The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-08
Arrow AMONG THE YAcHTSMEN
THE VIGILANT's CREW WANT THE
DEFENDER DISQUALIFIED.

Comply With the Request-The
VigiIant Withdrawn From the
Races TO Be Sailed To-day and To-
mOrrOW-Capt. HaG Declines to Ex-
press Any Opinion Concerning the
Protest.
Newport. r. l.. Aug. IA steady rain
set in this morning and with it went
whatever prospect Of a race there was
for to-day. II was the first Of the four
additional days Of racing arranged by
Newport people in the hope Of keeping
the fleet and the people here. The Vene-
ton fete and harbor illumination and the
official disarmament Of the feet last night
ended the cruise proper. The expecta-
tion that the Defender and Vigilant would
take part in two of the additional races.
those set for Thursday and Saturday.
caused some interest to be taken in the
added programme. Mr.. WIZARDS with
drawal of the Vigilant's entry and the as
sumption that the Defender would also
withdraw destroyed most of the interest
that remained.
To-day's race was for schooners. En-
tries were open until S a. IN. The
only ones received We're those
Of the Emerald and the
Marguerite. They showed no signs of
getting ready at 10 o'clock. At that time
the rain rad increased to a heavy down
! pour, accompanied by thunder aud light
ning
At 1015 o'clock the race was declared
| off for the day. Both schooners and sloops
viii race tomorrow.
| The formal withdrawal Of Mr. Willard,
/ of the Nigilant, from tie races Of Thurs
/ day and Saturday on account of the tao
tics of the Defender people at the start
| yesterday caused no end of talk.
Mr.. Iselin refused to be interviewed.
\ The members of the regatta committee
| also declined to say anything for publ
/ cation. Other yachtsmen were outspo-
ken in condemnation Of Mr.. Iselin's con-
/ duct. Mr.. Willard and the Gould boat
had all the sympathy. As the boats
/ We're entered in a friendly competition
| there was apparently no necessity for
/ the action OF the Defenders manager.
/ In yachting parlance, the course
! he pursued is called "hogging the line"
| 1t is generally admitted that should such
| action be taken in a race with an English
| boat il would result in the American boat
! being run down and probably sunk. Yes
has had an opportunity to sink the new
! Defender by mer ~ holding on his way.
| on July p, off Sandy Hook, when the
| first opportunity occurred, he rounded the
| Nigilant up in the wind and headed away
| from the starting line after the gun fired.
| Yesterday he let the boat fall off and re-
linquished the windward position at the
| start
In his letter of withdrawal Mr.. Willard
| does not mention the trial races of Aug.
| 20 and % Whether the Vigilant will take
| part in them or not depends upon the
action of the regatta committee and of
MIR. Iselin between now and the time set
| for the race. II is Mr. Wizards inten-
ton to race provided he obtains assur-
| ances that yachting rules and customs
will be observed. If he cannot obtain such
assurances. Mr.. Willard says, it would
not be fair TO the Vigilant or her owner to
| continue racing, and he does not propose
| to do so.
| The Nigilant remained at anchor to-day
| while Mr. Willard awaits the action of
| the regatta committee.
The great interest Of the day here was
| regatta committee. which has been
| in secret session both forenoon
and afternoon. Its last session was com
! pleted just before 6 O'Clock this evening,
| but the committee declined 70 make public
! its action. From Mr.. Iselin, however, was
| Obtained copies OF TWO letters sent Dy the
| committee. They are as follows:
+. A. Willard, Esq.-Dear Sir: Referring
| to your protests of July %, asking that the
| Defender be disqualified for alleged vio-
lation of section 2 rule 10, of the racing
rules, and referring to your subsequent
| request at the Vineyard for a postpone
ment of a decision until the squadron re-
! turned to our port, we now beg to say that
after mature consideration the committee
| has reached the conclusion that they can
not sustain the protests. Yours respect
fully. S. Nicholson Kane,
Chester Griswold,
Irving Grinnell
| Regatta Committee.
E. A Willard, Esq: Dear Strive beg
to acknowledge RECEIPT Of your letter of
| yesterday wherin you notify Us of the
| Vigilants withdrawal from the Thurs
! day and Friday races of this week, and
| that you cannot continue racing unless
the tests are to be conducted according
TO the rules of yachting.
Our committee regret your decision to
retire from the races We also regret
| your published statement that the IA
| cling rules are not being properly enforc-
| ed For this statement we consider there
is no warrant Yours respectfully.
| 5. Nicholson Kane,
Chester Griswold,
Irving Grinnel,
Regatta Committee.
Capt. Half, when seen regarding the
protest, said he had nothing to say, ex-
| cept that there was no question about
the Vigilant's right-of-way as long as
she kept on the wind. But when she
went off, then it was different.
1t is also learned from a reliable source
that the Defenders stand is that on the
first occasion the Defender made slight
mistake, not in any way Intentionally,
whereby the two yachts were brought
dangerously near, but on the second oc-
casion the Vigilant could not have struck
the Defender if she had tried, and only
the feeling of those aboard the Nigilant
can be considered reason for the com
plant.
Copies of the letters were mailed to Mr.
Willard at Bristol tonight. he having left
with the Vigilant early this afternoon for
that place where he has a cottage. What
will be the effect of the decision on the
proposed trial races the last of the month
is the burning question Of the evening?
Some contend that the Nigilant will do
no more racing, and uphold her protest,