The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-11

thuaast1C. Even Capt. baTT, WHO rarely
talks. declared that something was being
done and that the figure Of the next days
run would show what kind OF a boat the
Atlantic was. The wind freshened to
strong breeze. and staysails and topsails,
which were carried as long as possible
until the topmasts were bending under the
strain, were taken in, and then the yacht
seemed literally to fly through the water.
The weather looked threatening to the
south, but a new record was in sight, and
it Is only by taking chances that races are
won. The yacht heeled 80 that the water
boiled along the lee deck, but it was exhila-
rating, and, although uncomfortable, all
were delighted that such good progress
was being made.
At noon, taking the position Of tho boat
was an exciting time. Carefully the navi-
gators made their calculations. and when
1t was announced that the days run had
been 34i miles every man cheered, The
record Of the Dauntless, 1928 miles, had
been beaten and new set Of figures estab-
lished, which every one was confident would
stand for many years. The sH miles had
been made in % hours 81 minutes 80 seconds
and her average speed was just fraction
yacht was then in latitude 4.57 and longi-
tude $3.50. Good sights had been had
each day, so that there IL absolutely no
doubt about the record.
In the afternoon the weather grew worse.
The spanker was double reefed at Q o'clock
and three hours later it was taken in. At
midnight moderate southerly gale was
blowing and the sea was quite high. There
was little rest for any one on board the
yacht that night. At 2 clock in the morn
ing the wind had increased to such force
that the fore and mainsails were lowered
and the jib taken in and fore apd mizzen
trysails were set. The ship behaved
well, shipped no water and plowed
along through the vast deep at racing
speed in spite OF her shortened canvas.
The wind moderated somewhat at sunrise
and at noon canvas was got on her again.
The fore and mainsails were hoisted, both
topsails set and then the square sail and
raffeee were set. BY noon the Atlantic
had added 2s2 miles to her score. She was
then in latitude 1888, longitude $3.50 and
her course was north 10 degrees east.
The wind in the afternoon was quite
strong and there was a moderate to heavy
following sea. At O'Clock the mizzen
topmast staysail was set, but only kept up
for an hour, as the wind and sea were both
increasing.
The boat was wet, Of course, and as the
sea rose water began to come over the
weather rail and four oil bags were put over
the bow. These dripped oil upon the
troubled waves and the soothing effect
was wonderful. During the night the wind
still increased and canvas was shortened
again until the yacht finally got down to
q square sail. under which she scudded.
The next morning there was whole gale
from the southwest, but the ship was rum
ming well, and by noon she had added 27s
miles. She was then In latitude 1888, longi-
tude 2e.4s. The oil bags were kept over
the side to keep the sea from breaking on
board and the two helrnsmen had to be
dashed to the wheel to keep them from
going overheard.
That night as the wind was still high
there was q conference to decide whether
to drive on through the gale during the
night or to heave to until daybreak. Some
were in favor Of heaving to, but it was
decided that there could be no loafing and
that they must drive on II the Atlantic
would win the race. This action probably
won the race for the yacht, as the valhalla
and Hamburg were close astern and would
have gained considerably while the Atlantic
hove to.
1t was a bad night. The wind tore
through the rigging 1t lashed the waves
into a perfect fury and everything was
told, wet and uncomfortable. But the
finishing line was not many miles away
and the gale could not last forever an tho
gallant yacht plowed on through the seas,
tossing and tumbling, sometimes poised
on one big wave and the next moment
wallowing In tho trough between two giant
waves that threatened to swamp her. Then
she would seem to have life, and shaking
herself from the water dart forward, SEEM
ingly bent on breaking all records and
capturing the much coveted trophy.
Gradually the long hours OF the night
wore away and the faint streaks Of dawn
showed above the horizon. They showed
q yacht almost under bare poles stag SeTHg