New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-26
YACHTING.
COMMODORE HOYTs THE SKILL.
DENIAL THAT HE HELPED THE RAINBOW
WIN AND WHAT OTHERS SAY


F. NJ. Hoyt, who lives in Stamford and is COM
modore of the Stamford Yacht Club, has written
an admirable and most modest letter to the
impression given in Saturdays Tribune that the
lead gained by the Rainbow in the first round of
last Fridays race between the two seventies was
due to his knowledge of Stamford coasts bays and
currents. Speaking of the lead of the Rainbow in
the first round. which practically the race
he says: The credit OF the gain was due to the
superior speed and admirable handling of the Rain
bow by Captain Parker, who was In sole and I'm.
controlled command and in need of any sug-
gestion help Mr. Hoyt's letter is dated Mon
day. September "a and about 10 O'Clock a. m. on
that day. and certainly before Mr.. Hoyt's letter
was delivered. the race in question being dis
cussed City Island streetcar.
Captain Bob" Dennis, who has been the Syce
in all her victories when she owned by Com
modore Hoyt. and who of the AL star
galaxy mentioned in Saturdays Tribune as sail
ing in Fridays the Rainbow was we'll
pleased by the good work done by Mr.. Hoyt on
the Rainbow that day. and. being a highly skilled
sailor. who has had the advantage of being with
Mr.. Hoyt in all his racing for number of years.
he knows that the former owner of the Syce is
just as good sailor The Tribune said he was.
especially when working a hard ebb tide the
coasts Of Stamford
Captain Dennis said: ct read The Tribunes ac-
count of Fridays race. and it was the only
so many newspaper accounts of races the real rea-
son for boats win is not detected and not re-
ported"
was The Tribune right in saying that in this
W!ndward work CLOSE to shore Hoyt was prac-
Certainly. Why, Parker didn't want to go there
more wind outside. and If we had gone out into
the strongest part Of the tide, where the Mneola
was we would have done no better than she did.
1t was Mr.. Hoyt that took the boat in. At first
sven but as we got Stacker water than the Nine
ola had we began TO go ahead. OF course, Mr..
tide there's current swinging that big bay
and what he did was entirely right because
Wa fhn of1,orO Of
the bay the Rainbow shot up a long way ahead.
That's where the race was won
The Tribune said that in all this work Mr.
Hoyt was standing close over Parker, who was
Hoyt could be seen to give the signal and then
the men jumped to their work. Was that right?'
not want to go there at all? At that time the boat
made m9yH except on NM mn HGy ssha
never worked that shore, no more than Wringe
IN where eo Hoyt nf took her. o'eu 10
This talk Is not here reproduced for the purpose
show that other people who have had ample means
after from those nsr Suggested P his letter and that hs
conversation quoted occurred before it was known
victory which was gained in this part of the days
N 9y P 92eey IN SaTe a bs cred of
the win given to the professi9nal skipper OF the
tell how yacht races are sailed and won and who
won them There has been a great deal Of rivalry
shippers, both amateur and professional has been
the years racing in this class the tactics of all
the shippers in their racing have been exhibited
fully and truthfully as possible and it would
be highly improper to credit skipper with gain
ing clever lead which in fact solely due to
the local knowledge and consummate skill Of one
OF the invited amateur guests.
However Mr.. Hoyt does not say in his letter that
he did not assist in the way The Tribune said. but
that 1.-THE credit Of the gain was due 10 the superior
speed and the admirable handling of the Rainbow
by Captain Parker
These words show kind disposition in Mr.. Hoyt
and as he asks TO have his correction receive the
same prominence the account of the race, this
place is cheerfully accorded; but If he wishes to
have It admitted that any part of Saturdays ac-
count was wrong his request cannot be granted.