Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-27
vGlLANT'6 REPAIRS
Were All Completed Saturday Afternoon.
Her Future Course Uncertain.

Her Future Course Uncertain.
SOUTHAMPTON, Aug. 26.-The repairs to
the Vigilant were completed Saturday
afternoon. She will be foated on Monday
and her centeA5oard hung ready for racing.
The date of the American yachts next APP
pearance before the public in aquatic con-
tests has not get been settled. 1t depends
upon Howard Gould, who is in London.
George Gould and his family are in France.
Up to O'Clock Saturday afternoon Captain
Half Lad no instructions as to racing, al
though it was expected that the Vigilant
.yould take part in the regatta OF the
Royal Yacht club at Torquay on Tuesday
next, even If che was unable to race on
Monday.
The Torquay people are very anxious 10
have her compete there on Tuesday, but 1t
seems doubtful whether she will be able
to do so, as the entries close On Monday.
When a reporter visited the dock in which
the Vigilant is being repaired, Saturday
afternoon, the sailors and dock worknlen
were putting the finishing touches upon
her keel, all their movements being
watched with great interest by large
number of spectators. Captain Han told
the press representative that he had not
received orders TO sail for Torquay, and he
was not aware that the Vigilant had been
entered for that regatta. Referring to the
repairs to the Vigilant, her skipper said
Eyes, these repairs have been serious
job. If the Britishcrs had any doubts as
to the nature of the accident they should
have watched the work here and they
would have been convinced that all talk
of our doing such thing for the purpose
of avoiding a race is absurd and evidently
emanated from diseased Imagination.
"What do they think we came over here
for? We were never in better trim than
last Saturday; all the conditions were
suited to us, better than to the Brl-
tannia. Professor Harvard Biles, pro
fessor of naval architecture at Glasgow
university, who was requested by George
J. Gould to make report upon the in
jurics sustained by the Vigilant, in order
to satisfy the British grumblers that she
was not Intentionally damaged, has com
pleted his work and has forwarded his re-
port to Mr.. Gould. He describes in detail
just what the damage was.
''In order TO make the repairs necessary
we We're obliged to cut out and replace six
or seven hundred weight of lead. All the
repairs have been made in accordance
with the suggestions of the HerreShotfs. |
cabled them the fullest details and their
instructions were equally fully received.
Nat Herreshoff who was over here with
us for some time and who, therefore, is
familiar with the condition of affairs, APP
proves all that has been done. 49,.
For my part l am perfectly satisfied
with the way the work has been done here,
and the boat will soon be in just as good
shape as ever. But l nave made up my
mind that none but a keel boat has any
business on the sort of courses they have
here. When we need centerboard the
most we are obliged to haul it up
In regard to his future plans and those
of the Vigilant Captain Half said: SAC
cording to the present arrangements, Nigi-
LIANT will lay up here for the winter, and
in the spring she will be fitted out for
racing in the Mediterranean.
Captain Half was then asked if he was to
| remain here in command of the Nigilant
He said, cmphatically; "No; l would not
stay if they gave me the boat. Iwant to
get home" :