The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-13
CUP RACES over.
valkyrie Refused to Start ard De.
fender Went II Alone.
DuNRAvEn SHOWS PETULANCE.
What the English Press Thinks
of the Affair.

tOnal series between the Defender and
tho Valkyrie for the Americas cup is
ended. On the whole IL has been an ex-
traordinary series, and while the result Is
satisfactory 10 the American people, two
at least OF the contests that went TO make
mp the match were not.
The Defender won in a clean race on
Saturday; on Tuesday last she crossed the
line behind the English boat but was
awarded the race on foul; yesterday she
had a walkover. Yesterdays occurrence
was all the more unfortunate not only
because great crowd had gathered TO
witness the struggle, but because the
weather conditions were such as TO lead
hmany 20 suppose that OF all days Valkyrie
would be in her element.
Lord Dunraven said "Wednesday night
that he would withdraw his boat IL an alb
solutely clear course were not provided. He
claimed that during the previous races his
boat had been greatly interfered with, and
as everything depended upon the outcome
OF the third of the series he adhered to
that decision so closely that the Valkyric
merely crossed the starting line and then
retired from the contest.
The Defender well in advance when the
handicap gun was flrel, continued on her
journey, and went over the course we'll
within the time limit BY her three
straight victories she retains the historic
cup for America.
disappointment All Around.
Yesterdays race promised to be n more
exciting one than either of the two pre-
ceding, for it was 10 be expected that every
effort would be made by Dupraven, after
Tuesdays disappointment, 20 score vic
tory with the boat he had brought SO far
The Valkyrie had been tuned up 90 tho
highest pitch in anticipation Of the con-
test. Several alterations had been made.
and those upon whom her sailing quail
tiles depend most largely We're prepared
90 expend every ounce of muscle and skill
70 bring her over the line victor.
Lord Dunraven had expressed himself as
apparently satisfied with the decision
rendered by the cup committc on the foul
ing OF the Defender by his boat, and tho
matter had seemingly been settled SO
amicably that IL was n question in the
minds OF the general public II Tuesdays
race would not be resailed.
But there was disappointment even In
the winds. When the Hook was reached
there was scarcely q breath stirring, and
there was no improvement at the light
snip. lnc COuIot ktu up was lD lilllts
to leeward and return, starting of the
lightship.
There was some little delay, and while
the racers were cir cling sluggishly around,
It was noticed that the Valkyrie was lack
ing topsail, and was simply sailing
under mainsail and jib. At first this
caused no wonderment. but as the start
ing hour drew near the strange action OF
the Britisher came in for considerable dis
cussion, and not few believed that the
race would not be sailed after all.
I A great circle of steamboats, and yachts
had drawn up TO witness the start, and, in
the desire to meet Dunravens wishes as
nearly as possible, score Of patrol boats
were sent out TO drive back the lines.
The preparatory gun was not fred until
about 90 minutes after the fixed time In
the meantime "a gun was fired from tho
committee boat and signal sent up de-
noting that delay would take place.
Then the announcement was made from |
the patrol boat that Lord Dunraven had |
refused 10 race unless clear course was
guaranteed by the committee. So far as |
the committee was concerned IL seemed /
impossible TO do more TO secure open water |
lthan IL had already done, for when the |
preparatory gun was fired the nearest boat |
10 the racers was fully half mile away, |
and the great majority of the excursion |
steamers and other craft were much fur
ther of in the distance.
Defender Sailed Alone.
The starting gun went at the appointed |
time. and almost ut the Same instant the
Defender crossed the line. The Valkyrie's
commander had so maneuvored her that
hs xra etf1I m lnner nH and f,St
moment before the handicap gun was
fired she, too, crossed the line. Ii was
evident 20 those who had been watching
the English boat that she had no intention
Of racing, and so IL proved, for no sooner
was the line crossed than she hauled TO on
the starboard tack, instead OF following
her rival out. aud passed under the stern
OF the lightship.
The action on the part OF the English
boat was not an actual surprise, for events
had led up To &c, and had indicated either
n determination not To race or a strange
and wonderful freak on the part Of the
British soamen. A score or more OF steam
srs started at once for the Valkyrie, while
half a hundred steamed in the direction
The Defender had taken.
The American boat was maklng good
Roadway with her spinnaker set, and after
starting at II :20:2l, rounded the first
mark at 1868 and finished at 4:0i:36 In
,he extremely light breeze this was par
.icularly good performance, and the beat
20 windward was much faster than had
been anticipated, for during one part OF
hat journey the light breeze seemed to
lie out almost entirely.
But even in that tho Defender made
good headway, and when she crossed the
winner Of the race, the winner
Of tho series, Defender. in fact, as well as
was greeted with roar OF
thrice repeated, and the belch-
Ing OF cannon, and the cheers Of thousands
Tor the gallant victories she had won.
As she was approaching the finish Mr..
Iselin yelled through a megaphonc 10 the
committee boat: "Do you wish me to
cross the linef" He received no answer.
and be repeated the inquiry. Again no
answer, so the Defender went over at
4:Oi:3b She was greeted with another
most enthusiastic yell and howl and gun
report as she did so.
Tho time as taken by the committee