The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-30
THEY LOOKED ON.
While Defender and vigiIani Tried
Conclusions of Sandy Hook.
SYNDICATE BOAT AN EASY WINNER
In Weather Calculated to Bring
Out Her Points.

SANDY Hook, N. j., Aug. 30.--Defender
defeated Tigilant In race over triangu-
lar course of "a miles. eight miles to the
leg, outside OF Sandy Hook, yesterday, by
Ism. 3s.
There were all kinds Of weather. A fair
breeze OF eight knots an hour was blowing
at the start, a calm followed, small
breeze of three or four miles next ap-
pearcd. Then there was Whit Of about
five miles but the most important condi-
tions prevailed on the last leg, when n
squall came up from south-southeast,
during which for period of 20 minutes
IL blew 40 miles an hour.
Vigilant was compelled to take in her
clubtopsail and sailed for half an hour
without any canvas above her mainsail.
Defender stood the test, which was the
first OF the kind she had ever been out in,
without removing rag until the sheet OF
her staysail carried away, and the sail
was torn into shreds by the gale 1t was
quickly replaced, however, despite the
blow.
Defenders most ardent champions were
surprised at the way that she stood up un-
der the blow. She did have to luff up
twice, but the general result was more
%
good ship should, heeling so little that her
weather qualities were well proven On
all points of sailing, reaching, close
hauled and before the wind, Defender
gained on her game opponent.
The following table of the official time
gives the figures:
Elapsed
Start. Finish. tfte.
efender..............ll.20.2 Al0.0s 44940
vigilsnt.. .............lI.e0.40 A2s.28 E07.4S
On the first leg, which was a reach most
of the way in light air, Defender gained
5m. SIS. On the second leg the Vigilant
was beaten for the first time on a run be-
fore the wind, Defender gaining 2m. 23s
On the home leg, when the squall struck,
Defender simply ran away. and increased
her lead by ION. 45s
In every point Of sailing, even the run
before the wind with spinnakers set, and
in all strengths Of breeze, tho Defender not
only outsailed the Vigilant, but beat her
almost ridiculously.
And yet the America's cup committee
do not seem to be satisfied that Defender
Is the better boat, for they have ordered
another trial race.
valkyris Took 1t In.
valkyrie came cut from her anchorage
as the racers were starting and followed
them at distance over the course. The
challenger caught the seven or eight mile
breeze, under which Defender and V!gilant
started, and was carried by Il close down
To the point, where the racers dropped it,
When Valkyrie found herself becalmed
within half u mile of Vigilant, which was
three-quarters Of milo astern of De-
fender, she went back.
No fair comparison between Valkyrie
and Defender could be made, as one had "a
breeze when the other had not. Valkyrie
came down fast, with her big clubtopsail
and balloon iibtopssil set, but Defender
had done az least equally we'll before she
ran into the calm. Salkyrie saw the
squall coming and promptly took down
her clubtopsails. She already had her
staysail and jib down. 1t looked as
though her skipper was not anxious to
have her out in that kind Of breeze.
The English boat was not injured by
the blizzard. But it was said by the
sharps, who looked at her from Sandy
Hook when the bountiful air came upon
her, with only her massive mainsail set,
that she heeed over under it enough To
show that she is very tender for one SO big. 1