The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-18
RACE TO LONDON.
The 81. Ioui. and Majestic start on '""-
test Of International Interest.

NEW YORK, Oct l6.--The much-talked-
OF and well-prepared-f race between
the IT. Louis. of the American Line, ard
the Majestic. of the White Star service,
commenced to-day by the sailing OF the
two crack ocean greyhounds. II VIII not
only be a test of the two SHIPS ~ ,ne
dash across the Atlantic, but IL VIII also
settle the question as TO winch ca" So
the American malls TO LONDON hiS''
elapsed time considered.
The st. Louis Is bound 10 Southampton
the Majestic TO Liverpool via queens
town, the last-named port being Whete
the English, Irish, Scotch, ana Contiheh-
tai mail is discharged The fact tndt ele
ST Louis will on this trip inaugurate the
ten years mail contract which the gov
eminent has awarded TO the America.
Line makes the interest in the race OF
great importance. The difference Iii dis
lance between this port and southampton
and Queenstown at the point Of diver
gence Is about two hundred ana seventy :
1--WE sea miles, or fifteen hours extra
steamng for the st. Louis.
The 81. Louis cast OF her moorlnss an d
Was followed by the Majestic al I. al,
the American boat having four hours
start and being well upon her way before
the Majestic left her pier: Each BOAT
had a big passenger list, and about seven
hundred bags of mail went by the D.
Louis.
The four hours difference In time OF
starting will be allowed for I'm the ngurlns
OF corrected time. The Great Southern
railway OF Ireland meets the White star
Line ships at Queenstown. special
train viii be run on the arrival or the
Majestic there. The distance between
Queenstown and London by way of Dub
lin, Kingston, and Holybead Is 5Oi miles,
which will, according TO arrangements
be covered In fifteen hours and forty
minutes. IL requires two hours time to
travel from southampton to London. so
that should the Majestic reach Queens
town within thirteen hours before the
ST Louis arrives at southampton, the
British vessel would still haye chance
OF getting the mail first into London
But the general opinion prevails down
town that the Yankee boat will deliver
her mall sacks at the English capital in
advance OF her British rival.
The fastest trip that the Majestic ever
made between Sandy Hook and Daunts
Rock, the entrance to Queenstown har-
Dor, IL five days. twenty-three hours and
sixteen minutes. made five years ago.
The shortest time that the St Louis has
consumed in going between Sandy Hook
and the Needles Is six days. thirteen
hours and twenty-five minutes. The diff
ference In this time is fourteen hours and
nine minutes, or considerably in favor
OF the st. Louis when the question OF
reaching London is considered.
This VIII be the seventh voyage for the
st. Louis, and the prospects OF a hard
iOusht bdttle between the TWO leElatnanS
were earnestly discussed among steam
ship men in the Maritime Exchange to-
day. The agents of other regular lines
will watch the dual contest with great
keenness. The post-oflice authorities will
watch IL, too, IL being their desire to
show that American boats are better pos
tai craft than those of any other ma
tiOnaliiy anOat.
To equal the worlds record of five days.
ten hours and ffty-five minutes be-
tween this port and Southampton, the
81. Louis viii have 10 reach the Needles
before i:iJ \. NJ. Wednesday, American
time. or 9:i5 Greenwich t!me.-Philadel-
phia Times.