The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-20
vindicatiOn.
TRIAL OF THE DEFENDERS.
The Yachts Defender and vigilaut Will
Meet Today to Determine Which Shall
BE selected TO Defend Americas Cup.

New York, Aug 19.-The final pre-
parations have been made for the first
trial races to determine what yacht
shall meet the challenger for America 8
cup and the Defender and Vigilant will
meet off Sandy Hook for battle royal
Both yachts are in better trim than ever
before and both will be sailed to the
limit OF their abilities. without ques-
tion the Defender has been held back,
and while probably no tockeying has
been intended. the syndicate boat has
not shown her full ability to go. Now
that her sails have been stretched, and
rigging gradually made taut. the boat
is ready for her full powers to be tested
and is equipped as she will be for the
International raIsls. provided she Is
chosen to defend the cup Her crew
had a busy day today. They put the
last finishing touches on her. and this
afternoon she was towed from her
moorings. off New Rochelle, to New
York. The recent painting and scrap
ing of her aluminium sides and bronze
underIbody, and the new spars and
sails, make her the most handsome cup
defender Yankee ingenuity has ever put
together.
At 4 o'clock this afternoon the De-
fender made sail and started down the
bay towards the narrows. There was
a spanking breeze from the north
northwest, and under mainsail, fore
sky sail and lib the crack sloop ran
away from her tender, the Hattie Pal
mer. and easily passed the iron steam
boat Taurus, with a load Of excursion
lists bound for Coney Island.
The Defender passed the narrOws at
4.30 o'clock and with her white sides
cleaning In the sunlight swept down
the lower bay to an anchorage In the
horse shoe, where the Vigilant has
been since yesterday. The horse shoe
Is Just inside of Sandy Hook and Is a
safe anchorage ground near the start
ing point Of the races, and saves much
work for the crews OF the yachts.
The Vigifant remained quietly at an
chor today. She Is In perfect condi-
tion for one more trial at the Defender
and George J. Gould. who has not
spared money or trouble. and F.. Will
lard, who has devoted months Of time,
deserve much credit for their genuine
craftsmanship. Although they saw
fit to retire the Vigilant from further
races at Newport, owing to the disre-
gard Of the customary rules of yacht
ing, they lrave kept their word and
placed the cup defender Of 1893 at the
disposal of the America cup committee
lot Jne tIldl races MT. willard mas
stated, however, that any further dis
regard Of the rules Of the road by Mr..
Iselin. or the skipper Of the Defender,
will be at their risk as he does not pro-
pose to keep on forever giving way
to the new boat. Although the regatta
committee decided against Mr.. Will
lard's protest. the consesus of opinion
among yachtsmen Is that the Defender
attempted to ''hog the line"
The race tomorrow will be one Of two
which are set by the Americas cup
committee to determine which Is the
best yacht to meet Lord Dunraven's
challenger, Should one boat win to-
morrow's race and the other boat the
second race third race may be fixed
for Saturday. From the showing that
the Defender has already made in her
race with the Vigllant. there Is little
doubt that she will be selected to meet
Valkyrie III.