Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-09

aDOdrd at CLOCK Lord DunraVen was perfectly certain that she was 4 inches deeper than she was when she was meas ured. He was reluctant to formally com plain, as it was impossible for him to verify his belief. Anyhow, nothing could have been done before the race, but when Mir. Fish went on board the Valkyrie Lord DunraVen told him the whole case, and asserted his belief that the Defender was sailing fully a foot beyond her prop CT length. He asked MT. Fish to induce the committee to send a member aboard of each boat immediately after the race and have both measured forthwith, and if that was impossible to have the mem- Der stay in charge until the yachts were measured. He also asked that the load water line be marked visibly externally. No action was taken that evening be- yond ordering that the boats be remeas- ured and marked on the following day. Nobody was placed in charge. The De- fender lay all night with the Hattie Palmer alongside of her. The result was that Sundays remeasuring obviously af- forded no proof that either of the yachts had not exceeded their measured length since Tuesdays race. Lord Dunraven then says: My action In making this complaint has been severely criticised. will only say that I considered 1t my duty. I did not ask anything that I was not ready and willing to submit to my self"
 He then proceeds to discuss the crowd ing at the starting line, which was rem dered so dangerous that it was impos- sible to maneuver properly or safely.
 Sails were constantly passing in front of the mark boats making it impossible to pick up the line accurately. When the Valkyrie came near the line the mark boat was completely hidden from view Not knowing where the line was and fear ing that she might be too soon the Val md thi1c IA1 hnr start. He gives details of the steamers washing and blanketng the racers on the reach home. The Defender, he says was interfered with, but nothing like to the same extent as was the Valkyrie. Lord Dunraven gives a similar account of the start in the second race and mentions the foul without remark. He says that on the reach to the second mark home the steam CTS interfered with the Nalkyrie to an extent that was unprecedented on this occasion or in 1893. A number of vessels were to windward and a long, closely packed line was steaming at high speed to the leeward of the Vall<yrie. The Val kyrie sailed the whole way in the boil of the wash from these vessels and was blanketed on both sides. It was difficult to steer and the racing was reduced to an absolute farce. Lord Dunraven de- clares that he makes no accusation of partiality, but only says that whereas
 
 day got much the worse wash, the yacht in front got the worse the second day.
 The result of a race impeded by 200 steamers was a mere matter of chance He then says: T made up my mind that 1t was perfectly useless to sail under such conditions. What course I should have taken had I been merely personally in- terested do not know, but as represent ing British club in an international race l had no hesitation in declining to sail under such conditions, precluding the possibility of a fair trial of the mer- it's of the vessels. had gone out to the race not to take part in a show. If has been stated that my decision was influ- enced by the fact that the VaIkyrie had been protested against. This is un- true l was not aware of the protest un- til the Valkyrie had been taken up to Bayridge hours afterwards"
 His declining to accede to Mir. Iselin's proposal to resaiI the race, he says. was much commented upon. It was quite made and it was not withdrawn. The proper authority investigated it and gave decision. He could not resail the race at the personal request of Mr. Iselin af- ter the committee had given its verdict against the Valkyrie.
 After giving further details in connec- ton with the foul, Lord Dunraven pro- D. uity of the wording of MT. Iselin's letter to Mr Smith of September 16, the refusal to resail this race led to the erroneous supposition that he Qord Dunraven) had declined to resail the series. He believes that MT. lselin made appeals to the New York Yacht club to sail the series on any conditions agreeable to Dunraven, but that the proposal was never communica- ted to him. He would have been more than glad to have ayailed himself of if with reasonable clear course assured.
 He refers to the Valkyrie crossing the line in the last race and then with raw ing. Lord Dunraven somewhat lengthily summarizes his own case and disavows any intention of being discourteous or to inconvenience the owners of the Defen- der, the committee or the public The in- convenience caused he regrets, but he says he cannot hold himself to blame.
 In discussing the methods of the res pective yachts Lord Dunraven declares that in the first race the Valkyrie had a paa start ana lost the weather, but sailed remarkably we'll
 AS regards the second days race. Lord Dunraven does not think the fact that the Defender did not carry her lib topsail when going to windward made any diff ference. On the whole Lord Dunraven believes that the Defender is the better boat on reach and that the Valkyria is better than the Defender in turning to windward and in running.
 Sports Indicted.
 Huntington, w. Va, Nov. S.-The grand jury, which has been in session for a week past, has today been Investigating the several glove contests that took place in this city recently and tonight reported that they had indicted Dave Flaherty of Portland. Ore, Dick Williams of Cincin- natl and John Bingham, who had been