The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-18
THE VlGILANT ARRIVES FIRST
In the Race off Brenton's Point
for the Astor Cup.
She Had Already Had Tilt the Day
Previous With the Pilgrim and Left
Her Way Behind In Yesterday's Race.
The International Cup Race to be
Held September rs.

NEWPORT, r. l.. Aug. l7.-Tho Gun de-
tenders Jubilee, Nigilant, Calluna and
Pilgrim started shortly after IL o'clock to-
day in the race for the .Astor cup. The
course is fifteen miles to windward and
return.
The Vigilant 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
Meet. She was not racing. nor had she
sailed along in company with the other
boats, having left New Bedford at o'clock
IN the morning to jog along under easy
canvas as far as Brenton's Reef. Of the
lightship the Nigilant eSpied the Pilgrim
standing towards her, close hauled on the
port tack. The fin keel was not out for
fun, but seemed on business bent She
stood over toward the reef till almost
aoeam OF the centre board sloop, when she
went aoout, and n sudden shift of wind
gave them both some windward threshinR
to reach the harbor
Commodore James D. Smith, chairman
OF the American cup committee, and Mr..
n. Cass Garfield were on board the Pill
grim anSiously watching every move OF
viz Ai'Ri OOdto. ~ WAS lHe evident lnten-
tion OF the Pilgrim to have met the ViRi-
liant further off shore and given her battle
OH the open sea. The Iselen boat had left
much sooner than was expected and was
consequently too near the harbor to give
the Pilgrim fair chance ut her danger
ously speedy rival They tackled about
each n few times however. but it was diff
1icult to say which boat showed the better
form There were some decided improve
ment ill each, for the Vigilant was fettered
with a new and larger mainboom. 4 spar
that had been sent down to her by the
Herrcshotfs, and the working topsail of
the Pilgrim was laced tighter down to the
boom.
n reporter of the United Press inter
viewed Commodore Smith after his return
to the Pocohontas. Yes, it is true he
said, that Commodore Garfield and I
were invited to take sail upon the new
cup defender. She was merely out for
practice. and our presence had no official
significance. We had sailed on the other
big sloops at different times, and gladly
accepted this invitation to visit the Pill
grim"
What do you think of her rs compared
with the other cup defenders" was asked.
That is question which privately +
would be pleased to answer, but my of
fetal position in theAmerican cup commit
tee prevents my expressing any public
opinion until after the trial races. | will
say, however, that both Mr.. Garfield aud
myself were very much pleased with the
Pilgrim's work today. In fact, think
Americans should be proud Of such speci-
mems OF naval architecture rs these four
big sloops"
Twill they not be measured before the
racer"
Il fear not, though we have expressed
our opinion very strongly on the subject
and so have the regatta committee. This
Is In their province, however, and not ours.
1t will of course be impossible to decide
which is the winner IL the races are at all
close"
Has your commander decided whether
to change the date of the International
racer"
We'll, we have made no official an
nouncement of the fact, but after receiy-
ing Lord Dunraven's request that they
be sailed earlier, if possible, we have made
every effort TO comply. | think YOU can
be safe in saying that the trials will be-
gin Sept and the cup races Sept 2s"
LATER "A good breeze was blowing
from the seward this morning and
every indication favored a good run by
tho cup defenders. At 1888 they were
sent away in a smart white cap breeze.
The Pilgrim had the weather both on
the start, with Jubilee just to leeward,
the Colonia third by over minute,
with the Vigilant astern and under the
lee of the leaders All four were wear
ing baby jib topsails, club topsails over
full lower sails. Following is the sum-
mary OF the race:
Vigilant, start, 1l3G:lo; finish.
3:39:Il.
Lapsed time, 4:02:52.
Jubilee. start, 11:35:2l; finish, 3:43:34.
Lapsed time. 4:0S:l3.
Colonia, start, ll:35:5S; finish, 3:44:l9.
Lapsed time. 4:OS:2l.
Pilgrim, start, 1l:35:26.
No finish taken.
Co rected tiIna nOk piven