Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-20
She Leads the Vigilant From the
Start to the Finish.
PRETTY JOCKEYING FOR ADVANTAGES
Heavy Fog SpoiIs Sight Of the
Contest.
DEFENDER SAILS WELL

NEW YORK. July 2o-The Defender
crossed the finish line at 2:49, winner.
large fleet of pleasure craft and excur-
sion boats crowded the line to witness the
finish Of the race. On each side of the two
and launches came steaming along. The
Defender was evidently winner by about
three minutes. AS the finish line is not dis
tinguishable from here in the mist, the time
Of the finish can be only approximately
stated
The spinnakers of the two boats were
pulling like horses and bellying out before
the breeze in great quarter circles.
The victor was greeted with the usual
footing of steam whistles and the firing of
cannons on shore. The Vigilant is stand
ing up toward the Hook under all sail. The
Vigfiant passed the finish line at 2:52 s-4.
HIGHLANDS, 2:49' pm.-The second
yacht finished at 2:52.
The Vigilant was greeted with the same
uproarious screaming of whistles on the ex-
cursion steamers and yachts and the cheer
ing of the spectators. The boats are now
standing up toward the harbor, accompa-
MED by the fleet that witnessed the fin
ish.
In the light breeze and the haze during
the start the two great, white yachts.
Defender and Vigilant, with their wide
spreading canvas. moved slowly hither and
thlther this morning awaiting the signal
guns. Even at dis tanee the difference in
sail area was rcticeable and in the maneu-
vering for positions Defender seemed to
move more easily than Vigiiant. So thick
was the haze that the coast line seemed
lest in the distance. The wind was from
the southeast; few sails dotted the water.
and a great line of pleasure craft drew up
about the swinging old Scotland lightship
1t was the scene of two years ago over
again, when Vigiiant and Valkyrie met for
the honor of two countries. Today 1t was
the new against the old, and both for the
honor of America.
The first gun, the preparatory signal, was
to have been fired at IL o'clock, but at
that hour the yachts were still jockeying
for almost to the last moment it was un-
decided as to what the course should be-
Then from the fiagboat the signal ''B'' was
sent up, which meant that the course was
fifteen miles straight and return. About
this time too. the fog lifted somewhat, and
both boats were side by side. moving easily
In the direction of the Scotland lightship.
They were under all lower sails and club
topsails. At II 10 they were ready 70 start,
but further delay of a few minutes en-
sUed as the breeze seemed to be freshen-
ing, and clever exhibition by the shippers
Of two racers was indulged In.
The Starting Gun.
AT 11:20 the first gun was fired and at
II 81 Defender crossed the line. Vigilaat
crossed at II 81: 20. both yachts passing
Scotland Ifghtship on port tack, standing
: southeast. At II :35 Defender came about.
standing down on the starboard tack. and
Vigilant almost Immediately did the same
thing, Defender being on the weather bow
Of the latter. Within the first twelve min
utes Defender had slight advantage, out
footing the Gould boat and seemingly out
pointing her. At 11:4 the wind seemed to
was going out to sea. Ten minutes later
the two yachts were still standing for
the Jersey coast on the starboard tack. The
boats were evidently holding off shore on a
long tack for fear Of losing the wind.
From the Highlands of Navesink and
from other points along the coast just a
dim glimpse of the yachts could be had
course, but gradually they grew DINNER,
Until at 1908 from the Highlands they had
disappeared entirely. The wind was then
South-SoutheaSt, a tweive-mile an hour
breeze. From shore, before they were lost
In the mist, however, 1t seemed as though
Defender was gradually drawing away
from the other. The next indication that
the racers were still winging their lazy
way along the coast came to Sandy Hook
from the Long Branch life saving station
which reported the yachts off that place
neither outlined distinctly enough to be
identified, but one apparently about three
quarters Of a mile ahead of the other. They
were standing off shore on the starboard
tack and disappeared about 1:15.