New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-19
THE vIGILANT STARTS on \ TRIAL SAIL.
SHE SHOWS INCREASED SPEED HuT SPLITS HER
GAFF-TOrsAlL AND RETURNS TO HAVE
HER MAINSAII. RECIT.

SHE SHOWS INCREASED SPEED. ErT SPLITS HER
GAFF-TorsAiL AND RETURNS TO HAVE
HER MAiNsAIL REcrT.
The famous centreboard sifglc-sticker vigilant.
which is to contest with the Defender for the
honor of being selected TO race Nalkyrie III for
the Americas Cup was again put into the water
at Erie Basin about 7l5 a. m. yesterday While
hauled out. some important alterations were
made IN ballast etc. intended to lessen her
draught. and she was thoroughly overhaued. as
fully reported in yesterdays Tribune. During
the forenoon. as she lay at anchor off the At
iantc Yacht Club hous-. her crew were kept busy
in bending sails and setting up rigging. About
noon she got under weigh in charge OF Captain
"Charlie' Barr having On board. with several
others. T.. \. Willard. representing Commodore
George j. Gould Of the Atlantic Club. who gen
erously placed the erstwhle cup defender at the
disposal Of the New-York Yacht club, under
whose auspices the preliminary trial races ana
the decisive international race Will be sailed.
SHE STANDS Up WE'LL TO THE WORK
The ViGilant got away close hauled. on the
port tack. with fairly strong westerly wind
She carried only her mainsail. gaff-topsan, fore
staysail and jib. As she swiftly and gracefully
forged ahead she presented a beautiful appear
mace and was viewed with delight by yachts
men who had assembled at the Atlantic cluo-
house TO witness her departure. While speeding
away on her first trial spin. II was evident mat
the reduction Of her keel ballast had not per
ceptibly diminished her stability. for. In severa
exceptionally strong puffs Of wind she $1,000
I'M like church Her sails were the SUIT
made at Bristol by the same firm that made thc
Defenders sails. They set fairly well. but the
mansail was somewhat baggy. She was quick
in stays and made little leeway. reached well anu
"a before the wind like rdCenOrsc.
TEN MORE MEN NEEDED.
Mr. willard had expected that the vigilant's
regular crew Of twenty-five men would be in
creased to her racing crew OF thirty-fve by the
addition of ten men who were to be furnished by
axc,ommodore l. Rogers Maxwell from the crew
Of his fine schooner yacht Emerald. As the EN-
crald had not yet returned from the cruise 81 INC
combined squadrons OF the Atlantic ana Lar'n,
mont Yacht clubs. the Niglldnt Il.h M.tn'u.
any additional men. Soon afterward Mr.. WHARF
sent a messenger ashore 10 Mr. lnhkin. the slew.
ard OF the Atlantic Club, T. procure ten gooi
vacht-racing sailors and send them on board the
Vigilant. which it was INTENDED, should take
daily spins anC make her anchorage al night IN
after the races tomorrow ana MONDAY. Inc 'l''
I r Ferkins's schooner yacht ColuinDia .vhi
manded By Captain .Icnreys. who took the Nlsi-
LIANT to England. being due from fortress M"n-
roe Mr. Inhkin decided 10 walt awhile IN hope
that ne could get ten men from her crew, or that
the Emerald might arrive in time to send the ten
men offered by Mr.. Maxwell
AN ACCIDENT TO THE CAFE TOPsAlL.
In the course OF the afternoon the Nlgilan'
gaff topsall split. presumably In shiitlhe o''r
tho tack as there insufficient wilma at tha'
time 10 split the sail unless 1t was deiecti'e'
Meanwhile the new mainsail had stretched su,
NcIentlv to show clearly that II was 100 arSc. ~
was therefore decided TO return TO fay hluse |"
have the topsail repaired or replaced WIN an
o,h.r and the mainsail made smaller pE re-
,trc Immediately after arriving of the cluD-
house MIR willard went ashore ana mace ar
r,npemen,s for the work 70 begin without hrdN
and continue during the night II Is expected 10
hn cornlcted bv noon to-day and mcan"hii'' .n'
1os,red additional ten men will be obtained the
Vio,,ant viii then make fresh start. take daily
snins off Sandy Hook and anchor In me h"iSe-
shno at night as was originally Intended
Mr. Willard remained ashore Only snort uin,
and then returned Oh board the sloop. lie salu
,ha, the Vigiant had behaved admirably on every
| ,.ck and that while her speed had bceh mater
ai,v increased ne thought that the recuttins Oh
her mainsail would result in sun iur,nei III
nrease An old. practical yachtsman VINO stoou
| 30 s.id. "Id be willin' to bet fopence tha' 'he
Vlpllant will give the Defender a h,snS sood
| tussle,'. in which remark Mr.. wizard see"'eu
tactly to acquesce.