New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-01
THE DEFENDER WILL DEFEND.

There has never been reasonable DOUBT since
the Defenders first performance that she wouiu
he chosen to meet the third Valkyrie unless she
suffered some irTeparable injury in the course
of preparation for the great event An unusual
number of mishaps has certainly caused not
little anxiety as to her ability 10 stand the strain
Of heavy weather. and we think 1t is fair to say
that partly because Of this apprehension she has
not been so popular boat as most of her prede-
cessors 3ut the trials Of the past week, ana
especially her conduct in the sudden squat on
Thursday have increased public confidence in
her fitness for the task assigned her ana gwen
pleasant assur.n nee that the last Of her defects
has been discovered and rectiied. Beyond tha''
absolute proof has been furnished that the De-
fender is very fast. The standard by whlch she
has been tried IS a high one The Nigilant'
greatly improved over her last years fOrm' anu
sailed with admirable skill, has been great
competitor, but the Defender has unmlstakapiy
established her superiority to the \lgiiant at
every point. excepting possibly running Deiore
the wind. Fridays race left DOUBT on that
score though there is some reason TO suppose
that the Defender might have come nome from
the outer mark in better time If she had needed
TO do So The belief which prevailed at the De-
ginning has deepened into certain convlcuon
with he progress Of the trials, and now at the
end Of them not shadow Of doubt remains mat
Lord Dunrayen will have to encounter an ADLER
antagonist than he ever met before
How we'll prepared he is for such zoe no
body knows except himself and the Nalkyrles
company and it may well be doubted wheiher
they possess any certain knowledge OF her po"
ers. There is considerable evidence OF her speed
in light airs. but her allaround ability has never
been Adequately tested. Lord Dunraven mas
said that he wa. and has appeared to be, wei
satisfied with hi boat, and that means good
deal 1t must indeed. partly account Tor the
general belief that the Valkyrie is the most dan
gerous challenger that ever crossed the Aliahtic
in pursuit Of the Americas Cup; for mat pre-
possession certainly exists and there Is reany
little else to sustain 1t. We sincerely nope mat
it may prove 10 be well founded. SO gallant
competitor deserves all the satisfaction which
he can derive from just failing to achleve his
ambition. after series Of conclusive contests.
II would be grievous disappointment to Eng
lshmen and A. ericans if we kept the cup by
accident and no by merit
If the celebrating anticipation Of a glorious
struggle and n decisive victory shall be realized,
no small part Of the honor will be due 10 MI
George Gould Without any expectation that
the Vigilant would be chosen to defend the cup
but solely for the purpose Of contributing to ana
establishing the Defenders superiority, he put
his boat into competition at very large expense
and has spared no effort to make her as usefui
as possible. 1t is not an exaggeration TO say mat
the Vigilant has been an indispensable factor
in the preparation Of the Defender we are siad
to know that the conduct Of Mr.. Gould and Mr.
Willard excites hearty praise and approval. Inc
magnitude of the service and the admirable
spirit in which it has been rendered ought TO De
universally recognized and appreciated