Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-26

New York Times on Board the Elena; Copy
| right, 1928. in Europe and the United States
By the New York Times Co,
SANTANDER, Spain, July 25-~Elens
has won the transatlantic race Ia Spain
crossing the finish line at S;lS:22 on
Tuesday. after a voyage of two weeks,
two days and 81 hours. +
We enjoyed every kind OF weather
except snow and after an eventful trip
our laborS now are fully rewarded. It
was glorious experience over every
one of the BOSS miles. During most
of the trip the weather was excellent,
but for three days. beginning on July
IA. Father Neptune treated is to II
real storm.
1t began with fresh racing breeze
and a rough quarteriug sea, so that by
pm. when our iib topSail carried
away. our troubles had begun. The
ship heeled over until the lee rail was
awash. and now and then as she
shipped water over the stern, the
water raced down the scuppers.
Squalls Encountered.
When / turned in for the night the
sky was covered with ominous black
clouds. The sea seemed Infinitely large
while our little boat had shrunk in
size since we left New York, At 4;30
am. heavy squalls struck us uneX-
pectedly with terrific force and the
wind. with a velocity of 10 TO so miles,
made us heel over so that the gauge
registered 25 degrees.
The lee rail was buried two feet under
water. I was sleeping Soundly at the
Ixy IN EyNd "
self living damned up against a bureau
across the room from my bunk. The
reason for this rude awakening was
that had been thrown clear over the
canvas strip attached along the bed to
prevent lust such an accident.
On deck men rushed back and forth
working frantically to furl the topsalls
while binding downpour of rain
added TO the discomfort OF the Sltua-
ton. The strain on the rigging was
terrific. At any moment something
might give way, but when the canvas
was reduced, Elena rode out the storm
well, and the worst of the squall blew
itself out at 9 o'clock.
Elena proved herself a splendid
rough weather boat and made excel
lent progress with all head sails furled,
Jogging as much as II knots an hour
when held within points of the wind.
She also was remarkably dry, as the
wooden covers, screwed over the sky
lights before we left New York to pre-
vent the glass being smashed In a
storm, we're not needed.
II. however. was necessary to keep
everything tightly closed as precau-
ton and TO wear ollskins continuously
because of the spray which came over
hfsrind heF
nose in wave.
Fair Weather Prevails.
The slant of the boat was SO great
that the electric refrigerator would not
work, and we we're obliged to salt down
the meat IN order TO keep 1t from
spelling.
Most of the time, however, the weather
was fine. the sea blue and the breeze.
generally from the Southwest, light.
The greatest entertainment was pro-
vided by Nip and Tuck. the two wire
haired fox terriers We took along as
nlascots. The names were given to
them so that II the race Was nip and
tuck between us and the Atlantic. We
would have both Of them with US.
Nip developed sealegs very soon, but
Tuck took some time to acclimate him.
self. BY the time the storm was over,
however. both had become regular sea-
dogs. Tuck still objected to the slant
of the deck, but recovered sufficiently TO
have a tug -of-war with the mainsheet.
Nip seemed worried because he couldn't
find any place TO bury bones and none
of the works on navigation which he
had aboard gave dogs afioat any adj
vice on the subject.
The first three days out. In some
ways. were the most interesting. 1t was
a close Long Island Sound race, for the
Atlantic was continually in sight. The
race started with gentle breeze from
the west, and. as predicted. Elena proved
herself wonder In light airs. She soon
was miles ahead of the others and
maintained her lead for a whole day,
although the wind had become fresh
and steady.
Topsam Splits.
When 1t registered Is knots. how
ever. our balloon jib topsail split and
had to be taken below for repairs. Dur
ing the three hours needed for this the
Atlantic came up and passed US. When
our jib was reset we passed her IN turn
so closely that We took her wind and
we could see her sails shaking
Later the wind increased and our Jib
split again, this time even more Sc
vereiy Although this sail had passed
expert inspection before leaving New
York 1t evidently had been attacked by