Dec. 30, 1905.] 
fOREST AND stream 
S39 
everybody,” but to our surprise it simply lifted us high 
above the surrounding seas and we filled away on our 
course without accident. 
Not a word was said after we dropped anchor in New- 
port Harbor, for we felt that our entire day had been 
spent for naught, and we had little enough time in which 
to reach our destination. Bo’s call for supper cheered us 
up a bit. Although our turning back had been criticised 
by some of the crew, we were glad later in the night, 
when a fierce storm came up in which many of the yachts 
about us . dragged anchor. 
Four o’clock Thursday morning we started again, hop- 
ing for better luck, but were forced to put in two reefs 
just to the north of Point Judith. After getting under 
way, when cattiiig the anchor Schmaltz lost his new 
hat, which he had previously told us cost $3.50, but 
now that it was lost, the amount quickly swelled to $6. 
Off Point Judith we found the conditions even worse 
than the previous day, and although Lavinia made good 
weather of it with two reefs, we put in back of the 
Breakwater, together with several other yachts and coast- 
ing schooners. We spent the rest of the day in tidying 
up ship and overhauling the rigging. We also rowed over 
to the stone wall which forms the Breakwater, to watch 
the heavy seas dash against the rocks. A dozen lobsters 
were procured from the nearby fishennen and consigned 
to the cook’s pot. We were sure that we counted these 
carefully, when we put them alive in the ice-box, but 
were one short when we again looked, and could never 
account for its disappearance. 
The tide turned in our favor at 2 P. M. and we de- 
cided tO' leave the Breakwater. The wind had then blown 
itself out and the sea was now like a mill pond. By 
morning the tide had carried us about 5 miles, but it was 
not until 10 o’clock that we got a S.E. wind and New 
London was reached about 2 o’clock in the afternoon. 
Here we got supplies and again started on our way. The 
arrival of the advance guard of the New York Y. C. fleet, 
which were to rendezvous here the following day, made 
a most interesting picture as we left the harbor. No 
sooner had we got fairly well out into the Sound when 
we had bad luck again. This time the wind died out 
and the tide took us down fast toward Race Point Light, 
the water being too deep to anchor. Bottom was found, 
however, as we neared the shore and we did not get 
away again until midnight. We had a close fetch down 
the Sound for a start, but later the wind hauled more to 
the E., giving us a close reach. Topsails were imme- 
diately set, but a strong puff parted the seizing at the 
foot of the topmast stay and we had to take in the jib 
topsail. The seizing was replaced with a light manila 
line, and we had our sail drawing again without losing 
much time. Later, the wind increased and we were 
obliged to take in our topsail again. 
At noon of the i6th we could make out the towering- 
canvas of the 90-footers, leading the New York Y. C. 
fleet and they were soon upon us. The yachtsman who 
has never witnessed the New York Y. C. fleet under way 
has yet to have his fondest hopes realized. Imagine, if 
you can, the finest fleet of steam and sailing yachts in the 
world of all types and dimensions headed by the giant 
go-footers and ending in the less conspicuous 30-footers 
in a strong breeze, each yacht with all canvas set and 
lee-rail awash, flanked on one hand by a procession of 
steam yachts,' running almost at full speed to keep up 
with the leaders. Such is a beggarly description of a 
panorama, which in passing is only met with silence and 
amazement, at the same time deeply imprinting on the 
mind a picture never to be forgotten. ' The fleet was soon 
well astern and reluctantly we continued on our way, 
every now and then casting a last look at the disappear- 
ing yachts. 
The wind now hauled more to the E. and with started 
sheet and the increasing wind we went along at a lively 
clip. The weather now looked threatening and gave 
promise of a storm. Faulkner’s Island was reached and 
we decided to run for Bridgeport, 29 miles distant, and 
put in for the night. New Haven had been considered 
but it was somewhat out of our course. A haze settled 
down on the Sound, hiding the land, and it began to 
rain heavily. We took our last bearing from Faulkner’s 
Island and steered our course due W. for Bridgeport. 
This course was held until 4 130, when the storm broke. 
The sea was as rough as we had encountered off Point 
Judith, and although we had already dropped our peak, 
it was necessary to drop our mainsail and run under the 
jib alone. Three reefs were immediately put in in ease it 
was necessary to claw off a lee shore. The wind now 
came in gusts, taking the tops off each wave. A steam 
yacht could be made out to port, making bad weather 
of it. With difficulty the crew kept their feet, so badly 
were we tossed and pitched about in the trough of the 
sea. It was impossible to tell where we were in the thick 
fog. We had held a true course from Faulkner’s Island, 
and, judged from the speed we made, that we must be 
near Bridgeport. 
A point of land could be made out in the haze ahead, 
and it was a question if we could weather it, having only 
the jib set. The jib sheet was eased off as much as pos- 
sible and still keep the sail full. The point was finally 
rounded, but, with little room to spare. A small steamer 
appeared in sight and was soon lost in the fog. We could 
now make out the shore with the chart and felt sure it 
must be Stratford Point. After following the shore for 
some time a tall chimney of Bridgeport could be made 
out and a heavy load was lifted from our minds. We 
managed to work our way into Bridgeport Harbor, fol- 
lowing closely the buoys, and anchored back of the 
Breakwater for the night, when we rode out one of the 
worst .storms of the season. After numerous visits to 
the Sideboard our circulation was restored, and with our 
wet clothing exchanged for dry, we felt most comfortable 
in our little cabin that night. The storm continued all 
night, and we felt thankful indeed that we were safe in 
harbor. 
Sunday morning, July 19, dawned bright and clear and 
no time was lost in getting under way, for we intended to 
make New York by night. Good time was made until 
noon, when we were becalmed off Lloyd Neck for sev- 
eral hours. At dusk we reached Riker’s Island, having 
had a good breeze during the afternoon. Bo had to be in 
Philadelphia Monday morning, and as the little wind we 
had was fair and the tide was with us, we decided to try 
and run down through Hell Gate, it being impossible^ to 
get a tow. Our mistake was soon realized, for the wind 
died out and we were soon at the mercy of the tide, 
which runs in all directions through Hell Gate, and, fur- 
thermore, we were in danger of being run down by pass- 
ing vessels. At the head of Governor’s Island the cap- 
I 
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