Yachting Volume Ii Part 32

made her mark in the short season she had in home waters, her record being 15 prizes in 24 starts, her winnings amounting to 955_l._

The 'Satanita' was a particularly unlucky boat, and on the Clyde her ill fortune pa.s.sed into a proverb. After breaking the spell with a victory in Belfast Lough, she, however, scored several notable victories, and it was a great feat to win two events at a Royal Yacht Squadron regatta. Her fastest reaching display was no doubt in the Nore to Dover race, but for a short burst the speed she attained in going from the New Pier, Torquay, to the flagboat outside Hope's Nose has perhaps never been equalled by anything of yacht kind. 'Satanita'

was not such a handy boat to get round marks or herring-bone through a crowded roadstead as 'Britannia' and 'Valkyrie,' but Jay is deserving of the highest praise for the able way he sailed his charge.

'Satanita's' winnings included a Queen's Cup and the Albert Cup, and in 36 starts she won 13 prizes, value 760_l._

The 'Calluna' was a disappointing boat; indeed, her designer got into a way at last of calling her 'My unlucky boat,' for which expression there was all-sufficient reason. The best of 'Calluna' perhaps remains to be got out of her, yet she went by fits and starts in a wonderful way, but could rarely maintain her form to a finish. She had very strong opposition in 'Britannia,' 'Valkyrie,' and 'Satanita,' but likely enough she would have been an all-round better boat, and perhaps a real flier, with 2-1/2 ft. less beam and 2-1/2 ft. more load-water length. Her skipper, A. Hogarth, is exceptionally smart in handling a small craft; 'Calluna' was his first charge of the heavy-weight line, and she certainly was not the sort of craft to serve an apprentices.h.i.+p in. The Clyde cutter managed to win 10 prizes in 36 starts, but it was only on two occasions that she sailed home in the van.

To small details in a racing vessel's outfit the Americans give much more consideration than British yachtsmen think necessary. Many a wrinkle might have been picked up, however, in making a careful study of the 'Navahoe's' outfit, and there is no doubt that much of the gear and ironwork in English yachts is too heavy. 'Navahoe's' failing was want of stability, and this was found out on the other side before she set out from home. Her iron skin was not in her favour, and we, on this side, have yet to learn that a vessel can be properly laid on a wind when steered with a wheel. The 'Navahoe' started 18 times and won 6 prizes. Including the Brenton Reef Challenge Cup, her gross winnings amounted to 445_l._

The record of broken masts and other spars in connection with first-cla.s.s vessels was a remarkable one. It is likely that poor quality wood brought about the majority of the breakages; in fact, last season's spars were a rank bad lot. The case was different in 'Thistle's' year, that vessel having a really splendid lot of sticks.

It may be said that the 'Britannia' had no fewer than three masts in her forty-three racing essays, one topmast, two bowsprits, and one gaff; 'Calluna' two masts, one main boom, and one gaff; 'Valkyrie' one mast, one topmast, one boom, and one bowsprit; and 'Satanita' one bowsprit and one boom.

Referring to the 40-rating cla.s.s, it was feared at the outset of the season that neither 'Lais' nor 'Vendetta' was any improvement on the over-year 'Varuna.' The last named had quite a triumphal march at the outset, winning four cla.s.s matches right off. It was at Lowestoft that 'Lais' first gave 'Varuna' a taste of her quality, as she beat the latter by 13 mins. 34 secs. in moderate weather. 'Lais' was afterwards victorious at Dover, Southampton (R. Southern), Largs Regatta, Royal Western of Scotland, Mudhook, Royal Ulster, Royal Irish, Royal Alfred, Royal Yacht Squadron (Australian Cup), Royal Victoria. Altogether she made up a string of 29 prizes in 39 starts, and the gross value of her winnings was 827_l._ 'Varuna' gained first honours in the Royal London match (Thames), Brightlingsea Regatta, Royal Harwich (both days), Royal Mersey (both days), Royal Clyde, Royal Ulster, Royal Cornwall (S.O.), Royal Southampton (2), Royal Albert (2), Royal Dart, and Royal Western, her winning total being 23 prizes in 40 starts, value 605_l._ The 'Vendetta' won her maiden race, and only one more (R. Southern), before leaving the Channel. She was an improved boat when she joined in on the Clyde and won round the Royal Northern course, and she was subsequently to the fore in the Clyde Corinthian Regatta, Royal Clyde, Royal Irish, Royal London (Cowes), Royal Yacht Squadron, Royal Dorset and Torbay (2). In all she gained 18 flags in 33, and the value of her prizes amounted to 490_l._ The 'Thalia' only carried Judge Boyd's colours ten times, and won six prizes, value 150_l._

The 'Dragon III.' was crack of the 20-rating cla.s.s, and she had a very brilliant record--namely, 31 prizes, value 445_l._, in 34 starts. The 'Dragon' did not go through the season without a little doctoring, her formidable opponent, the 'Deirdre,' being found very hard to beat after being shortened about 10 in. on the water-line, and getting 45 square feet more sail-area; so 'Dragon' was altered in like manner, and 'Deirdre' had again to take second place. The new 'Vigorna' was a failure, and 'Dragon' and 'Deirdre' were too good for the 'Molly'

('Dragon II.'). The 'Zinita' would perhaps have proved equal to tackling the 'Dragon III.' by the wind, but Mr. Hill's boat would certainly have been able to score heavily with checked sheets.

'Deirdre's' record was 21 prizes in 35 starts, and the 'Zinita's' 18 in 24 starts. The 'Phantom' was the crack of the tens, with 14 prizes in 24 starts; and the 5-rater 'Red Lancer' in going round the coast managed to win 24 flags in 34 racing essays.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Mr. Hill's 'Dragon III,' 20-rater.]

This review would not be complete without some reference to sails, and it may be said that those made by the joint firms of Laphorn and Ratsey were really wonderful and perfect specimens of the art. Still, 'Valkyrie's' canvas elicited the greatest praise in America, and especially from General Paine, who said her suit 'fitted like a glove; the most perfect canvas he had ever seen in America.' The quality of the material and workmans.h.i.+p was strikingly evident in 'Britannia's' mainsail, which lasted a season through, and after all the f.a.gging and rough work it had, it kept its shape to the end of the season. The 'Valkyrie' had a mainsail made of Sea Island cotton for the America Cup matches, but most people would vote flax good enough after seeing such a sail as 'Britannia's.' The 'Satanita,' 'Calluna,'

and 'Valkyrie's' mainsails stood equally well as 'Britannia's,' and those of the 40-raters 'Lais' and 'Vendetta' could not have been better. The twenties were quite as well done by; but the plan of giving the last-named cla.s.s wide cloths in a measure spoils the beauty of the sails. The patent jibs introduced by T. Ratsey were very pretty sails, but they seemed liable to go across the diagonal seam in a gusty wind.

CHAPTER XII

THE AMERICAN YACHTING SEASON OF 1893

BY LEWIS HERRESHOFF

The yachting season of 1893 was inaugurated by the laying of 'Navahoe's' keel in the autumn of 1892, at the construction shops of the Herreshoff Company, in Bristol, R.I.

Interest was soon centred in her, for it was clear that she was intended for some unusual service, and when her owner Mr. R. P.

Carroll, announced his programme for the season of 1893, of going to England to try for the American cups there, and to take part in what racing he might, there was an astonis.h.i.+ng awakening of enthusiasm on both sides of the Atlantic, which culminated in the international contest off New York in October 1893, that being without question the most exciting and interesting series of races ever witnessed. Early in December 1892 the challenge from Lord Dunraven was finally settled and adjusted, creating a patriotic ardour in all English and American yachtsmen.

Almost simultaneously the 'Valkyrie,' 'Britannia,' 'Calluna,' and 'Satanita' in England, and 'Colonia,' 'Vigilant,' 'Jubilee,' and 'Pilgrim' in America, were begun, the last three English yachts being expressly intended to defend the American and other trophies against the attack of 'Navahoe,' as well as more fully to test the value of 'Valkyrie,' on which rested the herculean task of returning the America Cup to its native sh.o.r.es. The early months of 1893 were spent by the yachting circles of both England and America in discussions on and comparisons of the merits of their favourite design and construction, rig and so forth.

All attempts by the designers and builders to keep their work secret were utterly futile, for all essential information as to dimensions and chief characteristics found their way into the newspapers, giving zest to the public interest and discomfiture to the builders, who set seals on the mouths of their workmen and watchmen, and blocked every door and window where the prying public might steal a view of the coming wonder; but seals and watchmen could not evade the desire to know what was to be the form and outline of the 'Defenders,' as the American yachts were popularly called. The table on p. 402 gives important information concerning the five American yachts of 1893, to which is added 'Valkyrie,' her dimensions being important for comparison with the American vessels. 'Navahoe' was built under restrictions that precluded all expectations of attaining the highest speed; she was intended for a cruiser which in the event of necessity could be rigged and sailed so as to make a good show with yachts then in existence. Her performance in English waters, although disappointing, was but little below the antic.i.p.ations of those who knew her and understood the value of her opponents, whose lines were not drawn when 'Navahoe' was begun.

The yachts 'Navahoe,' 'Colonia,' and 'Vigilant' are all after the type of 'Gloriana' and 'Wasp,' but differing widely in some points, the first and last being centreboard vessels, and 'Colonia' a keel, but of not sufficient lateral plane, rendering her windward work faulty.

'Vigilant' represents perhaps more nearly than the others the so-called American type; she combines a broad beam with good depth, and with her centreboard down draws about 23 ft.

+---------+---------------+----------------+-------------+--------+------+----+--------+------+-----------+ | Cutter | Owner | Designer | Builders | Length |L.W.L.|Beam| Draught| Sail-|Sail-makers| | | | | |over all| | | | area | | +---------+---------------+----------------+-------------+--------+------+----+--------+------+-----------+ | | | | | ft. | ft. | ft.|ft. ins.| ft. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Navahoe {R. P. Carroll, | N. G. {Herreshoff } 123 | -- | 23 { 13 0 | -- {Wilson and | | {N.Y. | Herreshoff {Manufacturing} | | { 23 0 | {Silsby | | | | {Co. } | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Colonia {Arch. Rogers } " | " | 128 | 85.48| 24 | 15 3 |11,340| " | | {and others, } | | | | | | | | | {N.Y. } | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Vigilant {E. D. Morgan } " | " | 127 | 86.12| 26 { 14 0 |11,312{Wilson and | | {and others, } | | | | { 24 0 | {Griffen, | | {N.Y. } | | | | | | {N.Y. | | | | | | | | | | | | |Valkyrie |Lord Dunraven | Geo. L. Watson| Henderson | 117.25 | 85.50| -- | 17 6 | -- | Ratsey | | | | | | | | | | | | |Jubilee {Chas. J. Paine,} J. B. Paine {Lawley Corp.,} 125 | 84.47| 23 { 13 9 |11,342{Wilson and | | {Boston } {Boston } | | { 22 0 | {Silsby | | | | | | | | | | | | |Pilgrim {Bayard Thayer } Stewart and |p.u.s.s.ey and } 123 | 85.28| 23 | 22 6 |10,261| " | | {and others, } Binney |Jones } | | | | | | | {Boston } | | | | | | | | +---------+---------------+----------------+-------------+--------+------+----+--------+------+-----------+

The chief characteristic of her construction is the employment of Tobin bronze for her plating (save the upper row of plates, which are of steel), and her centreboard, also of bronze, is made of two plates set apart with ribs between, the s.p.a.ce of 2-1/2 in. being filled with cement; the structure weighing 7,750 lbs., and being operated from the cabin by means of differential lifts, capable of raising 6 tons.

'Jubilee' is of unusual design and construction; her body is wide and shallow, with a fin attachment carrying about 40 tons of lead at a depth of 13 ft. below the water's surface, and to increase the lateral plane she has a centreboard that works through the fin and its bulb of lead, exposing surface enough to ensure most excellent windward work, dropping about 8 or 10 ft. below the bulb. 'Pilgrim' is an out-and-out fin-keel yacht, the largest vessel of that type ever built. Like 'Jubilee,' she is broad and shallow of body, the fin being of a separate construction, and this with its bulb of 15 tons weight was attached to the vessel in New York, the hull having been built in Wilmington on the Delaware. She carried her bulb 23 ft. below water, which gave her good stability and power to hold her course when sailing to windward; but with her, as in some measure with 'Jubilee,'

they did not represent any authorised, well-tested type of yacht, and though their performances were interesting and highly instructive, they did not fill the mind of the true yachtsman with glowing satisfaction, seeing that the work that was in hand was one of national importance and required designs of equally high character.

The middle of July found all four yachts in sailing, if not racing, trim; their owners scrupulously avoided contact with each other; each claimed unheard-of speed and other n.o.ble qualities; and each felt that his craft was that on which would rest the honour of defending the America Cup. It was soon found that the booms of 'Colonia' and 'Vigilant' were not satisfactory; they were not stiff enough to hold the sail where it should be to ensure a flat set, and when swung off their weight was found to list the yacht too much, both of which difficulties were to be expected in spars of their length and diameter (100 ft. long by 16 in.). Hollow booms of different construction were tried. Those where the spar was sawed lengthwise and the core dug out, then glued and trenailed together, were found to be the best.

Booms of highly elaborate construction made for 'Colonia' and 'Vigilant' were tried and found unsuitable. They were built up of long staves, having double skins which were well glued and fastened, and weighed less than half the solid spar; they were 30 in. at slings, 18 in. at after, and 15 in. at forward ends, but they evidently were lacking in material enough to endure the tension on one side and the compression on the other, and were condemned after a short trial.

In the first regatta of the N.Y.Y.C. cruise on August 7, 'Colonia' and 'Vigilant' met; it was at the head of Long Island Sound, triangular course.

There came a puff of wind a moment after starting, and before the defenders sailed a mile 'Vigilant' broke down and withdrew, leaving 'Colonia' without an opponent, as 'Jubilee' and 'Pilgrim' did not join the fleet until later.

The race for the Goelet Cups off Newport on August 11 was famous for first bringing together all four of the 'Defenders,' and infamous in the annals of yachting for being the most disappointing occasion that was ever remembered. Calms varied by light baffling breezes, generally from the east; mists mitigated by clearing moments, which finally settled into a hopeless calm and densest of fogs. 'Colonia' came drifting home nearly fifteen hours from the start, with 'Vigilant' and 'Jubilee' an hour or two behind. 'Pilgrim' had long before withdrawn.

The course was from Brenton's Reef light-vessel to that at the entrance to Vineyard Sound, thence a short leg to the light-vessel at the entrance of Buzzard's Bay, and thence to the point of starting--about thirty-six miles.

The only fact disclosed by this race was that 'Jubilee' was as good as 'Vigilant' in beating out to the Vineyard Light, and that 'Vigilant'

was faster than 'Jubilee' in reaching, for the latter was caught and pa.s.sed by 'Vigilant' a few moments before the wind wholly disappeared.

[Ill.u.s.tration: New York Yacht Club.

1893. Regatta Course.]

During the continuation of the cruise there were several tests of speed in going from port to port, in which 'Vigilant' showed herself to be the fastest.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Vigilant,' Cup defender.]

The races for the Astor Cups off Newport were in the main unsatisfactory as real tests of speed and desirable qualities, but in all it was more and more a.s.sured that 'Vigilant' was the best, and also that 'Pilgrim' was far from fulfilling the expectations of those responsible for her. The August races ended without affording any definite information as to the comparative value of the 'Defenders,'

but there was a growing opinion that 'Vigilant' was best, with 'Colonia' and 'Jubilee' about even, and 'Pilgrim' well astern; this cla.s.sification, however, was from inference rather than any absolute test. 'Jubilee' and 'Pilgrim' went to Boston to prepare for the final trial, to take place off New York in a series of races beginning September 7. It was decided by the owners of 'Pilgrim' to give her more power; lead was added to her bulb, spars lengthened, and sail-spread increased. 'Jubilee' underwent only minor alterations, whilst 'Colonia' and 'Vigilant' tried to improve the set of their sails (a hopeless task) and otherwise prepared for the all-important final race. In the first of the trial series 'Colonia' and 'Vigilant'

were about even, the Boston boats being disabled by damage to their gear. The second and third races were victories for 'Vigilant,' the last race being sailed in a fine wind and fairly rough sea.

Those who wanted to see an actual test of qualities were again bitterly disappointed, for the Boston boats did not show as they might have done had their rigging and spars remained intact; but in the case of 'Pilgrim' it was clear that her increased sail-spread and consequent augmentation of weights below and aloft imposed too severe strains on her hull and rigging, so that structural weakness became alarmingly evident before the close of the race, when she was at once put out of commission, since which she has been sold, and will appear next as a harbour steamer for pa.s.sengers.

The choice of 'Vigilant' to defend the cup was a wise one--in fact, the committee could decide nothing else, for it was clear that 'Colonia' could not do good work to windward, through lack of lateral resistance; and 'Jubilee,' although unquestionably a very fast yacht--in some instances the equal of 'Vigilant'--was rigged with such untrustworthy material that she could not be depended upon to enter so important a struggle as the defence of the America Cup. After the trial races and consequent choice of 'Vigilant' as defender, public attention was centred on the coming of 'Valkyrie.' Day after day pa.s.sed and yet no news of her; at last anxiety was felt for her safety, seeing that she had not been positively reported since her sailing. But, after a thirty days' voyage, she appeared at sunrise off Sandy Hook, none the worse for her stormy pa.s.sage.

'Valkyrie' was quickly put in racing trim, and on the arrival of Lord Dunraven all the final arrangements for the contest were settled and both yachts prepared for the struggle, the last act being the docking of them to make their wetted surfaces as smooth and repellent of water as possible.

The America Cup races were set to begin on October 5 and four following alternate days, the first, third, and last to be 15 knots from the lights.h.i.+p off Sandy Hook and return in a course parallel with the wind; the second and fourth races to be triangular, 10 knots on each leg, to start from the same point, and to have one leg to windward; all races to be started from a single gun, and to be sailed in a limit of six hours.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Earl of Dunraven's 'Valkyrie.']

As the day approached the excitement became intense; yachtsmen and sportsmen flocked to New York from all parts of the country. Betting ran in favour of 'Vigilant' (3 to 2), some bets being taken at large odds against 'Valkyrie's' not being able to win a single race in the series.

_First Race, October 7, 1893_

+---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | -- |Start| Turn | Finish |Elapsed |Corrected| +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | |h. m.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s. | |Vigilant |11 25| 1 50 50| 3 30 47| 4 5 47| 4 5 47 | |Valkyrie |11 25| 1 58 56| 3 38 23| 4 13 23| 4 11 35 | +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+

'Vigilant' wins by 5 mins. 48 secs.

_Second Race, October 9, 1893_

+---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | |Start| First | Second | Finish |Elapsed |Corrected| | -- | | mark | mark | | | | +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | |h. m.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s. | |Vigilant |11 25| 1 6 35| 1 56 55| 2 50 1| 3 25 1| 3 25 1 | |Valkyrie |11 25| 1 11 20| 2 5 52| 3 2 24| 3 37 24| 3 35 36 | +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+