Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-06

retired to look after his vessel and Com
modore Smith was made the chairman.
Mr.. Rogers also resigned aud the va
cancies were filed by Mr.. Philip
Schuyler and Mr.. Frederick Tams.
AFTER REPEATED CONTESTS
bet ween the four American boats. with
which the public is familiar, the Vigil
LIANT was chosen to represent America in
the great international race.
About the battery, Fort Wadsworth,
Fort Hamilton and Highlands OF Nave
sink, thousands who were not lucky
enough to get awav to the race on
steamer or sailing craft gathered to re-
view the great procession Of large
and small craft laden with excur-
sionists, bound for Sandy Hook.
Never in the history OF international
yacht racing has so much interest been
shown in an aquatic event, and 1t was
soon seen that the police force on the
Aurora, chartered especially for the
cup contests in place of the regular po-
lice boat Patrol, would have their
hands iull In keeping in order the im-
mense fleet OF boats out to-day 20
see the great race. Tne po-
lice arrangements were admir-
able. The admirable fifty picked
blue coats manned the Aurora under
the command OF Inspector Williams, an
old sailor, the whole force being under
the direction Of perintendent Byrnes.
The policemen were divided into six
boat crews; four crews were ready TO
man the lifeboats at a moments notice.
In addition two men were stationed at
each gangway with 3 large supply OF
life preservers and five police surgeons
formed part Of the Aurora's crew.
Finally Commander Kane of the race
committee chartered seven tugs for
extra patrol duty, with instructions 10
co. operate with the Aurora. The six
patrol boats at the Hook had all they
could do 20 keep the excursion boats
north OF Sandy Hook lIghtship.
The precautionary measures also In
cluded the presence on each OF the ex-
cursion craft OF custom house officers
and all the revenue cutters that could
be spared lent a hand in the police
work.
The New York yacht club members
and their friends were on board the
steamer St. John, the Atlantic club
people chartered the steamship Gay
Head; the Sowanhaka yacht club was
on board the Al Foster; the Larchmont
Yacht club crowded the decks
of large ocean tug; the
Providence yacht club people
selected the Cygnus as their flagship
and the eastern yacht club were on
board the Block Island. These were
only few Of the yacht clubs repre-
sented. In addition excursion boats
brought crowds OF people from the
Sound ports and from many places in
New Jersey and New Eogland.
THE RACE IN DETAIL.
At about nine o'clock the Valkyrie, in
tow OF a tug, passed outside OF Sandy
Hook. At the same hour, the Vigilant
was In the lower Bay, hosting her main
sail. The wind at a. N. had changed
10 w. n. E.; slight breeze was blowing
about seven miles per hour, mud slight
sea was running. The foggy atmos-
phere prevented good view OF the
yachts. ~e
AT about 9:3O a. m. the Vigilant also
passed outside Of Sandy Hook. BY this
time the wind had again changed; this
time to n. W. N, with slightly increas-
ed velocity, reaching up TO six miles
per hour. The weather was still fOggy
and everybody wished for more wind
and clear skies.
At this hour the Valkyrie was at the
Scotland Lightship, and the ViGilant
was coming out OF the Hook.
fhnra
a prospect Of no race; the wind is only
five miles an hour. The weather
sharps, however, have it that the
breeze may freshen.
Both yachts are about the Sandy
Hook lighship and the patrol boats are
keeping the big fleet Of excursion
steamers, tugs aud yachts well in order.
The haze is lifting slightly
and Ions stream Of late
boats, loaded with excursiOnists, is
pouring down the bay and out past the
Hook. The fleet now gathered outside
Sandy Hook Is larger than ever before
seen at yacht race. The excitement
is intense. Both Of the competing
Yachts show up finely and there is little
or no netting except at even money on
the result.
ia. M.-The yachts are standing of
about the line playing for position with
the light wind blowing. The fog has
cleared slightly, but not enough TO war
rant the assertion that the first OF the
series OF races will be sailed to-day.
The old salts are busily whistling for a
breeze.
THE GUN FIRED.
11:1O A. M.-The guns have just been
fred, bus the fog is too thick to deter
mine II the yachts are or are not pre-
paring to start. In the haze they can
be seen moving about.
11I5 A. M.-The preparatory gun
has Just been fred, and people are be-
ginning TO feel that they have not come
out here for nothing.
FAR ROCKAwAY BEACH, September
5.-1l:5O A. M.-The yachts have start
ed over the southern course. The Nigi-
liant crossed the line to the windward,
with the Valkyrle close behind.
At 1855 the ViEilant was still well
to windward, but the Valkyrie appear
ed to be closing up the gap between
them. The wind is very light and all
points to the prospect Of there being
no race.
HIGHLANDS. October 5-12:O2 P. NJ
The wind is dying down still more, and
to use an old sea dogs expression, "the
sea is as smooth as maiden'S cheek" "
1t is only four TO six miles an hour and
Il will not be surprising II to-day's heat
| is too slow TO come within the six hour
limit necessary to make it race.
NAvEsINK TOWER, 1920 P. M.-The
/ racers are now visible, some distance
ahead Of the rest Of the fleet. Let the
eagle screaml The Vgilant is leading
fully a quarter OF mile. The flagship