Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-04
THE WGILANT WINS
A Very Pretty Race, Ending Con-
trary to English Hopes.
GEN. TARSNEY'S LIFE THREATENED
Bold Bandits Terorize an Entire
Town in Mexico.
A YOUTHFUL CRIMINAL

COWES, Isle Of Wight. August 4.-With
a stitfish westerly breeze blowing and pros
poets Of a good days racing, the American
sloop yacht Vigilant and the British cutter
Britannia started this morning in their
fourteenth race, the prize being a cup val
ued at $500, to be presented by the loser to
the winner
The score at the start stood ten races to
three in favor of the cutter. Never in the
history Of British yachting had SO many
yachts been gathered to witness an aquatic
contest and 1t is doubtful II as much inter-
est was ever taken in any yachting event.
Both yachts were officially measured yes
terday. The figures show that the Vigilant
spreads LOO square feet Of canvas more
than the Britannia, while the cutter is a
foot longer than the Vigilant on the water
line. The rating of the Vigilant is 169 and
that of the Britannia 152; consequently the
American sloop allows the cutter I'm. is.
The Vigilant carried crew of forty-five
men. and the Britannia contented herself
with crew of thirty-six.
Among the yachts which took parties
Of Americans were the White Ladye Mr.
A. Goelet's; the Lasca, Mr.. Jno. f. Brooke's;
the May, Mr.. f. d. Morgans, and the
Guinevere, Mr.. C. oliver Isling's. Then, of
course. there were the GouIds' steam yacht
having large parties of Americans on board
TOday's Course.
The course sailed over today was what is
known as the Queens course. The yachts
being ordered to the westward after the
start off the castle here, they went west
ward about one mile and half to and
around east Lepe buoy, leaving 1t on the
starboard hand and then started westward
passing near the west Rramble buoy to and
around the Warner lightship, and from
there back to the starting point and once
more around this course; twice around
completing the total distance of fifty miles
The yachts were compelled to pass to the
northward of Prince Consort's buoy and
No Man Fort, near the Warner llghtship.
The weather was overcast and a stiff
westerly breeze was blowing when the
gun was fired, at 1910 am. to start the
yachts on their journey. The esplanade
was thronged with multitudes of spectators
including many hundreds Of ladies' in yacht
ing costumes. who mingled with a greater
number of men wearing the uniforms of
different yacht clubs. Then there were
crowds of sight-seers from all parts of
England, all eager to witness what was
looked upon certain to be a splendid
race, whichever boat won.
There was much excitement as the two
yachts. with ordinary topsails and medium
jibs and foresails. siided gracefully along,
pointing eastward. until they passed the
faSboat, which. out of compliment to the
Americans, was flying the stars and stripes
opposite the royal yacht sQuadron's castle
when both swung round virtually together
IN order to pass the line. The yachts look
ed beautiful, powerful and swift as they
sped along beam for BEAM with The Britain
MIA on the Nigilants port side and holding
the weather position.
A Pretty Sight.
Their sails were filled and nothing rrettier
could be imagined than the sight they pre-
scented n q bo
toward the opposite Shore sailing through
an immense fleet Of yachts and afrording
all on board the latter a splendid View of
the two racers before the real struggle Cum
menced. But the fact that the two cracks
were obliged to thread their way through
this fleet Of pleasure craft prevented the
Vigilant from getting out as readily as her
opponent, much to the jubilation of the
Britishers. Thus the sloop dropped slightly
astern and her sails were Tapping cs the
britannia naturally partly took her wind.
When the boats got into less crowded wa
ter, however, the Vigilant opened out and
soon drew level. Then for half a mile 1t was
first one boats bowsprit and then the other
being In front, amid intense excitement,
crowds OF people running along the shore
In order to see as much as possible Of them.
Around Lepe buoy highland they gradu-
ally forged ahead and with two tacks pass
ed the mark boat as follows:
vlsilan. ...................... Ii Il M Is s g;
Britannia Observation-Disclosures. 10 So 90
AS they ran back for the Warner light
ship the Vigilant was still gaining. passing
the home mark boat I'm. lis. ahead At
Ryde Pier. going eastward. the following
were the times Of the two racers:
H. NJ s.
nIenant .......'.................... IL 30 30
Here. therefore. the vigilant had a lead
of Am. 40s. against q lead Of 55s. at the
Lepe buoy. showing gain Of nearly Am.
Running eastward the Vigilant gained
rapidly; but in beating back against the
wind the Britannia gained slightly, and she
passed Ryde Pier, on the return from the
Warner lightship, only Pm. los. behind the
V:gilant.
The Vigilnnt Leading.
A long reach brought the yachts back to
Cowes for the completion Of the first round.
The first round was ended as follows:
v.u,,,n. H: NJ: s:
1t will thus be seen that at the end Of the
first round the Nigilant had a lead of 3m
sos. The yachts presented a splendid sight
as they reached back past Cowes. The wind
had hauled around slightly southwark and
1t was strong enough to heel the two
yachts over most gracefully, every inch of
canvas being filled and their bottoms show
iEg up clearly.
There was undated excitement among
the crowds ashore. although the enthusiasm
Of the Britishers was considerably dampen-
ed by the manner in which their favorite
was being left behind. After rounding Lepe
buoy on the second round, the yachts re-
turnel in free reach and repassed Cowes
in the following times:
II. NJ. s.
Vigilant. ..,-.....................12 90 81
Britannia. ........................ o. O5
At this stage Of the race the Vfgilant had
a lead of four minutes eight seconds. Short
ly afterward a driZzlng rain began thinning
the crowds ashore. But large numbers re-
manned to see the race in spite Of the in
clemency Of the weather. Among those to
brave the rain and the chance Of a bad cold
were, 1t was evident from their conversa-
ton, nearly all American SPECTATORS, who
naturally, were greatly elated at the sue
cess Of the Vigilant.
The American yacht. on going out Of sight
around the eastward point Of Cowes on the
final round. had further increased her lead
by a couple Of seconds and 1t was stated, II
the wind held. she was bound to win easily
The VfHilant Wins.
Passing Ryde Pier, going to the eastward
on the last round. the Vigilant was five
minutes fifteen seconds ahead At that