New-York tribune., 1894-04-08
THE VIGILANT NOT SOLD.
RUMORS THAT MIR. BENNETT HAD
BOUGHT HER DENIED.
HE MAY BECOME THE OWNER OF THE IA
NOUS BOAT But HAS NOT YET FUR
CHASED HER RCMORs OF
RACES ABROAD

RACES ABROAD.
In spite OF all the rumors to the contrary II. ~
positively known that James Gordon Bennett mas
not yet bought the Ngi!ant. August Belmont the
treasurer OF the syndicate which owns the NIs-
liant, has denied II. and he ought TO know. Mt
Bennett did ask the price OF the yacht. ana dd so
with an idea Of buying her and racing her abroad
Those best Informed. however, say that MT. Ben
nett never had any idea OF racing the NiSilant
against the Britannia In English waters out OF
racing her next year at Cannes. Mr.. Bennett Is so
thorough a yachtsman that he probably Is aware
that the Viglant would not be al her best In racing
in English waters She is. however. admirably
adapted for racing in the Mediterranean. Mr. Ben
nett may buy the yacht but he had not nohe so up
TO yesterday The syndicate owning the \isi-
liant has a fixed price for which the yacht can be
bought. but no option expiring at "A certain hxed
time has been given. II Mr.. Bennett can be as
sured that the Britannia will be in the Mediter-
ranean for racing purposes next season. ne VIII
probably buy the Niglant or build another boat
here TO beat the Britannia. This is what those best
Informed think. though Mr. Bennett has not ofii-
cally spoken he may buy the Nigilant and take
her to England. but it is hardly probable. When
It leaked out that Mr. Bennett had asked the price
Of the Nigant rumor grew and grew, until yester-
day 1t had the boat already purchased ana Mr'
Bennett racing Lord Dunraven In the Nalkyrle
across the ocean. II Mr. Bennett should purchase
the Viglant. and II he raced her across the ocean
1t would have to be made under jury rig. The rae
ing spars of the Valkyrie sent to England
long ago and she is under jury RIG. Her sail
ing master and sufficient crew TO take her back
are on their way here and Lord Dunraven wants
her back there for the opening Of the yachting sea-
son. -,
The story of a across the ocean between the
Viglant and Valkyre was widely spread about after
the international yacht races last summer though
such thing never contemplated 1t Is probable
that the present rumor OF the same sort OF race
was evolved from memories Of ocean races IN whlch
Mr.. Bennett took part In FORMER years; IL II 10 W
hoped that MIR. Bennett Will buy the Nlglant' ana
take her Cannes II the Britannia Is 10 be tnere
next year. for the recent races there were pertect
walkovers for the Britannia. The Prince or Males
had absolutely nothing against him that STOOD the
ghost OF a chanc- with the Britannia. Meantime
there IS much talk and speculation ana invention
of details. and jumping at conclusions.
London. April The prospect that James Gordon
Bennett will bring the yacht Vigant to this country
has afforded a great deal OF pleasure TO yachtsmen
here. who looking forward To a season OF IN
teresting yachting events in consequence. The sue
and Nice have encouraged the hope that some Amerl
yacht may meet her here. and should MIR. Ben
nett succeed in getting boat for that purpose "
would give universal satisfaction 10 yachtsmen u
see representative American craft as the competi-
tor Of His Royal HiShncsss cutter.
1.-THE Fled" says that lovers OF yachting VIII h'
glad to hear that Mr. Bennett has announcer ms
purpose OF building a cutter TO compete with the
britannia and Nalkyrie IN the Solent and ADDS
that Mr. Benefits connection with yacht racinh
has been Of the most adventurous character. ana
since he took to yachting In l>5. II then recount
the race the Henrietta across the Atlantic against
the Dauntiess and F.cctwinS. In 1866; when she
made the quickest voyage ever made with sailing
vessel leaving Ncw-York December II. 1876. At
r. m. and arriving at Cowcs. December -. at 5:p
D. m. Mr. Bennett; board the Henrietta.