The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-07
Exciting Race Over the Isle of Wight
Course, Which the Britisher's Tried
to Capture by DIRTY" Work.
TWO YACHTS AGAINST ONE
Conspiracy to Either Wreck or
Defeat the American Boat.
Latter Almost Forced Ashore by the Sail
ing Tactics of the English Cap
tains-General Foreign News.

COWES, Isle Of Wight, Aug. 6.-The big
event of the regatta of the Royal London
Yacht Club was won by the American
yacht to-day. The competitors were Satan
tia. Britannia and Vigilant. The times at
the finish were: Vigilant. 5O6:15; Britannia,
514.27: Satanita. 5:f6:15. The Vigilant con-
sequently won by eight minutes and twelve
seconds. without counting her time allow
ance OF two minutes and twenty-five sec
onds.
The weather was what the experts called
Satanita weather. The course was around
the Isle of Wight. starting eastward, once
around, a total distance Of ~fifty-five miles.
There were nearly three hundred yachts
of all sizes and descriptions lying in the
roads. The American yachts ATLANTA,
White Lady and May were conspicuous
among those flying the stars and stripes.
In the middle of the parade was a tall
mast from which the American flag was
flying. over the gay spectacle a leaden sky
frowned. threatening a showery day. But
as a compensation a nice breeze was blow
ing. and the white caps were dancing at a
lively rate. During the early morning ex-
cursion steamers from Southampton,
Bournemouth, Portsmouth and other places
steamed into the roads. Larger numbers
were assembled than were ever before
nv at al I<D6Ac C6dlld ~
William arrived here at 3 o'clock on board
the imperial yacht Hohenzollern.
As the day advanced the wind increased
in force. The Vigilant allowed the Satanita
thirty-ive seconds, owing TO the reduction
OF the latter's sail area, and the Vigilant
allowed the Britannia two minutes, TWEEN
ty-two senconds. The three yachts gave
the spectators a pretty exhibition of smart
seamanship before the start as they cruised
up and down testing the wind from 8
o'clock until the starting gun was fired,
at 10 a. m. The three yachts started for
the line carrying club top sails and
balloon jibs. Their times were, in crossing
the line: Satanita Gutter, 1901; Britain
mia (cutter). 1O:O1O5; vigilant (sloop),
10:01:20.
At the outset an exciting contest occurred
between the Britannia and Vigilant. The
former was holding the windward position
and the latter tried to pass her. but the
Prince of Wales cutter Immediately luffed
up and held the Vigilant. For a time both
yachts made little forward progress. The
Satanita, in the meanwhile, rapidly forged
spectators that the Britannia's maneuver
In holding the Vigilant was the result of a
tacit agreement between. the two British
captains to work in unison, SO that the
winner of the cup would be a British yes
sci, this being a day of .Satanita weather
chance of winninr. Therefore. the latter
could very well devote herself to harass-
so far succeeded for a time that when the
N1gilant ultimately got clear the Satanita
was a long ways ahead. The times of the
Satanita, 1011 :32; Vigilant, 10:13:31; Britain
MIA. 1014:15. The Satanita had a lead of
early stage of the race on the Vigilant,
while the latter was forty-four seconds
ahead of the Britannia
A GOOD START.
An 49, ,ooh+. cot ou,oy 4, uuo-l -
and. once past West Cowes Point, they
were reaching along at steamboat speed,
with part of their starboard rails sub
merged, and leaving a glistening wake be-
hind them. The times of the three yachts
at Ryde pier were: Satanita, 1929 :55; Wig
liant, 1O:31:35; Britannia. 1O:32:26. Both Sat
anita and Vigilant were increasing their
leads on the Prince of Wales's cutter. AT
the Warner light ship the Vigilant was
only ten seconds, the Britannia being only
fifty-ive seconds behind the leader. The
signals giving the time passing Shanklin
proximately the boats passed at these
times: Satanita. 1906; Vigilant, 1901; Brit
ANNA. 12oS. Ventor. Isle of Wight. was
tainty as to time and order of the TWO
British yachts prevailing: Satanita, 12.25:25;
Nigilant. 12:25:3l: Britannia, 12:26:32. Up TO
this stage it was a very pretty race. Near
ly one-half the course had been covered,
and vet only "A little over a minute sep
arated the first and third yachts. The Wig
liant continued TO gain, and finished as
stated above.
To an Associated Press representative,
after the race, Captain Half. of the Vigi-
liant, said: ut is quite true that the Britain
MIA tried to hold us at the start, evidently
in order 10 allow the Satanita TO get ahead.
In fact. that was their tactics throughout.
When one got slightly ahead the other I'M
mediately tried to hold us, and this led to
our running into the shore more than once.
The Satanita only led on the run to Benz
bridge. Directly We turned the point and
started 10 reach for ST. GATHERINGS Point
we began to gain and soon passed her. The
Britannia also came UP, and then COM
menced a series of lufing matches. The
Britannia was TO windward and prevented
US from passing, continually bearing down
on us and keeping US in shore. Ultimately,
when we had just passed Nentnor, We
tried TO pass the Britannia on the leeward
but failed. Then We decided 10 pass her 10
windward whatever the risks might be.
We succeeded and the Britannia was
pressed in shore and rubbed her bottom.
Later on the Britannia again tried the same
game when we were close together. We
were determined not TO be jockeyed in this
fashion, and as both were game IL was
simply a case OF which would go the
farthest in shore. AS the Britannia draws
went on the rocks, The Vigllant also
bumped. being nearer the shore. but
1 do not think that she suffered
seriously. Nevertheless, we intend 10 dock
her tomorrow TO ascertain II her Keel is
injured. The Britannia's position. however,
appeared 10 US momentar!ly as serious. Her
stern rose three feet out of water and her
men were sent forward. She then. without
actually stopping, bumped along into deep