Aug. 26, 1893.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



173 



apart and vexed by alternate flnkes and calms, and yet the nineteen 

 yachts crossed the line within barely five minutes; the three leaders 

 crossed at almost the same moment, and about two minutes later the 

 others came down in a close bunch from inshore and crossed the line 

 together. The olflcial times were: 



SCHOONEES— FIRST CLASS. 



start. Finish. Elapsed. Corrected. 



Dauntless 10 12 41 l 56 38 3 ^ 52 3 43 58 



Constellation 10 15 OO 1 55 48 3 40 48 3 39 27 



Yampa, 10 14 83 1 5? 30 8 4a 5r 3 41 31 



Eamona. 10 15 00 1 56 09 3 41 09 3 39 17 



TBrR.D CIiASS. 



Alcroa 10 15 00 1 52 53 3 37 52 3 87 52 



Lasca 10 13 45 1 55 52 8 48 07 3 42 3S 



Mayflower 10 14 05 1 56 43 3 42 .38 3 40 40 



Atlantic 10 14 28 1 58 05 8 43 87 3 39 50 



WOttRTH CIiASS, 



Artel , . ...10 13 06 1 .57 12 8 44 06 3 44 06 



Marguerite 10 14 83 1 .57 10 3 42 87 3 43 37 



Shamrock 10 1.5 0(1 1 55 04 9 40 04 3 34 02 



Stobps— thIrd class. 



Katritta iO 10 00 1 93 52 3 43 5^ 3 43 52 



Hui-oh; . ; lO 10 00 1 5S 03 3 49 OS! S 37 57 



■\yaywat-d.; . ; 10 10 00 1 56 20 3 46 20 3 46 20 



Queen Mab 10 08 ()§ 1 54 48 8 46 88 3 43 16 



FIFTH CLASS. 



Fredonia 10 08 46 1 56 ll 3 4?^ Not timed. 



SIXTH CLASS. 



Wasp 10 08 00 1 55 28 3 47 24 3 47 58 



HOTpoon... 10 10 00 1 54 02 3 44 02 3 43.56 



Jessica 10 10 00 1 56 25 3 46 29 3 41 19 



So far as the real merits of the yachts are concerned, the times show 

 nothing, the race being practically over when the fluking began be- 

 tween the Hen and Chickens and West Island. 



The fleet, increased by a number of sailing and steam yachts which 

 had run out from Newport to seethe finish, worked into the harbor, 

 and though there was nothing like the muster of the preceding week, 

 there was still a goodly assembly for the end of the cruise. JIany 

 yachtsmen waited over longer than they intended in the hope of see- 

 ing one fair trial between the Cup defenders, the interest being in- 

 creased instead of diminished by the various meetings since the cruise 

 began, not one of which was at all conclusive as to the merits of the 

 boats in good sailing weather. 



Vigilant was at anchor in Breuton's Cove, having arrived early in 

 the day. A very handsome new hollow boom made by her builders 

 was shipijed, and another mainsail bent, being taken from the tender 

 and the old one sent aboard in its place. Mi-.' Gilbert Wilson, of Wil- 

 son & Criffln, who made her sails, was on board duriag the day and 

 stayed with her for the first race. Jubilee was anchored near Vigi- 

 lant, none the worse, from all accounts, for the grounding off the 

 Vineyard. She was completely stripped, a large .shore boat being used 

 to lighter oil the stuff', some eight tons being taken out, representing 

 the difference between her racing and cruising trim. Her canvas was 

 not at its best, but the same sails were used throughout the cruise. 

 Outgide of Goat Island lay Mgrim, in fine condition, the slight acci- 

 dent of Thutsday being repaired, anew hollow footyard made by Law- 

 ley, and of suitable length, being obtained of the Thetis. Colonia, 

 lying just above the harbor, was also in readiness. 



Thames street and the wharves were lively during the evening, 

 yachtsmen, skippers and jack tars gathering in little groups and dis- 

 cussing the work of their favorite boats and the probabihties of the 

 morrow. The amount of feeling involved in the whole series of races 

 of the new boats is evidenced by the excitement over each meeting; 

 on the attendant steamers and club boats excited groups would 

 gather and watch every move closely, a shout going up from one 

 group as Vigilant or Jubilee gained a sUght advantage, the demon- 

 stration being received with a cold silence from the partisans of the 

 other three, each of whom awaited the time when it would be his 

 turn to shout. 



The divisions and sub divisions of the various factions ran into the 

 most complicated ramiflcations; New York, although represented by 

 Eastern buUt boats, is flghtiug Boston with a revival of tlie old feel- 

 ing Which rather prematurely dubbed Puritan a ''brick sloop,'" and led 

 to the painting, months in advance, of a picture of the New York 

 yacht leading Puritan around the Lightship in the trial races of 1885. 

 Stoplied for a time by the prominence of the East in the defense of 

 the (Jup, this local feeling has again awakened. 



Opposed to it, however, is a" widespread sympathy, by no means 

 coniineii to Boston or the East, with Gen. Paine, as representing more 

 than any other one person the success of America in the contests of 

 188B-6-7. This feeling is found everywhere, regardless alike of local 

 jealousies and technical points. 



As a mere matter of local pride, the whole north shore of Long 

 Island Sound, from Hell Gate to New Haven, swears by Vigilant; 

 while another class of her adherents profess to regard her as the 

 legitimate representative of the national centerboard type; whoUy 

 ignoring the patent fact that though having a centerboard she is a 

 cutter of greater draft than many large British racers, such as 

 Genesta and Galatea. 



Among Colonla's adherents are a large part of the Herreshoff fol- 

 lowilig who believe in Wasp and Gloriana, and also many who have no 

 deeper motive than personal friendship or admiration for Mr. Rogers 

 and Captain Haff, each of whom holds an enviable place among 

 Amerieati yachtsmen, amateur and professional. Bear Com. Rogers' 

 reputation In the old Bedouin, and the promptness with which he had 

 a Cup defender under way on the first acceptance of the challenge, 

 have won much sympathy for Colonia, even from those unknown to 

 him personally ; while the work of Captain HaflE in Volunteer, to say 

 nothing of his skUlful handling of Fanny and Titania, have made his 

 name familiar to all American yachtsmen. 



One broad line of division shading into many minor ones is drawn at 

 the bulb fln-keel; this innovation, as represented by Pilgrim and .lubi- 

 lee, is praised by many as a substantial advance in designing, and as 

 heartily denounced by many others as a mischievous machine com- 

 pared with the two Herreshoff boats. Some there are who stand by 

 the deep fin, while others uphold the more moderate draft and in- 

 creased range of use of the centerboard flu. 



NaturaUy the Herreshoft'Sj after Gloriana, Wasp and Dilemma, have 

 a very large personal following, divided into keel and centerboard, but 

 all looking to see Bristol beat Boston. The pluck and enterprise dis- 

 played by the two young Bost,on designers, Stewart & Binney, in not 

 only providing a foiu-th defender for the Cup, but in carrying the fin 

 experiment to a practical test has won them many friends" throughout 

 the country, while those who have seen the result of their work as 

 displayed in their drydock have nothing but praise for it. Taken alto- 

 gether, the issues this year, national, local and technical, are infinitely 

 more comijlicated and no less sharply contested than in the old cutter 

 and sloop controvery. 



Astor Cups, First Race. 



NEWPORT, WtNUWARD AND LKBWAKD. 



Thursday, Aug. 17. 



The official announcement of the conditions of the Astor cu])s was 

 as follows, some slight changes having been made from the original 

 announcement earlier in the season: 



Capt. J. J. Astor, N. Y. Y. C . offers two cups, $600 each, to be sailed 

 for by sloops, cutters and yawls belonging to the club, under the fol- 

 lowing conditions: 



The w inner of the first day's race is to take one cup, and the winner, 

 second, third and fourth boats shah compete in the second race for 

 the other cup. In the event of the second cup being won by the boat 

 which was second, third or fourth in the first day's race, tliere shall be 

 a third race between these two boats, and the winner of the third race 

 shall take both cups. 



Time limit for each race is six liours, HauJing out to clean not 

 allowed after commencement of the cruise. Wind and weather per- 

 iuittiug, the races will be sailed on consecutive days Entries must be 

 made in writing. They will be received on board the fiagship up to 8 

 A. M. Aug. 17. 



Sailing directions for Aug. 17. — The start will be made at 11 A, M. 

 Should a signal gun miss fire, a prolonged blast of the whi.stle will be 

 given. Starting signals ('one gun start): Preparatory, a gun will be 

 fired and the cJub signal lowered and the blue peter set in its place; 10 

 minutes later a second gun will be fired, the blue pet;er lowered and a 

 red baU hoisted on the friatic stay, and this will be the starting time 

 for nil contestants. Wlien the\- hiive crossed the line the club signal 

 wUl be reset and the ball will couie down. 



Course: From au imaginary fine between the May and Brenton's 

 Reef Lightship, to and around a float displaying a large red flag 15 

 miles 10 windward or to leeward, and return, finishing over a line 

 drawn as for the start. The float must be left on the starboard band 

 in rounding. It will be marked by a tug, a short distance beyond, dis- 

 playing a large club top signal. The compass course wifl be signalled 

 before the prepai-atory signal is made. 



The fact was not generally know to the spectators until after the 

 race, but shortly before the start the regatta committee gave notice to 

 each of the four yachts that the one-gun start would be replaced by a 

 time start, with an interval of two mmutes, in which the yachts might 

 cross before being handicapped. As it was, every one was looking for 

 a one-gun start, and the opening maneuver^ werp genecaUy misunder- 

 stood by the onlookers. ' " 



Thursday was the first approach to a stormy day encountered on the 

 cruise. Tuesday had been cool and cloudy, and during the night the 

 wind came in fresh from S.E., hght in the harbor but a good working 

 breeze outside. The racing contingent was awake and on deck by 5 A. 

 M., and the eager yachtsmen who flocked in by train from Boston and 

 other points had turned out quite as early, and so far as the yachting 

 side of the race was concerned, the start might have been made by 

 9:30. There was much more than this to be considered, however. 

 Newport society had deigned to take an interest in the races for the 

 Astor cup, and so the early hour of 11 A. M. had been set for the start. 

 It was well on to that time before the last launch load had been landed 

 aboard the Newport division of the steam yacht fleet — May, Nour- 

 mahal, Reva, Eleetra, Intrepid, White Layde, Conqueror, Ituna and 

 Magnolia. 



The four racers, with a large attendant fleet, were at the Lightship 

 by 10 A. M., saUing and steam yachts, tugs, catboats, launches, and 

 the monitor Miantonomah and the torpedo boat Gushing. On board 

 of Pilgrim were Messrs. Geo. A. Stewart, Arthur Binney and Captain 

 Edward Sherlock, Jlessrs. Adams, of Harpoon; B. Palmer, Bayard 

 Thayer, of Constellation. Mr. Otis was still ill ashore after his acci- 

 dent on Thursday. On board of Colonia were Uv. Rogers, Capt. Hank 

 Haff and his son Harry, mate; Capt. Rhodes, of Lasca, and Berry, of 

 Wasp, Mr. N. G. Herreshoff, the designer of the yacht, was this time 

 on board, having sailed on Vigilant in most of the previous races. On 

 Jubilant were Gen. Paine and Mr. John B. Paine, Capt. John Barr, 

 Messrs. Richards, Fay, Bryant and Wood. Mr. Adrian Wilson of 

 Wilson & Silsby, the Boston sailmakers who have canvassed .lubUee, 

 Colonia and Pilgrim was also on board. Vigilant carried Vice-Com. W. 

 Butler Duncan. C. Oliver Iselin, E. A. Willard, Herbert C. Leeds, Ran- 

 dolph Hurry. Mr. Wilson, the sailmaker, was also on board, and Capt. 

 Hansen was in command. 



On the wind as they worked about the line the racers were about 

 planksheer to under clubtopsails. Jubilee had trouble with hers, 

 resetting it; Vigilant was carrying her smaller clubtopsail. 



The starting line lay about N.K and S. W., the May lying N. E. of 

 the Breutoh's Reef Lightship, in line with Brenton's Point. The 

 preparatory gun was fired at 11:25, and the four soon began to work 

 for positions. While Jubilee ran over the line the other three lay to 

 west of the lightship. About four minutes before the gun Jubilee 

 stood back over the hue to the starting side, and tacked between the 

 lightship and Colonia, Pilgrim being under the latter's lee while 

 Vigilant was hanging back, astern of all. Pilgrim came for the line a 

 little before the ^un, and bore away, so that she was in the leeward 

 berth near the middle when she crossed. .JubUee went over promptly 

 on the weather end, close by the lightship, with Colonia just astern, 

 Vigilant waited until all the' others had gone and then shaved by the 

 lightship and made a shoot to windward to get well clear of Colonia's 

 wind. She luffed a h'ttle too high, the headsails flatting, but filled 

 away, and for the first time the four cup defenders were fairly started 

 in a good race. The times of the start were: JubUoe 11:35:2], Pilgrim 

 11:.35:26, Colonia 11:35:58, Vigilant 11:36:19. 



As they settled down to real windward work all carried clubtop- 

 sails and baby jibtopsails, though Jubilee did not break hers out at 

 first. In the matter of canvas, JubUee was at a disadvantage, her 

 clubtopsail sitting badly and the mainsail being inferior to the others. 

 Her sails, with those of Colonia and Pfigrim, were made by Messrs. 

 Wilson & Silsby, of Boston, whfle those of Vigilant were made by 

 Messrs. Wilson & Qrhfin, of New York. Colonia and Pilgrim showed 

 better sitting sails, especially the club topsails. The lacing on 

 Jubilee's topsaU parted before the start, but the damage had been 

 repaired. 



The fir.st quarter of an hour served to place the boats, such saihng 

 as has since been done in this and later races merelj' confirming the 

 almost unanimous conclusions of those who watched the fleet care- 

 fully. Though to leeward, Pilgrim sprang away at first, and opened a 

 little from under Jubilee and'then even ran clear. Colonia in the 

 latter's wake was about holding her, while Vigilant was not footing 

 with the others. 



The friends of the fin-keel were jubilant, but only for a minute or 

 two; she was carrying sail well, though heeling a little more than any 

 of the others, and she pointed up, but Jubfiee began to foot by her, 

 while the distance between them, beam and beam, widened percepti- 

 bly, the deep fin sUdiug off. Colonia and JubUee were making a fine 

 race, the latter a himdred yards astern, but neither losing nor 

 gaining. 



Five minutes had hardly gone before Jubilee pulled up and then 

 slipped clear of Pilgrim; then Colonia drew across the fin boat's vrind 

 and stood to pass her as Jubilee had just done. At ten minutes from 

 the start, when Colonia was on her weather quarter, PUgrim made a 

 tack to starboard, heading off shore to the southward and passing 

 just under Colonia's stern. 



All this time Vigilant had been steadily weathering out to windward, 

 pointing high and holding where she looked, and though further astern 

 than at the start measured as the boats were heading, she was well to 

 windward of the other two. 



At noon, all three were in a strai.ght line. Colonia midway between 

 Jubilee and VigUant, the former well ahead of her lee bow and the 

 latter weU to windward of her weather quarter. The steam fleet ran 

 but a short distance to leeward of the racers, holding abreast of them, 

 and it was possible to note every slight gain or loss. The wind held 

 fresh, and .JubUee was now heeling the most, she had footed well 

 ahead, but was not getting to windward with Vigilant, Colonia being 

 between the two in footing and holding on. Pilgrim was standing olf 

 at some distance from the others, but in about the same wind. 



C!olonia was the first to go on port tack after Pilgrim at 12:10; 

 Vigilant cast aljout at once and found herself well placed on Colonia's 

 weather bow. When Jubilee went about a couple of minutes later, 

 she was to windward of the others, but a long distance astern. 

 VigUant was carrying her baby jibtopsail, the others having stowed 

 theirs, and hers came in at 12:30. At this hour Colonia was a quarter 

 of a mUe from VigUant's lee quarter, while JubUee was about half a 

 mile from her weather quarter and not holding this place. Pilgrim, 

 off to the S. W., was visible indistinctly, a light rain beginning to fall, 

 she having just gone on starboard tack to close in with the others. 



She had certainly improved her position since leaving the fleet, for 

 as she and Colonia neared it was clear that she would go by easily, and 

 at 12:47 she crossed Colonia's bows. When she tacked, three minutes 

 later, she was second boat, weU astern of Vigilant, but ahead of 

 Colonia and Jubilee. Her gain was of short duration. Colonia went 

 on starboard tack, and when they met after another twenty minutes. 

 Pilgrim, on the wrong tack, was compelled to go under her stern. 

 Colonia stood across and weathered Jubilee, tacking at 1:15 on the 

 latter's weather bow. Again PUgrim came in with the others, and this 

 time, about 1:30, she crossed Jubilee's wake. 



VigUant's superiority was by this time demonstrated beyond ques- 

 tion, and the interest now centered on the second position, Jubilee and 

 Colonia making an obstinate and very even fight. At 1:40 the two 

 were close together. Jubfiee under Colonia's bow. Colonia set her 

 baby jibtopsail again, the others showing only four sails. The wind 

 stiU held strong and true, in fact there were no fiukes throughout the 

 race. The rain fell lightly at times, and the sea was smooth, only a 

 fight roll on. 



Gratifying as it would be to see the four stripped, with topmasts 

 housed, or in a sea with a working topsaU breeze, the conditions in 

 this race were of the best for a test of those (lualities which tell in the 

 majority of races saUed under a time limit, speed to T^dndward under 

 clubtopsails. 



VigUant was now nearing the outer mark, where the Scandinavian 

 and Luckenbach and a number of steam yachts were awaiting her. 

 She was making a steady gain on the fleet, and Pilgrim, on the other 

 hand, was losing, while JubUee and Colonia, now separated on oppo- 

 site tacks, showed nearly the same relative positions. Vigilant came 

 for the mark on port tack, rounded, making a rather wide sweep, and 

 was timed 2:0(i:.S7. Her spinaker boom was on deck, and it was over 

 four minutes after she had squared away before the saU was broken 

 out, to starboard. JubUee came next, having overstood a little; she 

 swung about like a top and was away in VigUant's wake. Colonia 

 made her last ta ck just under Jubilee's lee, and followed her closely 

 around the marlr. As she squared ofl' she heeled considerably rolling, 

 until her boom dragged in the water, and recaUed that hard bang out 

 the lightship in the New York Y. C. regatta of 1884 when Ileen put her 

 mainljoomin the water so far that the late Capt. Jake Schmidt, on 

 one of the mark boats, suggested that she should have potleaded it. 



The notable incident of the day was the rounding of Pilgrim; every 

 one was looking, after Jubilee's maneuver to see her turn even more 

 rapidly; but when she passed the mark and her wheel was rolled hard 

 over she refused to pay orf, and ran along swiftly almost at right 

 angles to her true course home. The Scandinavian and another tug 

 lay at a safe distance from the mark, leaving ample room for turning, 

 but Pilgrim headed straight for the manly form of Neils Olsen, on the 

 after deck of the Scandinavian, and as the tug started ahead out of the 

 way, PUgrim passed the spot where she had laid. The yacht was soon 

 under control, and after the others with spinaker set. Balloon jibtop- 

 saUs were set and broken out as soon as the spinakers were tacked 

 down, and the race for home began. The official times at the turn 

 were: VigUant 3:06:37, Jubilee 2:12:30, Colonia2:l3;ll, PUgrim 3:16:43. 



The run home was under the same even conditions as the beat out, 

 the wind holding steady in force and direction and favoring no one 

 boat. When an hour's run from the turn PUgrim, with her boom weU 

 off, broke her gaff just outside the arms of the jaw forging, and of 

 course \vithdrew, lowering her mainsail and towing in astern of the 

 Scandinavian. She also sprung her topsaU club. Vigilant's compasses 

 were not adiusted properly, and took her to leeward of her true 

 course. Rather than to lose time ia jibing her kites, she ran by the 

 lee for a while after the Lightship was sighted, carrying her in under 

 the shore and lengthening the distance sailed. When well in to the 

 line she stowed her light sails and jibed her mainsaU, reaching in and 



flniahing at 3:39;11 witb eome 4 minutes' lead, the official times being: 



Start. Finish. Elapsed. 



Vigilant 11 36 19 3 38 11 4 03 52 



JubUee 11 33 31 3 43 34 4 08 13 



Colonia 11 35 58 3 44 10 4 08 21 



Pilgruu 11 35 26 Did not finish. 



VigUant beats .JubUee 7m. 31s. and Colonia 7m. 39s. 



As Jubilee was running in after the finish with boom iDroad oft', the 

 gaff sw^ung too far forward and bent one of the iron jaws; the damage 

 was not serious, however, and by hard work during the night it was 

 repaired in time for the start next day. On the way in the press yacht 

 Harriet, that had been pushed to keep up with the racers, laurned out 

 a tube m her boiler, scalding the engineer and fireman quite seriously. 

 The tug N. L. Doane took the yacht in tow and the injured men were 

 taken ashore for treatment. 



The corrected times were of course not computed, as none of the 

 yachts have been measured, but they would not affect the ownership 

 of the prize or the merits and demerits of the work. 



Astor Cups, Second and Third Days. 



Aug. IS~19. 



Pilgrim was unable to make repairs for the morrow, having to send 



to Lawleys for new ironwork, while a new gaff and topsail club were 

 ordered in Newport. Jubilee was ready at the last moment, and 

 Colonia and Vigilant had little to do outside of the ordinary racing 

 routine. Vigilant, Colonia and Jubilee were at the line on Friday 

 morning, finding a very hght N.E. wind. The course signals displayed 

 from the May called for the first leg, of 10 mUes. S. by E., the second 

 N.E.J^E., the third W.N.W. The Scandinavian started oft' at 11 :40 and 

 just at noon the preparatory gun was fired, with the starting gun at 

 12:10 and the handicap gun at 12:13. 



VigUant was over first at 12:11:39, with Jubilee to leeward at 13:12:03 

 and Colonia, further to leeward, at 1^:12:06. All carried baUoon fore- 

 sails and balloon jibtopsails. The wind dropped almost as soon as the 

 yachts were over, and then came in patches from all quarters, but 

 always light, such weather is only too often met oft' Newport, with a 

 S. W. breeze hanging around Point Judith and two or thi-ee other 

 breezes trying to blow from other quarters, the neutral zone of calms 

 and fiukes covering the open water between Brenton's Reef aad Block 

 Island on which the Newport courses are laid out. Colonia soon 

 stood over toward the west shore, where a breeze was visible, and 

 when the fieet, after nearly two tedious hours came together, all 

 having been on the wind, she had a long lead of Jubilee, the second 

 boat, VigUant, being well to leeward. 



They had worked on slowly, the ten mile mark being turned: 

 Colonia 3:08:40, JubUee 3:14:30, VigUant 3:20:04. With spinakers and 

 balloon jibtopsaUs set they ran for the second mark m light and 

 baffling airs. Vigilant passing Jubilee. At 5:45 they were stiU sliort of 

 the second mark and with no wind, so each was taken in tow by a tug 

 or steam yacht, and the race abandoned. 



The first event of Saturday was a meeting aboard the flagship at 10 

 A. M,, at which the cruise was formally disbanded, for once without 

 the races for the Owl and Gamecock colors and for naphtha launches, 

 no opportunity having been found on the entire cruise for these 

 events. Many yachts left the fleet, but the large steamers were all 

 out at the start to see another trial for the Astor cups. The weather 

 was no more promising than on Friday, cloudy and daraj) \vith a light; 

 N.E. wind. The course laid out n-as: E. ^ S., 10 mUes, W. by S. J.^ S., 

 and N. by E. The start was given at 13:20. The Scandinavian mis- 

 took the course, and was chased and set straight by the Luckenbach. 

 Vigilant had the weather gauge, crossing at 13:20:52, with JubUee to 

 leeward at 13:21:14. Colonia was a little late but out to windward of 

 Vigilant, at 12:21:35. Starting for a reach, within a very few minutes 

 the wind headed, and the three were trying to beat out to the first 

 mark, as on Friday, with a light S.W. wind. In a light and fluky air 

 the windward work was tedious and inconclusive. Jubilee wa.s in 

 luck for a time and held the lead, but Vigilant finally passed her and 

 rounded the mark first, the times being: VigUant 3:02:07, Jubilee 

 3:03:44, Colonia 3:21 :05. The next leg was made slowdy with baUoon 

 jibtopsails set, the wind being on the beam. Vigilant gained, the 

 times at the second mark being: Vigilant 4:28:43, Jubilee 4:34:16, and 

 Colonia 4:49:53. It was now a run before the wind, spinakers being 

 quickly set, but the fleet merely drifted, and in the end the leader 

 failed to finish by ten minutes, the oflicial times being: 



Start. Finish. Elapsed. 



Vigilant 12 20 53 6 31 01 6 10 09 



Jubilee 12 21 14 6 38 55 6 17 41 



Colonia 12 21 -35 6 47 54 6 26 19 



Monday being set for the Corinthian Y. C. sweepstakes, the next 

 trial for the Astor cups will be sailed on Wednesday. Jubilee wUl not 

 sail in any more races at present, but has returned to Boston, where 

 she will be hauled out for alterations and her canvas will be taken in 

 hand. Pilgrim will probably sail in the remaining race or races for 

 the Astor cup. 



The sailing of Friday and Saturday was in no way a test, and save 

 for odd bits of work may be thrown out entirely, with the general 

 conclusion, that VigUant is first bj- a large margin and tliat Jubilee is 

 a little better than Colonia. The saUing in tJie Goelet cup race and 

 the runs of the cruise does little more than to confirm this conclusion, 

 and we must look to the first race for the Astor cups for a fair and 

 conclusive test. 



On their form up to the present time, after all the preliminary pre- 

 paration and ten days of desultory sailing and racing with the fleet, 

 Vigilant has proved herself the fastest of the lot in very light airs, 

 and what is of far more importance, the ablest and most w'eatherly 

 under good racing conditions. Barring the chances of breakdowns, 

 which are possiblj' a little greater with her than with the others, there 

 is no reason to believe that she is in any sense a light-weather boat, 

 and that even though she may be relatively inferior to Colonia or 

 JubUee in hard weather and a sea, she would not be fast, able and sea- 

 worthy under any conditions ordinarUy met in racing. In the way 

 that she carries her sail she shows no lack of stability, and no 

 evidence of the faults attributed to her sister boat, Navahoe, the 

 nearest to her in type of ah the five new yachts. 



While there is every probability of Vigilant retaining the first place 

 in subsequent meetings, the indications now are that PUgrim will be 

 at the other end of the fleet. Her designers and skipper have not lost 

 heart, and are working very pluckily to improve the boat now that 

 her defects are apparent, but the showing of the boat in this race was 

 very discouraging, and the chances are decidedly against such a great 

 improvement as would place her beside Vigilant. 



The fln-keel is as yet a crude experiment. There are many problems 

 which can only be solved by hard practical experience, the calculations 

 of the naval architect lending veryj little aid to their solution, and thus 

 far the work of the designer in this type must be largely a gue.ss. It 

 is not yet even clear where the faults he, and the matter of remedying 

 them in the short time remaining before the trial races is a difficult 

 one. As she now is. Pilgrim has little chance with either of the others 

 under ordinary conditions. 



Between Jubilee and Colonia the issue is very close; the former has 

 a good margin for improvement in her canvas, and witti it in good shape 

 she must do much better work to windward. Colonia is fast enough 

 in the footing, but fails in pointing and holding on, as would naturally 

 be the case in a keel vessel of her draft. Her exact dimension.s are 

 not known, but it is stated positively by tho.se who do know that her 

 draft is less than 16ft. on a waterline of about 86ffc. 



All past experience on both sides of the Atlantic goes to show that 

 a keel boat, even of moderate beam and limited saU plan, cannot be 

 taken to windward with a centerboard boat on such a draft as this. 

 Wasp, the successful 46-footer of which Colonia is to a great extent 

 an enlargement, has upward of lift, draft, but with the same propor- 

 tion of draft to length as in Colonia she would draw only about 8ft. 

 Gin. ; and on the other hand. Wasp enlarged to 8Bft. I.w.l. would draw 

 20ft. instead of under 16. AVhile in doubling the length tlie draf t woiUd 

 not increase in the same proportion, it would seem that tiie difference 

 now existing is entirely too great. 



The possibility of an 85-footer of the extreme narrow t.ype has been 

 frequently discussed in connection with the failure of Genesta and 

 Thistle, and the general opinion of designers and experienced yachts- 

 men abroad and on this side has been thrit at least IT ft. draft w as the 

 minimum from w^hich good results miglit be expected. This was in 

 boats of moderate beam and power, and when it eomes to a sail spread 

 of ll,000sq. ft. a still greater draft is needed, not for stability, the very 

 wide modern keels providing that, but for a thoroughly eft'ective 

 lateral plane, that will compare to advantage with the centerboard. 

 There are rumors now of radical changes to be made iti Colonia, as 

 there is little hope for any great imjjrovemetu in her pre.seut forni; 

 one rumor mentions a centerboard, but the meebauieal difficulties in 

 the way of this are serious, considering the limited time, and what is 

 more likely is that the keel may be materially deepened. 



Tuesday. 



Newport, Aug. 21. — The northeaster kickedup such a sea to-day that 

 the captains of the markboats refused to go outside, and though the 

 yachtsmen were ready to sail the Corinthian Y. C. annual sweepstake 

 race, scheduled for the day, it was necessarily postponed. 



Barbara, cutter, Joseph S. Bass, of New London, went ashore in a 

 squall on the night of Aug. 12 on West Clump, Fisher's Lsland, when 

 bound home from Newport. The crew landed in the yaw], and a tu^ 

 was sent for, the yacht lieing hauled off next day and to wed to New 

 London, She was leaking badly, but the full extent of the damage 

 was not known. 



