The Portland daily press., 1895-08-28
PAINE FURNITURE CO.,
AS CANAL ST, Boston.
VALKYRIE'S TRIAL.
She is Flyer in Light Winds But is
Tender.
Foxy Britishers Would Not Let Rivals
Get Line on Their Performance-She
: WIN Prove Dangerous Competitor.

: Will Prove n Dangerous Competitor.
New York, Aug. 27.-The Valkyrie
took her first spin under racing canvas
in American waters this afternoon and
while the manner in which she was
handled made it impossible ito obtain a
positive line on her abilities enough was
shown to arouse some apprehension as to
the safety of Americas cup, particularly
if thore happens to be light wind and a
smooth sea on the international race day.
Unfavorable weather prevented the Val
kyrie from going out in the morning In
the afternoon the murkiness was dis
PEELED by assouthwest wind. The Vigilant
was anchored p quarter of mile in shore
from the British yacht and at 2.20, when
the Valzyrie's mainsail began to go up,
the Vigilant pulled up her anchor and
shook outssher jib and stood toward Atlan
tic Highlands When at 2. 40 the mainsail
OF the British boat was sheeted home the
Vigilant went about and sailed past her.
The Atalanta arrived at this juncture and
Mr.. Gould went. from her to the V1gllant
and directed the sailing of the yacht AT
3.O5 the Valkyrie slipped her moorings
and under lib staysaii and mainsail start
ed on her trial spin. The low black hull
of the Valkyrie glided through the water
in a witchlike way the instant her head
sail were broken OUT. The y acht seemed
to attain good speed at. once, although
the wind then was less than ten. knot and
no topsail were used. When the Valky-
rie got under way she headed for the
main ship channel leading out toward the
ocean, where the International races are
held. The Vigilant was standing in tow
ard the Valkyrie but went about just be-
fore the two yachts met and TOOK the
same course The wind had freshened to
| u knots and was growing stronger every
minute. Both were on a broad reach
with booms to port.
| The Vigilant led by about four cable
lengths and the impromptu race was
| on. The Vigilant had the advantage
of carrying a gaff topsail while the Brit
| isher had none but the latter without
the topsail heeled over fully as much as
the Vigilant. but tore through the wat
was buried nearly foot at times and
the Vigilants'. The overhang aft
dragged water more than that Of the
oenfreboard and the British boat clearly
made the more fuss OF the two. line
Vigilant was sstiffer and got Though
water cleaner, but the question. as to
answered, for after five minutes OF the
brush the Valkyrie rounded to and head
ed back over her own track. The con.
ditions were right for asspin outside, put
it was plain that the people on the Val
kyrie did not care to give anyone
chance to get line on the boat in com,
parison with the Vigilant. She Went
about in way that suggested one OIL enc il
little half raters. One swing OF the TIL
ler and the boat turned as If on q pivot.
During her manoeuvres the Valkyrle
never held a straight course for ten
minutes at time The Valkyrie's per-
formances today proves her ability to &C
fast in light wind. She showed mar
vellous quickness in stays, and she car
ried better fitting canvass than the Anne
rican boats. On the other hand she
showed signs of tenderness. and she
made more fuss in the water than either
the Defender or Vigilant. Her behavior
indicates that Lord Dunrayen has pun
a light weather boat, and that ne Is
speculating on the chances OF racing IN
a wind of fifteen knots or less. The grea!l
power obtained from her large sal
spread drives her hull through til wat
er at a great pace. but in much OF bloW
in a thrash to windward IN a nasty
sea the indications are that the Valkyrle
would not hold her own with the DeIen-
der