The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-23
DEFENDER RUNS AGROUND.
NARROWLY ESCAPES SERIOUS IN
JURY IN NEWPORT HARBOR.

lumtla and Defender. but things happened
outside the harbor Of Newport that yachtsmer
would have travelled miles to 500. had they
known that exciting marine episodes would
take place. There was. for instance. a lively
ten minutes In the shadow OF Fort Adams
when the Defender ran aground. and for q time
threatened to do herself severe injury. Then
thore was n spell OF calm. after which. for a
wind up. the two yachts raced home against an
impending squall. Dun colored clouds gath
cred In the northwest. but after looking the
field over thcy decided there was no chance for
amix-up with tho flying sloops so they took to
their heels and disappeared in the horizon
with thom went oil tho wind in tho neighbor-
hood. and by tho tmc the famous yachts had
found their moorings fat cain prevailed.
1t was n day in which the shippers were not
bothered by Gold-laced regatta committees or
their starting slgnnls. guns. whistles and stop
Watches, but II was n day never to he forgotten
by those who Witnessed the informal spin in
the stretch Of sea extending from this port
nearly to Point Judith. There was question
early this morning whether the yachts would
or would not race. The Newport Yacht Racing
Association under whose auspices yesterdays
contest. which ended in disaster to the De-
fender. was started. had evidently withdrawn
TEN porarily from tho scene. They tackled up a
notice on the New York Yacht Club house last
night to tho effect that there would be no
more formal trials between the Columbia
and Defender before next Saturday. but
later in the evening the piece OF pastcboard was
torn down when Mr. Duncan. who controls the
cup champion OF 10. stated that he would bs
ready to tackle the new boat to-day In spite OF
the accident to his yacht But shortly before
midnight the notice was posted again. and the
question remained in doubt from that time on
Early this morning the IIerreshoffs sent down
n link OF steel to replace the broken chain I'M
der the Defenders boom, and in a very few
minutes the cause OF the boats withdrawal
from Yesterdays contest was as good as new,
No sooner had the Bristol workmen disap-
reared than the sailors on board the sloops
began to prepare for whatever the day had in
store. Mr.. Duncan told reporters that he was
ready to race, but nothing was heard from
the Columbia people or from tho Newport
Yacht Racing Association, so, after order
inc Capt. Rhodes to set the mainsail and
make ready to drop the mooriugs Mr. Duncan
oarded his launch and put of for the anchor
age OF the Columbia, half mile away. for the
purpose OF learning the wishes of Mr. Iselin
Ten minutes later no returned, and it was soon
apparent that despite the slack wind the two
yachts would endeavor to beat out OF the har-
Dor against the tide and have a set-to in the
open
A
WINS hauled stiff between boom and gan. and
the lib was sent IN in stops. BY this time Mr.
Duncan had returned from his trip. and no
sooner was he aboard than the lib was ripped
out and hauled taut At the same time the
moorings were cast of and the yacht began to
tack out Of the harbor In the meantime
signs of animation were observed on the
Columbia. The yacht had been swinging
lazily at anchor all tho morning The grub
flag Was still up at 10 80 O'Clock. and half the
crew were In boats hanging to the side OF the
tender St. Michaels. as though looking for
handouts" Atlast they returned to the Yacht
and at / O'Clock the big mainsail YVES partly
hoisted. A few minutes later a working STAY
sail was set forward of the mast Then. seeing
the Defender standing out as though bent on
business the new boat hauled her mainsail
fiat ran up lib. and. breaking out q working
sail from the topmast, picked up her anchor
and followed on the heels Of the old yacht
Four battens had been placed in the leach OF
her malnsail since Yesterdays race, and also
three in her lib and two in her forestaysail
They had the effect Of making these pieces Of
canvas stand sitter, and were intended to
help her in the light breeze that prevailed at
the time The yachts hardly moved so light
was tho wind. as scarcely two miles nm hour
Was blowing.
billed to play to empty benches. for not one OF
HE big fleet of steam and sail craft anchored
In the harbor made play to follow the big
bloops as they tackled slowly around Fort
Adams So dead was the wind that the De-
fender had not got clear OF the frowning fort
ress after she had been under sail for half an
hour. Finally at 100 she put about on the
starboard tack while of what used to be called
Fort Dumping. on Conanicut Island. 1t is
right at the flag end OF tho entrance OF the
harbor proper and stands directly opposite
Fort Adams. The yacht met food
tide. but the breeze was Just strong
enough to enable her to hold her own. Near
ing Fort Adams on this hitch she ran close to
tho ahora ord nut NOR ba,,, dour "a on,,o
VIZ e'0te "u ru' "V "e,"' uonh !" eoiiie
about. But hardly was her head straight UP to
the wind when her keel stuck in the mud and
the huh became motionless This was AT II 10
Vs.. 49, ~, " "'' ""' ~ ,'o'
O'Clock. The exact location was 200 yards in
tho rear OF Fort Adams. At the time the Do
fendar grounded aha waa Ios. than eftr TO-,
. siounueu s,,o was ies' 'han my ieet
from frowning Gill OF rocks upon which the
long rollers from the open sea we're sullenly
hrsol,ip, rbo tiJo u,s oo,;n.t ~ 49,,
ueuN,'s ~, h ~. s'uo wa. asa,ns' her' anu