The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-07-05
THE VIGILANH BEATEN
Satanita Sinks the Valkyrie and
the Britannia Wins the
Race.
BIZ Cable to the United Pres.

GLASGOW, July 3, 1S94.-People from
all parts Of the United Kingdom gathered
along the banks of the Clyde today to wit
ness the races of the Mud Hook
Regatta for the Muir Memorial Cup,
the excitement and interest in which events
were greater than have ever hitherto been
known The authorities of the regatta
were so anxious to have the Vigilant en-
tered in the race that they offered the
Messrs Gould their choice among six of the
best steersnen on the Clyde, but all of them
were unaccustomed to steering with wheel,
all British racers using the old fashioned
tiller, and the American boat was steered
over the course by Nat Herreshoff, under
the command of Captain Hank Half. Old
Morris of Largs, who knows every eddy and
every nook where puff OF wind is to behad,
piIoted the Vigilant, which carried crew OF
forty-nlne.
The Valkyrie had on board Burns of the
Mohican, as an extra man, which made her
total crew forty-six The Britannia carried
forty-seven men, including sixteen of the
crew of the Iverna, and the Satanita had a
crew of fifty The sail area OF the Nalkyrie
and Vigilant seemed almost identical. The
Vigilant looked a perfect picture. Her white
null was perfectly SILOOlti, dlitl SIlOIib iLhO
glass. She left her anchorage at Gourock
at 9:l5 A. NJ. and madefor the Commodore's
boat under easy sail, travelling at great
rate of speed.
There was a strong outh-southwest wind
up the channel, accompanied by heavy ram
and a thick haze. The course was fifty
miles. 1t was dead beat to the markboat
off Skilmortie, close haul to Mount Stu-
art then run in the wind to Kilcreggan and
a close haul home twice around. Iu start
ing the Nigilant was furthest out The
Britannia, luffing along the line got about
quickly and broke the line with the crack OF
the gun. The Wig liant was slower III stays
and was exactly minute later. Both yachts
We're on the starboard tack as they bore
away to mid-channel. All had their Jlb
headers aloft.
Meanwhile the Satanita and Valkrie had
had ben manoevring for weather and In the
course of their movements the Satanlta ran
into the Valkyris. The boats were locked
together and the people on shore wondered
what had happened.
The Valkyrie was struck on the port slde
aft the rigging and nearly cut in two. She
Immediately began to fill and soon sank in
deep water. Boats from the Outstanding
yachts saved the crew, of whom only one
was injured. The yacht was afioat only i've
minutes after being struck. The Satanita' s
bows are stove, and she IS not likely to take
part in any race for month.
AS the yachts returned to the starting
point on the first round the Vigilant was
well in the lead and gaining rapidly. Half
an hour later Uncle Sans craft was leading
by two minutes and thirty seconds. The
Vigilant continued to draw ahead
of the Britannia, and turning the
ascoy mark boat the yachts came
on run with their booms over to port
Approaching the Clock Lighthouse on the
run home the Vigilane was still leading and
was about seven minutes ahead. The
Britannia, with her spinnaker down, began
to haul her in and passed her near Gour-
ock The Britannia increased her lead and
crossed the finish line winner.
The Britannia won by thirty five seconds.
The official time was:-Britannia, 4;2S:10;
Vigilant. 4:2S:45
Captain Cranfield says the Valkyrie is
damaged beyond repair. Before she went
down She reared on her head, and as she sank
her deck burst with a report which sounded
like thunder.
The Satanita is not making any water,
but her forward plate is badly stove. Every
body agrees that if the collision had not oc-
Cured the start would have been the pret-
test ever seen in any race on the Clyde.