The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-11
vALKYRIE BADLY SCARED
NEARLY OvERHAULED BY THE
AMERICAN BOAT IN THE RUN HOME.
Fast Time on the Last Leg and Good
Seamanship Displayed by Hank
Haff-Britishers Excited.

NEW YORK, Sept 1o.-Crippled but still
heeling far over in her strength and swift
ness, Defender followed Valkyrie across
the finish line to-day. Less than half a
mile separated the two and anxious eyes
kept pace, second by second, with the time
indicators as they moved around and when
it was found that the American defender
had not only lost nothing in the last
twenty miles of the course, but had actu-
ally gained, great shout went up for the
gallant struggle the vessel had made
against odds. There were cheers for the
victor, too. but. although valkyrie III was
the first challenger since 1871 TO lead over
the home line, the honor of her perform
ance was lost sight of for the time in the
grand effort of the American. for the
American heart loves the hard loser in
the fight and loves him the more when he
loses through no fault of his own. 1t was
a grievous accident that ruined the Yam
kee boats chances, an accident which un-
der the hair-splitting incidents of jockey
ing at the, starting line looked to be una
vo.dable
Early in the morning the racers had
leisurely made their way down to the hook
from Bay Ridge. white-winged and beauti-
full. They circled in great rings about the
lghtship until the signal went for the
course, and then the shippers took a
tighter grip on the wheel. Captain Han
had made record in seamanship on Sat
urday, and the English skipper prepared
to regain the fame which had preceded
him. They maneuvered swiftly after the
preparatory gun had been fired, and with
the Valkyrie to the windward Captain
Haf made every effort to gain that POSI-
ton. Just before reaching the line with
Valkyrie still to windward and Defender to
leeward length astern., but still overhaul
ing her. the American boat was blanketed.
so much that her baby jb topsail and jib
shook. Captain Haff, seeing this, luffed
up little. evidently intending to let the
other boat go ahead for the purpose of
enabling him to pass under her stern and
to windward. Captain Sycamore, at Val
kyries tiller, noted the move and luffed up
also.
1t was at this time that the thousands
of watchers the surrounding boats no.
ticed how dangerously close to each other
the racers were. And just at that mo-
ment, too. snap and rending sound was
heard and Ii was seen that Defenders jib
topsail was flying loose in the wind. VAL
kyrfe's main boom had swung around and
fouled Defenders rigging. To those who
had witnessed the accident and sprang for
ward at the ominous sound ii seemed as
though Defender trembled with the shock.
They saw her topmast bend and her top
sail swing over, though it would break
away, and groan went up as though the
brave boat, which had won so noble a
victory few days before was wholly de-
barred from even an effort TO secure a
second.
HAFF EQUAL TO THE EMERGENCY.
Lightning action was necessary to save
the topmast from breaking away complete
ly, for 1t was already sprung from it's
fastenings and Captain Haff, with a mas
ter stroke. taking his boat TO leeward, soon
maneuvered her into a safe position and
gave chase. Valkyrie. which had crossed
the line first, had gained a good lead by
Defenders disaster and had probably a lit
tie more than half a mile advantage at
the end of the first leg in the triangular
course, over which they sailed. Her gain
was something less than four minutes
in that beat to windward. From that on,
however Defender, while not perceptibly
closing the gap between them, lessened
the time and they crossed the line not
more than two minutes apart. Valkyrie,
according to corrected time. however. wins
from the cup defender by just forty-seven
seconds. -
Such an ideal summers day in the lower
bay has seldom been seen. Ii was not what
American yachtsmen called an ideal rae
ing day. but nature has always been kind
to Dunraven, that gallant English sports
ond race of the series for the America $
cup. and the honor of the sport, the winds
and the seas have favored the man who
has come so often to the line like a true
Briton, with seldom a chance of winning.
as events have happened. --.ttle was prom
ised in the way of pleasant weather during
me early hours of the day. for the clouds
hung low and fog spread itself over the
waters and a misty rain fell. Old weather
sharps declared that there might be a fair
breeze outside. but that rain it would But
soon after the racers weighed their an
chors off Bay Ridge, there came a burst
Of sunshine. veiled in a golden haze and
when the old lightship. swinging ever off
the hook, was reached, there was a sky
fiecked only here and there with cloud.
Out through the Narrows and into the
open water Defender stood up high, far
ahead of the valkyrie almost before the
Englishman thought Of hosting the main
sail. Passing craft, inward bound. drew
alongside to feast their eyes son the beau.
ties, and early as it hsswhsn the light.
ship was reached qd1l59 a. handsome fee,
was drawn up to s4f6y thsm. And later
came the others
There was life and motion at the start
although 1t was no such scene as was pre-
sented on the day of the first race. Fa,
back. in the quiet hours. the sea was dot
ted here and there with sail. and the
smoke on the horizon told OF an advancing
fleet, and when the first gun was fired
swinging vanguard. bright and nvid with
color. was there to speed the racers or
their journey. Then, while all eyes were
on that invisible line. over which q stey
! made too soon would Dr0ye fatal. Defend