Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-11
CUP DEFENDERS' RACE
Appearance Of the Vigilant, Pilgrim,
Jubilee and Colonia.
ONE WILL RACE WITH THE VALKYRIE.
Great Interest in the Goelet Cup
LIGHT WIND AND A MIST

BRENTON'S POINT. RI, Aug. 1.-THE
conditions of early morning were not those
most favorable TO- a most exciting race for
the Goelet cup. All night heavy fog hung
over the waters. while In the morning there
was still heavy mist, with not a breath
of wind stirring. The yachtsmen were gen.
orally early astir. but did not begin to set
their sails until the sun was several hours
high.
Among those to first set sail were the
four cup defenders. but they were con-
tented with nainsail only. Along toward
O'Clock the small fry hoisted sail and put
hurriedly as possible out of the harbor
But work was slow. and they made slow
progress.
Half an hour later the big sloops set their
tibs and prepared to depart. The Colonia.
Pilgrim and Jubilee got under way about
the same time. and made for the entrance
Nigiiant was lowed out of Brenton's Cove
by the peculiar luggage craft which Is fol-
lowing her on the cruise with spare spars
and sails.
The other yachts of the fleet still re-
manned at anchor, and 1t was apparent
that the majority of the people would de-
sire to see the race from the many excur-
sion steamers. which began to take on their
cargoes of human freight by o'clock.
As the boats slowly wendell their way
out of the harbor past Fort Adams there
appeared in puffs slight breeze from the
south southeast, which gradually increased,
so that by 1890 o'clock there was a mod
crate club topsail breeze.
The mist. which had cleared partially be-
fore this. allowing the sun to come out IN
scorching ferceness, again settled down so
that Brenton's Reef lightship was barely
discernible. This mist rapidly Travelled
fn1 Ws the was
rays. The shower soon passed over. and
spectators were again allowed to look upon
a large fleet gathered about the starting
nOinf q "
out.
At 1910 am. the steam yachts were just
making their appearance. while the flagship
May was not In her position.
Sound steamers. excursion boats and tugs
made their appearance In numbers not be-
fore seen upon yacht race hereabou:s
with people. showing the great interest
which Is being taken in the work Of the
four noble cup defenders.
The course is that known as the Sow and
Pigs course. 1t Is thirty-eight miles in eX-
tent and provides for the leaving Of the
Vineyard sound and Hen and Chickens light
ships upon the port hand in turning.
The Start.
At HIS the starting gun for sloops was
fired.
Almost directly what appeared to be the
jubilee. with all sails set. luffed up short
across the line. then her sails filed again
and she was OFF.
The Colonia and Pilgrim also followed
closely. while the Vigilant did not cross
until after the third gun. starter for
schooners. was fired With the port tack
aboard; the sloops stood in toward Bren-
tons Point for about ten minutes, then
took aboard the starboard tack. which
win be a long one off shore.
As they started upon this tack the Jubilee
was fully four minutes ahead of the Colonia
in the wind which prevailed at the start.
for 1t was inclined to be fiuky and not more
than strong enough to keep their large
spread of canvas fairly we'll filled.
The Vigilant. while starting late did not
stand in shore. but laid OF upon the star
longer time than the others did upon the
port succeeded in working well up to the
windwaYd and soon held second place. with
Colonia third and Pilgrim fourth
BY excellent sailing the Vigilant contin-
ued to forge ahead, and soon appeared to
have first place
The weather conditions did not appear to
improve at all, and II settled down to little
more than a drifting match. the breeze at
the start having quite died away.
to be sailing race by herself, for she drop
ped the fleet, or they rather dropped her
and left her to continue to work alone on
the in-shore tack.
Her speed was so slow that her crew
were sent down to the lee rail, with the
idea of giving her as much surface for the
wind to work against as possible.
BY 80 the whole fleet were hull down and
the positions of the several racers could not
be made out positively. The Pilgrim and
Mayfower were still hugging the shore
with apparent intention to fight 1t out upon
that line Z, the finish.
Many Of the small fry are putting back,
not caring to be left out all night in the
open sea without wind.
The fleet were by this time some twelve
miles off and were completely out Of sight
before thew made their first turning point,
Vineyard Sound Lightship.