The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-08
FINAL BURST OF SPEED
THAT CAUSED SHRIEKING OF WHIS-
TIES AND BOOMING OF CANNON.
Both Yachts Bothered by Excursion
Steamers-The Winner the Main
sufferer-scenes and Incidents.

NEW YORK, Sept. 7.--Defender won her
name in truly American fashion to-day,
finishing far ahead OF the English chal-
lenger, Valkyrie III. and giving every evil
dence of outclassing the Duraven boat in
almost any kind of weather. There were
strange features connected with the race
for the Americas cup. not the least being
the general doubt expressed during the first
fourteen miles of the course as to which
boat was in the lead. 1t was nip and tuck
from the first gun signal until within a
short distance Of the mark and then De-
fender caught the breeze and, to the de-
light of thousands. simply sailed away from
her rival. From that moment she went on
increasing her lead to the end and win
ming by the surprising margin of eight min
utes and forty-nne seconds Such work as
this, in what is denominated Valkyrie
weather, is calculated TO satisfy the yacht
sharps Of this side of the water to their
hearts content, and to lend fear to the
minds of those who have hoped for a re-
versal of American form and the winning
of the cup by the Englishmen.
No event in the history of the sport ever
excited the interest shown in the race to-
day. Since the Nigliant defeated Valkyrie,
in 1898, the international contest has been
kept well in mind, and the enthusiasm dis
played to-day was merely the outcome of
the pent-up feeling Of the past year or two
The Associated Press tug. which left her
dock at a very early hour. passed many a
strange craft outward bound to the Hook
Off Bay Ridge there was gathered most
of the crack yachts of the port and some
visitors, and all along the line boats lay
in readiness to join the fleet around the
old Scotland lightship. Dull weather was
promised, but that mattered little, for the
fiotilla could scarcely have been larger. 1t
was just as grand just as imposing and
bearing just as many thousands as though
the day had been veritable yachtsman's
day and the sky had been unclouded over
head. A great swinging roll was encoun-
tered long before the Hook came in view,
and the verdict that IL wind was lacking,
swell, at ieaft, would not be. And SO it
proved.
OF the thousands gathered together on
the decks of the steamers. there were at
least hundreds who cared very little that
there was a great international yacht race
on. and the probable winner was of still
less Importance to them. Many others were
borne up by their enthusiasm, and the rest,
of whom sickness came not to, had every
reason TO arouse themselves to the beau
ties of the struggle For grander fight for
position was never seen, and almost to the
end of the course 1t seemed at times as
though the two boats were one when
viewed across their bows.
THE RUSH TO SEE THE START.
In the quiet hours Of the morning. when
many sailing craft were on the outward
voyage, several of the big steam yachts of
the New York Yacht Club came steaming
in. Others, not so imposing, darted h.ther
and thither, and as the day grew silently
followed the cup contenders out beyond the
lightship, where it had been decided the
course should be laid. At o'clock both
Defender and Valkyrie lay peacefully at
anchor within the horseshoe at Sandy
Hook. They had spent the night there
close to each other, and guarded as care
fully as children by their mothers At $50
a. m. there were little signs Of life on
board, but few minutes later all was
astir and bu stle. The big nainsails were
ho.sted on e. n, and the visitor was first
under way, charge of her tender, fol-
lowed soon 10y the American. They broke
out her jibs at the same time, and even at
an early hour the cheers of the watchers
were aroused by the good omen of the De-
fender assuming the lead.
The start was off Seabfight some miles
from the lightship. When the single-stick-
ers drew up to the stakeboat a great fleet
was in waiting, and. strung out for miles
behind, they came, apparently innumerable
and endless in variety. The smoke of a
great city seemed to rise from their midst
and when all had gathered In that never-to-
be-forgotter circle about the starting line
it was a floating city indeed. rolling and
swaying under the invisible strength of the
ocean. A forest OF spars and a deep wall
of smoke was the background, and the CEN
ter of the picture was two narrow, seeming
ly fragile boats. standing high up above
the Others. clad in white and decked only
with swiftly moving figures. and even in
that light breeze skimn;ng over the waves
like beings endowed with life and beauty.
The preparatory gun found the boats long
waiting for it was considerably after the
set time Far on in the distance the Spec
tators on the beach saw the puff of smoke
and strained their eyes for the start The
two white-wineed creatures tackled about
for the word ard they seemed to close
with each other like wrestlers trying for
a hold. Several times they came together
exactly and. almost ass<ae boat. but it
was finally observed. thu the Enelishman n
would undoubtedly cross the line frst To
the applause Of those who watched the
seamanship Captain Hank Han brought
the Defender quickly about With her rival