Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-08-30
WEATHER WAS MIXED,
Defender Shown to Be the
Superior Boat.
British Challenger an Interested Spectator Of
Notable Contest

NEW YORK, Aug W.-The trial race be-
tween Defender and vigilant, which took
place over a triangular course, eight miles
TO the leg, starting from the Scotland light
ship, was one of the best and most inter-
esting events that ever took place be-
tween two yachts In New York harbor.
1t was won by Defender by Ism. 3s.
There were all kinds Of weather. A fair
breeze OF eight knots an hour was blowing
at the start, calm followed, small
breeze of three or four miles next ap-
peared. Then there was a whiff Of about
five miles, but the most important condi-
lions prevailed on tho last leg, when a
squall came up from south-southeast,
during which for period of 20 minutes
ID blew 30 miles an hour.
Vigilant was compelled to take In her
clubtopsail and sailed for half an hour
without any canvas above her mainsail.
Defender stood the test, which was the
first Of the kind she had ever been out in,
without removing rag until the sheet of
her staysail carried away, and the sail
was torn into shreds by the gale. It was
quickly replaced, however, despite the
blow.
A Wonderful Showing.
Defenders most ardent champions were
surprised at the way that she stood up un-
der the blow. She did have to luff ND
twice, but the general result was more
than satisfactory. The ship stood up as
good ship should, heeling so little that her
weather qualities were we'll proven. On
all points of sailing, reaching, close
hauled and before the wind, Defender
gained on her game opponent.
The following table Of the official time
gives the figures:
Elapsed
Start. Finish time.
Defender. ........llO8 Al008 A<9l40
Vigilant.. ............ll20N A2a8 6O7.E
On the first leg, which was reach most
Of the way in light air, Defender gained
bm. 5s. On the second leg the Vigilant
yes beaten for the first time ON run be-
fore the wind. Defender gaining 2p, 23s.
On the home leg, when the sdukll struck,
Defender simply ran away. and increased
her lead by 10m. As.
In every point Of sailing, even the run
before the wind with spinnakers set, and
In all strengths Of breeze, the Defender not
only outsailed the vigilant, but beat her
almost ridiculously.
And yet the Americas cup committee
do not seem to be satisfied that Defender
Is the better boat, for they have ordered
another trial race.
valkyris Becalmed.
Valkyrie came out from her anchorage |
rs the racers were starting and followed |
them at a distance over the course. The
challenger caught the seven or eight mile
breeze, under which Defender and Vigilant
started, and was carried by IL close down
to the point where the racers dropped it.
When Valkyrie found herself becalmed
within half mile of Vigilant, which was
three-quarters of mile astern Of De-
fender, she went back
No fair comparison between Valkyrie
and Defender could be made, rs one had a
breeze when the other had not. Valkyrie
came down fast, with her big clubtopsail
and balloon tibtopsail set, but Defender
had done at least equally we'll before she
ran into the calm Valkyrie saw the
squall coming, and promptly took down
her clubtopsails She already had her
staysail and jib down II looked as
though her skipper was not anxious to
have her out in that kind OF breeze
The English boat was not injured by
the blizzard. But II was said by the
sharps, who looked at her from Sandy
Hook when the bountiful air came upon
her, with only her massive mainsail set,
that she heeled over under It enough to
show that she Is very tender for one 30 big.