Yachting Volume Ii Part 33

'Vigilant' beat 'Valkyrie' on first leg 4 mins. 35 secs., on second 4 mins. 12 secs., and on third 3 mins. 26 secs. 'Vigilant' won by 10 mins. 35 secs.

_Third Race, October 13, 1893_

+---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | -- |Start| Turn | Finish |Elapsed |Corrected| +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | |h. m.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s. | |Vigilant |12 27| 2 35 35| 3 51 39| 3 24 39| 3 24 39 | |Valkyrie |12 27| 2 33 40| 3 53 52| 3 26 52| 3 25 19 | +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+

To windward 'Valkyrie' gained 1 min. 55 secs. Off the wind 'Vigilant'

gained 4 mins. 8 secs. 'Vigilant' won by 40 secs.

Every steamer, tugboat, or anything propelled by an engine within 250 miles of the scene of the contest was pressed into service; and the fleet by sail and steam started for New York, bearing eager, interested men who had laid aside every business or social engagement to witness what was felt to be the greatest yachting event the world had ever known.

The 5th came. The bay and surrounding waters were alive with craft loaded with excited spectators, but all were doomed to the bitterest disappointment. It was a perfectly exasperating day--light winds varied by calms; and spectators saw the nation's hope absolutely forsaken by the treacherous breeze, whilst her opponent sailed away with favouring flaws until the American was hopelessly distanced. The time limit was reached before two-thirds of the course were covered, and yachtsmen as well as spectators returned utterly disgusted. The abortive race of the 5th afforded not the slightest clue to the comparative value of the contending yachts, so on the 7th the prospects of the coming race were as uncertain as ever.

The day was again disheartening; a waning westerly wind gave no promise of a good race; the attendance was still large, but there was a decided falling off in numbers from the first day.

The yachts were sent off east by south at a six or seven mile pace, the 'Vigilant' slowly gaining; but when about half-way to the outer mark 'Vigilant' took a start and rapidly drew away from 'Valkyrie,' so that when within three miles of the mark she was one and a quarter mile in the lead. Here a soft spot in the wind occurred, and 'Valkyrie' drew on the bra.s.s-bottomed boat; but at that moment the wind shifted more southerly, blowing over the quarter rail of the yachts, and 'Vigilant' again drew away from her pursuer, turning nearly a mile and a half in advance.

The wind having changed in direction there was no windward work, the yachts returning two or three points free, and maintaining the same relative distance at the close as at the outer mark. The race of the 7th, although a decided victory for the American, was not generally considered as a satisfactory test of sailing qualities; the wind was unsteady in force and direction, and to some extent fluky, but in the opinion of those who were competent to judge, the 'luck' was rather more on the side of the 'Valkyrie' than the 'Vigilant,' the English, however, stoutly declaring the reverse.

The real value of the two yachts in windward work was still unknown, and although 'Vigilant' had scored by a good margin one race, still the result was then quite uncertain.

October 9 opened with a fair promise of wind; the interest was still deep and the attendance large; the course was triangular, ten miles each side. The first leg was to windward; the yachts started about equal as to time and position.

At first 'Valkyrie' seemed to lead--that is, she outfooted the American; but the latter was slowly edging up toward the wind, and later, when a good weather position was gained by 'Vigilant,' her skipper gave her more power, and with the increasing wind she rapidly left her opponent astern, rounding the first mark well in the lead.

The next leg was a broad run, and all that witnessed it unite in declaring that yachts never made such time in a race before. They flew; but 'Vigilant' flew the faster, and nearly doubled the handsome lead that she had obtained on the rounding of the first mark.

The home leg was with a freshening free wind two points forward of beam. It was made without incident, save that 'Vigilant' had to favour her bowsprit that was sprung on the windward stretch, her jib-topsail was lowered, and head-sails eased in regard for the weakened spar. On the home stretch 'Vigilant' still further widened the distance between her and the English yacht, and made a most decided point in her favour. The race was a fine one, but it seemed to seal the fate of 'Valkyrie'; still with native pluck her undaunted owner made ready for the next race. By a most masterful stroke a new mainsail was bent, and more lead given the cutter, so that she lost fifteen seconds of time allowance from the American.

October 11th proved another disappointing day. Light breezes and calms ruled; the beat of fifteen miles resulted in no decisive difference in the sailing of the yachts, for when the time-limit was reached the yachts were far from home, with the American yacht leading.

On the 12th a gale was reported as working up the coast, and great hopes were entertained of a fresh wind for the fifth start. Many thought that the American yacht would beat her opponent more easily in a strong wind and rough sea, but they were disappointed, as the sequel proved. When October 13 dawned an easterly gale was blowing up; early in the morning the wind began to pipe and the sea to roughen, and by the time of starting the wind had set in strong and steadily from the east. After some delay caused by an accident to the rigging of 'Valkyrie,' that was speedily repaired on board, the two yachts shot away for a fifteen-mile thresh to windward, the 'Valkyrie' at the south end of the line, and 'Vigilant' at the north end--a fair start.

At first 'Vigilant' outfooted 'Valkyrie' and held nearly or quite as well to the wind; but when the windward work was about half finished the wind drew more from the south of east, it soon began to increase in good earnest, and from that moment 'Valkyrie' got further away from 'Vigilant,' and turned the outer mark nearly two minutes ahead. On starting, the yachts had each a reef down, 'Vigilant' a whole reef, 'Valkyrie' a half reef in her mainsail, each her working topsail set, with usual head-sails. After the mark was turned it became apparent that if 'Vigilant' were to win she must work, and, as it proved, no lack of energy was displayed on either yacht. The reef was turned out of 'Vigilant's' mainsail, and her No. 1 club topsail set over it. The storm that had been threatening all day now began to increase, the wind rose rapidly and the sea became very rough.

'Vigilant' gained noticeably on her opponent, and pa.s.sed her when about half-way to the home point. The contest was now most exciting; the rigging of both yachts was strained to the last degree. Soon after the 'Valkyrie' was pa.s.sed by 'Vigilant,' her spinnaker, that was torn in setting, became disabled by splitting; another but smaller one was set in its place, but that also soon gave way to the ever-increasing force of the wind. The last three miles of the race were a mad rush for the 'Vigilant'; she carried all the sail that could be spread, and it seemed that an inch more of canvas would carry everything by the board. She gained more quickly than ever on her crippled follower, and crossed a close winner in the midst of the most exciting scene that yachting annals have ever recorded.

It is hard to say if the 'Vigilant' would have won had 'Valkyrie' not lost her light sails; but if the latter claims that her race was thus lost, 'Vigilant,' with equal sense of right, can claim that a maladjustment of her centreboard lost her at least five minutes on the beat out.

Closely following the termination of the races both yachts were put into winter quarters, and owners as well as crews took breath, enjoying a well-earned rest. It is not possible at this early moment to draw any absolutely settled conclusions as to the merits or demerits of the contesting yachts. Fortunately Lord Dunraven decided to leave 'Valkyrie' in the States for a continuation of the contest in 1894, when if the races that are now hoped for occur, and all the yachts take part that now promise to do so, it will be a far more useful and interesting contest than was afforded by the races of 1893.

A few points that are worth considering force themselves on the close observer of the international races of 1893.

October is one of the worst periods of the whole year for racing, at least during the first half of the month; the winds then are light and inconstant in force and direction, and calms are of longer duration than at any period during the yachting season.

From August 15 until September 20 is without doubt the most favourable time for racing, and when another international contest is contemplated, it is to be hoped that the races will be set at least three weeks earlier than those of 1893.

This international sport awakens such a widespread interest, serving, as it were, as a great national school in yachting and racing, that it is to be hoped as much facility as possible may be afforded the public for witnessing them; therefore, let all international races be held in New York waters, where they were in 1893, as that point is more accessible than any other to those interested. We in America must establish some school for the training of skippers and crews; there is not to-day a professional skipper in the country, nor a crew that is capable of sailing a yacht against the English. The best school possible is actual racing, and when we present to our yachtsmen a racing list as long as that published in England, then we can hope to have captains and men fit to hold their own. The English may learn of the Americans how to design a yacht that will bear pushing to extreme speeds without making such a disturbance in the water as did 'Valkyrie.' They can also take lessons in staying the mast and masthead, and in proportioning the sizes of spars and standing rigging more closely to the labour a.s.signed them. The Americans may learn of the English how to make canvas that will stand where it is desired; and when it is made they can also learn of them how to make sails and how to set them; and in general to copy the management of their yachts when racing, that when we meet the English in international races we may be able to rig and sail our yachts in such manner that an expert would be able to say whether any advantage on either side was due to design, or if not to that factor alone, to place the cause of advantage where it belongs, so that the lesson set by such races may be of some benefit to those who have the improvement of yacht-designing and sailing near their hearts.

The long-mooted question of keel _v._ centreboard still remains unanswered, and in fact it never can be determined as a general rule.

In close windward work there seems little or no difference between the keel and centreboard as to speed; the latter has some advantage when sailing free by raising the board, thus lessening the wetted surface of the yacht.

The great and undeniable superiority of the centreboard lies in the fact that a yacht possessing it can essentially reduce her draught of water so as to work in depths that would be wholly impossible for the keel vessel. It would seem, therefore, that the advantage gained in the use of the centreboard is mainly not one of sailing qualities, but one of desirability for use in certain locations where shallow water prevails.

The interest exhibited in the international races by those who were able to be present has already been mentioned, but it yet remains to notice the astonishing degree of excitement as to the result of the races evinced by the public at large.

From Maine to California, and from Michigan to Florida, news of the struggle was eagerly awaited, and in all the cities, towns, and even villages the exact position of the yachts was exposed on a bulletin board, the news being sent by telegraph every five or ten minutes, or more often if the change of position of the yachts demanded it. In some of the larger cities where the interest was most intense such crowds collected in front of the bulletin boards that traffic had to be suspended; in New York City the stock-board was deserted, and business generally was at a standstill.

CHAPTER XIII

THE AMERICA CUP RACES, 1893[24]

BY SIR GEORGE LEACH, K.C.B.

[Footnote 24: Though the subject is so ably treated by Mr. Herreshoff in the previous chapter, the Editors, recognising the extraordinary importance of these races, have thought well to include a detailed description of events kindly furnished by a prominent English yachtsman.]

On October 5th, the opening day of the races, the first thing to strike the observer was the extraordinary number and diversity of craft attracted by the spectacle. Near the Sandy Hook Lightship we find the racers were under way, with whole mainsails and jackyarders set. 'Vigilant' looks a bigger ship than 'Valkyrie,' with a more numerous crew, and four battens in the leach of her mainsail and three in her staysail. The two vessels were easily distinguished one from the other, 'Vigilant' being painted white above her bright yellow Tobin bronze, 'Valkyrie' black with gilt line. The starting-line was between the commodore's steam yacht 'May,' the New York Club's flagship, and Sandy Hook Lightship. There was no tide. The wind was a little east of north, and the course 15 miles to leeward round a mark and back. 'Vigilant' allowed 'Valkyrie' 1 min. 48 secs. The first gun was at 11.15 A.M., the start gun 10 mins. after. Just prior to the start the yachts set their head-sails. 'Vigilant' sent up a large bowsprit spinnaker, a very favourite sail in American waters, and 'Valkyrie' a large jib-topsail. The crowd was immense, excursion steamers, tugs, yachts; and at the start came the horrible screech of steam whistles, customary on these occasions, but dreadful all the same.

Spinnakers were at once run up on the starboard side, but the wind was so light that, in spite of the enormous sail-areas, little progress was made. By noon the sky was clear and the sun came out, but at 1.30 there was a marked change. The wind shifted, and a light air came from S.W. 'Vigilant' took in her bowsprit spinnaker a little too soon, for 'Valkyrie,' holding on somewhat longer, ran up, and pa.s.sing to windward so effectually blanketed 'Vigilant' that she lost steerage way for some ten minutes. During this time 'Valkyrie' crept up to the S.W. wind, and was going on her way rejoicing. The S.W. wind held true; it became a close haul to the mark, which 'Valkyrie' rounded at 3 hrs. 37 mins. 20 secs. The 15 miles took 4 hrs. 12 mins. 'Vigilant'

rounded at 4 hrs. 2 mins. 30 secs., twenty-five minutes after 'Valkyrie,' whose performance created great disappointment to English sympathisers. At 5.10 the Committee stopped the race--if race it could be called. The excitement on sh.o.r.e as well as afloat was intense.

Upwards of 200 steamers of various kinds accompanied the race, all crowded with spectators, and some of them got terribly in the way at the start of the race, the police-boat warning them off, and 'Valkyrie' holding up from her deck, in large letters, 'Keep further off.' On the whole, the course was fairly kept, and there was certainly no intention to injure 'Valkyrie's' chance--quite the contrary. I am happy to say the spirit of _fair_ play appeared to animate all; the anxiety of the captains of the steamers to show their friends as much as possible was really the sole cause of trespa.s.s.

This day's race was another example of the frequency with which races to windward and leeward and return fail in their object, especially in early October in these waters, when the wind is more fluky and lighter than at any other time of the year. If the S.W. wind had piped up a little, it would have been a reach both ways. On the whole, triangular races are best courses.

On the second day, October 7, after rain in the early morning, it became fine and bright as the New York Club's steamer left No. 8 Pier at 9.15. Not quite so many steamers appeared, although there were probably over 150, many large excursion ones, and yachts. One yacht stood prominently out, and was conspicuous for her taut brig rig and large tonnage, 2,400--a grand vessel, the 'Valiant,' designed by St.

Clare Byrne for Mr. Vanderbilt, and built at Liverpool. There was also a large yacht of the 'Chazalie' type; and I may also mention Commodore Morgan's steam yacht 'May,' designed by Mr. G. L. Watson. The wind, W.

by S., was still very light, with a gentle swell from the southward.

Course, 15 miles to leeward, round mark, and return. The start at 11.25 was admirable. 'Valkyrie,' beautifully handled, out-manoeuvred 'Vigilant,' and crossed the line to windward about 10 secs. ahead.

Spinnakers were at once hauled out on the starboard side, both setting balloon jib-topsails and lowering foresails. Bowsprit spinnakers are more correctly to be termed balloon jib-topsails, the difference being that the balloon jib-topsail is hanked on the stay. 'Vigilant' drew ahead, and at 12.25 was a quarter of a mile in front. 'Vigilant,' a quarter of a mile to the eastward, got a streak of wind and increased her lead, her balloon jib-topsail drawing well. At 1.30 'Vigilant' was nearly a mile ahead; she tacked round the mark 1 hr. 50 mins. 30 secs., 'Valkyrie' following at 1.59, when she was bothered by a small steamer. The 15 miles took 2-1/2 hrs. to accomplish, but on the return there was no beating to windward, a close haul with jib-topsails set.

The windward work was again frustrated by shift of wind. It was a plain sail home, and

h. m. s.

'Vigilant' crossed the line 3 30 16 'Valkyrie' " " 3 37 57

After deducting time allowance, the English boat lost by 5 mins. 53 secs. One of the members of the Committee took the velocity of the wind at different periods of the race, as follows:--

Velocity h. m. per hour 11 25 10 1 56 14.5 2 3 9 3 23 9 3 35 8.8

It will be well to remember that here velocity does not indicate strength as we feel it at home. As Lord Dunraven particularly noticed, the dryness of the wind reduces the pressure, which the moisture of our climate so materially increases.

The result of the race seemed to show that the two yachts were fairly matched, so that if one got a slice of luck the other was not likely to recover without a slice too, or a good streak. The course was better kept; but, although the race was not affected by it, the 'Valkyrie' was favoured by the wash of steamers on the return from the mark-boat.

On the third day, October 9, everything promised well; the weather was all that could be desired to test the relative merits of the two racers; the morning bright, with a good topsail breeze, and the white crests on the wavelets gave hopes of great sport. The Club steamer left the pier at 9 A.M.; but on our arrival at Sandy Hook no breeze was there. The steamers were fewer in number; I had, however, no difficulty after the start in counting fifty, besides yachts under canvas. Going down the river we pa.s.sed one very striking object, the well-known gigantic and magnificent statue of Liberty, which stands on a small island. I must say I never saw anything finer, either in conception or execution.

The wind was from the S.W., the course triangular, round marks placed by steamers with a large red ball hoisted, the steamers remaining near to indicate their positions, which were so stationed as to make each side of the triangle ten miles. Both yachts carried jackyarders and jib-topsails. The start took place at 11.30, after some pretty manoeuvring as usual, 'Valkyrie' getting the weather berth, and a little ahead. About 12.30 the wind increased, with a little jump of sea, and both went round on the port tack; here 'Vigilant's' power began to tell. 'Vigilant' bore round the first mark at 1 hr. 6 mins., and 'Valkyrie' 4 mins. 50 secs. later. A broad reach on starboard followed, 'Vigilant' setting her balloon jib-topsail very smartly.