New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-21
THE OPINION OF AN EXPERT.
HOW THE vIGILANT AND THE DEFENDER
WERE SAILED.
THE FORMERS CANVAS SET BETTER THAN THE
NEW YACHTs-THE vIGTI.ANTs BABY JIB
ToPsAIL CONSIDERED A USE
LESS ADJUNCT.

Mr.. Dunn said wind Some weather sharps dis
agreed with him Mr. Dunn right II came. 1t
blew II conquered. For once. the yachts nad all
they wanted. And the Vgilant liked il best
But at first things looked blue The start was
DELAYED nearly half hour. apparently TO let the
wind choose a quarter to blow from. During this
time the two competitors lowered about. taking
short flies in any direction and swooping down TO
the starting line in way that made many think
that the was beginr ing. The small delay was
beneficial The wind rose gradually 10 a rair
strength and before the boats were sent over tho
line they were aening 10 promising angle.
Small clouds no bigger than mans hand. were
seen lifting fast the southerly horizon. with
the rising OF these small leaden-coored Vapors rose
also Mr. Dunn's reputation as weather prophet
The start was made the usual sloveny prin-
cIpe: each boat knowing that 1t had two minutes
to cross in-there being show OF smart timing
and handling cross in medlatey on gun-iire This
method Of allowing Time to yachts that start slowly
Is dspensation OF providence which Specially
favors craft which 10 not exhibit brigh, work in
cacula ton and manoeuvrng In this case. however.
the boats having -othng better to do at the time.
crossed the line eisurely the Nigiian some distance
in advance
THE DEFENDERS TACTICS AT THE START.
She stood straight away TO the southeast. close
hauled and making pretty sailing. The Defender
crossed and came in stays almost at once
as she could clear the Sandy Hook Lightship. She
evidently was on the hunt for better slants OF wind
off the shore and evidently supposed that the Vigil
liant would follow ner. rather than let her enjoy
such good fortune alone The Viglant mad in
tenton OF doing anything OF the kind. and Mr..
Willard H. too old a bird to be caught following
smart-tackng craft with boat that IS SLOW at this
work.
SO this splitting Of tacks was continued until the
boats were widely separated Suddenly the wind
gave evidence Of heading Mr.. Willard on This
hat he he mt m to ndu
and that further shifting In the direction
meant that the Defender would be left 10 leeward
Round came the Defender the instant They
were watching the Vigilants chances like forty cats
and this was the first occurrence of the day which
scored for Mr. Willard.
He continued straight on. and the Defender fol-
lowed In the same direction southeasterly To wind
ward but also as:ern-the boats apparently holding
for n long time the same positions In regard TO
windwardness.
Much dissatisfaction was expressed By friends OF
the Vigant because during this long tack In a fresh
wind she retained a small baby jib,opsail which II
not required for easy steering. was a useless ad-
junct. II dii not stand with the rest OF the can
vas and when II huttered. the boat was headed off
from her best possible course TO III II.
When Mr.. Willard thought he had gone far
enough on this starboard tack to about and
make the buoy that was placed ten miles from the