The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-20
THE FOUR HUNDRED AFLoAr.
Mrs. Aston Wins a Boat Race
Against Other Society Ladies.


Newport, R. l., Aug. 17.-Mrs. Jack
Aston, formerly Miss Willing of Phila-
delphia, proved herself great boat wo-
man today, winning cat boat race in a
stiff southerly breeze. 1t was the first
catboat race that society women were
ever known to have, and proved to be a
matter of great interest.
Fernando Yznaga went about among
the local boatmen and hired six of their
fastest craft and had them all trimmed
up for this afternoon. Then they were
mum oered and drawn by the ladies', so
that neither could have anything to OBJ
1ect to. Each boat was to be sailed by A
lady, who was allowed man TO assist.
She was to do all the sailing, however.
The ladies' and their partners were: Mrs.
Jack Astor and F. Yznaga, Mrs E. C.
Potter and Butler Duncan, Jr, Mrs. But
Ter Duncan, Jr., and H. B. Duryea. Miss
Adele Sloane and her uncle, DR. Seward
Webb; Mrs. Adolph Ladenburg and
Ralph n. Ellis, owner of the Iroquois
Mrs. J. B. Hartman and Louis Rather.
ford
Every lady, save Mrs. Hartman, was
closely yelled, and each wore an attractive
yachting gown, Mrs. Astor was doubly
yelled. Royal Phelps Carroll was the
Judge, and the start was across a line
Wharf to and about Bishop buoy and re-
turn. There was big crowd out for the
start, though an effort had been made to
keep the affair as quiet as possible
Jack Aston watched the contest from
the Progresso, his electric launch, sur
rounded by gay party of bellies, includ.
ing Miss Beatrice Bond and Miss Win
throp. Mrs. Paran Stevens was out with
j. j. Van Allen and others. F. w. Van
derbilt had a party of men out, who
cheered the racers Justify, while the
women clapped and waved their handker-
chiefs.
Mrs. Duncan Butler Jr., got her boat
over the line first with all the Others
punched. Mrs. Potter had got the best
boat in the draw, and everyone envied
her. The runout was before the south
easterly breeze. Mrs. Astor picked out a
straight course and beat them all to the
turn, while guns doomed and whistles
howled.
HOT RACE FOR HOME.
Now came the test on the beat home
Mrs. Astor led in small tacks and all
save Mrs. Potter followed. Everybody
said Mrs. Aston was making a mistake.
but it did not prove to be. The women
had all they could 90 to hold the tillers,
and it seemed as If their arms would
snap. 1t was against the rule for the
men to take hold, and so they stood idly
by.
Jack Astor persisted in following his
wife, yelling now and then an encourag-
ing word. Everybody said he was over
anxious, for no man could have done bet
ter than his pretty wife did. She took
of her outer veil and threw it to the bot
tom of the boat
Presently Mrs Astor came about for
the lighthouse on a long tack Way OUT
side was Mrs. Potter. The Others were
clearly out of the race. DR.. Webb and
his pretty niece had some time ago taken
a tow to town. Mrs. Potter and Mrs As
tor were TO have it out. They had been
sailing different courses, and it was a
question which had been showing the
best management.
Each had many friends. The Have
meyers were cheering Mrs. Potter on and
the Astors were yelling themselves hoarse
for their favorite. The boats came to-
gether Both women were white with
anxiety, but soon Mrs. Astor's face
blanched She was in the lead.
II was pretty race to the line, and
Mrs. Astor crossed it with several short
tacks, while Mrs. Potter came over on a
long slant. Mrs. Aston beat Mrs Potter
by one minute aud twenty seconds. Mrs
Hartman was fifteen seconds behind
Mrs. Potter. Mrs Duncan and Mrs
Ladenburg followed closely.