Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-10-07
E.EAfo"e America,

the NlSiiaut ptoke OUT Her immense spinna'
ker, which seemed to almost enshroud her
put her helm TO starboard and swung aroun
for the line.
The Englishman was close upon he
heels, hosting bis spinnaker on the weathe
quarter and going over almost bow and bov
with the American boat. The start wal
the mos. beautiful ever seen in Americai
waters, and 10 the spectators, it seemed NJ
though both boats had been simultaneously
shot out of cannon.
As soon as the yachts were well clear Of
the line. they began to pay close attention
to the trim of their sails. The Vigilani
seemed TO have some trouble with her spins,
maker, which for some reason got sfoul Of
the starboard shrouds. After clearing this,
she hauled down her iih topsail and st the
balloon, while the EnglishmaD, following
the example set by the American, hoistedf
his balloon jlb topsail, still holding on Ia
his j,b.
The position of the valkyrie of the wea-,
ther quarter of the VisilaBt gave her am
immense advantage, for she sho, ahead and
for a time it looked SIS though the Ameri7
can WAS beaten boat. At the end of five
minutes the Englishman was fully twoT
lengths ahead and apparently gaining at
every moment.
This discoursging state of affairs con-
tinued for 10 minutes, when the American
boat seemed to gather headway for some
unaccountable reason, and gradually closed
up the gap, until she overlook and passed
Vslkyrie. placing at least one third of
mile of clear wafer between them at the :
end of the first hour.
At noon the Vslkyrie put out large
sign, Keep off our weather. but there was
little need for this warning, as the excur-.
SION fleet had already given both boats II )
vide berths.
About u Is the wind began to haul to
the southwark, bringing the breeze little
on the .tdrboard quarter. This forced the
Vigilant to take in her spinnaker, followed
10 minutes later by the Valkyrie, who had
already hauled down her jib and set her
forestry sail in its place. The Visilant con
tinued to gain So rapidly that the Valkyrie
set her spiDnsker again, hoping that this
increase of sail spread might help her
along.
1t undoubtedly did do some good, but
just as she began to pick up, the Yankee
sloOp also set her spinnaker and held her
long lead. Toward o'clock. just as the
turning mark hove in sight. the wind be \
came 30 light that both yachts seemed all
most dead IN the water, their sails hanging
limp and lifeless to the spars. Again i'd
seemed AS though the days work would be-
al in vain, and the six hours would pass
without seeing either yacht at the FIJI Ii
Tue.
At 125 the pi1d again hauled to the
'cuth'ar and the ViQilant took in her spni
,aker, followed bY the Falk,rie five mini
ites later. The Engishman was now
tanjing along with no other head sails ST
but his balloon iibtopsail. His jib was
Ioisted in stops, however. The Vigilant
as then carrying the same canvas forI
ward, but she soon ran up her forestaysai1
md lib.
The wind now freshensd considerably,
lauling at the same time more 10 the sontb.
ward. With he freshening breeza almost
lheam the race-s braced in and stood fof
he marx, the English boat about a quartet A
# mile astern, but rapidly picking up. NJ "a.
When the ViRilant ran for the mark il
'lew whole sea breeze, and she luffedDr
round in fine style, hauling down hefoe
'alloon jib top all as she went in stays. st
)nce around in the port tack she again..
oisted an intermediate jlb topsail and !,
TODD for the finish on close reach. Thd
Jalkyrie did likewise, but set her baby jitn I
opsall instead alter luffing round. Follow IN
NJ is the official time of the turn r
'igilant ......l.5050 valkyrie.. oh,
From this it can be seen that it took theyni.
'igilant just hours.2j minutes 80 seconds
nj the Valkyrie 2 hours, 33 minutes, 80 A
econds TO make the run of Is miles to lee NJ
rard-a difference of 8 minutes, 6 seconds lid
rhich was really the gain of the Vigilant.
= the time of both was practical ~
| 2j 90. A
The course from the outer turn had no
Tindward work in it at all, but was really"
close reach, as both boats had the wind d
title forward of the beam, il having canted
0 the southwest. 1t was a straight sail in
smooth sea, and both yachts made reJ"'
quick time, very few Of the ex-
ursion boats being able to keep mp with {.
hem. The yachts logged at least IL knots. =.
nj the Vslkyrie showed herself speedierr n
oat on this point Of sailing.
There was not change of sail on the eh
each home, and it was evident that the
.nghshman was rapidly gaining on the
nkee and woul hsve overtsken her had
he course been little longer. Though.
he official records show only gain of 30''
econds for the Valkyrie, she gained at
East three minutes.
But after the Yigilsnt had crossed the
ne the wind suddenly died away from a
resh breeze to light air, so that the three
linnte gain of the English cutter was re-
uced to 30 seconds within a assistance Of one
,urth of mile.
Though the day was perfect and the
merican boat gained an honest victory, i'll
as not q steady wind from staYt to finish
nd therefore not . fair test Of the two
oats.
Some facts were ascertsined, however
nd they are that in light airs the vieilani
speedier than the Valkyre, but in freshl
-eeze and in a reach the English boat is
iperior. This makes it fair to presume
lat the Valkyrie may win Mondays race
the wind is steady and strong.
Following 10 the official summary of TIE
zee
purse Is miles TO leeward or windward and re.
tarn-
Elapsed Cor.
Start. Finish time. time. |
sikyYie. -.........ft-25lso AIS 2! f.ll.23 4ii2I
igIiant. ."....I1.251o 3-30.f7 i05.47 4y6s3I
OUTER MARX.
isiiaBt. yaikyrie. ........l.5s, 81
sisiisnt wins: Corrected time. S m, ~ ses.