The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-28
YANKEE ETHELWYHN Wins
Carrying Reefed Canvas Over a
Rolling Sea
YACHT RACING IN A GALE
II Scared the Skipper but His Vessel
Won
EngIlsh Yachtsm.n Determined to Beat De-
fender II Honey Can Build
Boat to Do 1t



OYSTER BAY Sept. 27.-The fourth
race bet reen Spruce ". and Ettelwynn
was sailed today under circumstances
that were very interesting. 1t will be
membered that Ethelwynn quit yester-
day after making the one round course
three miles TO leeward and return and
repeat. 1t is SAID that the Yankee
stopped because Mr.. Field, her owner,
was afraid to trust his boat in a wind
that was blowing some fifteen miles an
hour anu sea that was at least choppy.
Mr. Field retired from the contest per-
sonall,y but allowed his boat to start to-
day with his crew. Mr.. f. H. Ball and
the latter's brother, Fred, to run the
boat. The gentlemen named both did
remarkably well and wou The race bv
clever handling, although it must be
said that the opinion of Mr.. Brand, ex-
pressed after the first race last Saturday
that Ethelwvnn was better boat than
Spruce was sustained by the result
When the morning wind first put in an
appearance it was smali-sized gale of
eighteen miles an hour and kicked up
fierce sea. Fishing sloops that we're com
their mAinsais and what the half-raters
were goinr to do in the weather prevail
ing was a question. 1t was suggested that
course Inside of Oyster Bay should be
laid out. Thret was less wind and COM
parativsly smooth water there. The COM
mitteemen were unable to agree and de-
cidud to let the shippers decide, which
they did by the toss Of a cent. The Eng
lish man won and selected the regular
route, viz, start from the center island
buoy and over the outside waters OF the
sound.
The first leg was dead run before the
wind. The second northwest. a boat to
the second mark and the third south by
west. half west, close reach for home.
Each leg was two miles, and three were
to be sailed over twice, making a total of
twelve miles. The starting gun was fired
at 2:25. Spruce had a reef in her main.
sail when the signals were being given,
ana she went over the line with it,
twenty seconds ahead of Ethelwynn,
which carried no reef. The beats put on
no spiunakers on the run nor did they
do so at any time during tho day. Bal
loon jibs were the only extra canvas car
ried at any time. On the second l.g Eth
elwynn caught up on her rival and came
near going around The mark first. but
Spruce was five seconds ahead of her.
After they rounded Ethelwynn stood
away on the port tack. but soon came
around to starboard and was almost run
into by the Englishman. Then Spruce
drew off and the collision was avoided.
On the next leg which was one OF the
short legs and long ones for the second
mark, Ethslwynn gained by her superior
wjndward work, and when both yachts
had rounded. the Enelishman was two
minutes and ten seconds behind. At this
juneture Mr.. Brand stood up in his boat
and shook red flag. lie did not hold it
up as is customary in making protest
and the committee did not know what to
make of it, especially as they had seen
no OCCASION for claim of foul. Going to
thehome mark on tho first round the leg
was close reach, the wind baing forward
abeam. On this Spruce gained, and
when The time was taken at the home
point on the first round, it was: Ethel
wynn, 3:45:39. and Spruce, :56:24, Spruce
being then only IL 40 behind.
The second round of the course was
good deal repetition of the first mas
much as Ethelwynn was the leader all
the way AS the race came over the last
leg Spruce went ahead very fast, and it
was apprehended by spectators that she
would overhaul the Yankee. But the
distance was too great to be overcome
and the Ball brothers landed their yacht
a winner amid a din of whistles that has
seldom bsen heard on Long Island sound.
Spruce came in for grand reception too,
when she crossed. A surprise came when
Mr.. Stuges, after reaching the club house,
wrote protest. He was silent about its
contents, but he handed it over to the
conf ittee, who immediately went into
session to act on it. The official time of
the finish vas: Ethelwynn, SILL :36;
Spruce, 5:12:4C.
Cherry pie-nothing better If Prce's