Evening star., 1895-08-20

nailed that the course would be ten miles
south-southwest from Sandy Hook light
ship. which meant beat of ten miles to
and around mark boat off Asbury Park
and a run home.
The preparatory signal was made out
from the shore at 11:37 am, and the Luck
enbach chpnged her position to the point
necessary to send the yachts away in
south-sOuthwesterly direction.
At 1l:41 both yachts were heading for the
line on the port tack. The wind had fresh
ened up nicely and the white caps were be-
ginning to show up prettily to windward.
The Start.
The starting gun was fired at about ii :46.
ara the two yachts crossed the line as fol-
lows: Vigilant, IL :45: 90; Defender IL 40: :.;;.
ViGilant stood away to seaward on the
starLoard tack, and Defender did the same
and en- the same tack.
Defender. however, did not seem to be
catching up to Vigilant. and if anything,
the latter "as more than holding her OWE.
Nigilant carried mainsail. club topsail. fore
said, j!b and BABY jib topsail. Defender
was under the same sail, excepting the jib
torsail.
Although they stood away on the star
tcard tack after crossing the line, De-
feEder actually crossed it on the port tack,
and then went about after Vjgjlant. thus
causing her to lose some time. They head
ed away 10 the southeastward off shore,
ard tore through the water in splendid
style. Defender. by her maneuvering it
appeared from the shore, had got the wind
ward berth, although Vigilant had the lead
But when Defender went about on the star
board tack after Vigilant she began to do
better, and crawled up the leader, as
well as outpointfng her.
A Whole-Sail Breeze.
At 2:10 pm nice. WHOLESALE breeze was
flowing. stirring up the water into white
caps. and there vas every indication that
the wind would increase in strength con-
de- rrh1 he
Both yachts continued standing away
on the starboard tack and Defender, point
Ing closer than Eigilant, constantly eat
her way into the wind, until she had
apparent lead of half dozen lengths over
Nigilant. The latter seemed to be ready
heeling down to it more than Defender,
which. it was judged, was due to her big
ger club topsai1 in some measure Vigi-
liant held on to her baby jibtopsail, but
Defender could not be coaNed into flying
chat kite to the breeze, and this seemed
to be good Judgment, she slowly but
surely pulled away from the old cup de-
ferder.
Vigilant. at 1918 pm, went about on
the port tack and stood away for the Jer-
sey shore. also taking her baby jbtopsail.
Defender followed suit about thirty sec
ordS later, and it was then estimated that
the latter had gained about half mile
on her rival.
The breeze was freshenng every minute
and the sea increasing, until the white caps
were rolling along merrily up the coast
and causing both yachts to dive into them
in grand style. in throwing up clouds of
spray and leaving foaming wake behind
them.
Defender Standing Up Better.
Defender seen ed to be standing Up to 1t
better than Vigilant and she was certain
ly making better headway. as well as
pointing closer into the wind.
Defender at 1910 pm had the race we'll
In hand. Both yachts were standing on
the port tack toward the Jersey shore,
and the syndicate boat had lead over
half a mile her competitor, and was
expected to round TIE mark boat over five
minutes ahead of Vigiiant.
Defender was easily outfooting and out,
pointing Vigilant in as nice whole sail
breeze a yachtsman could wish for.
Both yachts at 1880 pm. were still
standing toward the Jersey coast, and the
mark boat on the port tack, and 1t was
considered probable they would fetch the
mark that leg. thus making the total
distance of ten miles in two long tacks.
Defender increased her lead steadily on
Nigilant.
The sea at this hour was choppy and the
wind growing stronger than at any other
time during the day. Defender seemed to
be over mile ahead of Nigilant and to be
constantly dropping her.
Shortly after 1 O'Clock the two yachts
were timed in passing given point, and
It was estimated that Defender was I'm.
2Ss. ahead of Vigiant, and as there is d
rumor that the latter allows the former
minute, Defender was about 5In sos.
ahead of her competitor after beat of
about ten miles, and on two tacks only.
Possible Explanation.
SCOTLAND LIGHT SHIP. August 90
The explanation given here of the retire.
ment of the Defender from the race is that
her owners concluded that she has shown
herself superior to the VigiIant, and Capt.
Haff it is claimed. decided not to race her
again in a stiff breeze, so to avoid any
possibility of an accident, which might
hinder her chances of successfully defend
ing the Americas cup against Valkyrie Ill