The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-05

New York. Oct 5.-When yachting
New York arose about $50 this morn
ing and rubbed the sleep from its eyes
hardly a breath OF air was stirring and
blanket of mist lowered over the
roofs. But as the sun arose and gave
color 10 the tall buildings the misty
mantle began to show signs of disap-
pearing the sky showed up clear and
the wind veered 20 the westward and
freshened a bit.
AT the yachts anchorage off the bay,
Long Island Ridge and Tompkinsville. S.
l., pretty fleets of steam yachts, inter
mingled here and there with stateE
sailing yachts were anchored or moored
in the placid waters of the upper bay.
All the pleasure craft were bustling
with activity scrubbing and furnishing.
vanishing and preparing to take part
in the gay parade.
The amateur salts had downcast air
as they gazed at the smooth waters and
glanced at the hfeless bunting; but the
old she'll backs consoled them, pointing
TO ripping, white cloudlets in the sky
to the southwark and westward as in
olcauonS OF more vino.
FIRST TO START OUT.
| The old cup defender Vigilant off
Tdmpkinsvlle was the first sailing YES
| sci to head seaward. She got under way
| about $3.50 and with just enough Of the
morning air TO keep her sails bellying
out glided gently towards the Narrows.
! Off the Battery at GAS there was
| scene of pleasant hustle. A fleet Of
| about forty newspaper tugs and steam
yachts assembled 70 take on board wri-
tiers and excursionists. Every elevated
railroad train, trolley car or horse car
! landed a batch Of yacht enthusiasts in
that vicpity. Winter overcoats. yacht
| ing caps, golf caps and marine glasses
were the general distinguishing marks
| of this merry throng. Those of the fair
/ sex who succeeded in turning up on
time We're well wrapped up, golf capes
! being particularly patronized.
! AT o'clock the mist had almost en-
| tirely melted away. The wind shifted
! more to the westward and freshened
! considerably and the sailing craft
| hoisted their white ghistening sails and
| headed for the Hook. The early birds
| of the steam craft began the journey
| to the scene of the combat between the
Shamrock and the Columbia for the
! much coveted Americas cup, while
afioat and ashore breathed ferVent
| hopes for spanking breeze and a rat
| Ting race.
The big excursion boats footed an
| grily for belated passengers and the
! yachting flotilla began moving towards
| the ocean i'm real earnest.
AN S-KNoT BREEZE.
The first report from the Highlands
Of Navestnk al 1885 a. IN. said the
wind was about west, blowing about
! louots and showing signs of increasing.
! Old sailors there predicted that the
! wind would he more to the north be-
! fore the day was over.
! Observation at that hour from the
Highlands 20 the south and east was
| about ten miles: TO the north and west
! IL was not more than -FOUR miles. The
| haze which obscured the Long Island
! shore showed .Sns of disappearing az
! the sun moved up. The sky was quito
! clear and the conditions for the race
! at that hour were most favorable
IL looked as II the course would be
! toward the Long Island shore. Early
| risers around Sandy Hook, who took
an early observation found the wind
| light from the west and blowing about
/ three miles. Weather-wisc people said
that before the dav grew much older
there would he enough wind TO start
tho Yachts and that before finishing
| tSev would have all the wind they de-
sired The weather was pleasant at
| the Hook and light sea was running.
PREPARING THE RACERS.
BEFORE $50 a. m. the crew on the Co
umbia had her jib and stay sail up in
stops and the cover had been taken off
| the mainsail The Shamrock's people
! had by that time uncovered her main
! san and hoisted her jib upNn stops.
| Then the crews prepared 60 go TO break
! Fast. The breeze off the beach OF the
| Hook was enough 60 give the pilot
| boats quite n little move, and they
sailed up and down at fairly good
| spepd. The scotland Lsghtship. four
/ miles away. could be seen from the
/ Highlands. but the Sandy Hook light
/ shin. eight miles away.was hidden from
view. The fleet OF yachts at the Hook
was larger than on Tuesday.
The Earl of Mimic. Governor General
| Of canada. and Lady Mimic. who are
/ quests Of Sir BOderick Cameron. drove
/ down Go the guarantee wharf at s
! O'clock where they boarded the steam
! boat Governor Flower which proceeded
: d1v-U-the bay 10 intercept Commodore
1 Nt0rpan's steam yacht Corsair. Lord
Minto's marty were the guests OF Com
modore Morgan during today's race.
A FALLING BREEZE.
At $40 a. m. the wind at the High
lands seemed % have fallen. Two or
three tugs with barGes IN tow calne ~,