Evening journal., 1895-08-23
DEFENDER IN THE MUD
But the Mishap Was Not a Very
Serious One. 49,.
TO WORK ON HER NIGHT AND DAY.
Mr. Iseiin Denies That His Yachts Hun Is
Damaged and Declares That the Entire
Trouble Is In the Rigring-Thc First Bet
Shows Defender TO BE the Favoritc.

BRISTOL, r.. L., Aug. 28.-Another mis-
hap, though not a serious one, befell tho
Defender while on her way from New
London TO this harbor.
She was sighted of the mouth of the
harhor just after o'clock, sailing stead
lily In the light breeze. At about $3.50 she
appeared TO have como 60 an anchorage of
Hog island lightship, but instead she was
aground. The deep keel, which has already
caused so much trouble, took bottom on
the shoal that runs of from Hog island,
and the Defender was again practically
helpless.
Her position, however, was not I'm the
least serious as the wind, having been
very light, the yachts headway was not
great. Tho same tactics which have been
successful in previous mishnps OF tho same
sort were at once tried, and in about half
an hour the yacht clearod and was soon
standing mp the harbor. She dropped an
chor of the Herreshon dock at about 4
o'clock.
Worlmen were waiting for her at tho
dock ready 70 begin the work of overhaul
ing her. A large number of yachtsmon
and others who had heard the numerous
stories concerning the damaged condition
of the new boat were gathered about, but
the most careful inspection OF the craft
failed TO dislose anything amiss with her
hull.
Chief among tho men on the wharf
waiting for the arrival of the yacht was a
corps OF riggers from Boston, who at once
went aboard after the Defender anchored.
Their first work was TO remove the top
mast, and then tho work Of oyerhauling
was prosecuted until nightfan.
To Work Day and Night.
Meanwhile tho steel workers were franz
ing the new topmast bands, and labor ON
the metal boom was not allowed TO cease
and will be continued day and night un-
til the work is completed.
The now steel gan, which was shipped
from hore some time ago, but which has
never been used, has been brought back
here TO be placed In position with the 9TH
or spars 10 Is thought that by working
without intermisslon tho now rig Of the
Defender viii be oil in place by Monday.
At any ratio, IL was announced tonight
that tho yacht was expected to return to
New York by Tuesday. The widely circu-
lated stories about serious damage having
beon sustained by the Defender are not
credited here, nor can they well be in face
OF the positive assertion of Mr.. Iselin that
the only reason for the Defenders trip TO
Bristol is 20 have her rigging properly ad-
iustod Mr.. Isolin stated that the trouble
with tho Defender is entirely with her
rigging. This statement was verified by
Captain Nat Hcrreshoii, who said sho
would be oil right whom the riggors got
through with her.
In considering tho published stories Of
damage and strain sustained by tho De-
fender when she went aground on the bar
some timo ago, yaohtsmon here call ntten-
tion TO the fact that she has been docked
and inspected since then, and that any
weakness by strain must have been re-
vealed. Had such n condition boon discov-
cred she would not have beon started in
Tuesdays race.