The Second Race for the America Cup.

Evening Star, Issue 7385, 3 December 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Second Race for the America Cup.

All hopes of the America Cup being taken to England were set at rest on September 30, by the victory of the Volunteer over the Thistle. In the first match, on September 27, the American yacht won by about nineteen minutes, and in the second contest, over a forty miles course outside Sandy Hook, she again displayed her superiority, the Scottish representative being defeated by nearly eleven minutes. According to the official times of the race, the Volunteer started at lOhrs 40min SOJsec, and the Thistle at lOhrs 40min 21aec. The Volunteer turned the stake-boat at 2hrs 2Catiu 40seo, and her opponent at 2hrs 41 min. The victor Grossed the winning'lineat4hrs23min 47seo, and the Thistle at 4hrs 35min 12sec. The corrected time of the race is: Volunteer, shrs 42min 56sec ; Thistle, shrs 04miu 45|sec. At 10.42 a start was made, with the Thistle ahead and to windward. She appeared to be getting better into the wind and steadily gaining. Rain came down soon after the start, the wind became a gale, and the yachts disappeared in the fog. Half an hour later the rain stopped, the fog lifted, and the Thistle seemed to be still ahead, but the Volunteer was gaining, apparently standing closer to the wind. Soon after the Volunteer passed ahead and drew away rapidly, reaching the stake-boat about seventeen minutes ahead. She headed for home with her spinnaker to port, her mainsail to starboard, and breaking out her balloon jib-topsail. She seemed to take the swell much better than the Thistle. The latter buried her bows much more, and seemed to be carrying too much canvas. Like the Volunteer, she had her mainsail, fore staysail-jib, and working-jib-topsail set, but seemed less able to carry it in the wind, which was blowing twenty-five miles an hour. After turning the stake-boat, both yachts Set every stitch of canvas they had, and fairly flew before the wind. But the race was decided before the Thistle turned. The Thistle, however, gained five minutes on the home run, showing that she is fastest before the wind. The Volunteer received a tremendous reception from whistles, horns, bells, and voices as she came in an easy winner, and as loud a greeting was given to the Thistle as she also arrived. It cannot now be doubted that the Volunteer is the better boat. -The Thistle was beaten by two miles, and this by a steady and almost regular gain while close-hauled from the start to the turning-boat, the Thistle only recovering some of her lost ground on the run back. So far, says one account, from being only a fair-weather boat, the Volunteer stood up to the wind decidedly better than did the English yacht, and took her seas more lightly and easily. Captain Barr, of the Thistle, on being interviewed after the race, said that it was indubitable that the Volunteer was the faster boat, and admitted the advantage of the centre-board. He added that the weather was just suitable for the Thistle, but that she was handicapped by the proximity of the excursion steamers. All the men of the Thistle’s crew were enthusiastic over the sailing qualities of the Volunteer, whose victory was everywhere received in the best spirit. All the talk in New York, says the ‘ Daily News” correspondent, ia in favor of centre-boards, and the reports that the new Scotch yacht will have one are readily believed. Mr Bell and Mr Watson admit that the Volunteer’s centreboard won tbe race, enabling her to keep closer to the wind ; but they claim that only two points of sailing were tested by the races, viz., in beating to windward, where the Volunteer showed unquestioned superiority. and running before the wind, where the Thistle showed that she was faster jn reaching with the wind abeam or nearly A third point, the result of which they are ignorant of, has not been tested at all. They claim that a race on one triangular course would test all the points, and would be much fairer than the usual American courses. The Americans admit that the inside course is not fair to strangers, and ought to be either changed so as to start from outside the Narrows, or it should be abandoned entirely, having all races sailed outside. If foreign competitors insist upon such a change it will probably be made, as the good grace and pluck shown by the Scotch visitors have so pleased yachtsmen in America that they are disposed to be magnanimous.

Mr Charles Sweet, a native of Ayr, and now residing in New York, has resolved to issue a challenge for the America Cup next year. Hr Sweet has notified to the New York Yacht Club his formal challenge, and has intimated that the necessary documents will be forwarded as soon as possible. Mr Sweet will not be the only owner of chenew yacht, as another gentleman has agreed to take a share. He has resigned his membership of the New York Yacht Club, in order to have free action. According to some reports, Mr Watson will be the designer of Mr Sweet’s new vessel, which is to be a cutter, and will probably be built on the Clyde, and constructed of steel. The yacht is to be ready by next spring, but her tonnage has not yet been settled. It is stated that Mr Sweet has issued his challenge in the name of the Royal Thames Yacht Club.