Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-20
BITTER ENGLISH COMMENTS.

Fair Play Not Prominent in Discus.
sing the Vigilant's Disaster.
The New York Heralds European edition
publishes the following from its correspond
ent:
COWES, August 10. 1s94.-"Lost her CEN
terboard! Lost her pluck, very probablyv'
This was the charitable remark made to
me by well-known member Of the SQUAD
ron when the news Of the Vigilants mishap
was made public. And this remark is, l
am sorry to say, absolutely representative
Of the general opinion here. Probably no
visiting American yacht owner ever took
such pains as has Mr.. Gould to avoid CIV
ing occasion for the slightest remark, and
only yesterday he asked me not to quote
some perfectly inoffensive criticism he had
passed on certain matters connected with
the unfortunate race. for fear. as he said.
that those anxious to find occasion fer
offence might find 1t therein"
Mr.. Gould ON the Subject.
This has been his attitude from the first.
1T Is quite enough to endeavor to gain an
advantage in business he said to me re-
Gently. Il think 1t ought to be the endeavor
of every one connected with such a noble
sport as yachting to keep 1t above Ieproach
in this respect That is why 1 have often
given way when obviously unfair terms
were proposed. ! came over here to race
and enjoy myself and to try and act In Il
sportsmanlike manner. but 1 must confess
to getting tired of the constant gossip of SC
ill-natured description as has lately pre-
vailed"
Il-Natured Criticisms.
One Of those on board the committee boat
yesterday said to me: II don't want to say
anything Ill natured, but 1 must confess
that the conduct Of the Vigi,ane seemed to
US very curious. AS soon as We found how
ha
Needles We made up our minds that It was
not quite Vtgtlant day, and one Of those
on board the tug remarked that the Vigil
ants people were probably wishing they
were well out Of 1t.
Almost at oil ce the American boat began
behaving in an extraordinary manner, and
scon after the signal referring to the CEN
terpoard was run up. Now, the general
opinion is-whether well founded or not 1
90 not care to say-that Mr.. Gould was
never anxious to sail this match 1t Ia al
legged that he objected from the first to the
conditions, and even when he agl eed, 1t is
said that a report was spread that he had
determined to race no more in these waters
and there was nothing easier than to find a
pretext for this. and the loss of the CENTER
board seems as good a one any,"
Absurdity of the RumOrs.
To those who were on board the Vigilant
when she jolted over the reef, nearly send
Ing those who were standing on the deck
over the rails, notnlng more wildly absurd
could be imagined than that, in order to
avoid racing the boat in few regattas, Mr..
Gould should have risked his own and the
lives Of all those aboard. while, apart from
this, the very nature of the accident Is proof
or Its unprecedented character.
1t must be acknowledged, at the same
time, that among English yachtsmen here
very unpleasant hints are thrown out, and
bitter feeling prevails. All sorts of rumors
are abroad 1t Is said that the Prince of
wales and George Gould had a serious al
tercation. The story is. Of course denied
oy the latter who asserts that throughout
his stay at Cowes the princes friendly
courtesy was most marked. He said also
that Mrs. Gould was SO impressionable and
excited over the fortunes Of the Vigilant
that after the defeat Of Thursday week she
prevailed upon her husband to agree to
bring his racing career to a close as soon as
possible.
This is fair sample of the curiosities OF
gossip which pass from one to another.
gathering volume as they go.