Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-11-01


bunting were everywhere. Steamers
dressed in their gay colors, sailing
craft, vessels Of every description were
gathered there. while British royalty
and thousands Of visitors from Eng
land and the continent fiocked into the
town and aboard the craft in the har-
Dor to witness the event Eighteen
yachts were entered and England had
easily the best chance to win.
Precisely at 10 o'clock one bright
August morning, the signal gun was
fired for the start It was beautiful
sight when the line Of graceful yachts
with sails set to catch the faint breeze
then blowing, moved away from the
starting line. They were like so many
race horses jockeying for position. The
only yacht that Jagged back was the
America. The Gipsy Queen, with all
its canvas set, took the lead, with the
Beatrice next and the volante, Con-
stance, Arrow and a flock Of others
following. The America sailed along
easily for while with only part of
its full complement Of sails broken out
to the wind, while the competing craft
were already carrying every stitch of
cloth that they had set to catch the
breezes.
But the America soon began to creep
forward. In quarter Of an hour It
had passed and left behind all the oth-
ers excepting the Constance, Beatrice
and Gipsy Queen. Then came fresh
ening puff and the America slipped
forward past the Beatrice and Con-
stance. Another pun and It had over
taken the Gipsy Queen. Just then,
however, the wind left its sails and the
light little Volante SKINNED past with
stupendous jib broken out that took
all the wind from the Americas sails
and gave the Volantic the lead. A great
cheer went up for England. But the
wise sailors present shook their heads.
The wind was quickening, and the
America was picking UP its heels,
passing other yachts one by one, but
still failing to overhaul the Gipsy
Queen or shake of the volante.
But again came the stiffening Of the
wind. By 11.30 the America had left
behind all its other competitors and
come up with the fast flying volante.
Then Commodore Stevens hauled down
the jib as much as to say he would
give the Volante the advantage. Then
the storm clouds gathered on the dis
tant horizon, the white caps began to
roll and the Yankee" stepped out
ahead of the procession and fairly
few over the water. The English look
ed on in amazement. The Americas
canvas was Of different cut from that
carried by their own yachts. It did not
belly out in the wind. but lay fiat with
the stiff wind behind 1t that seemd to
raise the craft out Of the water and
skip It along on the surface. It was
noticed, too that while the English
yachts plowed into the sea horses"
and drenched their decks, the Ameri-
cas- crew Of 81, with their commodore.
sat comfortably aft on dry deck with
apparently little to do but let her run
with the wind.
Along toward o'clock the America
ran abreast Of the royal yacht Victoria
and Albert, and though It Yves not usual
for a racing yacht to take notice Of
royalty in a race any more than
jockey would pull up his horse and
wave his cap at the owner still an In
teresting touch Of courtesy was
shown. AS the America passed the
royal yacht its ensign Of blue with
white stars was lowered and the COM
modore stood up with uncovered head.
the crew following his example until
the royal yacht had been passed.
Dusk had gathered when a gun
doomed out the announcement that a
vessel had crossed the finish line win
ner. The waiting yachts and crowds In
Cowes harbor waited eagerly to catch
the name of this fortunate vessel. A
steamer returning from the finish was
hailed anxiously.
Us the America first?" sang out an
excited voice. YES" came the reply
from the steamers deck.
Whats second?" again came the
query.
Then came through the gathering
darkness, the laconic reply that dashed
away all Britain's hope:
"Nothing!"-Kansas City Times.