The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-08-09
BRITANNIA WON.
She Got a Good Start and Led
The vigiIant Home.
vigiIant Meets With the Worst Defeat
Of All Today.


CowEs, Isles of Wight, Aug. 9.-vigilant
and Britannia started this morning in
the race for the Town prive OF fl00, pre-
sented by the Inhabitants OF the town of
Cowes.
CowEs, Isle OF WIGHT, Aug. 9.-The
yssh ing enthusiasts of Cowes and its
neighborhood were astir at an early hour
this morning and when they glanced to
windward and saw prospects Of freshen-
ing in the stiffish westerly breeze which
was then blowing, they went to break
fast with considerable satisfaction, antici-
pating a splendid days racing on this the
third day of the annual regatta OF the
Royal Yacht Squadron.
On the horizon. angry little clouds were
chasing each other merrily over the Solent,
where white caps were lifting their crested
heads as the sun, at intervals, cleaned
through the cloudlets and enlivened what
was otherwise duh and frowning morn
ing.
But to the hearts OF Americans, longing
for strong wind, these angry signs in
wind and sea brought heaps OF satisfac-
tion, as they believed that victory was
certain for the Yankee sloop if the wind
would only hold out strong enough to
enable her to take advantage of her splen-
did sail spread and admirable model.
Interest Increases.
Interest in the Vigilant increases rather
than diminishes. Her victories over
the slippery cutter, Britannia, have
caused intense feeling in England
and great excitement amoug the
yachtsmen here. Consequently the yacht
inc aaaf raw n I'm m ina ua. o,o.,da1
with yachtsmen, yachtswomen and their
guests, all anxious to witness another
struggle between the rival aquatic
beauties.
Here, there and everywhere could be
seen swift gliding gigs propelled by mus
cular arms, and buzzing little launches
conveying guests to the yachts, provision
ing their owners yachts, or taking mes-
sages from one boat to another. There
was bright life and excitement every
where, nervousness produced by antici-
pated sport, and the keen anticipation Of
closely contested event.
The blue blood of yachting in England
looked on as the preparations for the
great event were concluded, the aristocracy
of British sport being eager for the start.
and longing to see the Prince of Wales
cutter victorious.
The vigilant, Britannia, Satanita, Me-
teor, Corsair and Namara were entered for
today's yachting event, the town prize of
Gl00, presented by the inhabitants
OF the town Of Cowes, for all yachts OF not
less than 80 tons belonging to any recog-
nized yacht club.
The Course.
The course was what was known as the
Queens course, somewha less than fifty
miles ga miles eatimated), which varies
according to whether the yachts are
ordered to start TO the eastward or TO the
we,tward.
This morning the committee, selecting
the best wind, sent the yachts away TO the
westward, only the Vigilant and Britain
MIA starting, the other yachts having
little or no chance of making even a
decent showing with the two cracks.
Consequently, the course was westward
from the Royal Yachts Squadron castle, at
West Cowes, to and around the East Lepe
buoy, leaving it to starward, then east
ward, south of the west Bramble buoy,
out to sea and around the Warner light
ship, leaving it on the starboard hand,
then back westward, passing west OF No
Man Fort, leaving it to port, thence back
to the starting point; twice around this
course to complete the nominal fifty
miles.
The Vigilant today, as on Saturday,
allowed the Britannia minutes Sec
onds.
As the hour for the start, 1890 a. m,
drew near, every move of the racers was
watched with intense eagerness by the
crowds ashors and afioat.
The Vigilant at first cruised about
without club topsail, but sne soon fol-
lowed the Britannia's example and hoisted
her iackyarder just as the gun was being
primed for firing.
The dashing Yankee sloop today was
little too soon and nearing the line
slightly ahead of time she had to hold up
for few seconds.
The Britannia, OH the other hand,
gauged her time more correctly and
crossed the lire just as the gun was fired.
The American yacht, however, was almost
leyel with the cutter, but the latter had
secured the weather berth to the great
delight of her admirers.
Britannia's Lead.
At the start the times OF The yachts
were: