Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-08-08
YANKEE YACHT A WINNER.
The ViglIant Administers a Hand
some Defeat to the Bril-
raDuia


Coves, Isle of Wight, Aug. 4-George
Gould's yacht the Nigilant, has redeemed
the promise of her sailing master that
given deep water and Il strong wind she
would defeat the Prince of Wales crack
boat Britannia. The race today was fifty
miles, twice over the Queeps course,
from off the castle at Cowes westward
10 and around East Lepe buoy, leaving
it on the starboard hand and then west
ward, passing near the west Bramble
buoy 20 and around the Warner lightship.
The prize was 800 and the race was the
fourteenth between these two boats, Of
which the Britannia had won ten. The
start was in Il stiff, westerly breeze. "A
large crowd watched the first half of the
race from shore, but about the time that
was completed a drilling rain set in.
Some seconds advantage was with the
Britannia in the Send-Off at 10:40, but the
Nigilant quickly overcame it and was put
III the lead which she held to the finish,
only once coming near being put in sec
ond place.
There was great excitement as the two
yachts. under ordinary tOpSailS and me-
dunn jibs and foresais, glided gracefully
along pointing eastward until they passed
the t1agboat, which, out of compliment to
the Americans, was flying the stars and
stripes. Opposite the Royal Yacht squad
ron's castle both swung round virtually
together III order to pass the line. The
yachts looked beautiful, powerful and
swift as they sped along, beam for beam,
with the Britannia on the Nigilant's port
side and holding the weather position.
Their sails were well filled, and nothing
prettier could be imagined than the sight
they presented as they went on the star
board tack towards the opposite shore,
sailing through an immense fleet of
I III IL, IL
ter Il splendid view of the two racers be-
fore the real struggle was commenced.
But the fact that the two cracks were
obliged to thread their way through this
fleet of pleasure craft prevented the Vigil
liant from getting out as readily as her
opponent. When the boats got into less
crowded water, however, the Nigiant
opened out and soon drew level. Then
for half 4 mile it was first one boats
bOWSprit and then another's showing in
front. The two yachts passed the Lepe's
buoy landmark boat as follows:
I0290S
brltannla...-'''..
AS they ran back for the Warner light
ship the Nigilant was still gaining pass
ing the home mark boat l minute II sec
onds ahead. At Ryde pier, going east
ward, the Vigilant had lead of nearly
minutes. Running eastward the Vigiant
gained rapidly, and i'll beating back
against the wind the Britannia gained
slightly, and she passed Ryde pier. on the
return from the Warner lightship. only
, minutes 10 seconds behind the Nigilant.
A long reach brought the yachts back to
COwes for the completion of the first
round, the time being as follows:
Alglant l23I:la
Britannia l2il O5
The Vigilants lead here was ) minutes
% seconds, only 20 seconds more than her
inn, oil l,..,, 1
had hauled around slightly southwards
and was strong enough TO heel the two
yachts over most gracefully. every inch
Of canvas being filled and their bottoms
showing up clearly.
After rounding the Lepe buoy on the
second round, the yachts returned in Il
free reach and repassed COwes with the
Nigilant + minutes s seconds ahead. The
American yacht. on going out of sight
around the eastern point of COWes on the
final round, had further increased her
lead by : seconds. Passing Ryde pier,
going to the eastward on the last round,
the Nigilant was , minutes II seconds
ahead. Warner lightship was hidden in
a fog when the yachts passed it. Return
ing they came in sight off CoWes. about
Il mile from home. with the Ni@ilant )
minutes % seconds in the lead. The times
at the finish were:
RlGliant
Britannia 2:44:30
Consequently the Nigilant won by 6
minutes 80 seconds, actual time, and by
minutes 46 seconds correct'd time
Taking the starting time as 104U and the
Nigilants finishing time as 2:37 40, it will
be seen that she went over the course,
slightly less than fifty miles. in hours
81 minutes 40 seconds, or roughly speak
ing at the rate of twelve miles an hour.
George Gould had a narrow escape
from drowning yesterday when he met the
Vigilant in a steam launch off the Spit
lightship. Just as Mr.. Gould was walk
ing across the plank between the two YES
sels the launch gave a sudden lurch and
Mr.. Gould fell into the sea. He was
wearing a macintosh at the time and the
garment flew over his head, and for
time Mr.. GOuld's situation was critical.
However. he kept his head, treading wa
ter, and threw his arms up, and just as
he was sinking succeeded in getting the
macintosh clear of his head. Gasping
for breath, he was hauled on board the
sloop. Mr.. Gould today was none the
worse for his Immersion.