New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-30
RECKLESS YACHT RACING.
DIFFERENCE IN ENGLISH AND AMER1
CAN METHODS

| A VETERAN YACHTsMAN GIVES THE RESULT OF
HIS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF BARON Won
zEDrwITz AND THE SINKING
OF vALKYRIE IL.
II seems to have been easy in England to silence
all satisfactory inquiry regarding the Meteor-lsode
disaster In America, however. yachtsmen have been
wondering why such accidents occur In England
and not here. Apparently the same question has
crossed the mind OF Dixon Kemp, and 1t must be
said for the man who hates America so vigorously
that his has been the only paper in England TO de-
mand a more public and searching investigation.
The London Field" has openly ridculed the
Coroners jury at Cowes which announced to the
world that no one to blame for the wrecking OF
the Isolde and the killing of a prominent yachts
man. But unless the Baroness Won Zedtwtz brings
a civil action for damages for the loss Of her nus
band It is unlikely that anything more about the
real facts of the case will be learned the yacnt OF
the future King OF England was in the mix-up' ana
the yacht OF the Emperor OF Germany ola the
killing The question therefore. still remains I'M
answered as whether or not yacht racing Is pur-
sued in England with too great indifference 10 lie
and property.
In the endeavor to obtain further Information on
a point which has again been brought forward by
Englands latest accident Tribune reporter called
on a yachtsman who has witnessed the important
races of late years in both America and England
He was first asked If toe one-gun starts as prac-
tised in England did not tend toward more reck-
less acceptance of close chances than in the time
limit system of the American yacht clubs. In an
swer TO this he said:
mo doubt the chances are closer in the one-gun
starts The boats certainly grouped In smaller
areas Of water. but don't know that that neces-
sary means greater danger because the skill OF the
helmsmen becomes much greater through con-
slant practice. II Is no place for the tyro. who
would be a danger to himself and others But be-
tween skilled men the one-gun start is the very
7 have no m
pathy with systems which favor anything but the
best handling and calculation. Besides | never
heard OF serious accident arising from the neces-
stiles of this method of starting 1t is also very
popular among the best yachtsmen here. Among
the highly skilled owners of this years thirty
footers the one-gun start is fixture"
What. then, would you say of the action Of VAL
kyrie III just prior her foul with the Defender?'
That's 4 point well taken. There in
which a most dangerous and improper chance was
taken You recollect that both yachts were headed
for the line and trying spill the wind out Of their
sails because both were too soon for the gun Then
the Valkyrle which to windward, bore sud
denly down across the Defenders bows. Her OBJ
feet of course make a short turn TO leeward.
and then twist to wndward again. thus saving her
self from crossing the line too soon. What she
should have done was to sharply in stays,
swing off gbe and come for the line at gun-fire."
Then why did not the Valkyrie's hemsman do
so?"
Because he knew the Yankee skipper not
customed TO this kind of start His charge 10 lee
ward was sudden. totally contrary to all rule,
that the Yankee bore away instinctively without
having time to consider his strict rights"
"Would the same move have been made in an
English race and when both shippers were Eng
lish?"
Never Cranfeld would then know exactly what
to expect His boat would be put out Of the race.
either through the disabling by collision on pro-
md * llSt he hat
makes your question take a lengthy answer when
you ask whether yacht racing is not more danger
Gus in England
There Is this difference between the yachtsmen
OF the two countries that the English shippers stick
more stubbornly their rights than they do here.
When a helmsman has right OF way he holds IT,
Any boat making bulldozing move like that of
Valkyrie III would get hit. ! don't mean that the
endeavor would be made to sink the offender, but
only to chip her counter, split her mainsa or some
such expensive little attention that would teach
her better behavior or course. the helmsman al
WAYS vows he could not avoid IT, but in such cases
he can generally hit the offender pretty much where
he likes and still have the appearance Of trying to
avoid collision. 1t is simply this. that In England
II A skipper breaks the rules which govern rights
of way h. does IT wilfully and he is made take
his Cruel accordingly. None of the racing captains
will stand bullying.
The shippers in this country are mindful Of what
Yachts cost Lately | sailing at Larchmont |
O BrOkdWS
fore the starting gun we heading for the line
close hauled on the starboard tack when the Col |
onia luffed square across bows. Hank Half and
Dick Sherlock sailing the Amarita and they |
paved her off with difficulty. barely to clear
the Colonias boom. Now. here the Coonia was |
taking a desperate risk to get the windward position
and unwarrantaby asking a favor In not being run |
down In England that would nave cost her owner !
large sum in the expense OF the breakage 10 both
vessels. because the EnSllsh skipper, knowing his
legal rights, would have found 1t quite impossible
altogether to clear her
But you ask about the sinking OF Nalkyrie IL in
1891 You will remember that the Satanita was
being steered by an amateur yachtsman, supposed
bee skfu but who evidently lost his head at the
wrong moment small steam launch bothered
him. and in avoiding her found himself in danger
had let his mainsheet run out Here the Nalkyrie
bornness Owe; holding TO the same that failed to
The Vakyre's skipper must have seen the
Satanita's predicament because at such time "A
helmsman everything. He had plenty of time
IL could double IKE hare. She could throw half
d dozen sOmersauts while the Satanita turned once
But her skipper held to his course until his chance
"Wnen the insurance company paid Lord Dun
raven I'm full ana afterward brought suit To recover
the DAMAGES for Itself this point was not OF course
Inquired into. because the Nakyrie's skipper had
at the time that Il was this same stubbornness IN
holding 10 legal course that failed az the right
"If your question refers only to the general aver |
age OF safety Won see how the answer must be |
slight collision Sooner than the American. because |
he is logged for retention OF his rights ana MO 10
hand see great chances taken nmon Sey lne viii ge,
spared from actual wreckage when they seek an
advantage through breach OF rules ~ ,,,,,,.
''Of these two tendencies the latter undouo,eahly
holds the largest average OF safety so long as me
offender Is spared but so l%r t az The Of
sfaction greater when the rules are enforced
When ons b OF sws Of sport then game
loses It's nip and relish. Shippers would mind the