The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-08
Watson. Sailmaker Ratsey. and II. Matt
land Kcrsey.
Captains Cranfield and Sycamore were
at the uller. Her sails were well-fitting
and set without a wrinkle.
THE srARTING POINT CHlN0EI


at the uller. Her sails were well-fitting
and set without a wrinkle.
THE STARTING POINT CHANGED
Both yachts kept their bows to Sandy
Hook light-ship. They arrived there at
| 1910. Their tenders. the Hattie Palmer
| and the City OF Bridgeport. followed them
1 out I'm case any changes in sails or spars
| should be decided upon. The wind at
| 1875 was from the northeast and the re-
| gatta committee decided TO change the
| starting point, as a fifteen-mile course to
windward would strike the Long Island
shore about Long Beach. Signals were
set up and the committee boat Walter
| Luckenbach started South toward the
| Jersey shore.
The yachts followed in tow of their
| tugs. The fleet of steam yachts made a
| race for the new starting point, and the
excursion fleet followed. The gathering
| OF the immense notilla about the start
| ing lines was one of the most animated
| and magnificent marine spectacles OF its
| kind ever witnessed in these waters.
Every available craft had been pressed
| into service. There were tugs, almost
| too numerous 10 count, boats. big and
| little "A number Of large coastng vessels.
| and sloops and schooner-yachts of all
classes. The most impressive OF all
| the fleet was the steam yacht division.
| Such q gathering never before was wit
messed i'm American waters. There were
| over thirty of the finest and fastest
steam yachts aho1t, and their spick and
span appearance lent much charm 10 the
days scene. When the iotilla first ap-
preached the Sandy Hook light-ship. they
wer spread out over n distance OF two
miles. The delay at the start allowed
time for all the beated craft to catch
up. and they clustered close to each
other. now and then narrowly escaping
serious collision.
SHAMEFUL BEHAVIOR.
The action Of some of the notilla was
shameful, to say the least. Their self
ish endeavors 10 hug the starting line.
TO the detriment of both the English and
American racers, was deplorable and un-
American. The movements OF the big
fotilIa when the change ot course was
made was an impressiV. scene. The
first notice OF change was when the
judges boat picked up her anchor, and
headed with the two racers for the new
course. The fleet strung out in a long
line over two miles In length. After
the yachts started, the fleet gave chase
ana owing TO the light Winds the slow
est craft was able 10 keep abreast of
the racing sloops. There were craft
fore and aft, to the port and to the star
board. and the wash nterfered with
the progress Of both boats TO more or
less extent. AS tho yachts moved
alorg. some OF the hotilla grew boider
and bolder, and came closer and closer
to the racers. until shamed of by the
shouts from other craft OF the fleet.
The steamboat John Sylvester was one
OF the notable offenders, and paid abso-
lutely no attention to the shouts of
warning from the committee boat. The
Sylvester passed dangerously near TO the
stern of the slOops after the start and
sent a big wash into their water
IL was an interesting journey down to
the stake boats. Bands played, happy
excursonists sang, and rent the air
with yels for Defender. At the turn
the fleet steamed ahead. and stood by,
fifty yachts around. As Defender went
around, with her big balloon sails fly
ing. a mighty shout was sent up.
FLEET SPREAD OVER THREE Mills.
The fleet divided the attention between
the racers, and were spread out over
three miles. They were to the leeward
OF the yachts, and consequently did not
bother them so much as they did on the
heat to the first turn. IL was a long
trip TO the boat, many of the boats run
ming ahead for advantageous positions. |
When the judges boat arrived. it found |
the course absolutely blocked. After |
considerable work. IL was cleared Just |
as the Defender was approaching the |
line. a three-masted schooner swung |
across, directly in the way They were |
shouted to from all sides to clear the |
way, but the skipper paid no attention,
shouting back defiance.
When tho Defender sailed proudly over |
the finish line, she was given a tremen-
dous ovation. Whistles were footed long |
and loud. and cannon were doomed, and |
the many thousand eXcLrsionsts shouted |
themselves hoarse IN exultation OF Joy |
over the gallant boats big victory.
on the Defender, the gentlemen ali |
shook hands with Mr.. Iselin. who stood !
on the companion-way with q beaming |
Woodbury. Kane danced
jig, waved his arms windmill fashion,
and behaved Ike an over-joyful school
boy.
Immediately after the finish of the race
the fleet healed back to the city. and all |
the way up the bay the happy specta-
tors OF the days race sung praises OF the
great American slnglesticker.
After crossing the line the Defender
took a line from her tug and was towed
into the Horse Shoe. She was saluted on
the way by all the steamers that pass
ed near her, and steam yachts went out
OF their way 10 fire a gun at her.
The Nalkyrie started for the Hook un-
der sail A fine rain which set in just
before the finish was followed by mist
which hid the yacht from view.
THE yALKYRIE GETS LOST.
At o'clock she had not reached the
Horse Shoe. and her tender. the City OF
Bridgeport, went out, and after consider
able trouble found her and towed her
In.
Ii was Just 1920 o'clock when the pre-
paratory gun doomed out, and the red ball
was hoisted on the committee boat, the
Walter A. Luckenbach. The wind was
very light. perhaps five miles an hour
and was from the east southeast. The
sea was moderately still. 1t was Valky-
rle's own weather. in whchAshe ought 10
do her very prettiest.
II she did not run now there was little
hope for her.
Both boats were standing along the
ine close hauled on the staiboard, and
so headed for the Long Island shore.
valkyre was TO windward and Defonc>s
lad Just walked through her lee. so that
she was apparently. although not ac-
ualiy. ahead Defender had spread her
main sail club top sail. jib. and stay-ssil,
With her jib top-sail in stops.
Valkyrie had only main. club tor-sail,
md jib with no stay-sail.
MAsoEUyFRISG FOR wrATHTRAGZ.
Now came the prettiest part Of the
ace. where skiliful seamanship is at
s highest premlum-the manoeuvring
or the weatherage.
The Defender went about, fol-
,wed by the Valkyrie and both |