Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-07

fender was getting good breeze and was
cutting down Valkyrie's lead.
Valkyrie at 12:4O pm. went about on
the port tack and crossed Defenders bow.
The American yacht followed suit after
ward. Both yachts were then heading
southeast.
The Interfering Steamers.
The excursion boats were stiL standing
very close to the racers and one of the in
terfering steamers had to back water in
order to allow Defender to pass
The two yachts held on to the canvas
under which they crossed the line. and
when the tack was made the cup chal-
length ahead and to windward Of Defender
while the American boat seemed to be out
footing the Britisher.
Al 1850 pm. the Luckenbach steamed
ahead of the yachts in order to lay out the
course fifteen miles to windward.
Valkyrie was then widening the distance
between herself and her rival The boats
had port tack, Valkyrie not making so
water as Defender did.
The race at this point was an extremely
close one, but it seemed as If the British
boat had the best of it, for she was ap-
The Britisher had her large baby jib
topsail set, while Defender only had her
ordinary jib topsail. The wind was fresh
ening, and both yachts were standing
south by east close hauled. In spite Of
this. from here it seemed as If Defenders
jib topsail was heading her off, and it was
evident that she did not hold the wind as
we'll as Valkyrie, which was pointing
higher. though Defender seemed to be foot
ing faster
Quarter of IA Mile Gap.
From here at pm. it seemed as if there
was gap of fully quarter of a mile be-
tween the two boats, and it also appeared
as If Valkyrie was considerably to wind
ward. although not footing as fast as De-
fender. But it looked as if she was con-
stantly drawing away from the American
boat, although the latter was running
nicely. For some reason or other, Defender
did not look as if she was holding up to
the wind as closely as she had done in her
races with Vigilant. The two yachts were
still on the port tack and headed southeast
Valkyrie at 1:O4 was still on the port
tack and leading Defender The British
yachts immense club topsail was doing
splendid work. while that of Defender. in
comparison, was quite small.
The patrol boats by this time seemed to
have succeeded in keeping the excursion
fleet away from the racers.
As the two yachts worked down the
course the decided windward position which
Valkyrie had secured showed up more
plainly than ever. The wind was still hold
ing eastward.
Valkyrie and Defender at about 1:12 p. m
went about on the starboard tack and
looked as if Valkyrie had lead of about
half mile
Vnlkyrie Gaining.
The race is, no doubt, a remarkably close
one, and on this tack, as on the previous,
Valkyrie seemed to be gaining.
On this tack, the fleet of excursion boats
was kept we'll away from the racers by
the patrol boats, which were doing good
work.
Valkyrie as the time wore on, seemed
to be steadily increasing her lead.
Both yachts, at 20 pm, were holding off
shore on the starboard tack. and Defender,
from here, seemed to be doing much better.
The excursion boats were clustered about
Falkyrie, according to what was made out
fender seemed to be keeping by herself
The race is such a close one that such in
reference on the part of the steamer cap
ta!ns is very detrimental to the boat which
is being thus handicapped. Accorulng to
some of the experts here, Valkyrie would
have quite a lead at the turn If she con-
tinued to gain, as she appeared to be doing
in spite of the fact that Defender footed
much faster and higher recently than at
any other time during the race.
The racers were racing along with nice
breeze at 1870 pm, and had sailed over
at out four miles of the course.
Valkyrie had managed to shake or the
thick of the excursion fleet which caused
the steamer captains to turn their alten-
ticn to Defender. One notable exception to
this much-to-be-blamed behavior upon the
part of the accompanying fleet was the
action of Mr.. w. X. Vanderbilt, with his
Zig steam yacht Valiant, which he kept
fully half a mile to leeward of the eXcur-
sion fleet itseli and nearly a mile from the
racers.
The wind at this hour was about cast
northeast, and blowing at the rate of say
seven miles an hour.
Valkyrie at 40 pm. went about on the
port tack and the Defender followed suit
a minute or so later. But Valkyrie then
again went about and soon afterward d.
fender did the same.
The Most Exciting Race Ever Held.
The race is undoubtedly the most excii-
ing ever held for the Americas cup, as it
has been close since the start, and at times
from here it was difficult to distinguish
which yacht was ahead.
Defender and Valllyrie, Just before they
met, went about and tackled in opposite
directions, much to the disappointment of
the fleet, and it looked as if Defender was
unable to force Valkyrie about and pre-
ferred to split tacks with her rather than
get into box under her lee.
They then stood away from each other,
Defender on the port tack to the south
ward.
About Half Way to the Turn.
But at 2 pm. Defender went about on
the starboard tack out from Valkyrie.
The two yachts were then about half
way over the course, SO far as could be
judged from here.
At pm. Valkyrie was about a quarter
Of a mile ahead of Defender. They We're
still standing to the eastward on the star
board tack, both boats being sailed for all
they We're worth, and in a most exciting
manner. though Valkyrie was well ahead.
Shortly afterward a heavy fog began
working up from the eastward, and it be-
gan to look if it might possibly shut out
the view obtained of the race from here.
Nearing the Outer Mark.
2:4O pm.-The racing yachts appear like
ly to turn the outer mark within the next
fifteen minutes.
Defender ceems to be reaching for it with
sheets eased. The shift of the wind more
to the south has been of great advantage
to Valkyrie.
Seen From Far ROckavay.
FAR ROCKAWAY, L. l., 2:27 p.m.-The
boats are still on the same course. The
Valkyrie appears TO be widening the dis
tance. The haze has left and the boats are
entirely clear Of the steam fleet.