July 14, 1894.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
8 7 
THE CLYDE RACES, 1894. 
Thb past week has been a stirring one on the Clyde, the racing being 
close and exciting, and marked by a disaster which, apart from the 
loss of a life, i« still more serious than is usual in yacht racing; the 
sinking and total loss of Valkyrie. Intense as has been the interest in 
the meeting of Vigilant, with the three champions of the British fleet, 
the actual facing has been entirely overshadowed by the accident to 
Lord Duuraven's noble vessel. During the start of the third day's 
race, the first in which Vigilant was entered, in a strong wind and 
heavy rain, Valkyrie, while on the line at gunfire, was struck by Satan- 
ita, coming up on the wrong tack. The huge cutter, of 98ft. water- 
line, was going at a high speed, and on striking Valkyrie she cut the 
latter down to the water. Those on board were quickly rescued by 
the surrounding boats and steam yachts, the only serious Injury being 
o one of Valkyrie's crew who was crushed in the collision, causing 
hi^ death next day. The yacht sunk within three minutes, in sixteen 
fathoms of water, and though efforts will be made to raise her, it is 
unlikely that the wreck will be of any value other than the lead, cop- 
per, sails and rigging. 
After a light weather race on the Mersey on June 30 in which Britan- 
nia defeated Satanita by 45 minutes, the pair turned up on the Clyde 
in good season, to find Valkyrie awaiting them for the first day, the 
Royal Largs Y. C. regatta of July 3. Vigilant, had come out of the 
dock and was in readiness, but Capt. Had had not yet sailed her. and 
there was the usual number of little things to be attended to that 
always accompany the first of the season. It was decided not to start 
her until she had been under way a little about the Clyde, so only 
Britannia, Valkyrie and Satanita started in the first race. The course 
was almost a square, starting off Largs, then up along the east shore 
of the Clyde to the Skeltnorlie mark, then across to Toward Bank, 
then down the Bute shore to a, mark off Mount Stewart, and then 
across the Clyde to the starting line, after which the yachts sailed 
diagonally across the square from Largs around the Toward mark, 
and back'home. The wind was fresh from the west, making a reach 
on the first and third legs, a beat on the second, a run on the fourth, 
then a beat over to the Toward mark and a run home. 
Valkyrie led at the line, with Satanita 32s. later and Britannia in the 
rear berth. On the first reach Satanita held her place, but on the 
beat Britannia caught her, and on the second reach Britannia closed 
on Valkyrie, the times at the end of the fourth leg, which was run 
under spinakers, were: 
Valkvrie IS 25 35 Satanita 12 29 44 
Britannia 12 28 51 
On the beat across Britannia caught Valkyrie and led her out and 
home, Satanita being disabled and giving up. The times at the finish 
were: 
Britannia 3 28 48 Valkyrie 3 30 28 
Britannia's rating is 152, Valkyrie's increased since last year, is 153 
and Satanita's is 171, increased from 163 last season; she allowing each 
of the others 2m. 86s. Britannia won by lm. 49s. corrected time. 
The second day's racing, on July 4, fell to the Royal Western Y. C, 
sent home next day. Lord Dunraven has still three large Tyachts, 
L'Esperance, of 70ft. l.w.l.. a modern fast cruiser that sails in some 
of the races every year, the 20-rater Dragon and the new 20-rater of 
his own design, Audrey, not yet in commission. A later dispatch says 
that Valkyrie was insured for £8,000, and that Lord Dunraven has 
ordered anew Watson boat to replace her. The work of raising her 
began on Tuesday. . . 
In the excitement of the start and with the yachts partly hidden by 
the rain, nothing was known of the disaster on board of Vigilant or 
Britannia, but the two kept on their courses. Britannia led over the 
line, in a good weather berth, and both started on starboard tack 
across to Cloch Point. The positions were similar to those in several 
of the Cup races last fall, the American boat starting in a poor berth 
to leeward and constantly gaining a little until she got clear. In this 
case Britannia, hy clever working of the stick, held the lead over the 
whole eight miles to Skelmorlie, but just before that mark was reached 
Vigilant went by. 
On the short reach across to Ascog Vigilant gained more; then 
spinakers were set to port for the run of 10 miles, to Kilcreggan, Vigi- 
lant setting her balloon as well. She gained steadily but slowly, and 
after the short reach across to the starting line she had just two min- 
utes' lead. With clubtopsails aloft and rather less wind, the windward 
leg to Skelmorlie was sailed for the second time, Vigilant having more 
than her time at the weather mark, and continuing to gain on the 
reach across and the run up. Off the Cloch, however, the wind fell 
and Vigilant was slowed down, Britannia catching the first breeze, 
when it came in from the West and quickly jibing over. She ran into 
first place and finally crossed the line with a lead of some 35s., thus 
winning by about 3m. 36s. corrected time. 
The second meeting of the two took place on Saturday, the first of 
the two days of the Royal Clyde Y. C , over the same course as on 
Thursday; the principal prize being a Queen's cup. With Britannia 
and Vigilant was the old cutter Marjorie, owned by Mr. James Coats 
and sailed by Capt. Robert Duncan, who sailed Madge in this country. 
Marjorie had an allowance of 18m., but was never dangerous. The day 
was' fair and bright, with a smooth sea and a moderate southerly 
breeze, clubtopsails being carried over the course, though the wind 
stiffened on the second round. Capt. Haff steered Vigilant and Capt. 
Carter, assisted by Capt. O'Neil, of Iverna, sailed Britannia. The 
start was after the usual fashion, Britannia leading over the line by 
lm. 3s., then came a long beat to Skelmorlie, with luffing and weather- 
bowing all the way, the two being in close company. Vigilant had 
shipped two tons of lead since the previous race, and was consequently 
stiffer. ' On the eight-mile beat Vigilant gained but 8s., on the reach 
across to Ascog she gained 25s., and on the ten-mile run she lost 10s. ; 
Britannia still having a lead of lm. 8s. at the end of the first round. 
Down to Skelmorlie, across to Ascog and up to Kilcreggan the posi- 
tions were practically unaltered, the differences being measured by 
seconds; but on the last short leg Vigilant ran ahead and finished with 
a lead of lm., being beaten by 2m. corrected time. 
Monday, the second day of the Royal Clyde Y. C, was cloudy, with 
a light southerly wind in the morning, making the first leg again to 
COURSES OF THE ROYAL CLYDE Y. C. 
Starting off the club house, Hunter's Quay. The broken line represents the course sailed by the largest 
class. Dacotah's class sails the course around mark off Ardgowan House and Kilcreggan mark, two 
rounds, 24 miles. 
the course, of 48 miles, naut., being from Wemyss Bay, above Skel- 
morlie down to Largs, thence across to the Mount Stuart markboat 
and home, three rounds. A south wind made a beat to the Largs 
mark, a reach across, and a free reach home. Satanita was under way 
during the day, but did not start, leaving but Valkyrie and Britannia. 
Valkyrie got the start, and held the weather berth through the first 
round, but Britannia, carrying sail better in the puffs from the high 
shores of the Clyde, passed her on the first leg of the second round, 
and thence on increased her gain, finally winning by 7m. 23s. 
The annual regatta of the Mudhook Y. C. took place on July 5, and 
for this Vigilant was entered, there being a general desire to see her 
sailing with the others. The principal prize was the Muir memorial 
cup and the conditions called for amateur helmsmen, so Mr. Herres- 
hoff had the wheel on Vigilant, Lord Dunraven steering Valkyrie, 
with Mr. Watson, Mr. W. G. Jameson steered Britannia, and Mr. A. D. 
Cisrke, her owner, steered Satanita. Captain Haff, Tommy Diaper, 
and the pilot, Morris, of Largs, an old and skillful skipper, were on 
board of Vigilant, making a total of 49 men, Valkyrie carried 46, Brit- 
tania 47, and Satanita 50 men all told. The wind was strong from 
S.8.W., up the Clyde, with rain at the start and during the race. The 
course was from off Hunter's Quay, 8 miles down the river to the 
Skelmorlie mark, then across a couple of miles t© the Ascog mark, 
then up the river for 10 miles to a mark off Kilcreggan, and a short 
leg across to the starting line, two rounds, making 50 miles naut. 
The attendant fleet was very large, and the shores were crowded 
with people, no vessels, however, were allowed to follow the racing 
yachts, there being ten classes in all, sailing various courses. The 
starting line, off Hunter's Quay, the station of the Royal Clyde Y. C, 
was very much crowded by boats and yachts, among them being 
Atalanta. Vigilant was rated at 175, thus giving three minutes to 
Valkyrie and Britannia, though she had not been officially measured. 
With a strong breeze and working topsails over whole mainsails, the 
yachts worked very fast as they waited about the line for the gun, the 
first leg being dead to windward. On the weather end of the line, 
inshore, was Valkyrie, on starboard tack, while Vigilant was near the 
lee end, with Britanuia just to weather of her, they being also on the 
starboard tack. Satanita came for She line with a rush on port tack, 
and being ahead of the gun had to reach along to avoid crossing too 
soon. 
As she approached Valkyrie a small boat lay in her path and in the 
effort to clear it she ran into Valkyrie on the port side near the run- 
ner, cutting far into the hull Topmasts and gear fell on both yachts, 
and it was soon evident that Valkyrie must sink at once. On board 
with Lord Dunraven were Lord and Lady Lennox, and they were 
taken off in a small boat. Lord Dunraven and Captain Craufield 
stayed by the yacht to the last. As she sank, stern first, her decks 
burst. All of the crew, as well as Lord Dunraven's brother-in-law, 
Mr. Langrishe, were taken from the yacht or picked up from the 
water, but one sailor, William Brown, of last year's crew in the Cup 
races, was badly crushed between Valkyrie and the steam yacht Van- 
duara. He was taken ashore and cared for but died next day. 
Satanita was stove in forward and so badly damaged that she will 
not be in the racing for some time. 
It is stated that Valkyrie is insured at Lloyds for £12,000, in which 
case her owners will lose nothing, but the whole season is gone, and 
the work of altering and refitting the yacht has been thrown away. 
The steam yacht Vanduaf a went to the aid of the yachts and was 
struck by Valkyrie before she lost headway, sustaining some damage. 
She rescued a number and others were taken off by the Hebe. Capt. 
Oranfjejdftndbfe men lost everything but their clothes; they were 
windward, the yachts starting with clubtopsails aloft, Vigilant had 
bent another mainsail, one used last year. This time she came for the 
line ahead of Britannia and in the weather berth, both on port tack. 
At the last moment she swung to starboard tack, Britannia following, 
but under Vigilant'sleebow. Vigilant crossed at 10:30:20 and Britannia 
at 10:30:25. Vigilant carried a jibtopsail, but soon stowed it. 
The first leg carried them in under the Cloch Light, Britannia stick- 
ing very close, but after tacking, the wind fell very light, and both 
worked short boards in shore, the work being slow, but rather to 
Vigilant's advantage. 
After working out from under the shore they caught the wind 
fresher and freer for a little while, and jibtopsails were set as they 
headed for the Skelmorlie mark. The wind dropped and also headed 
them as they neared the mark, and a short leg was needed to weather 
it The times at Skelmorlie were: 
Vigilant 12 14 18 Britannia 12 15 24 
Both headed high on the reach to clear the Ascog mark, the wind 
still being very light, but Capt. Carter took Britannia to the south on 
the chances of meeting the breeze and made a decided gain, Vigilant 
losing the wind meanwhile, the times at Ascog being: 
Britannia 1 13 31 Vigilant 1 17 11 
The wind, such as it was, came from S.W., and spinaker booms were 
dropped to port, ready to set the sails when the Toward Light was 
cleared. They drifted slowly on, Britannia gaining. At 2:22 she jibed, 
and both set spinakers to starboard. About 3:15, when nearing Kil- 
creggan, Britannia lost the wind entirely, and Vigilant passed her, but 
a little later Vigilant was hung up, much as in the first race with 
Valkyrie, and Britannia passed her and turned the Kilcreggan mark. 
Vigilant was becalmed on one side of the mark, but Britannia was no 
better off on the other, as the times show a greater difference than 
really existed: 
Britannia 4 29 15 Vigilant 4 45 10 
The custom in British racing is to give the regatta committee the 
power to end the race at the end of any round when the weather con- 
ditions make it impossible to sail the whole course. With a race set 
for nearly every day in the week, no postponement or re-sail is possi- 
ble. In this ease, with both yachts entered for the Clyde Corinthian 
Y. C. regatta on the morrow, the committee called the race at the end 
of the first round, the times being: 
Britannia .' 5 34 05 Vigilant 5 43 40 
Britannia wins by 9m. 35s. elapsed, and Vigilant's allowance makes 
this llm. 5s. corrected. 
Both yachts will sail in the Royal Munster Y. C. regatta of July 23, 
and the Royal Cork of July 24-25. 
In Monday's race Dacotah and Sala were in collision, both losing 
their bowsprits and Dacotah withdrawing. 
The race of the Clyde Corinthians on Tuesday was a repetition of 
Monday in the matter of weather. Vigilant bent another mainsail 
over night, and she and Britannia were ready in season, but at 10:30 
the wind was very light from the south, with the promise of a clear, 
hot day. Both were late at the line, being timed: 
Britannia 10 33 00 Vigilant 10 36 00 
Crossing on port tack, with light sails set, they headed, as usual for 
the oiock Light, working short tacks, together, Britannia was success- 
ful in keeping the lead, Capt. Carter managing to weather-bow Vigi- 
lant all the way to Neniyss Bay. Standing across on a long board to 
Inellan, Britannia opened out a lead, and at Skelmorlie they were 
timed: 
Britftnaja,, §9 0} Vigilant ,„„„,, 01 44 
Both held to the southward in reaching across to Ascog, butjx>-day 
no flukes rewarded them. The times at Ascog were: 
Britannia 12 31 13 Vigilant.... 12'35 19 
They rounded the mark with spinaker booms to port, and spinakers 
were set for the 10-mile run to Kilcreggan. When above Toward 
Point, Vigilant ran ahead; but as the wind fell a little later, Britannia 
again passed her. After a slow run they were timed at Kilcreggan: 
Britannia 2 13 18 Vigilant 2 13 45 
The wind had stiffened and the short reach to the line was made in 
better time, Britannia still gaining: 
Britannia 2 30 44 Vigilant 2 31 40 
The windward leg was a repetition of the first round, the times at 
Skelmorlie being: 
Britannia 3 50 56 Vigilant 3 52 03 
At Aseog mark the times were: 
Britannia 4 17 30 Vigilant. 4 20 05 
They ran up with spinakers to starboard, being timed off the Cloch: 
Britannia 5 30 58 Vigilant 5 34 48 
As we go to press the times of the finish are not known, but 
Britannia was again the winner. 
Vigilant's Passage. 
The story of Vigilant's extraordinary passage is well told in the 
following letter to the New York Sun by her mate, Clayton Haff, son 
of Capt. Haff: 
Gourock, Scotland. June 20.— The voyage of the American yacht 
Vigilant from Sandy Hook to Tory Island and from there to G-ourock 
was undoubtedly the most remarkable trip made by a yacht across 
the Atlantic Ocean in many a day. Her time, 14 days and 7 hourR, 
has heen seldom equalled, and was much quicker than her most en- 
thusiastic admirers hoped she would make. Although the weather 
was not sufficiently rough at any time to put her qualities as a sea 
boat to a severe test, still it was enough to prove to the entire satis- 
faation of all on board that she could, if properly handled, weather 
any gale. 
It is true that Vigilant was favored by wind and weather from start 
to finish, there being but two days that she was close hauled, and only 
two tacks were made in sailing the 3,000 miles. The steamer or 
straight course from Sandy Hook to Tory Island is 2.905 miles. The 
distance sailed by Vigilant was 2,932 miles, or 28 miles more than a 
straight line from land to land. The prevailing winds on the passage 
were southerly, varying to southwest and west. It was expected that 
the southwest winds would give out. after the Banks were passed and 
northerly winds encountered, but this did not prove to be the case, as 
there were on an average stronger southerly winds to the eastward 
of the Grand Banks than to the westward. The average daily runs of 
Vigilant will show that the winds, though fair, were not heavy. Vig- 
ilant left Sandy Hook at midnight on May 31, and made 88 miles up to 
noon of June 1. From that time up to the end of her voyage the 
daily runs were: 
Day. Miles. Day. Miles. 
First 222 Eighth 211 
Second 133 Ninth 133 
Third 177 Tenth 256 
Fourth 247 Eleventh 188 
Fifth 212 Twelfth 197 
Sixth 243 Thirteenth 150 
Seventh 230 Fourteenth 246 
This shows an average daily run of 204^ miles for each 24 hours. 
The weather until the Banks were nassed was exceptionally clear, 
but considerable fog was encountered after the Banks were passed. 
At noon on Wednesday, June 6, the air became somewhat cool and a 
large fog bank was seen ahead. Capt Jeffrey said there was ice close 
by. Soon afterward the yacht ran into a thick fog, and later the 
lookout on the masthead sighted an iceberg a point on the port how. 
The yacht at that time was steering east hy south and running at a 
9 knot pace before a fair south wind. Notwithstanding thei fair rate 
of speed, the berg was not abeam until 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon. 
It was then in longitude 49° 32' west, latitude 42° 7' north. As soon 
as the berg was sighted the course was changed. It was truly a 
beautiful sight. The ice was fully 200ft. high, towering above the 
lofty mast of Vigilant. There were probably two bergs connected 
under water. 
The next event of any particular interest was the carrying away of 
the topmast, which happened just, before noon on Friday, June 8. The 
yacht was bowling along at an 11-knot gait with all plain sail and big 
jibtopsail set. when the ringbolt, to which the preventer backstay was 
belayed, pulled out of the deck and the topmast went, over the bow. 
The "wreck was speedily cleared away and all hands set about rigging 
of a jury topmast. The only spar available was the spinaker boom; 
but that was not large enough to form a heel on or cut a fid hole in, so 
the heel of the old topmast was trimmed up and a piece of the spin- 
aker boom was spliced into it. In four hours from the time of the 
accident the ju r y topmast was on end and sail hoisted on it. 
Probably the most remarkable feature of the trip was the fact that 
the mainsail was never reefed and only taken in once, and then for the 
purpose of putting a new shackle in the peak halyard block. The top- 
sail was clewed down only twice, but not because the yacht could not 
carry it. There was not a day that we could not stay on deck dry- 
footed in slippers. 
Every one on board was extremely glad to know when on the after- 
noon of July 15 Tory Island was passed, that the trip though a short 
one was over. The wind from Tory Island down the Clyde and then 
up to Gourock was very light, and it was not until 4 o'clock on the next 
day that Gourock was reached. Before we got to that port, however, 
several yachts came out to meet the American champion. Among 
them was the steam yacht Mohican and Mr. Henderson's schooner 
Selene. 
A right royal reception was tendered to Vigilant when Gourock 
Harbor was reached. All who wished were allowed to go on board 
and inspect the yacht between the hours of 4 o'clock in the afternoon 
and 10 o'clock at night. Fully 500 persons were shown over the yacht. 
The centerboard was the greatest curiosity to the Scotchmen. The 
great beam also was a surprise to the Clyde yachtsmen. There were 
not a few admirers of the yacht who expressed their wish that the 
American would beat their own yachts. 
Taking the entire voyage into consideration, it was the most enjoy- 
able trip that any one could wish for. I have been going to sea for'a 
number of years and sailed on many yachts, yet I must say Vigilant 
is the best sea boat I ever put. my foot on. Take her in a cross sea and 
she climbs on top of the water like a big can buoy, with not a drop of 
water coming on board. Vigilant's bulwarks are only eight inches 
high, yet she sailed across the ocean without having a single hatch 
battened down. 
Among the amusements on the trip was the race between the two 
watches. Before the yacht left Sandy Hook Capt. Jeffrey offered $25 
to the watch making the biggest four-hour run, and $25 to the watch 
making the most miles on the whole trip. Of course this led to a great 
deal of "cracking on" sail, and had something to do with the short 
time occupied in crossing. 
About eight days out, the starboard watch, under my command, 
took the lead by making 47}4 miles. A few days afterward this was 
beaten by the port watch, under Second Mate Leonard Miller, by a run 
of 49^1 niiles. This was not beaten during the remainder of the voy- 
age. The starboard watch, however, secured the prize for making the 
most miles in the run from land to land, beating the port watch, accord- 
ing to the log. 57 miles. 
Perhaps the most laughable incident on the voyage was the effort on 
the part of the sailors to hoodwink the Custom House officials by hid- 
ing away their tobacco. Heads were taken out of water breakers, 
tobacco tacked about the inside, and the heads replaced. Some un- 
screwed the deck plate and stowed the pump box full of tobacco plugs: 
but the most audacious act of all was upon the part of the sailor who 
ripped open the cork fenders, stowed them full of tobacco, and, when 
the revenue officials came alongside, dropped the fenders over the 
yacht to protect her side. H. Clayton Haff, 
First Mate of the Vigilant. 
Hull Y. C. Club Race. 
HULL— BOSTON HARBOR. 
Saturday, June 30. 
The club race of the Hull Y. C. on June 30 was sailed 
S.W. breeze, the times being: 
THIBD CLASS. 
Elapsed. 
Beatrice, John Cavanagh 1 40 48 
Moondyne, A. J. Shaw 1 48 22 
FOURTH CLASS* 
Vanessa, A. Bigelow, Jr 1 32 25 
Eulalie, R. G. Hunt 1 36 40 
FIFTH CLASS. 
Magpie, H. G. Otis 1 35 20 
Opechee, W. P. Parker 1 38 12 
Hagedorn, C. V. Souther 1 38 54 
Aurisy, H. M. Faxon 1 45 06 
SIXTH CLASS. 
Primrose, H. M. Faxon 1 43 49 
KNOCKABOUTS. 
Club Boat, H. Y. C 1 35 19 
Becky Sharp, Waldo Friend 1 39 39 
Nike, T. E. Jacobs 1 40 00 
Santa Maria, J. J. Souther 1 41 20 
The judges were E. CN North, G. K. Tinker, E- K- Friend 
Cary, 
in a fresh 
Corrected. 
1 15 59 
Not meas. 
1 09 23 
1 14 32 
1 10 41 
1 13 41 
Not meas. 
1 18 38 
1 18 47 
1 14 19 
1 16 35 
1 10 00 
1 20 20 
and W, A 
