The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-16
COL, ASTOR'S YACHT ON ROCKS
NOURMAHAL COMES TO GRIEF
WITH HER OWNER ABOARD.

WITH HEN OWNER AbOAhD'
auns for Eight Hsurs. but Pulled on With
out Leak-Raoe for Astor Cups POST
poned On Account OF This Mishap
and tho Accident 70 tho Mineoia.
NEwposT, r. l., Aug. l6.-Col. John
Jacob Astor's big steam yacht Nourmahal
while starting out to Brenton's Reef light
ship to follow the racing yachts over the
course to-day In the contest for the Aston
cups went on the rocks In Brenton's Cove
She hung there for nearly eight hours and
was then pulled of by the tug h. B. Cham
berlain. 1t Is said that she has not been
injured as sbe does not leak, but her plates
are probably badly dented.
The 10 footer Mineola, owned by William
Ross Proctor and In charge Of Capt Charles
Barr, while going out to the starting line
sprung her mast and has to 60 to Bristol
TO get a now one. These two Incidents,
together with the storm that has ragged
here all day and the heavy rain. gave all
bands plenty to talk about.
The races for the Aston cups arc annual
events. Col. Aston has given theee trophies
since the death Of the late Ogden Goelet
and the Aston cups are the successors to
the Goelet, cups. To win an Aston cup
d the ambition Of every racing yaohtsman,
and Aston cup day Is one Of tho social events
Of the season All the big yachts take out
large parties, and gala time Is had.
As usual invitations were sent out by tho
owners OF the large yachts, and Col. Aston
had arranged to have q large party on the
Nourmahal and that vessel was to have
- i,,Ic hon h~x hoo I'D tho
regatta committee. The rain kept many
sixteen were taken from the club float on
board tho Utopia. Col. Astor's electric
launch, and transferred to the Nourmahal,
which was at anchor In Brenton's Cove.
Among those In the party we're Col. and
Mrs. John Jacob Aston. Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph
La Rogue, Jr., T. A. Havemeyer, H. o.
mer, Ernest Iselin, Miss Iselin and the
Messrs. Roche. The regatta committee is
Oliver E. Cromwell, H. de B. Parsons and
Franklin A. Plummer. They boarded the
Nourmahal about 10 O'clock and as the
start for the race was to be made at 1o:4S
O'Clock of the hghtship the Nourmahal's
anchor was got up and the vessel began to
poke her nose through the feet Of yachts in
the cove. Capt. Pickett had charge and
Col. Astor Glad In oilskins was on the bridge.
There was large feet in the cove and
getting out was nasty job, particularly as
Q reef runs from Fort Adams in north
easterly direction. The Nourmahal was
moored 30 that her stern swung over the
buoy that marks the end Of the reef. On
the weather side Of the Nournahal was the
brigantine rugged yacht Apache, chartered
hHy1 fhea
verRemere, Fri King. Josephine, Thistle,
Baracouta and several other large vessels.
The wind was blowing hard from the north
east, and suddenly the Nourmahal was
caught by tho wind and driven hard on the
reef 80 that at least four feet OF her under
body at the bow showed clear Of the water.
Her huh dragged over the rocks with harsh
grating and some Of tho more timid on board
thought that she must have torn holes in
the plating. Engines were reversed, but
all efforts to get the vessel OF failed.
A hurried examination showed that no
damage had been done that was serious,
and Col. Astor assured his guests that they
need not be alarmed. The Nourmahal
listed to port and rested easily. As the
reesu; committee some time later declared
the race of for the day, those on board
did not miss anything and after luncheon
ell! went ashore. At high tide in the eve
ming. the tug 81. B. Chamberlain pulled
the Nourmahal into deep water. She came
of at $50 o'clock. apparently none the worse
for her experience.
The Nourmahal Ia one Of the best known
yachts In these waters. She was built
some years ago for the late William Aston,
father Of the present owner. and was then
rugged as a bark. She IL $50 feet long.
and for a boat OF her size Is quite speedy.
When COL Aston was married to Miss WILL
ing the Nourmahal was specially fitted out
for the wedding trip. She has had many
--kocidents since Col. Aston has owned her.
Some years ago, she went on the reef In
the Hudson River of New Hamburg.
She was then on her way to New York to
60 out to the races between the Valkyrie
and Defender, but instead Of going to the
races bad TO 60 into drydook. A few days
later, while on her way out to the Hook.
Col. Aston had the wheel and he drove her
bowsprt into ferryboat. The ferryLoat
was badly damaged and the yacht lost her
bowsprit, but she went outside just the
same.
The Mineola Is one Of the crack 70-footers.
She was entered In the race to-day. and
early In the morning preparations were
made for the spin. Sails were hoisted and
a club topsail was sent aloft.
About 10 O'Clock she got under way and
stood out by Fort Adams toward the light
ship The wind had freshened considerably
but Capt. Barr was content with the con-
ditions and with sheets pinned in fiat drove
the yacht on toward the lightship. which
was bobbing about on the water like cork.
The Mineola had Mr.. Proctor, her owner,
and Frank Bovine Jones on board, and Mr..
Proctor 3 steamer Mermaid was following
closely, When just clear Of Beaver Tail
the yacht got hard knockdown. She
heeled 40 that the water piled on her lee
side and boiled up to her matches.
She went over further than any 70-footer
ever hee.ed before, and many who saw her
thought she would capsize or carry away
something. Capt. Barr was at the wheel.
Then she drove her nose into a big sea