Yachting Volume Ii Part 34

Soon after this 'Vigilant' sprung her bowsprit and took in her jib-topsail. The second mark was rounded by 'Vigilant' at 2 hrs. 1 min., 'Valkyrie' at 2 hrs. 10 mins. 3 secs.

Now came the last ten-mile reach on the port tack to the finish. The wind piped up still stronger; but 'Vigilant,' though carrying only a small jib-topsail, still increased her lead, finishing a winner at 2 hrs. 49 mins. 3 secs., 'Valkyrie' coming in 12 mins. 20 secs. after her. After deducting time allowance she lost the race by 10 mins. 32 secs.

The wind velocities were as follows:--

At the start 10 miles per hour " first mark 15 " "

" second mark 22 " "

" finish 29 " "

On the fourth day, October 11, the start was delayed, the compet.i.tors hoping for wind, but it was made at 1.45. Course, south by west to windward and back. 'Valkyrie,' there is no doubt, was always beautifully handled, and it would be wrong not to recognise the ability Cranfield has shown throughout, whether in manoeuvring for the line or in sailing 'Valkyrie' during the races in waters far from home. To these he is not a stranger, having had some experience with Sir Richard Sutton in the 'Genesta' (1885) when sailing against 'Puritan.' This race, October 11, could not be finished within the prescribed time, six hours, and therefore the tugs took the compet.i.tors in tow, homeward bound.

On the fifth day, October 13, the course was to windward and leeward.

This was the great day, and included many most exciting episodes.

'Valkyrie' had altered her trim, but news had arrived of a hard blow in the south, and in heavy weather what could she do against the more powerful boat, the 'Vigilant'? The weather was overcast and cloudy, wind S.E., blowing moderately at Sandy Hook Lightship. When 'Valkyrie'

was below the Narrows her mainsail was lowered, one of the throat-halliard blocks had to be repaired, and it was 11.19 before she neared the starting point. The course, due east, was given from the steam yacht 'May.' Signals now came from 'Vigilant,' 'Time wanted for repairs.' Her centreboard was jammed, but finally it was lowered about eleven feet. At 12.7 the Blue Peter was run up on the flagship. The two were under the same canvas, each with jibheader over single-reef mainsails, foresail, and jib. At 12.17 came the preparatory gun, and then began some of the prettiest manoeuvring ever seen in these waters as the two big cutters chased each other like a couple of kittens for the weather berth. 'Valkyrie' pa.s.sed the line up to windward 12 hrs.

27 mins. 10 secs., 'Vigilant' to leeward 3 secs. later. It was a long tack, some six miles, towards Long Island, 'Valkyrie' carrying her canvas decidedly the better of the two; to-day she was notably stiff--in fact, at no time has she ever been tender. She pointed as high as 'Vigilant,' and held her weather berth easily. The latter was heeling over much at 1 hr. 18 mins. 'Valkyrie' was on her weather bow.

'Vigilant's' jibsheet got adrift. The wind was now stronger, and they were getting a head sea, which did not suit 'Vigilant's' beam and bow.

This long tack lasted an hour, and at 2.15 'Valkyrie' led by three-eighths of a mile. As they neared the outer mark the time was

h. m. s.

'Valkyrie' 2 33 40 'Vigilant' 2 35 35

In the beat to windward of fifteen miles 'Valkyrie' gained 1 min. 55 sec.

Spinnakers were now on both, the wind increasing, and at 2.47 'Valkyrie's' biggest balloon jib-topsail went up. 'Vigilant' had some trouble forward with hers, and a hand was smartly sent down the topmast stay before the sail could be sent up in stops. At 2.50 it broke up and revealed that favourite sail in America a balloon jib-topsail, and a rare good puller it is. Some very smart work was now done on board 'Vigilant' on the run. The reef in the mainsail was shaken out by a hand slung from the masthead in the bight of a gaut-line, and hauled along the boom by an outhaul as he cast off the stops. Next a hand was out on the gaff. This led to hoisting the second club topsail over the jibheader left standing to leeward, and just before the club topsail went up she ran through 'Valkyrie's' lee.

'Valkyrie's' white spinnaker burst. It was most smartly taken in, and the light one set. This split before it was belayed, from head to foot, right down, and 'Valkyrie's' chance had now gone. A large jib-topsail was set on her, but was of no use against the sail area of 'Vigilant.' Some ten minutes more and

h. m. s.

'Vigilant' finished and won 3 51 39 'Valkyrie' 3 53 52

losing by 40 secs. corrected time.

m. s.

To windward 'Valkyrie' led by 1 55 To leeward 'Vigilant' led by 4 5

On this day the course was kept very clear. The wind increased at the finish, but the fact that 'Vigilant' carried full mainsail, second club topsail, balloon jib-topsail, and large spinnaker, shows that it was not blowing the gale described by some journalists.

After the finish in the lower bay the wind piped up, the sea got up, and all raced hard for home.

It was a splendid race, n.o.bly sailed, and both yachts admirably handled. There always must be some luck, but it was most untimely for 'Valkyrie's' spinnakers to burst. The question at once suggests itself, should they not be sent up in stops? 'Valkyrie's' mast was sprung and worse, and that prevented her getting more canvas put on her. When one yacht gains to windward and the other to leeward they must be well matched; in England we consider that windward work should take precedence of running free. For English waters 'Valkyrie' is a most successful and beautiful craft, and for American waters, with light winds and long reaching, 'Vigilant' has proved a great success.

Certainly this last race was the grandest ever sailed for the America Cup, and we may be proud of our representative. The 1,200 feet of sail-area in 'Vigilant,' and extra crew, gave her a decided advantage, and the centreboard was supposed to be a gain to windward; but that good sportsman Lord Dunraven is not disheartened in any way, neither is he won over to centreboard yachts.

APPENDIX

THE 'GIRALDA'

It chances that while these volumes were being prepared, a steam yacht of a remarkable character was being built, and it seems desirable to include a few words about this vessel, for the reason that she is, perhaps, the most perfect boat ever constructed for a private gentleman. Reference is made to the magnificent twin-screw steam yacht 'Giralda,' the property of Mr. Harry McCalmont of Cheveley Park, Newmarket. 'Giralda' gives evidence of the perfection to which vessels of this type are now being brought. She is about 1,800 tons yacht measurement, and her princ.i.p.al dimensions are: Length between perpendiculars, 275 feet; breadth moulded, 35 feet; depth moulded, 19 feet. She is built with thirteen water-tight bulkheads of Siemens-Martin's steel to Lloyd's highest cla.s.s, and so constructed as to be readily converted into a light-armed cruiser or despatch vessel for Admiralty requirements.

A notable point will be her speed of twenty knots, to develop which she is fitted with twin-screw machinery and five boilers, three of which are double-ended, and two single-ended, with sixteen furnaces, all adapted for forced draught. The machinery consists of two independent and separate sets of triple-expansion direct-acting surface-condensing engines, one set to each screw propeller, and will indicate with forced draught 6,500 horse-power, or with natural draught 5,000 horse-power. The bunker capacity is 400 tons of coal, and the fresh-water tanks are ample for Admiralty requirements; in addition to which she is fitted with fresh-water condenser capable of producing 1,200 gallons per diem. The yacht is also fitted with large ice-house and refrigerating chamber.

One of the special features in the 'Giralda' is that the saloons--consisting of smoking-room, boudoir, or library, s.p.a.cious dining saloon and drawing-room--are all on the main deck, where there are also situated lavatories for cabins and crew, three galleys, and ample pantry and service s.p.a.ces. Owner's sleeping accommodation is below, fore and abaft the machinery s.p.a.ce, having intercommunication on the main deck through the house. The officers and crew are berthed forward, and the servants' quarters are aft. It is almost unnecessary to add that the cabin accommodation has had the most special attention, both in respect of arrangement and fittings, and the greatest care has been taken throughout for ventilating, heating, and insulation where necessary. A large bridge or shade deck extends along about 160 feet of the vessel, on which, forward, is the bridge, and also the chart and wheel houses. The boats are housed on this deck, and there is steam hoisting gear for steam launch and larger boats.

The yacht is lighted throughout by electricity, there being over 200 incandescent lamps. In addition to these, there are fitted two regulation-size search lights, and groups of electric lights for each mast. There are two separate and independent engines and dynamos, connected with large acc.u.mulators of sufficient capacity to supply the whole of the lamps for many hours without re-charging.

Mr. McCalmont has himself taken the very greatest personal interest in the arrangement of all details, which have been carried out by Messrs.

c.o.x & King, of Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, London, under the direction of Professor Elgar, the designer of the well-known Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., of Govan, Glasgow by whom the yacht is being built.