The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-30
Defenders Steering Gear
Was Broken.
Constellation Led the Fleet Into New
London Harbor.
A Magnificent Sight When Well On
the Course.

HUNTINGTON, /. l., July go With the
break of day. a stiff southwest breeze was
blowing, and it .freshened until at $3.50
a. m. 1t was blowing at the rate OF 20
knots an hour. When last seen from
Eaton's Neck, Vigilant had lead of
about an eighth OF mile over Defender,
and both OF the big single-stickers, were
still punched in with the New York Yacht
Club fleet, which was on its way to the
eastward. But Vigilant and Defender
were rapidly forging to the front, both
carrying club top-sails although the
yachting sharps ashore expressed the
opinion that ordinary working top-sails
have probably supplanted the larger sails
by this time
The feet left with the wind well over
the starboard quarter, and there was
every prospect OF remarkably quick run
to New London.
The yachtsmen remained on board their
various craft, as rule, last night and not
more than a dozen came ashore in search
of festivity. The fleet was anchored
during the night off Eaton's Point, which
is two miles out from the nearest point Of
civilization, and the many people ON
board the pleasure craft found enough to
amuse themselves on board, and even the
attraction of a dance ashore was not
strong enough to make them leave their
vessels Commodore Gordon of the Hunt
ington Yacht Club had extended TO the
visitors the usual courtesies and had
placed at the disposal of the yachtsmen
the use OF the recently enlarged and
handsomely refitted club house. But no.
body took advantage OF the invitation
except Mr.. John II. Drexel of the big
steam yacht Sultana, whose electric appar-
atus has got out of gear, compelling MIR.
Drexel to send men ashore TO take elec-
tricians who had been hurriedly sent for.
The people of the Huntington harbor
and its vicinity are we'll accustomed TO
even the most extensive marine pictures
in which yachts figure, but they never
saw more interesting views than those
presented upon the arrival OF the New
York Yacht Club fleet yesterday, the
illumination of the yachts last night and
the departure of the fleet this morning.
The craft occupied a stretch OF water al
most a mile in length and their lights
stood out in the darkness Of the evening
like an immense cluster OF diamonds.
There were lanterns aloft on the decks
of the sailing vessels and the steam yachts
displayed their electric and other lights
in their rigging and from their sides.
There were many responses from the ma
tives ashore in the shape OF rockets and
various other sorts OF pyrotechnics, there
being an especially gorgeous display on
the grounds of Locust Lodge at East
Neck, where Mr.. May supcrintended the
successful fashion. The yachtsmen were
astir at a very early hour this morning,
the gun which aroused them being fired
from the flagship Sylvia at $3.50 a. m. 1t
did not take long for the yachtsmen to
get breakfast and make ready for the
start for New London. Eventually the
fleet got away in an informal manner,
the smaller yachts going first and the big
steam yachts starting last The latter had
not left the harbor until nearly $3.50 a. IN.
They might have tarried even longer but
| they noticed that the fair wind was grad
ually increasing in strength and con-
| cluded that ii they did not get under way
| then they would never be able to over
| haul the big sloops and witness what
| promised to be a great aquatic struggle.
Vigilant, which had been lying .
| quarter of a mile or so TO the eastward OF
| Defender, was first 10 hoist her sails,
| weigh anchor and get under way.
Defender followed suit quickly, but
| Vigilant was still ahead when the fleet
| passed out of sight.
| According to present indications here,
at about 10 O'Clock there is still proba-
bility that Defender, in her run from Ea-
| ton Neck, four miles from here, to New
London, on which journey she started
| this morning, will have more OF test
| of her capabilities In stiff breeze than
she has yet experienced.
DEFENDERS ACCIDENT.
The Constellation arrived first, leading
| the fleet OF the New York Yacht Club
| into this harbor at IL 20; the Vigilant
second, II 80 The Defender met with
! an accident breaking her steering gear,
| and was an hour behind the leaders. The
accident occurred shortly before reaching
| New London.