The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-07
DEFENDER.

(By Gable To The Associated Press From Steamer
Mackay- Bennett)
OK BOARD THE MACKAY-BENNETT,
NEAR SANDY Hook, Sept. THE early
morning indications for the race between
Defender and Valkyrie were not as prom
ising as had been anticipated at a. IN.
The wind which was northeast, was light,
the sky was cloudy with an occasional
sunburst and a slight indication of
frcshening breeze. Early as The Asso-
ciated Press tug had started for the Hook,
there were many other craft on the way
steaming and putting down toward the
old lightship.
or Bay Ridge the largest feet of
yachts ever gathered in this vicinity lay
at anchor. The international contest has
never excited the interest of the present
series for the Americas cup, and the
bright end early start of the advance feet
was taken as evidence that about the
line of the start a fleet will be gathered
greater than has yet witnessed the con-
tenders off on their struggle.
The Navahoe and Mayfower, the latter
an old cup defender, were passed near
the Narrows going out, while Il. ID. Nor
gan's cutter came along, passing short
time later. The Valiant, W. X. Wander
bits magnificent yacht, came along at
$3.50, headed for the upper bay.
DefcndeIat 11:a0 cast loose from her
tow. A minute or so later, Valkyrie also
cast loose OF her tow. The starting
point, 1t then appeared, would be about
mile and half east OF Normandie- by
the-Sea. The wind was very light, not
over miles an hour.
PREPARATORY SIGNAL GIVEN.
At II 80 the Luckenbach signaled that
the course would be Il. by :. from near
Normsndie-by-the-Se which would be
right out TO sea from the Jersey coast
AT Hos, the preparatory signal was
hoisted.
JocKEYING FOR POSITION.
Both yachts were keeping a little to
windward OF the small tug at the north
end OF the starting lire. The two racers
at noon, were heading toward the line
close together and jockeying for position.
The wind at noon was about f., and
only blowing about four miles an hour,
the yachts having little more than steer
age way.
A couple OF minutes after noon, Valky-
RE broke out her staysai and Defender
appeared to be drawing out from under
Nalkyrieis lee.
The yachts started at 1890. valkyrie
crossed the line at 12:20;05. Defender
crossed the line about five seconds later.
1925 p. m.-Both Defender and Val
kyrte are standing away TO the northeast
on the starboard tack. Valkyrie appears
TO be increasing her lead ON Defender.
Both yachts are carrying mainsails, club
topsails, staysails, iibs and jibto psails.
Defender, at 1884 p. m. was cutting
down Valkyrie's lead and had the better
of the breeze after having cleared the ex-
cursion fleet.
12:45 p. m.-Valkyrie seems to be out
footing and out-pointng Defender. Val
kyrie now leading by one and one-quar-
Ter lengths
FAR RoCKAwAY, 1880 p. IN. -Vslkyrie.
when she went about on the port tack,
was ahead, and to windward, and com
PEELED Defender TO 90 about under her lee
Defender, apparently outfoOted Valkyrie
after going round SC Tar as could be seen
from here.
: The yachts crossed the line. unofficial
times. as follows: valkyrie 12:20:05; De-
fender f2:2O:10.
The wind at the start was about east,
ut t'soing at the rate o: about four miles