Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-25
BRAVO WGlLANT!
The Yankee Handsomely Wins
from the Britannia.
Is Thought to Have Recovered Her
Old Racing Qualities
And TO be Able 10 Dowa Her Rival Under Any
Conditions.

RocHE's POINT, Ireland, july "a The
surprising feature of today's race between
the Vigilant aad Britannia was the remark
able light weather speed developed by the
centre 5oarier. 1t has never been paral-
leled under similar conditions over so mile
course. In her contests with the VslkyIie
off San ly Hook, the best hourly average of
the Vigllant was $50 knots. He hourly
average, today, was 8 81, which is about
half knot better than the speed the Bril-
tannia attained in her quickest previous
race, except yesterday, over an inside
course.
The wiud was light from start to finish
and fluctuated between northeast and east.
It's force varied only slightly, probably not
more than two knots. The Britannia ac-
counted for some Of her SIS. after four
fifths Of the course had been sailed and the
Vigilant was nearly four Minutes ahead, by
the foulipg Of her tpinnaker. 1t was caught
on the topmast stay Just as she rounded
Daunts Rock lightship, on her way home.
She was forced to laif to save the big sail
But this slight loss was more than coun-
ter-balanced by the loss of the Vigilsnt
while while running free to Daun's rock
from Poor Head, ON the last round. She
broke the jaws of her gaf and her nimble
sailors went al0ft and made rough and
hurried job of 81 Icing That held out to the
finish.
The Vigilant won the Royal Cork Yacht
Clubs 100 guinea trophy by 3 minutes and
% seconds, corrected time, on the surmise
that she allows the Britannia | minute and
10 seconds. On actual time the center
boarder won by minutes and % seconds.
She led at every one of the nine turns of
the course and proved herself in a fairly
steady, light breeze better yacht than the
cutter. The impression here is that the
Figilant has completely recovered her old
form and is prepared to tackle the cutter in
any kind Of breeze that has stay ing quail
ties. British yachtsmen think it was a
square victory in true, light breeze. Cap
tain Hank Ilsf and bis men are jubilant.
The Yankee yacht received an ovation at
the finish. Stentorian Irish cheers II ngled
with the bark and thunder of guns and the
shrieking of steam viii ties. Both sides of
the entrance to the harbor, varying in width
from about half mile to a mile, were
througed with sightseers as the victor and
vanquished sailed through the strait to the
home mark.
The course was from Rocht's point south
southeast about four miles, to Poor Head
thence, in southwesterly direction about
five miles to and around Daunt's Rock
lightsbip, and thence north, about five
miles, to Roche's point. This triangular
course was sailed over three times, with,
with final leg of about four miles extend
ing into the land locked waters to Spit
lighthouse, with turn the westward, finish
ing in front of yacht club house.
The Vigilant required careful handling
after the accident, as the gatf had been
simply dashed to the mast. Starboard
tsckIing was pretty risky. When she ar
rived at her Irioorings after the race, the
gaff fell while tile mainSail was being
lowered. The damaged gsff was after
wards sent to Queenstown navy yard for
repairs. 1t is now expected that repairs
will be finished in time TO enable the Vigi-
liant to take part in the race tomorrow.