Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-23
the two yachts started on a close reach
with booms 20 port.
CREWS WELL DISCIPLINED

hlther ana thither pulling at one line
and tightening another. They seemed
to work quickly and with great precision.
Sails were taken I'm with marvellous ra-
pidity on both racers. Captains Han and
Barr certainly had their men well in hand.
and the discipline Of the crews was plain
ly evident.
The breeze had freshensd and both boats
held over somewhat. The DEFENDER point
ed higher than the Viglsnt. and carried
her canvass better This breeze soon be
gan 10 die out again. however. and hauled
around more to the west. The Defender
mad been gaining slowly. and was far
ahead. 10 get the benefit at times of
changing wihds, that died out before they
reached the Vigilant.
Several lines. when the Defenders
sails ware all drawing. the Vgilant's
head-sail showed a tendency 10 fiutter.
The uncertain wind continued to grow
lighter. Under these circumstances, the
Defender made her best gains OF the
race. She had luck. but 1t was evident
that she was the better, az well
AT 80 the Nigilant changed to the port
tack. This was due TO new change In
the wind, which was now blowing from
southwest 10 west ard In moment
the Defender tackled too Fifteen min
utes later both boats went about again
on the starboard tack. On ,nls short
board the Defender had made a good
gain. II was one Of the times when the
breeDs favored her. The Vigiiant got the
benefit of it a little later. but the Defsn-
der continued to outfoot her.
BEAUTIFUL sAILlNG.
The new boat was sailing beautifully.
reaching grandly, and sliding quickly
through the water. She seemed 10 gain
every minute.
At 2:1O the Defender again made short
tack TO port. The Viglant kept on her
course, and at the end OF three minutes
the Defender went back 10 the starbOard
tack. She had opened up a.lead OF
mile by this time. Twenty minutes later
she tackled for the second buoy. which
was just off Long Branch, pretty well
in shore.
Captain Han had figured very nicely,
and the turn was made by the closest
kind Of a shave at 2.5J1l.
a few seconds before the Defender
rounded the bouy the Vigilant went
about and stood away for the mark. She
made IL at 2:57:50-mOre than seven
minutes behind
The breeze had begun TO freshen again.
and the two yachts, with wind abeam
and boom TO starboard, squared away for
the reach home. They were both heeled
well over and racing through the water.
The Defender had opened up a terrible
gap by this time, and the Vigilant was
plainly out of II. She hung on gamely,
though. but in the ten-mile run she lost
two minutes, nine seconds, and more.
The Defender simply outran her. The
hotila OF steam yachts and tugs was put
to It's best TO catch the Defender before she
got home. AT the end a good sailing
breeze developed The Defender crossed
the line at $500 winning the 500 cup,
and the steam whistles screeched joyfully.
The Nigilant was far astern, and the
Defender had proved herself the better
boat on ali points of sailing, except in
the faintcst sort of breeze. When the
Vigilant crossed at 3:5l:is, there were
more cheers and whistles for the champ
ion of 1893.
The Defender sailed proudly up the
bay, escorted by a score Of steam yachts
and excursion boats. At the Narrows she
took line from her tug and was towed
to City Island The Vlglant sailed up
through the main ship-channel inside
the horseshoe, at Sandy Hook, where
she remained for the night.
DEFENDER A WONDER.
After the Vigilant had come to an
anchorage inside the horseshoe Mr.. r. A.
| Willard was interviewed by a reporter.
He said in answer TO a question as TO
what he thought Of the Defender: "She
is great boat In light weather she is
a wonder.
what is the protest which you made
just after the start?'
1T would not be courteous to the Re
gatta Committee TO make public the pro-
test before they are informed; but
| will say this. however: Ali rules Of
yachting were violated"
WAS the race to-day fair test of the
two boats?"
well. ] think the Defender got consid-
erably advantage in the shift of the
wind on the second leg. 1t helped her
materially. The Nigilant was also very
much interfered with by the steamers
which accompanied us. l have no idea
how much was lost from this cause.
Several of the steamers gave us their
wash. and the Alicia was on our weather
quarter for long time"
The races to-day and Saturday were
preliminary races only, and while the De-
| fender had displayed her worthi-
ness TO meet Lord Dunraven's Valkyrie
Ill, it will not be until the trial races
| are sailed in the middle Of August that
| the cup-defender il officially decided on.
| Trial races must be had open to compe-
| tition by any American-bult yacht OF
were sailing on alternate days over prac-
| tically the same courses of to-day's and
| SATURDAYS race. In all probability the
| trial races will be in the week beginning
August 18th.
RACES OFF NEWPORT.
| Meanwhile the Defender and Vigilant
will meet in races of Newport for the
/ Goelet Cup, and Glen Cove and else
where. Every opportunity will be taken
advantage of to stretch sails and tuck
up the Defender The Nigilant will also
tuck up for the trial race, and as she has
| been only defeated by the Defender In
| light winds there may be some lively
races in stronger winds. and with a bet
| ter showing for the Gould boat. Specu-
lation as TO the ability OF the Defender TO
save the cup from going abroad VIII
make the interest keen in her perform
/ anceS.
| Patriotic Americans who have. had some
anxiety since the prowess of the Nalky-
rie III. was cabled over from England.
are now more relieved. They believe the
defenders superiority over the Vigilant
nroyes her TO be more than the equal OF
/ the Valkyrie. which is but llttie better
than the Britannia, boat deieated 10y
the Vigllant whenever encountered by
her In open water and any klnd OF
wind.
nCE.II.TING TREASURER WALDEN