Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-09-14
DEFENDER WINS.
The british Yacht vaIkyrie Defeated In
the First Race.

uS SKY was over
cast and light breeze from the north
east stirred the flags aloft, and gave
the steam "a slant Jerseyward as it rose
from the tugs and steamboats, scurry-
ing about the wharves picking up their
loads of people anxious to see the first
meeting between Valllyrie III. and
Defender.
The official measurements of the con-
testants given out Friday night show
that the British boat is ss.s5 feet on
the load water line, while the De-
fender is SIS. 40 feet.
In sail area the challenger has 425
square feet advantage. She measures
| 1907. 90 square feet, to the Defenders
2,6s2 30 feet. From these figures the
racing length of each is computed ac-
cording to rules of the New York
yacht club.
The Valltyrie is 101.49 and the De-
fender 1908 feet long. In a 3o-mile
race, the British boat allows the Amer
lean 90 lilo seconds.
The allowance is very small, but in
a close contest it may change the re-
suit. For about the first time in the
history of the cup the allowance is
given by the challenging yacht. In
1898 Vigilant allowed Valkyrie ii. l
minute and As seconds.
At lO:45 o'clock there was mob of
vessels gathered around the old hulk
known as the Sandy Hook lghtship
The marine spectacle was most impos-
ing. The two yachts were on
hand, ready for the battle
royal, and fully 10000 spectators
crowded the decks of steamers,
tugs and yachts. When it was time
for the preparatory signal there was
still line of boats coming down the
bay.
The Judges boat shortly before noon
displayed the signal letters I'D e"
indicating that the course would be
east by south. The course gave the
yachts beat of 15 miles straight out
to sea.
At 1910 p. m. the preparatory signal
was set The starting gun was fred
at 1920 p. m. The Valkyrie crossed
the line on the signal and was followed
by the Defender about two seconds
later. Both boats were on the star
board tack. The Valkyrie appeared to
be sailing considerably faster than the
Defender.
The crowd of spectators watched the
two boats closely, anxious to get the
first tip on how things We're going,
They had not long to wait The
Valkvrie increased her slight lead
by two lengths in the first five
minutes. She was pointed little
higher and going a little faster
than the Defender, The light wind
was what the British boat wanted and
she was doing just what Lord Dunra-
ven expected of her. The fleet of late
arrivals got in the way of both boats.
Fifteen minutes after the start the
Valkyrie led by six lengths.
At 12:40 both went about on the port
tack. Then the wind freshened a little
and was about knots.
At 12:45 the Defender began to move
faster, but did not point or beat to
windward as well as Valkyrie.
At 1880 she passed to leeward of the
Valllyrie on the long board,
made along shore. AT 1:21 the
Valkyrie went to the starboard
tack and stood off shore. The Defender
followed at once, but was good quar-
ter of mile to leeward.
The Defender turned the stake at
about $40, and the Valkyrie at about
3:43.
On the run home the identity of the
yachts could not be discovered owing
to the thickness of the fog, until they
were close to the finish. There was no
mistake now, however, as to the lead
er. The Defenders canvas was bulg-
nd ha
her rival amid the cheers of thousands
of stanch admirers and supporters.
> She came straight to the mark and
would have rounded it perfectly had
= not big excursion steamer shut out
the wind for moment
The Defender crossed the finish line
at 4:59:55; the Valkyrie at 50s:44.
. When the Defender sailed proudly
over the finish line she was given a
tremendous ovation. Whistles were
footed long and loud and cannon were
, doomed and the many Thousand eXcur
sionists shouted themselves hoarse in
> exultation of joy over the gallant
: American boats big victory. On
: the Defender the gentlemen al
!. shook hands with Mr.. Iselin
y with beaming countenance. Eigh
', minutes later, when the Valkyrie fin
y ished, she was also given splendid
y reception, which was acknowledged by
Lord Dunraven's party. Immediately
after the finish of the race the fee
: headed back to the city, and all the
:, way up the bay the happy spectator
of the days race sung praises of th'
: great American yacht
: Lord Dunraven and his friends ad
NIT that the Valkyrie Nsas fairly beatel
in Saturdays race, although they com
= plain that the fleet of excursion boat
= and tugs interfered with the sailing o
both yachts.
e Formally Opened.
c SAULr STE. MARIE, Mich, Sept. o.
e The fine Canadian passenger steame