The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-05

Highlands. Oct Sat 4:o2 the entire
excursion fleet is heading for New
York Both yachts have taken in sails
and are being towed to their anchor
age at the Hook.
At present, however, they are about
5 miles southeast of Sandy Hook light
ship.
At 1858. off the Highlands, both boats
have been beating to the southwark,
but have turned and now headed to-
ward light ship. They set light sails
and do not appear to be making any
effort. A number of steam yachts are
running to the Hook. The race is de-
cIared off.
New York, Oct. 5.-When New York
awoke this morning there was hardly
breath of air stirring and a blanket of
mist hovered over the roofs, but as the
sun rose the misty mantle began to fit.
the sky showed up clear and blue, while
the wind began to veer to the westward
and freshen.
At the yacht anchorages off the bay
Long Island Bay Ridge and Tompkins
Vile were pretty fleets of steam yachts
ly sailing yachts on board of which
there was scrubbing and furnishing,
polishing and vanishing preparatory
to taking part in the gay parade.
The old cup defender Vigilant off
Tompkinsvine was the first sailing yes
sci to head seaward. She got under
away at about $50 a. m. and with just
enough of the morning air to keep her
sails belIying out, hugged the Staten
Island shore for the avenue puffs, as
she glided towards the Narrows.
OFF the battery a fleet of about 40
newspaper tugs and steam yachts had
assembled.
BY Z O'Clock the mist had almost dis
appeared, only pleasant haze remain
ing over the blue waters. Quite a nice
little ripple swept over the waters of
the upper bay, as the early birds of the
craft began to move toward the scene
of the contest between the Shamrock
and the Columbia for the much coveted
America s cup. while all ahOat and
ashore breathed ferVent hopes for a
spanking breeze and a rafting race
land may the best boat win" Then the
big excursion boats began to tOOt i'm
patiently for belated passengers and
with the prospects of a good days rae
ing. the yachting fOtiIla began moving
towards the ocean in real earnest.
The first report from the Highlands
of Navesink at 1885 said the wind was
ing signs of increasing.
The range of observation from the
Highlands to the south and east was
ten miles; to the north and west it was
not more than four miles. The haze
which Obscured the Long Island shore
showed signs of disappearing as the sun
came out It looked as if the course
would be toward the Long Island shore
Weather-wise people predicted that
before II o'clock there would be wind
enough to start the yachts and before
finishing they might have all the wind
they desired.
The weather was pleasant at the
Hook and a light sea was running
Before $50 a. m. the crew on the Col
umbia had her jib and stay sails up in
stops and the cover was taken off the
mainsau.
The Shamrock's people had by that
ed her jib in stops. Then the crews
went to breakfast and waited for fur
ther orders
The sea off Sandy Hook shore was
quite smooth, there being scarcely any
surf on the beach One or two pilot
boats sailing around their station two
or three miles off shore seemed to have
scarcely any motion.
At o'clock. while the Scotland light
ship, four miles away, could be seen
from the Highlands. the Sandy Hook
Iightship, eight miles away, was hidden
from view The fleet of yachts at the
Hook was somewhat larger than on
Tuesday.
The early morning conditions at the
Highlands today indicated that the
yachts would be sent away either from
ships before the wind as was the case
an Tuesday. but In this case with the