The record-union., 1894-08-07


the Britannia minutes and % seconds.
The three rival yachts gave the specta-
tors pretty exhibition of smart
seamanship before the start as they
cruised up and down testing the
wind from 9 o'clock until the starting
gun was fired at 10 A. NJ. All three
yachts started for the line carrying club
topsails and balloon jlbs. Their times
were IN crossing the line: Satanita (cut-
ter 1901, Britannia (cutter) l0:0l:05, Vigil
liant (sloop) 10:02:20.
AT the outset an exciting contest oc-
Cured between the Britannia and the
Vigilant. The former was holding the
wlndward position, and the latter tried
to pass her. But the Prince of Wales
cutter Immediately held the Vigilant
For time both yachts made little for
ward progress. The Satanita in the mean
time rapidly forged ahead, and an idea
directly struck all the spectators that the
Brltann1a'S maneuver in holding the
Vigilant was the result of an agreement
between the two British Captains to work
in unison, so that the winner OF the cup
would be British vessel this being a
day of Satanita weather and the Britain
MIA having but a small chance of win
ming. Therefore, the latter could very
we'll devote herself to the harassing of
the American yacht. This maneuver so
far succeeded that when the Vigilant got
clear the Satanita was long way ahead.
The times in passing East Cowes Point
were: Satanita, l0:ll:32; Vigilant, 1O:33:-
81; Britannia, 10:34:l5.
All three yachts got away in fine style,
and once past East CoWeS Point they
were reaching along at steamboat speed,
with part of their starboard rails sub
merged, and leaving q glistening wave
behind them.
The times of the three yachts at Ryde
Pier were: Satanita, l0:29:55; Vigilant,
l0:3l:35; Britannia. 10:32:26. Both the
Satanita and Vigilant were increasing 6
their leads on the Britannia. At the
ing upon the Satanita, which led by only
ten seconds, the Britannia being only
ifty-fiye seconds behind the leaders.
The signals given at the time passing
Shanklin could not be read with preci-
sion, but approximately the boats passed
as follows: Satanita, 1905; Vigilant, 12:07;
Britannia, 12:0S.
Ventnor was passed about as follows,
the same uncertainty as to time and order
Satauita, 12:25:29; Vigilant, 12:25:31; Brit
annia. 12:26:32.
Up TO this stage it was very pretty
race. Nearly half the course had been
covered, and yet only little over min
ute separated the first and third yachts.
During a lutfing match Oft Yentnor
both the Britannia and Vigilant scraped
the shore. The American yacht was
rather severely scraped.
The time OF the yachts at the finish
were: Vigilant, 5:06:l5; Britannia, 5:l4:27;
Satanita, 5:l6:15. The Vigilant conse-
quently won by minutes II seconds,
and counting out her tine-allowance,
minutes 90 seconds.
To an Associated Press reporter, after
the race, Captain Half of the Vigilant
said: "It is quite true the Britannia tried
to hold us at the start, evidently to allow
the Satanita TO get ahead. In fact that
was their tactics throughout. When one
got slightly ahead the other tried to hold
US, and this led to our running in to the
shore more than once. The Satanita only
led on the run to Benz bridge. Directly as
we turned the point and started the race
for St. Catherine Point we began to gain
and shipped her. The Britannia also
came up, and then commenced series of
luf1ing matches. The Britannia was to
windward and prevented us from pass
ing, continually bearing down on us and
keeping US in shore. Ultimately, when
we had just passed Ventnor, we tried to
pass the Britannia on the leeWard, but
failed. Then we decided to pass her to
windward, whatever the risk might be-.
We succeeded and the Britannia was
preSSou Ill SHOT6 dlll uSE DOttOlu CuDD6u
up.
Later on the Britannia again tried the
same game when we were close together.
We were determined not to be jollied in
this fashion, ana as both were game it
was simply a case of which would go the
fartherest in shore. AS the Britannia
draws three feet more water than the
Vigilant she went on the rocks. The
Vigilant also bumped, being nearer the
shore, but | do not think she suffered
serious injury. Nevertheless, we intend
to dock her tomorrow to ascertain if
her keel is injured. The Britannia's posi-
ton, however, as appeared to US moment
artially, is serious. Her stern rose three
feet out of the water, and her men were
sent forward. She then, without actually
stopping, bumped along into deeper
water"
Captain Haff concluded significantly:
"If the Britannia continues these tricks
there will be a yacht or two less to race
the regattas."
Captain Carter of the Britannia told the
correspondent that his boat grazed the
rocks three times during the race: A
diver has since examined her bottom,
and reports that part of her keel and
copper has been torn away. Neverthe
less, she will race tomorrow.