The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-01
AT ALABAMA PORT
YACHTS SAILED PRETTY RACE
 SUNDAY.
An Accident to the Schooner August Kling Causes the Reflector to Have No Competitor
 in Its Class.
Advertiser Bureau,

The initial meeting of the Alabama Port Yacht Club occurred yesterday afternoon and was witnessed by about 35o people from the Bay Shore Hotel pier and ye- randas. There were sixteen entries in the several classes and the race, once the boats got under way was a pretty one in its entirety. It was feared for a time that tkere would be no race, because of an unusual ly heavy storm coming up just before noon. from the northwest, which blew a terrific gale and the rainfall was tre- mendous. When the storm had subsided 1t was found that the wind had blown the water out and for distance of upward of 100 feet from the shore line there was nothing but a long stretch of sand where before the storm was about foot of wa ter. Then followed a dead calm until af- ter o'clock.
 During the storm the vessels which were to enter in the races were lying at anchor about half mile out from the hotel pier and made a very pretty sight. After a time some of them ran up their sails for trying out. which proved dis astrous to one of them. All save one of the boats, the August Kling. sixty-five foot schooner. just of the marine ways where she had been virtually rebuilt. got their sails down and came to anchor. The August Kling was a little slow, how ever, and a puff which appeared strong enough to overturn a steamship, caught her and she went down on the port side, breaking off her topmast There was on board the August Kling about half dozen men, but all escaped uninjured. The vessel was righted and bailed out. but not in time to enter with the Ref1ec- tor and the latter went over the course unchallenged. making a beautiful race. There was disappointment at the accident to the Kling. as 1t was conceded this would be the race of the series.
 Commodore Jules Delchamps, after con- sulting with the judges. announced that instead of twice around the course there would be but one go. owing to the wind having died down and the indications be- ing for a slight breeze. He also an- nounced that the starting gun would be fired at o'clock. It was nearly an hour later. however, before 1t was fired, as there was absolutely no wind. The Com modore and officials of the race boarded the Governor Stone. the judges boat at o'clock. and took the entries and gave the sailors instructions as to the course rules, etc. A long wait was had Tor the breeze and at FPS the preparatory gun was fired. It was 2:55 before the starting gun for the schooners was fired. and the gun for the other vessels was fired five minutes later. There was just the least OlL or a DTeCSc, put III teH HllnultS d spanking wind came up and 1t was ap- parent that a good race was on. This proved correct and soon the white winged vessels of all classes were scudding along under every inch of canvass.
 The Reflector, among the last to cross the starting line was first to turn the first stake and she was closely followed by the Marietta. The others were soon following and when the straight-away to kh he Ad magniflcently. The little fellows were well mixed up among the larger craft and 1t looked as If two of them were going in double harness. These were among the first to cross the finish line and in these there was some interest. The best time around the course was made by the Never Tell. but owing to losing g 1-2 min utes getting across the line after the starting gun was fired she was loser by 1-2 minutes to- the Marietta. The fol- lowing was the results as announced by the judges:
 schooners over fl feet; prize .$2O:
 Reflector. E. W. Rabby. start, 3:11:10; finish, 3:5S:40; elapsed, .F:SO.
 No opponent.
 Schooners under fl feet: prize. s2O:
 Marietta, P. E. Lilly. start, 3:10:90; f1n- fish. 3:5s:l0: elapsed, .4S:40.
 Never Tell, W. Tallon, start, 3:2o00: finish, 4:O6:o0; elapsed, .45.
 Never Tell failed to go across the line until 4 1-2 minutes after handicapped and lost that much time.
 Cabin sloops, prize, $l5:
 Sybil L. Ryan, start. 3:06:50; finish. 3 S:O0; elapsed, .521o.
 Irene, E. Peters, start 3:07:1o; finish, 4:00:10; elapsed, $500.
 Ella Ross. G. Ross. start. S:Os:OO; finish, 4:04:2o; elapsed .56:20.
 Beulah J, A. I. Jones, Jr., start, 3l6:OO. (Disqualifed for fouling)
 Cat rig skins, prize, $1o:
 Lucky Jim, Williams. start, 3:0S:30; finish, 4:04:4O; elapsed. .56:10.
 Cornelia, J. Taylor, start. S:oS:30; finish.