The San Francisco call., 1897-06-01
THE SPEEDWELL
WAS VICTORIOUS
She Defeated the Clara in
a Holly Contested
Race.
A Remarkable Finish Between
the Two White Wings s
Yesterday.
The HarpOon, E lus and w tch
Winners in Their. class-A
-.=. Maa N4arly Drowned. I. ;.

The finish of the yachts Speedwell and
Clara in the CoriRthian regatta yesterday
was the most spectacular event ever seen
on the bay. 4: .-c' r. HI. ::
The Clara, with every sail set, rapidly
well. and in crossing the winning line the
latter coat beat her by a second.
The races were TO have started at I1:45
A. NJ, but owing to the fact that four of
the yachts were becalmed in Tiburon, the
judges boat was called into .requisition
thereby delaying the start. II. III.
Al 12:l5 P. M. Mr.. Hops gave the signal
for the small boats to start and the Kitti-
wake crossed the line, followed by the
Witch half minute later .. f.: ::
In the twenty-fiye-foot class the Phoe.
necia was the only starter the other boats
entered deeming three days cruise up
the country more important than a club
regatta. ..=.. ~. ::
=: The Eolus and Amigo made a pretty
picture iockeying for position IN crossing
the line. and the Eolus went over first
followed by the Ami o.
In the thirty-six-foot class the Queen
and the Harpoon were the only boats 10
start.
OF the large boats entered the Clara,
Ella, Pride and the Speed well started over
the course in one OF the pretIiest races of
the day.
The Ella lost some time at the start on
account of a tramp yacht running across
her bows, but she quickly got under way
and went after the Clara.
On the last turn around the Presidio
buoy the yachts were close mn. The
Speedwell was the first to turn, followed
by the Ella and the Clara, with the Pride
in the van.
On the homeward journey, the yachts
made beautiful appearance as they ran
before the wind. Besides her working
sails, the SpeeGwell broke out her balloon
jib The Ella was bowling merrily along
under her regular canvas, while the Clara,
with every sail set, was rapidly overtaking
the leaders. - 80
The Pride, as well as the Ella, were at a
disadvantage in not carrying more sail.
but as 1t wa they kept close up. Fl: -.
Nearing the finish line the Clara was so
close up that il looked us i her sails would
blanket the Speed WELL On they went.
speeding along like things of life, and as
thew crossed the line there was but sec
oDd' sdifference between them.
{ In the other classes the Harpoon won
easily from the Queen; the Eoius. under
the splendid handling of ex.Commodore
PeW ana her crack crew, mply romped
away from the Amigo; the Witch de-
feated the klttfwake in u very close ra ce
The distance of the course over which
the large achts Travelled was fourteen ard
hall miles. The 25-foot boats Travelled a
little over ten miles, while the smaller
class sailed five miles.
What nearly proved serious accident
occurred after the race. The Clara at
tempted to pick up a stakeboat and in
doing so left one OF her crew in the boat
to take up the anchor. When the Clara
came about again the young man tossed
the pain er TO thoe on board, but as the
yachtswung around the mainsaiI foufed
the stick that held the club flags and The
boat was cspsized. The mariner was
thrown into the water, but managed 10
grasp the painter with which he pulled
himself on deck. The heavy anchor pre-.
vented the boat from righiing itself, so
the Clara had to tow It into shallow water.