Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-05-26
RACE ACROSS THE OCEAN.
Eleven Yachts Engage in an Interest
ing 5000 Mile Journey.

Eleven yachts of various nationalitles
and wide diversity of types have been
speeding eastward across the Atlantic
ocean in a race for a handsome gold
cup valued at $4,000 and donated by the
Emperor of Germany. Eight of the
yachts are owned by Americans, two are
the property of Englishmen, while the
remaining one is entered by Germany.
The great race will be the most inter
esting event of it's kind in many years.
1t is a real race and the conditions I'M
der which it is sailed will make it a gen
uine test Of boat building skill and sea-
manship. The racing fleet includes eleven
boats, among which are representatives
of Germany, England and the United
States. Setting sail from Sandy Hook,
these vessels have been making their way
across the 5000 miles of salt water to
England under their own sail, taking
such chances of wind and weather as
fate has had to offer.
AS trial of seamanship and of skill
in the designing and construction Of boats
this contest far exceeds in Importance
any of the Americas cup races held off
the New Jersey shore. The boats are
real boats, fitted for deep-sea sailing and
pleasure cruising. The rules are liberal
and there is to be no hair-splitting over
questions of handicapping, time allow
ance or sail area. The racers are of va
rious types. The biggest is ship of
64S tons and the smallest a schooner of
sc tons, but all go into the contest
Oh even terms. The first boat to arrive
at the goal, whatever it's size or type,
will be the winner and will get the $4,000
gold cup which Emperor William has
offered for the contest.
Most of the yachts entered for the
Kaiser's cup have crossed and recrossed
the Atlantic and all have been built for
pleasure sailing. The distance from
Sandy Hook, the starting point, to the
southeast coast of England, the destina-
ton, is 5000 miles. Under normal con-
ditions, the contest will consume about
twelve days. The last transatlantic yacht
race took place in 1887, the winner being
the Coronet. 1t aroused great interest
in Europe and America.
There are many who, because Of this
country's repeated victories in the inter
national yacht races at Sandy Hook, con-
fidently expect an American boat to win.
But the races for the Americas cup have
DcCu uuOeE SuCu peculiar COuuILlOuS LAuS
they afford no sure foundation for Amer
lean confidence. There is some reason
to hope that American genius in design
ing and skill in seamanship will again
triumph and bring to this country the
coveted trophy. But it may go to Eng
land or to Germany.
The international yacht races of re-
cent years have been contests between
~. ~
ed with mathematical nicely and sailed
under strict rules, which put premium
on clever jockeying and minor tricks Of
seamanship. The race across the ocean
is wholly different matter. The con-
testants have to meet a thorough test in
all phases of the seaman's art. They
are free to take their choice of ocean
lanes and for days together they will
have to study how to make the most of
their opportunities. The nation whose
boat wins such contest will have some
cause to boast of it's eminence in seaman
ship.