Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-18
The Vigilant Disabled So as to Be
Unable to Race.
MATCH WITH BRITANNIA CALLED OFT
Disappointment Among the Crowds
at Cowes.
MAY NOT RACE ABROAD AGAIN

COwEs. Isle Of Wight. August 18th.
match race between the Prince of Wales
yacht Britannia and the Goulds' Vigilan
| is on
The boats left Totland bay for the start
| ing point shortly before IL am. The vino
| had shifted after the setting Of the marx
boat.so that the prospect was that what was
intended should be a beat to windward
fifteen miles and a run home would be-
| come a run TO leeward and a beat back
However. before the starting gun was fired
the Vigilant was seen to haul down her rae
ing flag and take In her topsails Some
thing wrong with her keel had been dis
covered and the race could not be sailed
1t had been arranged that the Queen
should watch the yacht race today from the
deck of the royal yacht Osborne, but this
plan was for some reason abandoned. In
stead, the Prince OF Wales, the Duke of
York and a large company of the British
aristocracy we're on board the Osborne, ex-
pecting to follow the course of the racers.
Mr.. Gould's family and party of guests
were on board the ATLANTA Mr. Gould
himself being on the Vigilant
The Nigilant signaled the Osborne that
something was wrong with her keel, and
when the Vigilant approached the royal
yacht. she explained that her cent, rboqrd
was out of gear. adding that the mechanism
appeared TO be locked The committee boat
thereupon steamed to the Britannia which
her skipper. unconscious Of the Vigiiant's
mishap was proceeding to the starting
point.
A member Of the sailing committee hailed
capt. Carter and shouted to him: mo race.
Nigilant disabled"
Capt. Carter asked Whats the matter p''
Her centerboard is locked" was the re-
ply.
Capt. Carter laughed derisively, and shout
ed back, What, has it got crab in it?"
The Britannia then sailed back to Cowes
disappointment was felt that matters would
not permit what was regarded as the prom
Use OF the best and most satisfactory test
or the merits of the two yachts that could
be arranged.
Bitter English Comments.
LONDON. August 1s.--The Field today
gives prominence TO a violent letter against
the Vigilant. which is said to be a true re-
hection of English comments heard on all
sides. but which have not yet appeared in
print.
The writer of the letter saws that inter
national courtesy has been overdone. es-
pecially as. in his view, this courtesy is not
reciprocal.
IL is asserted that the Americas cup was
defended by "construction' which in No
way conformed to British ideas of a Yacht
and that shifting ballast was used during
the cup races
The letter then recounts certain alIegad
violations by the VigiIant Of the Rrifisb
Yacht Racing Association rules as to
wooden bulkheads. fittings, &c, and saws
that the Nlgflant. was not measured until
brltlsh patience was exhausted"
Inc writer in Field asks II the yigilant ia
10 be allowed TO break every rule with IAN
empty shell for a hull, which is Ineligible To
compete with racing yachts, and with a
crew OF Norsemen and English Sailors
IN conclusion the Nigilant's critic remarks
that Brttishers boast in their national pride
OF a British ship-not a machine-witb
BRUSH canvas and manned by Britons."
Carried Away by Rock.
When the Vigilant arrived here Mr.
Gould reported. and Col. Paget, the Prince
or Wales representative on board the Vigil
liant. agreed with him that the VigIlant
struck rock OF the Needles, and this car
fied her centerboard entirely away. In Is
PROBABLE that the Vigilant will be unable to
race Tor some time to come unless the
cehtsr0oaTd is recovered and replaced in
shorter time than Is now believed possible
Nfgflant May Not Race Again.
LONDON, August lS.-A dispatch from
Cowes to the Press Association says that
II Is generally believed that the vigiiant
VIII not race again this season in English
waters.