Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-05
THERE WAS NO RACE
Scenes About the Isle of Wight This
Morning.
MANY PERSONS were DISAPPOINTED
Britannia Decked With All Her
Trophies.
vIGILANT FLEW ONLY"GLORY'

WATER GATE. Isle Of Wight. September
ga fleet of yachts. large and small,
steamers and sailing craft, gathered this
morning in and about Totland bay. in order
to witness the race for the Cape May chal-
lenge cup. between the Messrs. Goulds' sloop
Vigilant and the Prince of Wales cutter
Britannia.
News does not travel as fast in England
as it does in the United States. and it was.
therefore, not until today that the yachts
men in this vicinity became generally aware
that the Vigilant had lost her centerboard,
that the Messrs. Gould had withdrawn their
challenge for the cup. and that the Prince
Of Wales had accepted this ending to the
long looked forward to contest.
1t was a glorious morning, a fair breeze
was blowing. and the sun beamed warmly
upon the many yachting craft which had
arrived in Totland bay during the night and
early morning. Many of them had been
cruising, others had been racing, cOnse-
quently, they had not learned of the Vigil
pofntment, therefore, when the true state of
affairs became known to the fleet.
Lord Wolverton landed from his yacht
last night with large party of friends.
some Of whom were to have accompanied
him on board the Britannia today, but they
went away during the day.
The Britannia, during the morning, lay In
Cowes roads, proudly flying thirty-eight
winning flags representing the number Of
races she has won this season. She will
now be laid up for the winter.
Cowes roads presented a beautiful picture.
the bright sunshine the gentle. steady
breeze the calm seas picturesque surround
iugs being completed by the arrival, later in
the day, Of the yachting fleet from Totland
bay. anxious to obtain the latest news of
the collapse of the cup race. The Prince Of
Wales yacht. early in the day. began pre-
PAIRING to lay UP. Her canvas was unbent,
stretched along the decks, carefully dried,
neatly rolled up, stopped securely and then
dashed in its long. hamnock-like coverings.
preparatory to being slowed away for the
winter. While this was going on, the thir-
ty-eight winning flags fiuttered over the
line from stem to stern. Every movement
on board the cutter was watched with the
greatest interest by those ashore as well as
by the many people afloat.
TN board Mr.. GouldS steam yacht Alta
lanta, which was anchored very near the
Britannia, was a group Of iIterested peo-
pie. among whom coull be discerned Mr..
George Gould and his wife and children.
With them we're several friends, who were
quite AS deeply intent upon watching what
was going on on board the Britannia.
The Nigiant, soon after the Britannia
spread her winning flags to the breeze,
hoisted old glory, as II in proud defiance of
the saucy cutter. But the American yacht
refrained from displaying her racing flags.
At p. m she was taken in tow, headed for
Southampton, where, 1t is understood, she
will lay up until next year.
George j. Cold today. in conversation
with a correspondent Of the Associated
Press. indorsed the interview between the
latter and Howard Gould, as cabled last
night. Mr.. Gould's only explanation of the
accident Is that there was a defect in the
casting Of the ceuterboard hook, made at
Southampton after the first accident to the
Vigilant off the Needles At the same time
he admitted that Capt Haff thought the
Vigilant struck upon the Five Rocks while
on her way to Cowes from Dartmouth.
Howard Gould said today that 1t was
practically certain that he would soon re-
ceive a challenge for the Americas cup. In
this connection he said that he thought that
the demand Of the English yachtsmen that
challenger until a short time before the
race was reasonable. He claimed, however,
that they should give the dimensions of the
prospective challenger.
Mr.. Gould also approved the idea that the
next contests for the Americas cup should
take place of Newport in order to avoid
the crowding Of the fleet Of excursion
steamers which gather on the course from
New York when international races are
sailed in that vicinity.
The members Of the Royal Yacht Squad
ron continue to express sympathy with the
Messrs. Gould in their misfortunes with
the Vigilant.
The Prince Of Wales has telegraphed to
Mr.. w. Jameson, his representative on the
Britannia, his approval Of the latters ac-
ceptance of the Messrs. Goulds' withdrawal
of their challenge for the Cape May Chal-
LONDON, September 5-The Times cor
respondent, describing the mishap to the
Vigilant's centerboard, says:
1.-The chain pendant surged round the
winding windlaSs, breaking away a num-
Der of cogs on the spur wheel, as well as
two pi2ion wheels of the multiplying gear.
The centerboard trunk and gear were
wrecked. Mr.. Gould. in offering to race
with increased ballast. expressed the opin-
ion that in the event Of leading wind
prevailing the Vigilant would go quite as
fast. and perhaps faster, than IL she had a
centerboard, but that she would be under
disadvantage should she have windward
work.
Concluding. the writer says: ut may be
said that Mr.. Gould acted in a thoroughly
sporting spirit under trying and delicate
circumstances"
Mr.. Could intends to start for the United
States at the end of the month. laying up
both the Atalanta ard Vigilant at South
ampton for the winter.
The Pail Mall Gazette this evening" COM
menting on the Vigilant's last mishap,
says:
1.-THE vexed question Of the centerboard
seems now to be completely settled Mr.
Gould has been cruelty served by bad luck
or by bad judgment"
The Globe, referring to the same subject.
remarks: THE centerboard Is as much a
part of that vessel the VigilanO as her
sails. and no one will gainsay that the
Britannia has thoroughly shown her su-
periority.'
Career of the Vigilant.
The following record Of the vigilant's
races in English. Scotch and Irish waters
shows that she started in nineteen races,
finishing first seven times, was second
eleven times and third once. One Of her
Wins over the Satanita not being allowed.
she has won only six first prizes out of
eighteen starts. Many of her races were
of course, with the Britannia, they meeting
in single combat in no less than fifteen Of
her races. the Prince of Wales cutter win
ming eleven times. The Satanita, Vigilant
and Britannia raced together twice, the
Vigilant winning one race and finishing
third in the other, the Britannia being sec
ond on both occasions. The Vigilant and
Satanita sailed two races together alone
The American boat finished ahead on both
occasions, but has received only one prize,
the first race not being sailed within the
time limit. So recapitulated, their records
would stand as follows:
First. Second Third.
Britannia .................. IL