The Portland daily press., 1895-07-31
FOURTEEN KNOT GAIT.
New York Yacht Club Had an Excit.
ing Run Yesterday.
DEFENDER LED THE VIGILANT BY
FIVE MINUTES.
Gear Off the Harbor-The Yachts just
Escaped Gale.

Gear Off the Harbor-The Yachts JUS
Escaped Gale.
New London, Julyss30. The yachtsmer
never had more glorious day for the
cruise run than the members of the New
York Yacht Club enjoyed today. There
was wind in plenty, and had the yachts
been a trifle less fleet disaster might have
been written in the days record, for the
wind became gale shortly after the
squadron was safe in New London har.
Dor. AS it was the schooner Montaub
got a knock-down blow which twisted
one of her boats from the davits, and
the Defender had her steering geal
jammed so that she was obliged to pull
out of the race and permit the Vigilant
to score against her.
When the Defender quit she was lead
ing the Vigilant four minutes and 81
seconds. according to an observer in the
light house off this harbor and as the
Defender started 33 seconds later thar
the Vigilant, the new boat had five min
uets and three seconds to her credit ant
uAAo AftOO ElehOoAS111J h1l-ohOos
The days run was from Eaton's Point
off Huntington Bay, L. I. to New Lon
don, GA miles. In order that the yacht
might completed the run before dark
the start was made at 6. 80 a. m. To thu
surprise of all the veterans the yachts ar
rived here about half an hour before
noon, an unprecedented record for {
cruise run The best time made by any
Cff tox oaI,f fe fO,1,. nfy,,, ,+n
and 81 seconds, the time of the schooner
Constellation. This was an average o.
1879 knots an hour. The Vigilant aver
aged 1877 knots Up to the time of heI
accident the Defender averaged very near
ly IA knots. This time was made on &
broad reach which was very nearly 6
run before. the wind at times.
In other years it has been found neces
sary to devote two days to the run tG
this port.
The winners in the different classes
today were: First class, schooners Con
stellation Second class, schooner Emerald
Third class, schooner Ardel. Fourth
class, schooner Amorita.
First class sloops. Vigilant Second
class sloop, Katrina, Walkover. ThirC
class sloop, Queen Nab. Fifth class sloop
Wasp. Sixth class sloop, Gossoon.
The ktwo big single stickers made fo1
the line, and the Vigilant crossed first
80 seconds ahead Of the Defender The
latter used only a No. 2 jibtopsail, while
the Vigilant set balloon. Both sloops
had big club topsail aloft. The Defen-
der outfooted the Vigilant from the star
and passed her inside of half an hour
After passing Port Jefferson the,wind in
creased until it was blowing 80 mile.
an hour and a considerable sea wa:
kicked up. Anxious eyes were cast at the
big club topsails on the yachts, and aftel
q couple of hours run they were tax
en- in and gafftopsails substituted. Bal
loonbs were also replaced by smaller head
sails and the shippers trimmed sal
for a more serious blow Long Islanc
sound was white with foam, and those
on board the racers were soused with
spray. The cutter Clara got more of the
heavy weather than the others anC
sought shelter before reaching New Lon
don. Several yachts had their sails split
and sheets carried away. The Press tug
dropped propeller blade The naphtha
launch White Swan, chartered at New
London as a messenger boat for the fleet,
after making about one third of sstht
trip, took refuge in Port jefferson har
Dor. All the fleet except the Clara are al
anchor in New London harbor tonight
The Jubilee and Volunteer arrived today
At 10 a. m. tomorrow the fleet will sal
to Newport.