Jult 21, 1894.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
B 9 
ties, to decide upon a maximum limit of measurement, either rating 
or sailing lengthy to govern future racing. 
The adoption of any standard size, a rating of 140, 150 or even of 
Vigilant's measurement, 175 rating, or of the equivalent sailing length 
of 98ft., would be a decided advance on the present chance methods; 
hut we believe that still better results would follow from the choice of 
a lower figure, such as 75 rating or 75ft. sailiDg length, about the 
measurement of the first Valkyrie and the American 70-footers. The 
reduction in 6ize from Vigilant to Titania and from Valkyrie II. to 
Valkyrie I. would be a material gain, and no more than commensurate 
with recent advances in speed and cost, especially the latter. A racing 
yacht of 70ft. waterline in 1895 would not only be a far larger, faster 
and more costly craft than any previous 70-footer, but she would be 
quite as large and fast, and much more costly than Puritan, of 81ft, 
She would be costly enough to suit the most extravagant ideas of 
what a gentleman's yacht should be, but at the same time she woidd 
be within the reach of one or two owners, and would not call for a 
syndicate of millionaires to run her for a single season. 
There is no question that the syndicate, as opposed to the individual 
owner, is one of the undesirable features of modern racing; and one 
that is apt to militate against the successful defense of the America's 
Cup, in restricting the number of trial yachts built, should the expense 
increase, or even continue at the present high figure; and looking at 
the racing yacht of to-day as a mere toy, outbuilt and useless after 
the first season, we would even be glad to see the size limited to 60ft. 
rather than 70, as producing a yseht that is large and fast enough for 
all racing, and at the same time of less cost, thus calling out a larger 
number of trial boats. 
We can foresee several objections which may be made, both the selec- 
tion of any limit, and to the limit of the 70ft. class, but we believe that 
none of them are of serious moment; and that if the New York Y. C, 
is thoroughly awake to the best interests of the Cup defense and of 
yachting in general, it can so arrange matters that orders for 70ft, 
yachts to defend the Cup in 1895 may be placed with the designers in 
November. The real responsibility for the hurry in the cases of May- 
flower, Volunteer and Valkyrie has rested with the holder and not the 
challenger; and, in the case of the next race, this hurry can easily be 
avoided by the action of the New York Y. C, and Mr. Herreshoff can 
he given as much time for the design and construction of a Cup de- 
fender as Mr. Watson will have over a challenger. 
In thus limiting the measurement for international competition, we 
are of the opinion that both parties might well go still further, 
and, without attempting too much, place such a moderate limit on the 
minimum area of the midship section, or other easily regulated factor, 
as should at least stop matters where they now are, and prevent a 
still more dangerous extreme in yachts, which, on both sides, must 
first of all be capable of making the Atlantic passage, 
One consequence of the short courses sailed in British waters is the 
very different form of reporting the races, as our readers will notice 
this week. Fairly accurate times may be taken every four or five 
miles, showing the position of each boat. It must be remembered, 
however, that times, save at start and finish, where they are taken on 
a permanent and accurate line, are not reliable within a margin of a 
quarter of a minute or so, and that the small gain3 and losses so 
carefully figured out on such leg are often misleading. The times at 
intermediate marks are usually taken from a vessel in motion, and at 
quite a distance, and often in a position where a true line cannot be 
drawn, so that too much reliance must not be placed on these figures. 
The suggestion has been made that the strengthening of Vigilant's 
hull for the ocean passage has had a detrimental effect on her speed,, 
but it is stated by cable that the struts from the deck to the bilge 
stringers were all removed on her arrival at Glasgow, leaving the hull 
in the same condition as last season. In spite of reports to the con- 
trary, no alterations of keel contour or outside ballast have been 
made since the Cup races. 
The Sinking of Valkyrie. 
From the Field. 
The opening day of the Mudhook Regatta will be memorable in 
yachting story, the incidents which came out of it being in fact 
altogether without a parallel— at the outset a deplorable collision oc- 
curred between the Satanita and Valkyrie, which resulted in the sink- 
ing of the latter nine minutes afterward, and at the close of the day 
the most exciting finish imaginable resulted in the victory of the 
Prince of Wales's cutter Britannia, over the valorous American cham- 
pion the Vigilant. The mishap to the Valkyrie naturally had a de- 
pressing effect on every one, but there was solace in the reflection 
that it had brought about no loss of life, although one poor fellow 
was sadly injured after the smash. It was something really inscruta- 
ble that nothing worse happened, seeing that Satanita ran stem on 
into the broadside of Valkyrie when tearing along with a tremendous 
head of speed on. The Greta, which was flagship, was lying just clear 
of the fleet at anchor, and, immediately before the start, the Valkyrie 
was coming on starboard tack with a clear line to skim close to the 
flagship and secure the highest weather berth possible. The Satanita, 
which was reaching in on port tack with Britannia in her wake was 
bent on standing on until she could stay on Valkyrie's weather 
quarter. A small craft, however, with four men in her, blocked 
Satanita's course, and in common humanity the helm was eased to 
clear them ; this was barely accomplished as the bow wave of Satanita 
washed one of the men overboard, and the boat was no sooner cleared 
than Satanita's amateur helmsman found it physically impossible to 
get the vessel off. The skipper of Satanita helping at the tiller could 
not avoid the inevitable, and she smashed stem on into the Valkyrie, 
cutting in two her port side between rigging and runners to below the 
water line and about 6ft. into the deck. Satanita's bowsprit broke off 
and came back inboard, and the force of the collision drove Valkyrie 
right round until she gybed oneway and Satanita the other, and ulti- 
mately drove Valkyrie broadside on to the Vanduara steam yacht, 
with the result that a lot of bulwarks of the latter were carried away 
and her large steam launch smashed up. 
At the time of the collision a number of Valkyrie's men jumped 
overboard, fearing the probable falling of gear, while others got on 
Satanita. It was"providential that the foredeck of the latter rose and 
thus eased the forestay, for, had the latter burst, as it was feared it 
would, the mast and everything would have fallen aft. The vessels 
remained locked and Satanita thus kept Valkyrie up, but when she 
blew back clear, Valkyrie at once began to take a port list, and directly 
after the stern rose in the air and Valkyrie went down head first. Lord 
Dunraven, who had guests on board, including two ladies, was late in 
leaving the vessel, but with so many yachts near, there was plenty of 
help at hand. Neither owner nor crew were able to save anything, 
and a good many valuables went down with Valkyrie. It may be said 
that just as she was settling down the topmast broke off, and at low 
water she was showing her masthead some ten feet. The vessel is 
lying on the fishing bank just inside the deep water of Holy Loch, yet 
is In about seventeen fathoms. A diver, however, undertook to go 
down yesterday. Satanita's damage is a great gaping chasm, coming 
from about ten inches above the copper upward, and back to about 
six frames on one side and three the other, while several deck beams 
are broken. Satanita loft no other spars than bowsprit, hut her top- 
mast was at one time bent like a bow through some of Valkyrie's 
gear hooking the backstays. It was 35s. before the starting gun 
that the collision occurred, and the match between Britannia 
and Vigilant commenced unperceived by many. In regard to 
the relative displays of the two boats, it is our opinion the 
Vigilant fully maintained her high reputation. It would not be right 
to say that Britannia won by a fluke. She was not more than 5m. 
astern at the outset when Vigilant ran into a comparative calm, and 
Britannia carried a gentle breeze up, and ran past her on the first 
round. Britannia made a great gain directly Vigilant's two spinakers 
did not fill; and the probability was that she would again have done 
so between the Cloch Lighttiouse and Kilereggan. Whether she 
would have gained enough to have saved her time is of course quite 
problematical. When, however, Britannia did get on terms and was 
running with the wind dead on the mast, she fairly went away from 
her opponent. Vigilant's was a fine display, each time beating down 
|he Clyde by long boards. She i» slow in stays and hangs when first 
full, but when 'set " going she forereaches very fast and the center- 
board grips her to windward. There was a positively startling dif- 
ference in the amount of light stuff Vigilant spread to advantage on a 
run compared to Britannia, and the wonderful way her running spe- 
aker and mu'naker jib filled at the same time. Compared to the 
Americnn. Britannia appears under-canvassed, and we were not a 
Jittl* puzzled to account for the Prince of Wales's cutter doing bet- 
ter in the light breezes than in the fresh. Probably Satnnita would 
have made a bold bid for victory on th« day; but judging on her 
previous essavs the unfortunate Valkvrie would not have be«n at all 
formidable. It may be said that Valkyrie was the only boat which 
prepared for the fray with a reef in mainsail. There was a scene of 
the wildest excitement when Britannia sailed home in triumph, and 
the character of the rejoicings which followed will result in an addi- 
tion to the national revenue. 
THE CLYDE AND IRISH RACES. 
Royal Northern Y. C, Wednesday, July 11. 
After the four races from off Hunter's Quay, recounted last week, 
the yachts went further down the Clyde for two days racing over the 
quadrangular course of the Royal Northern Y. C. starting off Craig- 
inore Pier, near Rothesay, in the Isle of Bute. This course is of the 
sort so earnestly prayed for by some of the Clyde yachtsmen on the 
occasion of Thistle's defeat over a windward and leeward course, each 
of its four sides being about four and f half miles lone, the two 
rounds making about thirty-six miles, after which the yachts sail 
once across diagonally and back, something over six miles each way. 
The first turn is off M^unt Stewart, the second off Largs, the third off 
Wemyss Bay, the final stretch being from the start, near the Toward 
Bank, across to Largs and back. 
The wind was, as usual, light from the south or up the Firth. When 
the gun fired at 10-30 neither was at the line, Vigilant finally crossing 
at 10:31:40 and Britannia, on her weather quarter, 15s. later. On the 
wind, with club topsails and large jibtopsails set, the two worked 
short tacks down the shore. Vigilant gaining, until at the Mount 
Stewart mark they were timed: Vigilant 11:18:20, Britannia 11:20:50. 
They reached across to Largs with booms to port and rather less 
wind, Britannia overtaking Vigilant and passing her to windward, the 
times at the Largs mark being, Britannia 11:50:35. Vigilant 11:51:87, 
After a jibe, spinakers were set to port and they ran for Wemyss 
Bay. Vigilant pressing Britaunia hard and making up part of the loss 
in the first two miles on this leg. The times at Wemvss Bay Mark 
were: Britannia 1 :00:54. Viglant 1 :01 :10. 
The wind had already gone to the westward before the mark was 
turned, and now it came from N.W., making a beat to the line, blow- 
ing fresher all time. Britannia now gained, finishing the first round 
with a lead of 2m. 15s. Britannia 1 :45:45. Vigilant 1:48. 
Reaching down to Mount Stewart, they were timed: Britannia 
2:05:25, Vigilant 2:07:10. 
The westering wind called for spinakers and booms squared as they 
ran for Largs, where the timing was: Britannia 2:42:46, Vigilant 
2:44:41. The free reach to the Wemyss mark told well for Britannia, 
the times being: Britannia 3:15:17, Vigilant 3:19:32. The wind fell 
light and more to the south, making a close reach to the line. Britan- 
nia still gaining and finishing the second round with a lead of 6m. 40s., 
Britannia 4:20:15, Vigilant 4:26:55. 
The pair now started across for Largs, the wind being very light. 
Britannia continued to gain on the free reach out and close reach 
back, the finish being timed: Britannia 6:39:58, Vigilant 7:01:19. The 
estimated allowance of Vigilant, she not having been measured, 
makes Britannia the winner by 24m. 21s., corrected time. Taken alto- 
gether, the race was most unsatisfactory; but at the same time there 
were many times when both yachts were together for some miles with 
a good breeze, offering every opportunity for comparison. Before 
this race Vigilant had been lightened of some three tons of lead, and 
after the finish further alterations were made in her ballast, and 
another mainsail bent. 
Royal Northern Y. C, Thursday, July 12. 
The second day's racing of the Royal Northern Y. C. was over the 
same course, but with better weather conditions, the 50 miles being 
made in b% hours instead of over 8 hours. After coming light from 
the south early in the morning, the wind went to N. W. and blew fairly 
hard all day. with hard puffs throughout the last two legs. Starting 
with a free reach to Mount Stewart, Britannia to windward and Vigi- 
lant 3s. ahead, Britannia soon passed her and gained a minute and a 
quarter in the four miles, the times being: Britannia 10:54:40, Vigilant 
10:55:59. 
After a handsome jibe Britannia set her spinaker flying in good style 
and hurried on for Largs, but Vigilant cut the lead down to the even 
minute, the times being: Britannia 11:39:30, Vigilant 11:40:30. 
It was a close race up the east shore for the Wemyss mark, and the 
wind headed on the way, both jamming for the mark. On the wind 
with a good breeze, Britannia gained fast, the times at Wemyss mark 
being: Britannia 12:09:57, Vigilant 12:13:34. 
On the beat to the finish Britannia fared rather better than Vigilant 
in the matter of luck, but the latter made a small gain, the times at 
the starting line being: Britannia 12:48:10, Vigilant 12:52:08. 
The leg to Mount Stewart was quickly run off, with booms eased to 
port, the times being: Britannia 1:08:19, Vigilant 1:12:18. 
The run across to Largs proved bad for Vigilant, she striking a light 
streak of wind and losing some time, Britannia sailing very fast mean- 
w hile. The times at Largs were: Britannia 1 :36 :03, Vigilant 1 :43:05. 
With sheets well in they reached up to the Wemyss mark, the wind 
hauling ahead for the next leg. The times at Wemyss were: Britan- 
nia 2:04:01, Vigilant 2:10:40. - 
When jammed on the wind for the beat across to the line, carrying 
clubtopsail and heeling well under the puffs that were now coming 
hard from the northwest, Vigilant showed at her best, and took two 
good minutes off Britannia, the finish of the second round being timed : 
Britannia, 2:28:30; Vigilant, 2:42:40. 
The course now lay nearly to leeward, 6^ miles to the Largs mark, 
the times showing little difference: Britannia, 3:12:30; Vigilant, 
3:16:30. 
On the beat across Vigilant took another two minutes off Britannia, 
the finish being timed: Britannia, 4:00:30; Vigilant, 4:02:10. Britannia 
wins by 5m. 10s. corrected time. 
After the race Vigilant was taken to Scott's yard, Gourock, where 
her topmast was shortened 4ft. 6in. and bowsprit and spinaker boom 
4ft., thus reducing her rating and time allowance. The alterations 
were completed by Saturday, and she was towed over to Belfast, ac- 
companied by a lighter which carried her extra gear. Thus far the 
yacht had been permitted to race without certificate of measurement, 
and several changes of ballast had been made in the effort to improve 
her. 
Royal Ulster Y. C, Belfast, July 16. 
The course sailed by Vigilant in the races of Monday and Tuesday 
on the Irish coast was of the same nature as that of the Royal 
Northern, though located at the mouth of a broad bay on the Irish 
channel, Belfast Lough. Starting off Bangor at the south shore of the 
Lough, the first leg, to the Carrickfergus markboat, was about 4 miles, 
W,N. W. The second leg, of about 5^ miles, N.N.E., took the yachts 
to the Blackhead mark; then came a leg of the same length to the 
Briggs mark, S.S.E., and s<-me three miles S.W. by W. to the line. 
Three round5 were sailed, with time allowance for 50 miles. 
The morning was cloudy, with a strong threat of rain, and a fresh 
S.W. breeze was kicking up more of a sea than the Clvde had shown 
in any of the races there. The start was given at 11:00:00 A. M., Vigi- 
lant crossing at 11:00:15 to windward, but 3s after Britannia. The 
close reach of 4 miles, in a strong breeze, showed a barply perceptible 
gain for Britannia, the times at Carrickfergus mark being: Britannia 
11 :24:58. Vigilant 11:25:13. 
Spinaker booms were dropped and the balloons were set, but there 
was too much winds, and the big sails were at once taken in. Vigilant 
gained on the run. the times at Blackhead mark being: Vigilant, 
11:50:30; Britannia, 11:50:51. 
With a strong bpam wind and a lumpy sea, the two reached for the 
Briggs mark. Vigilant still gaining a little, as the times show: Vigilant, 
12:17:47; Britannia, 12:18:39. 
In the beat to the line, three milss of short tacking, with rather less 
wind, but still all they wanted, Vigilant gained some 40 seconds, the 
end of the first round being timed: Vigilant. 12:37:24: Britannia, 
12:38:55. Vigilant's gain in the hour and a half, some 17 miles, was 
lm. 34s. 
With the wind still S.W. the close reach to Carrickfergus cost Vigi- 
lant more than half her lead, the times being: Vigilant, 1:09:13; 
Britannia. 1:09:52. 
This time Vigilant was able to set her big spinaker to advantage, the 
times showing a big gain in the 4}& miles: Vigilant 1:39:44, Britannia 
1:42:28. 
On the reach across the mouth of the Lough there was more wind, 
but freer than on the first round. Vigilant eaining a little, the times 
being at the Briggs mark: Vigilant 2:03:23, Britannia 2:06:35, 
The wind was still working around, now making long and short legs 
to the line, Britannia gaining nearly a minute: Vigilant 2:23:54, 
Britannia 2:26:11. 
The third round bes-an with very little wind, now from N.W., fol- 
lowed by a calm. Both drifting for a. time, Britannia took the lead at 
ahout 3:10:00, and a little later thev turned the Carrickfergus mark 
thus: Britannia 3:19:11, Vigilant 3:21:20. 
The course to Blackhead was now a broad reach with a N.W. wind 
of moderate strength, the uositions being practically unaltered: Bri- 
tannia 3:53:28, Vigilant 3:55:25. 
Running free for th« Briggs mark, Britannia held her own: Britannia 
4:17:38. Vigilant 4:19:48. 
The last 3 miles was a close reach with more wind, Vigilant gaining 
half a minute, the finish being timed: Britannia 4:39:12. Vigilant 
4:40:45. 
Britannia wins by lm. 33s. elapsed time; Vigilant also allows her 
from ~i% to 2m., the exact amount being unknown. 
Royal Ulster Y. C, July 17. 
Wall street was enjoying almost a Sunday quiet at noon on Tuesday 
when the shrill voices of the newsboys brought men out of their 
offices with the glad cry of "Extry I Vigilant wins!" and the news was 
confirmed by later particular*. The course was the same as on Mon- 
day, the day being rainy with a strong west wind and sea. Both 
crossed the line at 11:00:12, Britannia to windward, with working and 
jibtopsails set for a beat to Carrickfergus. Before the weather mark 
was reached Vigilant was ahead, the times being: Vigilant 11:24:40, 
Britannia 11:25:55. 
The wind was abaft the" beam on the second leg, and large jibtop- 
sails were set, Vigilant gaining. The times at Blackhead were: Vigi- 
lant, 11:52:28; Britannia, 11 :54:29. 
The reach across showed a further gain for Vigilant, the times being : 
Vigilant, 12:13:04; Britannia, 12:15:57. 
The short leg to the line was to windward. Vigilant only holding her 
own. The first round was timed: Vigilant, 12:31:37; Britannia, 
12:34:23. 
They went out to Carrickfergus once more against the wind, being 
timed': Vigilant 1:04-13, Britannia 1 :06:05. 
There was plenty of wind, and rain as well, on the reach to Black- 
head, where they were timed: Vigilant 1:30:30, Britannia 1:35:00. 
The third leg was also a reach, with a sea off the mouth of the 
Lough, Vigilant gaining over a minute, the boats being timed at the 
Briggs mark: Vigilant 1:50:05, Britannia 1:55:45. 
After the three mile beat to the line, the second round ended with 
Vigilant in the same position, 5m. 30s. ahead of Britannia: Vigilant 
2:10:49, Britannia 2:16:19. 
The two started the round with a head wind and a sea, Vigilant ap- 
parently gaining, but before the Carickfergus mark was reached, 
Britannia broke the iron work about the jaws of her gaff, a shackle 
striking Capt. Carter in the head, but not injuring him seriously. She 
was compelled to give up, leaving Vigilant to sail the final round 
alone, which she did with housed topmast, finishing at 3:49:40. 
"Vigilant's Racing. 
From the Field. 
The interest which the visit of Vigilant has excited culminated on 
Thursday on the Clyde, when she made her maiden essay at racing in 
British waters in the regatta of the Mudhook Y. C. : 
"Last week it was settled that her first race should be to-day (Satur- 
day) in the match for the Queen's Cup under the burgee of the Royal 
Clyde Yacht Club: but so much disappointment was expressed by 
Clyde yachtsmen that Mr. Gould got his clipper ready for Thursday's 
race. There was a difficulty, however, about an amateur helmsman, 
but eventually it was agreed that Mr. Nat. Herreshoff, designer and 
builder of the yacht, should steer her, as he did in some of the 
Ameriein races. It can be taken for granted, therefore, that every- 
thing was got out of Vigilant, and that she was seen at tier best oh 
Thursday: and it can at the same time be said that Mr. W. G. Jameson 
left "nothing" in Britannia; indeed, his brilliant handling of Britannia 
after he got the lead aroused as much enthusiasm among the Scotch 
spectators as did the fine capabilities of Britannia herself. As far as 
can at present be judged, Vigilant is not as much superior to Navahoe 
as the Americans last season estimated her to be; but that she will 
win a large number of prizes here there can be no doubt. It was ex- 
pected that Valkyrie, with her increased sail spread, would tackle her 
in light airs, and Britannia in a singing breeze, while Satanita was 
to be the leader in a bard reaching wind. All this speculation is, 
however, for the moment upset, as it is impossible to say when Val- 
kyrie will be ready for racing again until she has been lifted and 
docked. Satanita may be ready by the time the Kingstown meeting 
takes place, and meantime there will be enough dual contests between 
Vigilant and Britannia to satisfy the most pronounced admirer of 
that style of contest. By the end of next week we shall have a 
pretty good insight into the capabilities of Vigilant, and know 
whether we must take a back seat in yacht racing in the presence of 
a Yankee contrivance in this country, just the same as we have to 
in New York Bay. 'J 
Sea Cliff Y. C. Special Open. 
SEA CLrPF, L. I. — L. I. SOUND. 
Saturday, July U. 
Courses from line off club house to and around horizontal striped 
buoy (spar) at east end of Execution Reef, to and around spar buoy 
off Matinincock Point, to and across line off club house, sixteen miles. 
Weather very squally, succeeded by fitful puffs; wind S.W. at start; 
tide at start last of ebb; start at 2:03:00: 
Class A. 
Length. Elapsed. Corrected. 
Mary, W. E. El worth 28.76 2 56 53 2 56 53 
Wenonah, W. A. Parker 27.15 3 29 13 .3 26 48 
Nellie. S. Stenson 26.65 3 14 20 3 11 10 
Onaway, S. C. Pirie 26.47 2 58 23 2 55 04 
Bosoris, G. B. Vail 23 . 09 
S. S. Free, W. W. Gilflllan not meas 
Class B 
Eloise, C. H. Robinson 22.06 3 26 05 3 *6 05 
Kittie, Hazen Morse 22.06 3 25 14 3 25 14 
Melita, O. H. Chellbory 23.95 3 51 01 3 50 49 
Dryspeed, R. P. Speed .20.03 did not finish. 
Arvika not meas. did not finish. 
Winners of prizes: Class A, Onaway first, Mary second. Class B, 
Kittie first, Eloise second. 
Corinthian Mosquito Fleet Pryor Cup. 
NEW ROCHELLE, JULY 14. 
Thb fleet met again on Saturday in a race for a cup offered by 
Com. Pryor of the Corinthian Mosquito fleet and sailed off New Ro- 
chelle, there being a special prize also for cabin cats. The wind was 
S.W. moderate, and the times were: 
TWENTY-ONE-FOOTERS. 
Finish. Elapsed. 
Houri, W. B. Duncan, Jr 4 25 12 2 30 32 
Vaquero, H. B. Duryea 4 24 10 2 30 55 
Minnetonka, Geo. Work ..4 25 43 2 30 58 
Adelaide, W. P. Douglas 4 27 40 2 34 33 
Flirt, W. G.Brokaw 4 35 33 2 39 43 
Celia.C. A. Gould Not timed. 
Hoodoo, J . H. Adams Did not fiDish. 
Dorothy, H. P. Whitney Disabled. 
CABIN CATBOATS. 
Tabltha, J. C McEwitt , 4 37 04 2 42 34. 
Fleetwing, C. S. Lane. , , , Did not flnieh j 
