The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-10-06

tory OF Events Leading up to it.
NEw YoRK, Oct. 5.-Bafied by light
winds, the yachts Vigilant and Val
kyrie which started to-day on the first
OF the international races for the Amer
ica's cup, were compelled to abandon
the contest.
1t was just $40 o'clock in the alter
noon when tug took the Valkyrie in
tow, and the dismal footing of whistles
announced the failure Of the days
sport.
The English cutter was then mile in
advance of the Vigilant, and tho point
for which they had started almost six
hours before was yet miles away.
It was keen disappointment to the
thousands who had stood by the rails
and clung to the vantage ground on
board the steamers all day. The over
powering attraction of the big race be-
tween the English and American prize
winners drew the biggest fotilla that
ever sailed to Sandy Hook to see a
yacht race, and every boat was
crowded, too.
The little wind that promised some-
thing in the morning almost died away
in the afternoon, and Just before sun
set, when the huge bali glowed behind
n bank OF mist, there was scarcely a
ripple on the water and not more than
a breath OF air stirring
Even tn {, tail OF q cyclone, which
few OF tn, weather bureaus at least had
promised. would havo been preferable
10 the tantalizinI cats-paws that
merely touched the tapping sails OF tho
yachts.
The fact that it was necessary to tow
in both boats, and that there were still
several miles Of the course to traverse,
made tho crowds more uncertain at
nightiall to-day than they lad been the
previous day. Even the prospect OF an
additional race failed to turn the dis
appointment into Joy.
A long stream OF craft, from iron
steamers to row boats, swept past the
battery and down through the narrown
almost from daybreak. Private yachts
gave way to the bigger boats just as
though yacht owners were not mill
lionaires, and then the latter took
short cut right under their very paddle
wheels and up close to where the police
had placed guard boat.
THE START.
According to the sailing directions,
the start was to be made off Sandy Hook
lightship, the preparatory signal being
given at 11:l5 a. M, and the starting
signal ten minutes later. the yachts
we're to get of as quickly as they could,
that being the starting time Of both, no
allowance being made to either boat for
failing to get across the imaginary line
quick enough.
The course determined upon for the
first race was fifteen miles to windward,
or leeward. and return, both yachts
turning a mark anchored at the fifteen
mile point, and starting and finishing
across an imaginary line drawn between
Commodore Morgan's flagship, the May,
and the Sandy Hook lightship. The
marks we're floats displaying red flag
with white stripe; the position OF the
float was indicated by a tug showing
red ball, and stationed about 100 yards
beyond it.
The race was eagerly watched by
large crowds all along the route, the
yachts alternately leading, though the
Vtgilant seemed to have the best OF it
most Of the way.
THE RULES.
The racing rules, time allowance and
system of measurement OF the New
York Yacht Club shall govern, with the
proviso that any excess Of load.water-
line over eighty-fve feet shall be
counted double in calculating the sail.
ing length, and also that the load water.
limo length shall not exceed S6.7 feet.
Best three out of five races, outside Of
headlands, over courses each thirty
nautical miles in length and with u
time limit OF six hours,
The first, third and fifth races shall be
10 the windward or to the lceward and
return. The second and fourth races
shall be around an equilateral triangle,
one leg land the first if the wind per-
nit being to windward. One day shall
intervene between each racing day. A
race postponed or not finished within
the time limit shall be decided before
the next race in the series is taken up.
HISTORY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.
In 1889, negotiat. ons were opened by
Lord Dunraven, for the Royal Yacht
Squadron OF England, with the New
York Yacht Club to bring about IN in.
ternational meet. The old Valkyrie,
now tho property Of Ignazio Florio, OF
Palermo, was to represent the British
ers. But owing to disagreements in re.
gard TO the deed OF gift, tho committee
OF tho Royal Yacht Squadron refused to
sanction the challenge. 1t was ripple
that soon vanished. but it proved to the
New York Yacht Club that the desire
on the part OF the Englishmen to retain
the old prize cup was rs strong MS ever.
Interest did not wNne in America, and
many fast boats were bniit until, in the
year 1891, the Gloriaua flashed across
the yachting horizon OF the world. Her
canoe bow and other marked departures
from the old beaten paths OF form
startled the naval architects on both