Evening journal., 1893-10-05
THE TWO VS. Att
Great international Yacht
Race Begins.
POOR WIND AND HEAVY FOG
Everything Against Good Time
and Good Racing.

When the Yachts Were Last Seen They
Were Almost Becaimed-The vigilant
Was Gaining Slowly But sureIy-Intense
disappointment of Those Who Had
Assembled TO See the Great Race.
NEW YORK. Oct 8 Thousands upon
thousands of enthusiastic yachtsmen
with their wives. daughters and sweet
hearts are out on the ocean TO day to
witness the great international struggles
between the American racer Vigilant
and the crack English yacht Valkyrie
Every available craft that can stand a
blow has been pressed into service and
the New York bay and lower bay were
never so crowded as this morning
Steamers, private steam yachts, sail
ing yachts, tugs and even row boats
dotted the waters and the waters seemed
covered with white expanse of canvas
as far as the eye could reach.
Brilliant CoIors Displayed.
From any point along the shore
the scene was most brilliant. The
yacht clubs went down the bay in long
lines displaying their gay colors and
saluting as they passed along. Thous-
ands lined the shore, leveling their
glasses seaward to catch the first glimpse
of the racers.
At 8 o'clock the wind was blowing
light from the northeast and heavy
clouds hung over the bay. There was
also some fog. The sea was running
light
Suddenly the wind increased, the clouds
aud fog were swept away and the sun
shone brightly Right of quarantine
was Vigilant, stripped for action and
moving down the bay to the starting
point in tow of tug.
valkyrie passed out 10 minutes later.
Both vessels were stripped clean Of
every thing that would retard their
progress. The crews were at work
hoisting the great sails.
AS the sun rose higher and higher,
and the feet Of vessels in the lower bay
increased, the wind became lighter and
lighter and it was feared the race would
be very slow one and no race at all.
The weather bureau gave no assurance
that the wind would increase.
The two great racers were escorted
down the bay to the supposed starting
point, Sandyhook Lightship, by an i'm
mense feet.
Captain Cranfeld was at the wheel Of
Valkyrie and Lord Dunrsven stood
close by. He raised his cap in acknowl-
edgment of salutes of several incoming
steamers.
Captain Hanson steered the Vigilant,
and the representative of her syndicate
owners. G. Oliver Iselen, was aboard
There were no guests on either boat, the
smallest number possible consistent with
safety and the handling of the boats
being desired in order to have the boats
as light as possible.
Commodore Morgan's steam yacht May
with the American Committee, left fol
the starting point at o o'clock.
At II o'clock the wind was but four
miles sn hour and not strong enough t
raise flag. The out look for the racl
was dubious, as with four mile breez
the yachts could not cover the course il
the time allowed.
123O p m The two yachts started a
10 II. At 30 Vigilant was apparentl
leading, the breeze was light and BLOWN
but about eight miles an hour. Th
yachts could be seen from the Highland
of Navesink. They weIe standing soutl
west. All sail was set
vigIlant Well in the Lead.
2Op m-Toward o'clock the win
freshened a little and lifted the fog.
could then be seen that the Vigliant W,
we'll in the lead. The sails of both zach
were shaking badly.