The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-20

an hours time, with the breeze blowing
Ia knots and the run back should not
occupy more than two hours. Conse-
quently, il present indications hold out,
the race should be decided by $50 p. M.
Previous to the race today the opinion
prevailed that both Vigliant and Defend
er would show up in much better form
than they have hitherto done and the
handlers of the latter yacht were under
stood TO have expressed the belief that
they would give the old cup defender a
more severe beating than any previously
administered. In spite of all this the Wig
liant is understood to have been greatly
improved. But the experts who have
studied the question most closely say
that Defender needs to be tuned up TO
the highest pitch in order TO defeat VAL
kyrie III in light breeze.
The English yacht, since her arrival
here, has been closely examined by men
competent TO express an opinion on the
subject and they join In saying that she
should prove to be remarkably fast boat
in light air, owing TO her great beam, al
though Defender is looked upon, on ac-
count of her finer model, as likely to
beat her in going to windward. In any
case, close contests between the cup chal-
lenger and cup defender are anticipated.
Hence, more interest was taken i'm the
trial race today than would otherwise
have been the case in view Of the re-.
peated defeats inflicted upon Vigilant by
Defender Americans wish 10 see the
Defender at her best from this time on,
and there is no doubt that everything
possible will be done to bring this about.
Both Defender and Nigilant have been
measured, but for obvious reasons the fig
ures are kept secret for the present. Ii is
said, however, that there is very little
difference in the measurements OF the old
and new cup defenders, a fact which
causes some astonishment.
Defender at $50 a. m. has set her jib-
topstays and was making ready for the
fray while small fleet of vessels clus-
tered around the two rivals. watching
the crews setting sail or preparing to dc
SO.
Soon afterward the Vigilant's big main
sail was started up the mast, and by
s. 80 ii was well to the breeze.
Vigilant's club topsail soon followed
her mainssil aloft.
Almostlmmediately afterward the crew
of Defender tailed on the halyards of that
gallant yacht but some time elapsed be-
fore il was setting to the satisfaction of
Captain Half.
BY O'Clock the smoky haze which had
: been lowering over the Long Island
shore had almost entirely cleared away,
and the wind was holding good from
the westward.
Vigilant tripped anchor at 9:1O, and
glided away under mainsail, clubtopsail
and foresail.
The breeze had fallen off somew hat, and
the Vigiant slowly headed out to sea.
The Defender, at 800, was taken by
the tugboat and started for Scotland
lightship, with her mainsail hoisted and
her jib in stops on the stay.
Vigilant arrived off Scotland lightship
at 10 O'Clock and Defender followed few
minutes later. A light wind is blowing
from the west-southwest. The indica-
tions are that the start will be run of
ten miles to leeward, toward Long
Branch, ana beat back.
DEFENDER TOO FAST FOR vIGIIANT.
SCOTLAND LIGHT, Aug. 20.-The fol-
lowing are the Official times:
The preparatory signal was displayed at
I1,35 a. M, and the starting gun was
The yachts crossed the line in the fol-
LOVING times:
vikilsnt, 11h. 45m. 56s.
Defender, 11h. 46m. 53s.
Thus Vigilant had a lead OF 81 seconds
at the start.
1917 p. m.-Defender is outsailing and
outpointing Vigilant and already has a
nice lead on the latter. Both are still
standing out to sea on the starboard tack.
1.10 u. m.-Defender rounded first stake
boat at 1. 90 and soon squared away under
all sail ON the run home.
Nigilant was about mile behind and
the wind still steady from the southwest.
Defender a minute after rounding broke
out her spinnaker and balloon lib and
went tearing along for the finish line at a
steamboat pace.
vigiant rounded the mark at 1.1L37,
Just five minutes and ~ seconds behind
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