The Washington times., 1920-07-16


Yesterday the scene was much
the same. though probably on q re-
duced scale, for since the last race
was held in 1903 Government restric-
tions have been placed on the number
or passengers a vessel may carry and
promoters OF excursions in many in
stances have hesitated to venture the
handling of greatly reduced numbers
at greatly increased transportation.
Certain II Is. however. that the fore
gathering of craft in these waters
throughout the series Of races will
be such as Sandy Hook has
not witnessed since the last races
were held. and for the first time In
the history of the event swift sea-
planes will hover about the white
winged speedsters OF the wave and
huge navy "blimps" will dot the sky
The series will be for the best three
in Ave races. Each day the sloops
VIII sail out to mark laid between
he stern of the steam yacht Corsair,
which Is to carry the race committee,
and the Ambrose lightship. The first
race, as has always beeR the case,
was a beat into the wind of nfteen
miles and "a run before the wind Of
fifteen miles back to the starting
point
SYSTEM OF SIGNALS.
The course will be announced by
the race committee by means of q
system of signals on the Corsair. FIJI
teen minutes before the time set for
the start the Corsair's whistle will
blow shrill blast as a prer" ratory
signal. and ten minutes later will
come the warning for the yachts to
make ready. Five minutes there
after the signal will be given for the
yachts to cross the line. Meanwhile
the rival yachts will be tockeyed
about under direction OF their skip
pers-Charles Francis Adams, Of the
Resolute. and Skipper Burton. of the
Shamrock IV-for the advantage Of
the start, which, under certain
weather conditions, means a great
deal.
This jockeying about is one OF the
most thrilling OF sights, for the great
yachts skim about like gigantic gulIs;
jibing. tackling and luffing with an
eye to gain the advantage. Then, as
the starting signal comes, the yachts
will turn and dart for the line and
the start of the race will be heralded
by the blowing of whistles and cheer
ing Of spectators, while the excur-
sion fleet, the committee boat, de-
stroyers carrying members Of the
press and swift navy vessels detailed
to patrol the course and keep all craft
in the way they should 60, will get
under way.
HIGH WIND GIVES THRILLS.
II the wind is strong the spectator
s sure to get thrill upon thrill as the
,achts dart over the waves, seeking
% take advantage of every ounce of
push" in the breeze and leaving
'eries of brave Impressions in the
memory of the yachting devotee.
But IL the breeze Is light the poetic
lspest of a limpid old ocean and
,air ef lazily tapping gulls is the
Impression that may come to him.
The history Of the classic races for
he Americas Cup dates back to
s51, Just seventy years ago. In that
rear the schooner yacht America,
,uilt by several American yachtsmen,
vas sent to London primarily as an
exhibit Of the type of vessels built
n this country. The owners Of the
America believing her to be the
peediest craft ever sailed, chal-
enged all corners and finally en-
cred her in a regatta for yachts of
Ill nations, for a cup emblematic of
he worlds yachting title.
SIXTEEN YACHTS START.
Sixteen yachts started in the con-
est on August 20, 1851, from Cowes,
N the Isle of Wight Tho course
allied was around the island and the
america came home in the van, win
ling the cup, which ever since has
een known as the Americas cup.
'he Aurora, smallest of the Americas
ivals, came homo second, beaten by
ighteen minutes
On July, 8, 1857, just six years later,
he owners of the America-J. c. and
Edwin A. Stevens, Hamilton Wilkes,
:. b. Finley, and George L. Schuyler
resented the cup to the New York |
'acht Club to be held as a perpetual |
trophy. The original |
ost of the cup was 100 guineas, a |
1ere drop in the bucket when com |
ared with the cost OF construction |
( a racing yacht Of today.
James Ashbury, of the Royal |
'homas Yacht Club, London. chal-
enged for the cup in October. 1868.
wing to a disagreement over the
erms under which the race was to be
tagged, however, he did not race for
until lotV, wnen ne crossed the At
,ntic in the schooner yacht Cambria,
acing against James Gordon Ben--
ett's Dauntless and winning by more
1an an hour.
CUP Is RETAINED.
The conditions of the race for the
merica's Cup in 1870 were the same
tat governed the race around the
lie of Wight, and the Cambria raced
yainst the whole New York, Yacht
lub fleet In one contest. The course
RS laid out from a point off stapIe-
N, staten Island, around the Sandy
ook Lghtship- and return, and mr.
en- schooners competed. The contest
arted at 11:20 a. m. August 8, and
e schooner Magic won. defeating
Ter, which came home second. by n
inutes. The America finished fourth
the race and the Cambria came
,me tenth.
Determined to lift the cup Mr.. Ash.
Try came back to America in 1871