The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-09-11
SHE BEAT A CRIPPLE
Lord Dunraven'S Boat Leads Defender
by AZ Seconds.
AMERICAS YACHT FOULED
Talk of Protest-Properly Consld-
ering. the English Boat Was
Beaten Worse Than She
Was on Saturday.


still heeling far over in her strength
kyrie across the finish line to-day. Less
than half a mile separated the two. and
an anxious eye kept pace, second by
second. with the time indicators as
they moved around. and when 1t was
seen that Defender had not only lost
nothing in the last 20 miles Of the
course, but had steadily gained, a
great shout went up for the gallant
vessel. There were cheers for the VIC
tor, too. but although Valkyre was
the first challenger since 1871 to lead
over the home line. the honor of her
performance was lost sight of for the
time In the grand effort Of the Ameri-
can, for the American heart loves the
hard loser In the fight. and loves him
more when he loses through no fault
Of his own. 1t was a grievous accident
that ruined the Yankee boats chances.
an accident which. under the hair
splitting circumstances Of jockeylng at
the starting line. looked to be unavoid-
able.
Early In the morning the racers had
leisurly made their way down to the
Hook from Bay Ridge. Hank Ham had
day and the English skipper prepared
to regain the fame which had preceded
him. They maneuvered swiftly after
the preparatory gun had been fired. and
with Valkyrie to the windward. Haff
made every effort to regain that posi-
ton. Just before reaching the line,
when Valkyrie was still to windward
and Defender 10 leeward, a length
astern, but still overhauling her, the
American boat was blanketed so much
that her baby jib top-sail and jlb shook,
and Captain Half. seeing this. luffed up
a little, evidently intending to let the
other boat go ahead, for the purpose
Of enabling him to pass under her stern
and to windward. Captain Sycamore.
at valkyrie's tiller. noted this move
and luffed up also. 1t was then that
the thousands Of watchers on the sur
rounding boats noticed how danger
ously close to each other the racers
were. And just at that moment. too. a
snap and rending sound was heard,
and dt was seen that Defenders jib
top-sail was flying loose In the wind.
The Valkyrie's main boom had swung
around and fouled Defenders rigging.
To those who had witnessed the accl-
dent and sprang forward at the omin-
Gus sound, 1t seemed as though Defend
er trembled with the shock. They saw
her top-mast bend and her top-sail
swing over as though 1t would break
away, and a groan went UP as though
the brave boat which had won so noble
victory the day before was wholly
debarred from even an effort to secure
second. lightning action was neces-
| sary to save the top-mast from break
ing away completely. for 1t was already
sprung from its fastening. and, Captain
Han. with a master-stroke. taking his
| boom down to leeward, soon maneu-
vered her into safe position and gave
chase.
Valkyrie, which had crossed the line
first, had gained good lead by De-
tenders disaster, and had probably lit
tie more than a half mile advantage at
the end of the first leg in the triangular
course over which they sailed. Her gain
was something less than four minutes
in the beat to windward. From that on,
however. Defender, while not perceptl-
bly, closing the gap between them.
lessened tho time, and they crossed the
line not much more than two minutes
apart. Valkyrie. according to correct
ed time. however, wins from the cup
defender by Just n seconds.
| Such an ideal day in the lower bay
has seldom been seen. It was not what
American yachtsmen call an ideal
racing day. but nature has always
been kind to Dunraven. that gallant
English sportsman. and for the second
time in the second race of the series
| for the Americas cup and the honor
OF the sport. the winds and the seas
have favored the man who has come
so often to the line like true Briton.
with seldom a chance Of winning. as
events have happened.
Soon after the long keen racers
weighed their anchors of Bay Ridge
there came a burst OF sunshine veiled
in a golden haze and when the old
| light ship off the Hook was reached
the sky was fiecked only here and
there with a light cloud. Out through
the Narrows and into the open water
Defender stood up high, far ahead of
the Valkyrie and going under her own
canvas almost before the Englishman
thought of hoisting his mainsail.
Far back in the quiet hours. the sea
was dotted here and there by a sail.
and the smoke on the horizon told OF
an advancing fleet; and when the first
gun was fired, swinging vanguard,
bright with color. was there to speed
the racers on their journey. Then,
when all eyes were on the invincible
line over which step made too soon
would be fatal. Defenders mishap
came. Recovering quickly, however.
and followed eagerly by those to
whom the breaking away OF the jib
:op-sail and the breaking of the top
mast meant for a moment the abandon
menf OF all hope. she went in pursuit.
valkyrie's lead and her better position
was not much improved during the
first leg. Valkyrie did excellent work.
but Defender going just as her mis-
hap left her. clung to her rival The
course was down the Jersey coast. and
nautical experts on board some boats,
critically examining Defenders prog
res. expressed themselves as believing