Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-06
A BREEZE AT COWES
And the vigiIant Easily Defeats
Prince of Wales Boat.
Holds the Lead Throughout and Walks Away
from the EngIishman.


} ifIisL, westerly breeze blowing and
prospects of good days racing, the
American sloop yacht Vigilant and the
British cutter Britannia started Saturday
morning in their 18th race, the prize be-
ing cup valued at $500. to be presented
by the loser to the winner. The score at
the start stood 10 races to 3, in favor of
the cutter.
Never in the history of British yachting
had SO many yachts been gathered to
witness an aquatic contest, and it is
doubtful if as much interest was ever
taken in any yachting event Both yachts
were officially measured Friday. The
figures show that the Vigilant spreads
1900 square feet of canvas more than the
Britannia, while the cutter is foot
longer than the Vigilant on the water
line. The rating of the Vigilant is 1863
and that Of the Britannia 1853, conse-
quently the American sloop allows the
cutter Pm. A.. The Vigilant carried a
rev of 45 men and the Britannia con-
;ented herself with crew of So
Among the yachts which took parties
If Americans were the White Ladye, y.
Ioelet; the Lasca, John E. Brooks; the
Nay, Il. d. Morgan, aud the Guinevere,
e. Oliver Iselin. Then, of course, there
vas the Goulds' steam yacht Atalanta
md several exclusion steamers having
large porties of Americans and Others on
board.
The course sailed over was what is
known as the Queens course. The Yachts
being ordered to the westward. after the
start at the castle here. they went west
ward about | l-2 miles, to and around
Gust Lepe buoy. leaving it on the star
,oard hand. and then started westward
passing near the West Bramble buoy, to
md around the Warner lightship. and
rom there back to the starting point and
nee more around this CONSECUTIVE
round. completing the total distance Of
- miles. The Yachts were compelled to
,ass TO the northward of Prince Consorts
,uov and No Man fort. near the Warner
lphtshin
The weather was overcast and a stiffish
,est. rlv treeze WAS blowing when
m, c Wa u., -. nam mr.
start the yachts on tnelr journey. Inc
spianade was thronged Win muitltuoes
spectators ana hunoreus u iauies III
acntlng costumes, VINO minSieu Win d
nuch greater numoer OF men wearing
ne uhiorihs VI oihereHc yacnu CIV -
tneh there were other croWus ol sisuC
'eers from all parts OF England all eager
Witness what was looked upon as Ger
ain TO be IL splendld race whenever poa1
'on.
1here was great eAcltement as the
wo yachts, with ordinary topsalls ana
neulum liDs ana IoreSalls. glldeu grace
ully along, pointing eastward, until they
passeu the naRooaC Wnlch, OUT OF coInpil-
heh1 10 the Americans was nyihR the
'tars ana stripes, opposite the Royal
facnt squaafon's castle, Wnen Dotn
'wuug ROUND, virtually toSether, IN oroer
pass the line. -..>
| Inc yachts looked beautiful, powerful
ma swift as they sped along, oeam Ior
/ oeam, WIN the britannia on the slgl-
anus port side ana hoidlng the weather
L Doslllon. lnelf sails were well nlleu ana
lothing pfettier coulo be imagined imam
ne slsn' 'hey presented as they went on
ne starpoafd tack toward the opposite
more, sailing through an immense neet
IL yachts, ana aifording all on board the
l after splehoio view Oh the Two racers
before the real struggle commenced. but,
ne TACT mat the Two cracks were ooilged
thread Iheir way throusn TINS Meet OF
pleasure efalt' prevented the NlgAant
rom getting out as readily as her oppon-
nt' much To the Juoilatioh OF the BRUSH
rs mus inc sloop dropped silghtly
! stern ana nef sails were = 'pplng as the
wb.n tho ho,tS ,,ot into los or,nIad
| water, however, the VIgilant opened out
| md soon drew level. Then Tor half a
| nile it was first one boats bowsprit and
| then the other showing in front am id in
ense excitement, crowds of people run
| hing along the shore in order to see as
| much as possible of them. Around
| Lepes Buoy Highland they gradually
| forged ahead, and with two tacks passed
the mark boat as follows: Vigilant, loh.
55m. IS; Britannia, l0h. Som. AS they
tan back for the Warner lightship the
| Vigilant was still gaining, passing the
nome mark boat I'm. lis. ahead.
At Ryde pier. going eastward, the fol-
lowing were the time $ of the two yachts:
| Vigilunt, 11h. Som. Sos; Britannia, nh
Bonn. los. Here, therefore, the VIgilant
1ad lead of Am. 4Os., against il lead of
los. at the Lepe buoy. showing gain Of
nearly Am. ~.
Running eastward, the Nigilant gained