The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-09-11

BACK IN the quiet hours UHe sea was
dotted here and there by a sail, and
the smoke on the horizon told of an
advancing fleet; and when the first
gun was fired, a swinging vanguard,
bright with color, was there to speed
the racers on their journey. Then,
While all eyes were on that invincible
line over which step made too soon
would be fatal, Defenders mishap
came. Recovering quickly, however,
and followed eagerly by those to
whom the breaking away of the jib
topsail and the breaking of the top
mast meant for the moment abandon
ment of all hope, she went in pur-
suit. Valkyrie's lead and her better
position was not much improved dur
Ing the first leg. Valkyrie did excel
lent work, but Defender going just as
her mishap left her, chung to her rival.
Within few minutes it was seen that
Defender meant to sail the first leg
| without a jib topsail, and to many of
! those on the excursion steamers and
ACCOMPANYING yachts. this gave the
| first inkling that an accident had oc
Cured and that Defenders topmast
was the weak spot. The course was
down the Jersey coast, and nautical
experts on board some of the boats
critically observing Defenders pro-
gress expressed themselves as believ-
] iliS5 Sl1C was L16lSly IOIlOWlIlS tIlC
Englishman over the course without
attempting to race This belief was
strengthened by the fact that directly
after the fouling at the line a protest
flag was ran up with vigor that de-
noted determination on the part of the
American commander
But Defender was in for a race and
during the progress of the first few
miles, sufficient repairs were made to
! pnah1n OF a hU iih tnrcai1
after rounding the first leg. In the
beat to windward, the watches marked
| Valkyrie minutes and 50 seconds in
advance of the Defender.
A Veritable victory.
The second leg was expected to try
the nerves of those who had set their
hearts on q victory for the cup de-
fender, for her little jib topsail looked
like a speck compared with the great
bellying balloon jib topsail set by Val
kyrle, which was drawing tremen-
dously. But the second ten miles was
a veritable victory for the Yankee.
She gained Slowly, but steadily, and
turned the second mark mot far behind
her rival, she now having a better
chance by long odds to win than a few
miles back in the journey 1t 1sheered
anxious hearts on the floating city, for
1T is no eNaggeration to say that
Jj-lUUlUS Oh InOSS dI1OdI were De16nuoT
men. The last leg was run home with
the wind abeam, and there was a rush
of steamers in the direction of the
lightship A ten-knot breeze lifted the
top of the chance wave, and the wash
of the steamers tumbled the little craft
about a bit. but far back the two single
stickers, Defenders sails only showing,
were Swimming over a mill pond, with
their lee rails awash, and both rapidly
OVarh9 Ming tho 6na ti11a inc in,
advance.
Other Races Come In.
Little queen Nab, herself a racer,
far ahead of the contestants and
finally being outfooted, was overllauled,
first by the one and then the other of
her sister boats.
She seemed to catch all the breeze
and heeled over In an effort to run
along with them, and she did give
each, for time, lively brush, but
at last faded back into the distance.
Then Navahoe, with a mainsail set
ting Ike Valkyrie's. hove in sight near
the lighrship, and the final mile of the
two was to be run. Toward the end,
1T was evident that the gap was clos
ing and Valkyrie had hardly crossed
the line and got out of the way when |
Offender came tearing along like a
thoroughbred under the wire. She must
have put on an extra burst of speed
to crafty those who had kept their |
eyes on her white canvass from gun /
to gun, for she was we'll on her side, |
and her sails bulged with the force |
of the driving wind. Such is a brief |
outline Of the days events. The real |
story is known only to those who |
watched the fight.
Er
Saturdays race, the first of the SER
les. was decisive, but none could tell |
what Valkyrie might do under other
conditions. Today she was favored to !
the end, and it was a victory that will
be told best in the detailed story that
follows this
IL was feared that after her mishap.
the contest would prove so UNEQUAL as
to lose it's interest But it was this
very accident that gave the English
man fighting chance against Defend
ed today. With a strong breeze and a
nigh sea for the third race, Valkyrie
may do better, but at all events, she
has had the distinction Of reaching
home in advance of the American
boat, the first in a quarter of CEN
fury.
Only one other boat finished closer
to the winner than did Defender TODAY
and that was Valkyrie IL in her race
with ViSilant in '93, when forty seconds
only separated them. 1t had been the
expressed wish that Lord
Dunraven would win one race of the
series and some kindly disposed people
even extended their good wishes to the
nope thdt ut might get two. so that, as
they explained, he would be influenced
In coming again for a try for the CUP.
.fhe good wish has come to pass, un-
less the cup committee entertain De-
tenders protest and declare against
the Engl1Shman; and SO good citizens
on their way to their respective homes.
after the contest today, CONGRATULATED
themselves that Dunraven and his gal
!ant boat had gained what they had
hoped he would gain-a. winning
bracket, and Defender had gained
veritaible victory.
Masc0s Console Each other.
Pointing their noses inward the fleet
moved quickly along, forming a pro-
tectlng line around the yachts as they
were towed to their boat houses at
Bayr1dge. On Defender, Mr.. IseIin and
the yellow dog, both mascots that had
never before been at fault, consoIed
with each other under the main boom.
while Captain Hank Half, who asked
rs to the accident, looked aloft ,yrimlv +
and ibawled "Valkyries mainlhoom
lore away our rigging and would saw Il
40 more. That was the extent of the
ITO be had on Defender
Later it was given out at the New
York Yacht club that the CUP commit.
zee will NOT render q dacieir,, - ..--,