Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-04

Out of twenty-three starts the Valkyrie won
eleven first and four second prizes, and was
second In the race for the Town cup of
Cowes.
The Cup Defenders.
When Dunraven's challenge was finally
accepted by the New York Yacht Club or
ders were given for four cup defenders.
Under the present plan of competition it is
decided by preliminary races what yacht
shall have the honor Of defending the cup.
or the four yachts built for the purpose
the Nigilant has been selected for this
years race. the Colonia held in reserve to
take Its place should any accident befall
Both the Vigilant and Colonia are the
work Of Nathaniel G. Herreshoff, who is
now easily the foremost of American yacht
designers. He is still young man, comes
OF FAMILY of famous sailors and ship
builders, and first gained general recogni-
ton with the Gloriana, the crack forty
six foot yacht Of the season of 1891. The
dtorlana was radical and sweeping de-
parture from nearly all existing ideas OF
yacht construction. The bulk underwater
was largely cut away, while the full area
OF the load water plane was preserved and
an excess of bulk above water gained. The
result OF this departure was the greatest
possible stability through the extended
area OF the load water plane, aided by the
low position or the ballast in the deep keel;
the reduction of all useless FRACTIONAL sur
race through the cutting away of the dead
"SOo Iva " dIu, anu the prOQuctlOn OF
form which through it's smooth round dag
onals was easy to drive, and which changed
put little as the yacht pitched and rolled.
coupled with these important features was
another, which by its instant appeal to the
eye attracted degree of attention which 1t
dld not deserve. and claimed a credit which
Dy no means belonged to 1t. The ends of
the boat. not only aft. but forward were
carried out to an extravagant length, the
total overhang of bow and stern being over
twenty-five feet on a water line length of
put iorty-fve feet. Two important factors
In the Gloriana's success were the very
light construction Of the hull, a double
SKIN or thin wood on steel frames and the
perfection of every detail of her rigging
and canvas" The Gloriana won race after
race In 1891. and in 1892 Mr. Herreshoff was
Ganea on to improve upon his own work.
He did so with the Wasp, which proved
even faster than the GIoriana. The Wasp's
principal features are a very long floor and
size to sail on, well disposed displacement.
an easy run aft to clear the water full
enus ana low lead. which give great sta
oiiity ana great motive power produced by
a tremendous sail area
The Viailant.
Inc Vigilant, Mr.. Herreshoffs master
creation this year, is closely modelled after
the wasp, with notifications due to the in
creased proportionate BEAM Her dimen-
sions are as follows: Length over all, 124:
ioad-water line IS feet; beam, 26 feet and
draught of water. IA feet She is a deep
center board boat; her boom is little short
OF loo feet and her sail power Is very great.
she Is an experiment in many ways She
not only carries tremendous sail plan but
she Is plated with Tobin bronze up to her
top streak, which is OF steel Tobin bronze,
II Is asserted, VIII not rust even in salt wa
ter. and by polishing it a smooth surface
can be obtained which will be like glass.
robin bronze does not foul readily, which
is another ADVANTAGE. and if it should prove
successful as applied to the Vigilant it will
probably come into general use for racing
boats. The rig Of the Vigilant is hand
some. Her spars are almost perfect and her
sails are very fine. The Vigilant has proved
herself very fast sailer, especially to wind
ward. Speed Is gained by an easy bilge,
and stability by great beam and low lead
The designer seems to have aimed to pro-
duce In her deep center board Of the very
best type. and thus far his efforts appear
to have been entirely successful.
The Figilant Is owned by New York
syndicate. headed by G. Oliver Iselin who
has had active charge of her since she
went into commission. Her sailing master
Is Capt VIM. Hansen.