Chapter XIII: The America Cup Races, 189324

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 passing 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 shore 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 trespass.

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 passed 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. 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 competitors 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 competitors 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' passed 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, nobly 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.