-Mile
Race.
The impression which has for several
days past so generally prevailed that yes
terday would witness another race up the
sound from New York, between the twin
screw propeller Richard Peck of the New
Haven Steamboat company and the side
wheel steamer Puritan of the Fall River
line, was realized. In anticipation of the
race a number of residents of the city
went to the metropolis yesterday and came
back on the Peck expecting to enjoy the
excitement of a race on the deep, but in
this they were disappointed.
When it was ascsrtained by the officials
of the New Haven Steamboat company that
a race was intended between the two steam
ers of the company the officials of the line
promptly issued orders to the effect that
no race should take place and these orders
coming from President Chaplin were con-
viewed to Assistantant Superintendent and
Secretary Clarity, and by him to Captain
Hardy of the Richard Peck.
Notwithstanding the fact that no race
took place the trip to New Haven was full
of interest, principally through the efforts
of the officers of the Puritan to entice the
officers of the Peck into racing. The Por-
itan left her dock on North river promptly
on time and passed the dock of the Rich
ard Peck at Peck Slip, East river, fully
three minutes before the latter got under
way. When the Puritan reached Sands
Point near He'll Gate she slowed down and
waited until the Peck was abreast of her,
when she ehot away as though a ball out
of a cannon, until she had a clear lead of
at least half mile. ALI this time it was
evident that she was being pushed to her
utmost capacity.
After the Puritan had gained this lead
she turned back, and describing wide
circle came up in the rear of the Peck, en-
dsavoripg to challenge the latter to race,
but the officials of the Peck steadily re-
fused. After this the Puritan forged
ahead and continued on her way to Fall
River. The boats came up the sound, and
at Stratferd Lights there was only a diff
steamers, notwithstanding the fact that
the Puritan was being pushed to her ut.
most capacity under the force of eight
boilers and sixteen fires, while the Peck
was only running at her regular speed,
with five boilers and ten fires At no time
on the trip was the fire under the sixth
boiler lighted, and the boat only run at hsI
regular daily speed.
The Richard Peck arrived at her dock in
this city on time last evening. All the
officers of the boat stated emphatically that
no race had taken place.
THE PURITAN FIFTEEN NILES AHEAD.
From another source the claim is made
that the race did take place, notwithstand
ing the denial of the officials of the New
Haven Steamboat company. On the Peck
were four newspaper men from New York
city. It is stated that the Peck left heI
slip at $3.50 O'Clock and that the Puritan
was four or five minutes ahead of her.
When the Puritan reached Sands Point she
lay to and awaited the arrival Of the Peck.
From this point they started off on 8
fifty mile straightaway race to Stratford.
Both boats took the southerly course and
from start to finish the Puritan ran away
from the Peck. Both boats left Sands
COluG db AUu Wuou Luo IScAstc1Cuou
| Stratford the time was 6:44, while the
Puritan was out of sight, and from the
speed at which she running it was eati
| mated that she was fifteen miles in sd
| vance The Puritan used her eight boilers
and wash pes coal while the Peck used
only five boilers and buckwheat pea coal
| similar to that used on locomotives
New York Press dispatch also asserts thai
the boats started out from New York for 6
race, with preparations therefor.
AS SEEN FROM THE RosEDALE
Bridgeport, May 26.-The steamer Rose
| dale followed the Puritan and Peck up the
sound this afternoon. and on their arrival
here were enthusiastic over what for time
| appeared to be q race between the boats
Of Shippsn point the Rosedale sighted
them together, but soon after the Puritan
drew away from her rival and at Penfeld
reef she was some distance ahead. At THU
point the Puritan slowed down and waitet
for the Peck, and when she was alongsid'
started off again. She then led all the way
to this city, and when last seen appeared
| to be about mile ahead. It was tn,
| opinion of those who were aboard the Rose
dale that the Peck made no effort to keel
up with the Fall River boat.