The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-08-03
VIGILANT WON THE CUP.
But the Dashing Defender Again
Shows Her Superiority.
KNOCKED OUT BY AN ACCIDENT.

Herreshofrs Latest Creation Had the Race
Well in Hand Whom Her 0afr Broke
and She Was Compelled to Withdraw.
Jubilee Defeats Volunteer.
NEWPORT, r. l., Aug. 5.-The Vigilant
won tho Goelet cup for sloops yesterday
because the Defender was forced to with.
draw from the race within half dozen
miles of the finish on account of broken
gan. But for this accident the Vigilant
would probably have been nine minutes
or more behind the Defender.
So far as practical results go the race
only reiterates what everybody knows,
that the Defender is the fastest light
weather boat ever built in America She
outpointed and outfootcd the Vigilant In
the boat to wlndward, which was the first
leg of the course, and gained much more
on her during the second leg, run dead
before the wind, course supposed to be
most favorable to the centerboard yacht
But just as the new vessel undertook n
stretch for home, with only six and a half
miles OF the entire thirty-eight to cover,
her hollow. gaff snapped In two and she
was compelled to give up.
At the first mark the Defender led the
Vigilant by six minutes, with Jubilee
third and Volunteer fourth. On the run
to West Island defender gained materi-
ally on the Vigilant, going around the
second mark at 3:44:l0, while the Vigilant
did not show until 3:5545. The Volunteer
was nowhere She did not turn until
a:14:50.
At the turning Of the second mark the
Defender was seven and half minutes
ahead of the Vigilant on the time con-
suIned from the start, and she had the
same opportunity to lengthen the gap that
she had off Sandy Hook on July 22, when
on a long stretch for home she increased
her lead Tho last part of tho race was q
closer stretch, but the high pointing quail
ities of the fin keller justify the statement
that she would have gained on that leg.
Although the Visilant won the cup, 1t is
growing opinion that the American cup
committee are satisfied that no formal
trial races will be necessary, because tho
sailing of the Defender yesterday was
good enough to evidence her continuous
Improvement, and that is all that is
wanted in the way of information.
However, a test of the boat in blow n
still essential, for the Defender has not
yet been tried in that sort OF weather, but
1t is hoped that this one undisplayed quail
ity Of the yacht will be brought out be-
fore this cruise of the New York Yacht
club is ended. The Jubilee and Volunteer,
which also started yesterday, were never
In the hunt with the Defender and Vigil
ianu although the Jubilee did mike bot
ter time than the Vigilaut on the eight
cen mile run before the wind from Block
Island to the West Island lightship.
The Defender had not been past the mark
more than minute when her mainsail
was seen to collapse. A second glance
showed that the gaff had split right in the
middle, and its two parts were sticking
down into the head of the mainsail. Club
topsail and mainsall began to Zap, and the
boat was instantly thrown up into the
wind. After moments consultation be-
tween Mr.. Iselin and Captain Half it ap-
peared us If they had concluded to try to
finish. The yacht was kept on her course
for tho home mark close hauled. For five
minutes she was kept at it, but sagged so
far to leeward that it was decided to give
up the race, and the Defender was taken
in tow for Bristol.
Tho Vigilnnt won't ON and won the cup,
gaining very much on the Jubilee on the
last strotoh. Such little interest as re-
mnined after the Defender obtained her
big lead on the others was altogether lost
when the accident occurred, and only be-
came matter of universal regret that 10
could not be seen how much the new boat
would come in ahend of tho Vigilant, for
1t is conceded that the Defender docs bet
ter every time she starts.
The race between the schooners was a
very secondary consideration. Luska got
home first and won the cup on time al
lowance.