Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-05-25
THE YACHTS ARE OFF
Eleven Splendid Sailing Ships Start
on Race Across Atlantic.
TO WIN GERMAN EMpERORS CUP.


New York, May 1S.-A splendid feet
of sailing yachts swept across a start
ing line at Sandy Hook lightship at
1918 p. m. Wednesday and with the
Queenly American schooner Atlantic
leading the way, headed out to the
broad Atlantic ocean on race Of g.
900 miles to the English coast for a
5000 cup offered by Emperor William
Of Germany. When last seen as they
vanished into the mist they were
strung out in line six miles long,
heading southwark and pointing as
nearly as possible to wind that was
dead ahead. A quarter of mile
astern of the Atlantic was the 9O-foot
American yawl Ailsa, which was hay
ing hot brush with the German
schooner Hamburg, while all three of
the leaders were slowly dropping the
Philadelphia schooner Hildegrade.
Next was the Endymion, holder Of the
transatlantic yachting record. Al
most mile astern of the Atlantic
and more than half mile astern OF
the Endymion were the Thistle and
Fluer de Lys. Strung out behind were
the American barque Apache, the
British topsail schooner Sunbeam and
Ave miles astern Of the leader was the
American three-masted schooner
Utowana. Bringing up the rear was
the British clipper ship Valhalla.
These two had been delayed by a bad
start.
Leaden skies, low-hanging mist-la-
den clouds, and . moderate east wind
were the unfavorable conditions I'M
der which the great ocean race was
started and the three big square-rig-
ged vessels were handicapped at the
very start; for at beating to wind
ward in q light air their spreading
courses and bulging toDsails were not
to be compared with the hard fitting
fore and aft canvass Of the trim
schooners.
Weather prophets declared 1t not
unlikely that the racers were in for
a day or two more Of moderate head
winds. II the forecast be fulfilled
nothing but half q gale Of wind from
astern will save the big Valhalla from
defeat.
The Blue Peter, giving warning Of
impending departure, was run up on
the mast Of the committee tug. At
noon there was q fash and squirt OF
smoke from the gun on her deck, and
warning report rolled among the
feet giving notice that the race would
start in Is minutes. Ten minutes
later another gun sounded and the
prov Of every craft swung toward the
starting line.
It was an inspiring spectacle. Near
the line the small Ailsa. bearing every
mark Of the racer was engaged in a
jockeying match with the Hlldegarde
and to avoid being forced across the
line prematurely reformed some start
ling maneuvers. Behind them to the
north and east the feet was spread
out In fan-shape 4
Almost At the fash Of the starting
gun the Ailsa and Hildegarde went
across the line with the yavl slightly
In the lead and in the vindvard po-
altion. Crowding close behind them
came the Atlantic. Endymion. Ham
burg, Thistle. Utowana and vAlhaila
In that order.
An the leaders got away within q
minute Of the starting gun At la:i5
but the rsur Dc Lin crossed At 1871.
Sunbeam 1880, and Apache 13;SS.
Ut0wana i2,t5 and valhallR Al i;ah
Ths lattsr Va n Irons In tneldng
u ths line and thu badlT dsiAyed
Annna fha iaatara ~ '-asz,. &C.,