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

HIGHLANDS OF NAVESINK, N. J.,
September IA dark, cloudy sky frowned
over a leaden sea early this morning as the
challenger for the Americas cup, Lord Dun
ravens Valkyrie III, and the gallant cham
pion in it's defense, Americas Defender,
rolled and pitched at their moorings in the
Horseshoe, inside of Sandy Hook. two grace
full, powerful centers Of interest among
fleet of weatherbound coasting schooners
and large number of yachts of all sizes
and varieties.
Those two rival yachts looked from the
Highlands like greyhounds held in leash
eager for the dash forward. longing for the
test of speed and endurance. All were busy
on board of them and on board their tend
ers Immediately after the first gray light Of
dawn iilumiI,ed the battlefield.
Securing the News.
The eyes of the whole world were upon
them, for the Associated Press arrange
ments to cover the race were SO complete
that not a move on board could be missed.
and every change of sail or course was sent
By cable direct from the Commercial Gable
Company's steamer Mackay-Bennett, off
Sandy Hook, and, from shore, by exclusive
wire to the Associated Press offices in New
York, recorded there and flashed through
out the United States, all over Europe and
all over the rest of the world, through the
various agencies of the Associated Press.
In addition the Associated Press had
full staff of reporters and telegraph ope-
Tatcrs board its special steamer, the
Fred. b. DalZell, staff on board the Scot
land lightship having telephone communi-
cation with the shore; staff of reporters
and operators at Sandy Hook, and others
in the tall towers of the Highland lights
and others still at Seabright, Long Branch
and Asbury Park, Rockaway, Far Rocka-
way and Long Beach. and all this sup
-ta1 LOT. mia
from the Associated Press pigeon service
steamer, with another staff of reporters
and operators at Bayview, l.. l., having
direct wire communication with the Asso-
ciated Press offices in New York.
The Weather.
Thus, every point this morning reported
ths weather conditions prevailing in their
Immediate vicinity. and, summed up in
brief, they announced tnat the sky was
cloudy. with prospects of rain showers,
not severe enough, however, to interfere
with the racing
The wind was also east with northerly
tendencies, and had been blowing at the
rate of from fourteen to sixteen knots
Throughout the night. Outside Sandy
Hook a pretty heavy sea was running.
At O'Clock the air, which had previously
been clear enough to enable the watchers
to distinguish the two lightships, Scotland
and Sandy Hook, began to get misty, the
wind commenced to veer northward and
fell away until there was hardly enough of
1t to cause the flag to hutter from the
flagstaff.
On the other hand. the surf which had
thundered along the shore all night, in
creased In strength and there were signs
of an approaching storm.
Shortly after o'clock the weather had
cleared somewhat and the breeze increased
In strength. Both yachts had been active
1y preparing for the since their crews
left the tenders after breakfast, and at
S:35 Defender started off for the Hook In
tow of the tug Wallace b. Flint, although
stops.
On the Va1kyrie.
Valkyrie remained at her moorings; but
the members of her crew were all busy
bees on board of her. The weather, at this
hour, was far from being satisfactory to
the yachtsmcn, and was looked upon as
being unfavorable to Valkyries chances.
1t being the general opinion that she would
not show up well in the heavy ground swell
and light air, which then seemed to be
the outlook for the racers.
Nalkyrie passed outside the Hook at 9:3G
and she did so she broke out her jib.
Defender followed suit a minute later
Both yachts at 9:4J were about third of
the way to Scotland lightship and We're
Under mainsais and jbs. From this point
1t looked as if Defenders mainsail was
much larger than Nalkyries.
The Swash channel was then filed with
Tteam yachts. tearing down toward Sandy
Itook and the lshtships. and there were
fully thirty Of them between the Romer