Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-22
THE DEFENDER WINS.
Proves That She Is Better Boat Than
the Old Hero Vigilant.
Marqia Was Small But She Is Better Boat
to Handle.

New York, July 21.-Though in their
ultimate effect the yacht races saturday
off these shores was only tentative, so far
as the choice of "A national defender goes,
the fact remains that practically the de-
Tense of the America S cup began with tho
starting sun from off the lightship. The
public interest, while alive to the relative
importance of the event, has not Yet ac-
quired the keen edge of excitement which
will probably grow from day to day on
ward TO the final races.
The morning broke with an Indian
summer haze in the air and with slight
wind moving straight Oh the ocean from
the southwest To yachtsmen the outlook
was not dispiriting, because they well
appreciate the possibilities of weather
changes between daybreak and II o'clock
which was the hour fixed for the start Of
the racing
Down at Sandy Hook the old defender
of the cup, Vigilant, was at anchor.
Alongside her was the tender Aeronaut
Close astcrn lay the Steam Yacht Alma
and several small sailing craft In tho
sail down the harbor Friday night the
Nigilants spinnaker boom was impaired
in some degree or was considered too weak
and during the early morning it was adj
justed at the machine shop of the Ord
nance Department at Sandy Hook.
At s o'clock, looking out from Sandy
Hook, the ocean was perfectly smooth, the
weather extremely hazy, and difficulty
was had in discerning beyond Scotland
light There was not the slightest swell
on the water, even though there was an
uneasy drift of air from the southwest,
which was travelling about six miles per
hour. The weathcrwise on the coast at
that hour deemed it likely that this breeze
would increase
Whatever the weather conditions might
be preparations for the contest went on as
per previously arranged order. Thus it
WAS that the tug Scandinavian passed out
the Hook at $50 and headed southwark.
She had upon her deck an anchor and "A
buoy and it was clear to the observers
ashore that this tug was sailing outside to
Il position where she should act as ii turn
ing boat or where she would deposit tho
buoy to act us Il turning stake. Meantime,
early on the Vigilant Manager Willard
and his crew We're astir adjusting tho
boom, which through the night and early
morning had been ashore at the ordnance
station on the Hook.
There Was Early Activity
down at Bay Ridge, where the Atlantic
clubhouse is located, and off which the De
fender lay, At 7:45 the big ocean tug
Luckcnbach steamed close in by the De
fender, and letting out a line took thu
white mystery in tow. On board and
astcrn were G. Oliver Isclin, Woodbury.
Kane, Ncwbury Thorn, Latham Fish and
Herbert Leeds. These We're the only ANA.
teur sailors who We're aboard and assisted
in the sailing of the yacht.
In light breeze and a haze, the two
great white yachts, Defender and Vigilant
with their wide spreading canvas, moved
slowly hithcr and thithcr, awaiting tho
signal guns. Even at a distance the differ
ence in sail area was noticeable and in
the maneuvering for positions the De-
fender seemed to move more easily than
the Vigilant. So thick was the haze that
the coast line was lost in the distance.
The wind was from the southeast A few
sails dotted the water. and great line OF
pleasure craft drew up about the swinging
old Scotland lightship. 1t was the scene
of two years ago, when the Vigilant and
Valkyric met for the honor of the two
countries. This time it was the new
against the old, and
Both For the Honor of America.
The first gun, the preparatory signal
was to have been fired ut II o'clock. but az
that hour the yachts We're still jockeying
for almost to that very moment it was I'M
decided as to what the course should be-
Then from the flagboat the signal OBJ
was sent up, which meant that the course
was 10 miles straight and return. About
this time, too, the fog lifted somewhat, and
both boats Were side by side, moving cas-
lily in he direction of the Scotland light
ship. They were under all lower sails and
club topsails At l:l0 they were ready to
start, but further delay of a few minutes
ensucd, as the breeze seemed to be fresh
ening, and clever exhibition by the skip
pers of the two racers was INDUCED in.
At 30 n. m. the first gun was fired
and at II 81 the Defender crossed the line.
The Nigilant crossed at II 81: 30, both
yachts passing Scotland lightship on port
tack, standing southeast. At :35 the
Defender came about, standing down on
the starboard tack. and the Viglant nj
most Immediately did the same thing.
the Defender being on the weather bow
of the latter. Within the first 10 minutes
the Defender had Slight advantage, out.
footing the Gould boat and seemingly out.
pointing her. At 11:i4 the wind seemed
to be growing IA little stronger and the foe
was going out to sea. Ten minutes later
the two yachts We're still standing off the
Jersey coast on the starboard tack The
boats were evidently holding off shore on
long tack for fear of losing the wind
Yachts Out of Sight.
From the Highlands of Navesink and
from other points along the coast, just a
dim glance of the yachts could be had
through the haze over the first part of the
course. but gradually they grew dilhmer,
until at f2:0s, from the highlands they DIS
appeared entirely. The wind was then
south, southcast,a II miles an hour breeze
From shore, before they We're lost in the
mist however, it seemed as though the
Defender was gradually drawing away
from the other.
The next indication that the racers were
still winging their way along the coast
came TO Sandy Hook from the Long Branch
fe-saving station, which reported the
yachts off that place, neither outlined dis
tinctly enough to be identified, but ono
apparently about three-uuarters IF n milo