Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-10-22
Gloucester Men Confident
Schooner Elsie Will Win


terest but little anxiety was shown by
Gloucester-men tonight in the races
beginning at Halifax, N. s., tomorrow
between their crack schooner Elsie.
and the Canadian champion. Bluenose,
for the International fishing vessel
championship.
They felt that the Elsie would win
as did the Esperanto last year, with
Marty WEIGH again at the helm and
most Of the Esperanto's crew aboard
to handle her. At the Master Mari
ners' Club. the captains who did not
go to Halifax to see the races in de.
Tense OF the cup, discussed how great
a margin the Elsie would have.
On the street corners the fishermen
OF the fleet argued 1t out, a few hold
ing that the newer Canadian vessel
should win but most Of them satisfied
that the Elsie would bring tho CUP
back again.
| The Elsie's handy victory over
four other schooners in the race here
| on October 10 to select the defender
had In 1t many points that promised
continued success. Captain Martys
statement that she was minutes fast
er than the Esperanto and the known
fact that she had beaten the former
cup winner In brushes on the banks
as recently as the day on which the
Esperanto went down off Sable Island
added to the confidence of Cape Ann
folks.
Against the Elsie was only a slight
question of what she could do II. a big
dow, but men who had fshed in her
during storms on the banks gave ties.
timonial to her weatherly qualities
ana asserted that the Canadian cham.
pion would have to be very fast in
light airs or heavy blows to race with
her.
The Esperanto won last year in two
straight races of a best-two-in-tbree &c.
ries. the first time easily and the Sec
ond after a stern chase in which Es.
peranto pushed through the lee Of
Delawana. dangerously close to the
bseakers.
Breakers ahead on the port bow"
the lookout shouted.
! Breakers ahead. Mr.. Smith. I'd
like to go through but we may wretk
her trying" Captain Marty repeated,
turning to the owners representative.
Let her go. To HI with the
breakers" was the response. And the
Esperanto went through and won.
Her success led to keen competition
Tor sthe international championship
There were built in Canada several
schooners laid down to meet the con.
ditions Of the deed Of gift and at Bos-
ton funds were subscribed to build the
Mayhower, schooner as trim as
yacht.
When the Mayfower. after a season
on the fishing banks, was Nominated
as the defender--too fast for any
American schooner to challenge her
claims-the Canadian trustees ruled
that she was more yacht than fisher
man and did not conform in letter or
spirit with the terms Of the deed Of
| gift and they debarred her. There.
upon an elimination race was arranged
In which Elsie won the right to sue.
coed Esperanto.
! There is little Of the modern about
the Elsie. She has been fishing out
or Gloucester for II years. testing
her timbers against the elements in all
kinds of weather. She might lose a
sail In a storm but her hull was sound
and she always came out standing dr
TO the blow. Her semi-knockabout rig
Is conservative. sacrificing something
OF speed to the safety that Is neces-
sary In her work.
| The terms of the deed Of gift are
we'll beyond the Elsie's measurements
OF 1877 TONS 1865 feet in length, rs feet
beam. lis feet depth and sail area
In proportion.