New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-22
HALF A RACE AT OYSTER BAY
SPRUCE " AND THE ETHELWYNN ABAN-
DONED THE CONTEST
LACK OF WIND WAS THE TRoUBI.E-THE ENG
JrsrI BOAT HAD A LONG LEAD WHEN


yacht Spruce " and the American champion Ethel
WYNN at oyster Bay yesterday for the Seawanhaka-
Cornthian international challenge cup. but 1t was
one OF the most interesting contests ever seen on
Long Island There was 20 little wind that
the race had to be abandoned before 1t was half
over as there possibility OF finishing within
the time limit OF five hours. Just before the race
was given I'D Spruce " had a long lead.
The race was started at u 20 p. m. by blast or
the whistle OF the steam yacht Oneida, which Com
modore Benedict had turned over TO the Race
Committee for as the Judges boat In the
manoeuvrng for the start there was little 10 choose
between the two boats. but the Ethelwynn. with
b. c. Ball at the tier. and c. j. Field the owner.
at the sheets got the line first. with Spruce
" n few seconds astern. The Spruce was sailed
nv her owner J. Arthur Brand. assisted by his
paid hand. Tom Wade.
Just after crossing the line the Ethei"ynh
spinnaker. was up. the first leg OF the course
being a run before the wind. Mr. Field got the
spinnaker I'D with great celebrity. thereby winning
many compliments from the spectators Spruce
Tvs spinnaker was slow In breaking out as II had
been sent aloft ir stops, and II was not for more
than two minutes that II could be made 10 set prop
erly While the Spruce was having trouble with
her splnnaker the Ethelwynn was pulling ahead
little When the Spruce got her sp'nnaker IN good
trim she began walk up on her rival, ana was
soon on even terms. The two boats ran level for
favorable slant OF wind and pulled away from the
Englishman.
The Solent boat steered In dead astern and
blanketed the leader. With good way on, the
Spruce passed up on the Ethslwynns beam and
showed her nose In front. Both boats were then
bIanketed by schooner yacht, which persisted
In following the racers at close quarters
THE ETHELWYNN IN THE LEAD.
The Ethelwynn then managed 10 get clear OF the
AID az
which che held until the red ball OF the turning
buoy was less than a mile away. Then change
came over the aspect Of things. The "ind' which
was southwest by west. hauled bit 10 the west
ward and the watchful shippers TOOK IN spin
makers and hauled In sheets In a few moments
the sheets came fiat aft, for II was apparent that
the eastgong tide would force the ood's ~ ~ LII
the mark on close reacn
SPRUCE " TURNS THE TABLES.
Spruce " began 10 walk over the water In
surprising way. She simply romped away. not only
nassing the Ethelwynn to windward. but drawing
out a lead that astonlshed everybody. She ran up
a large jib, which helped to widen the sap sun
more The Ethelwynn seemed to have very little
life as compared with her rival. and long hefore
reaching the mark she was sadly astern. t was
during this close reach that the only breeze OF the
dav was had and the visitor woke up to !, In
wonderful manner. The Spruce had passed the
Ethelwynn at l hour 43 minutes and at hours
minutes 81 seconds she rounded the mark amid
such footing Of whistles and screenings from
naphtha launches her owner had never been
greeted with before. The Spruce made very neat
turn. and instantly started back, going beauti-
fully
THE ETHEfWYNN ROUNDS THE MARK
The Ethelwynn rounded at 2:N:43 and she, too
received a demonstration, although she was MIN
is behind her British rival. The Spruce main
taned her long lead for considerable lime but
the Ethewynn had aher the better OF the wind and
slowly crept up on the Briton The spectators soon
saw a strange thing, however. They saw that the
Ethelwynn. although on even terms with the
Spruce. and to wndwerd At that. could not get
past The English skipper uffed up and bore away
continually keeping always under the Ice bow OF
his competitor. II was remarkabls exhibition OF
had made up her min IS sec loss and was MY
Bri.on far enough 10 make II safe TO tack
A FINE STROKE OF sEAMANsFnP.
Right at this critical part OF the contest the
skipper OF Spruce " showed his fine seamanship by
bringing his boat ont from under his rivals lee.
crossing her bows. and actually securing long
Both boats stood in toward the Long Isl
and shore as far as they could CO. seek,
Spruce tackled U to port at s25 and the Ethelwynn
at s4 thus SHOWING an apparent IN
time Of short acknT FIN nSh Ss @ ns,hs
h thsxHn Gay had f f%y0r@ fs san. Of
it looked as though she would get the lead away
from the Englshman
THE GREAT BLUNDER or THE RACE.
But here the Ethelwynn made the one great blum
der OF the race. Instead OF hugging the shore
making short tacks and working up toward the
mark she stood off into the Sound Leaving nsT
mistake was made evident. The Spruce held
her own against the tide alongshore. but the
Eth far leeWar1
she next about and stood toward shore she
had S: and spru Ss nad &
the tide The Ethelwynn was vas. oppSs ore the mark
THE RACE ABANDONED.
At ss5 the Spruce dropped anchor and took in her
iib and five minutes later the Ethclwynn gave a
line to launch and came up alongside OF the
Spruce In tow Then the Ethewynn passed a line
to the Spruce and both started for the clubhouse,
having abandoned the race.
COMMENTS OF YACHTsMEN
Much regret was expressed by the yach,smen who
followed the that the Ethelwynn more
skil.fuly handled. 1t generally conceded that
she was sailed too fine. Frank Herreshor. brother
Of the designer OF the Defender. said THE Ethel
wynn was not handed as wei! as the other boat but
two"
small-boat sailors, said that II modification
to see the course more integently sailed by a
ysns o .an By a. SSny or The Tey
NJ r. Bennett, designer and owner OF La Gloria
the original half-rater In America, said that the
Engl!shman had very good chance Of winning the
cup, especially II there good breeze. The
way in which Spruce " romped away IN the bit OF
breeze during the close reach Is clear Indication
OF what she do"
The boats were badly crowded at times by sail
ing yachts and excursion boats. The race to-mor.
will be started at Has a. m. The steamer
Aurora Will carry passengers.
After his return 70 the club pier Mr. Brand said
heat and the lack of wind. | am satisfied with the
showing made by Spruce ", and ! have every
hope OF success on Monday. trust that there will
be good breeze. for | am not fond Of sailing In
such calms and puffs az had to-day
in reply to a question. Mr.. Brand said that he had
no complaint TO make regarding the conduct OF the
excursion feet.
STILL DISCUSSING THE CUP RACES.