Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-21
AGAIN THE WG|LANT
The Britannia Defeated in Dublin
Bay by Over Three Minutes.
FAST SAILING OF THE AMERICAN
The Spectators on the Cliffs Given
a Fine Sight.
LUCK OF THE TWO BOATS

JAMESTOWN, Dublin Bay. July 21.-The
American sloop Nigilant and the British
cutter Britannia started this morning on
their ttnth race. with the score standing
to l in favor Of the Prince Of Wales
yacht
The wind was light, and the course was
the same as yesterday-from the east pier
to and around Rosebeg buoy, thence out to
sea and around the Kish lfghtship: from
there back toward Bray Head and around
the Mrglins. and from those rocks back to
the pier; three times around this course
completing the total distance Of fifty miles.
The prize competed for today was $500.
given by the Royal st. George Yacht Club.
The attendance was not SO large as yes
terday. but large crowds were present to
cheer the racers on, and a great feet of
steam and sailing craft was gathered in
and about the harbor prior to the start.
Both yachts left klngstown at o'clock
this orning, in order to indulge in a few
preliminary spins. with the view Of testing
sails and feeling the wind. The breeze,
however. was not of the description to raise
the hopes of the supporters of the American
yacht 1t was distinctly Britannia weather.
but some black-looking clouds in the north
west. from which light airs were coming.
raised the hopes of better racing weather
before the contest was decided.
The starting gun was fired at 1855 am.
Greenwich time. By this hour the breeze
had hardened somewhat. and things looked
brighter for the Niglant
Both yachts came down on the line on
the starboard tack very prettily, with jack
yarders and jib topsalls aloft. When they
stayed to take the line the britannia was
close on the mark. with the Vigilant slight
ly behind her On the weather quarter
The Start.
The racers crossed the line as follows:
II. NJ. 8.
britannia. ......................... 10 oU ~
NlSllant. ........................... III o6 ~
The Vigilant made a strong effort to work
up on the Brltannias weather beam, where
upon desperate piece of luffing followed,
ana was watched with great interest and
much excitement ashore. Both yachts ran
far out of the course and were pointing
almost back to the shore. When about a
mile up the bay the Britannia's helm was
put down and she bore away, with the
Nigilant's bowsprit over her quarter.
When they squared away for the run to
Rcsebeg buoy the Britannia was q length
ahead of her opponent.
The breeze by this time. was again tender,
and when spinnakers were set the Vigilant
Was travelling close on the Britannia's star
beard quarter looking as IL she was coming
through the Britannia's lee.
But drop in the wind brought them al
most to standstill. When the yachts sails
began to fill again they were nearly on the
original course. and the Vigilant crept slow
ly up until she was abeam of her rival.
Then the American yacht forged ahead.
gradually increasing her lead as they made
for Rosebeg buoy. which mark the Vigilant
left a length and half ahead of the Britain
MA. Passing the first mark, Rosebeg buoy
on the first round. the Vigilant had lead
OF "a seconds. The Britannia, however on
the reach to Kish lightship. in light wind
and under jib topsais, was drawing I'D on
the Nigilants weather and the American
yacht was Obliged to lufr In order to try and
prevent her passing. This maneuver, how
ever, failed. and two miles from Rosebeg
the Britannia was broad on the Vigilants
weather and drew steadily ahead.
The breeze had improved outside the bay
and both yachts were going along grace
fully. The Vigilant, when about two miles
nom kish lightship, again pulled up on the
britannia, and. passing through the Britain
MA weather. soon pushed her bowsprit In
font.
A fresh southerly breeze paid them Off
slightly as they were laying for the Kish
lightship. and the Vigilant was again inn
proving her lead.
Both racers downed their lib topsails when
nearing the lightshp. but the breeze chang
ed to easterly before they arrived at the
mark, and paid them off again.
The Visflnnts Big Gain.
The second mark. the Kish lightship. on
the first round was passed by the two
yachts with the Vigilant in the lead The
Vigilant at this early stage of the race. not
only held her lead in the light weather but
she had increased 1t by four seconds lead
Ing the Britannia by thirty-eight seconds
against thirtyfour at the first ma.k
The Nigilant came away fast on .is reach
to the Muglins, with big jib topsail pulling
s-lendidly and the wind freshening
"he American yacht. as yesterday gained
on the reach to the Muglins and the spin
maker booms were out as they wore round
the mark. The Nigiant was smarter with
her spinnaker, having it out as they passed
the markboat, while the Britannia did not
handle hers until she was some distance
past
The wind had drawn around to the west
when the yachts were half way to the home
mark, on the first round but soon after 1t
changed to the eastward, and the Vigilant
took better advantage of the last change
and moved along more speedily than the
Britannia.
The first round was completed as follows:
II. NJ. s.