From
The big class racing yachts
by Leather, John

The American sloop Vigilant sailed to England in the early summer of 1894 to spend the season racing around the coastal regattas with the British large class. Nathanael Herreshoff came over by ocean liner to supervise her fitting out, and the owner's steam yacht, Atalanta, arrived to act as her tender. The English captains and crews of the large cutters Britannia, Satanita and Valkyrie II, her rival for the America's Cup the previous year, were keen to show they could beat her.

July 5 - MUDHOOK YACHT CLUB REGATTA

Vigilant's first appearance in Britain was on the Clyde at the Regatta of the quaintly named Mudhook Yacht Club on July 5, 1894. This was the one fixture of the year in which amateur helmsmen were allowed to steer the large-class yachts. While all four were maneuvering for the start, a small sailing boat appeared in the course of the fast Valkyrie II. To avoid a fatal collision, her amateur helmsman, quickly aided by Captain Cranfield, took avoiding action, with the result that she was run into by the Satanita. The two yachts were locked together for a few minutes, then the sinking Valkyrie II drifted away to foul a steam yacht. One of his smartest hands, William Brown of Rowhedge, was crushed between them and later died. Valkyrie II then sank and Satanita lay in the water, disabled. Vigilant and Britannia were unaware of all this and during the first of a series of engagements and in a fine race, the American yacht was only beaten by 36 seconds.

READ MORE : THE VIGILANT LOSES THE RACE - VIGILANT BEATEN - YACHT VALKYRIE SUNK - VIGILANT'S FIRST DEFEAT

July 5 - MUDHOOK YACHT CLUB REGATTA
Richard M. Firth Vigilant and Britannia racing off Hunter's Quay in July 1894	Richard M. Firth Vigilant and Britannia racing off Hunter's Quay on the Clyde	Stephen J. Renard VIGILANT AND BRITANNIA OFF HUNTER'S QUAY	Richard M. Firth Vigilant and Britannia racing off Hunter's Quay in July 1894

July 7 - QUEEN'S CUP

With Valkyrie II sunk and Satanita towed away for repairs, Britannia alone was left to race Vigilant again at the Royal Clyde Yacht Club Regatta two days later.

VIGILANT AGAIN BEATEN
Finished First but Was Defeated by the Time Allowance.

Capt. Haff Gets the American Away Over a Minute Behind the English Cutter, and His Crew Are Slow In Handling Sails - The Prince of Wales's Boat Works Splendldly and Keeps the Lead Until Nearly the last Mark - The Vigilant Then Shoots Ahead and Beats Her Rival One Minute to the Stake Boat.

HUNTER'S QUAY (Firth of Clyde), July 7. Britannla won the race for the Queen's Cup...

READ MORE : VIGILANT AGAIN BEATEN - BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVE. - THE VIGILANT FIRST HOME

July 9 - £75 Cup - Royal Clyde

Two days later, the yachts met again and when the race was stopped due to lack of wind, she was 9 minutes 33 seconds ahead of Vigilant.

BRITANNIA ONCE MORE.
Vigilant Again Beaten by the Prince of Wales's Crack Yacht

SIMPLY A DRIFTING MATCH - Not Enough Wind to Fill the Sails at Any Stage of the Contest.

HUNTER'S QUAY (Firth of Clyde), July 9. In this second day's raclng of the Royal Clyde Yacht Club regatta, the course was the same as Saturday last. The prize in to-day's race is 75£.

READ MORE : BRITANNIA ONCE MORE. - THE VIGILANT LOSES THE RACE. - BRITANNIA DRIFTS HOME

July 10 - Clyde Corinthian Cup

Next day Britannia won again and Vigilant's crew were becoming disheartened, despite a good showing against a well-tuned and manned racer in her home waters. Vigilant's great fault was her slowness in stay compared to the British yachts and her badly setting sails.

BRITANNIA THE WINNER.
Scores Her Fourth Victory in the Clyde Races.

AMATEURS HOLD THE HELMS - WINDS LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

HUNTER'S QUAY (Firth of Clyde), July 10. With a very light air blowing across the bay and the prospects bad for yacht racing, the rival boats Vigilant and Britannia starting this morning in the race for the Clyde Corinthian Cup, valued at $300, in theregatta of the Clyde Corinthian Yacht Club.

READ MORE : BRITANNIA THE WINNER. - THE VIGILANT LOSES THE RACE. - BRITANNIA DRIFTS HOME

July 11 - Royal Northern Club Regatta

VIGILANT NEEDS A FAN.
BRITANNIA WINS BY HALF AN HOUR.

British Breezes Play Mean Tricks on Her In the Royal Northern Club Regatta.

ROTHESAY, Firth of Clyde, July 11. -- Britannia today won the £60 ($300) prize offered by the Royal Northern Yacht Club, beating Vigilant 31 minutes 19 seconds, real time or 34 minutes 19 seconds, including all three minutes time allocation. It was Britannia's fifth victory in a row.

READ MORE : BRITANNIA WINS BY HALF AN HOUR. - AGAIN THE VIGILANT FAILED. - THE VIGILANT FAR ASTERN.

July 12 - £60 Cup - Royal Northern

VIGILANT AGAIN LOSES.
Britannia Skips Right Away from the American Boat.

FIRST FROM START TO FINISH. Wind Mean and Light Early in the Contest, but Good and Strong at the End.

ROTHESAY, Firth of Clyde, July 12. - Vigilant and Britannia fought their sixth aquatic duel today. A fair northwest wind was blowing at the time of starting but it soon died out. The course today's was the same as the one sailed over yesterday. The prize was also the same as the prize contested for yesterday, namely £60, offered by the Royal Northern Yacht Club.

READ MORE : BRITANNIA WINS BY HALF AN HOUR. - VIGILANT OUTSAILED BY BRITANNIA IN CALM WEATHER. - VIGILANT IN A BREEZE. BUT IT CAME TOO LATE TO PREVENT ANOTHER DEFEAT,

July 16 - County Down Cup - Royal Ulster

Before leaving the Clyde to race in Northern Ireland, Vigilant had her spars slightly shortened and her sail area reduced accordingly. She was towed to Bangor, County Down by her tender Atalanta. At the Royal Ulster Yacht Club Regatta in Belfast Lough Vigilant showed improved form and led Britannia for part of the first race in squally weather with jackyard topsails, though Britannia won by 1 minute 31 seconds over the 50 mile course. Afterwards, at anchor, Captain Carter called over to Captain Haff wishing him a nice day of racing the next morning, and the American replied: "Yeah, so long as we don't get none of them goddamned squalls!"

VIGILANT'S HARD LUCK.
Had a Commanding Lead, but the Wind Failed
and Britannia Crept Up.

One More Victory Credited to the Prince of Wales's Fine Yacht. Good, Strong Wind for Two-Thirds of the Race, Vigilant Showing the Way to Her Rival.

BANGOR (Belfast Lough), July 16, - The big event of this, the first day's racing in the regatta of the Rojal Ulster Yacht Club was the contest for the County Down Cup, open to yachts over 40-rating, and in it the American sloop Vigilant and the British cutter Britannia alone competed.

READ MORE : VIGILANT'S HARD LUCK. - VIGILANT LOST BY A FLUKE.

July 17 - Rear Commodore Cup - Royal Ulster

On the second day of racing, the Britannia broke her gaff jaws and had to return to anchor. Vigilant took it easy and sailed over to win.

VIGILANT VICTORIOUS.
Britannia Lost Her Bobstay and Retired from the Race.

It Was Near the Finish and Our Boat Was Far in the Lead and Sure to Win. There Was Plenty of Wind and the English Cutter Was Beaten at Every Point.

BANGOR (Belfast Lough), July 17, - Vigilant won to-day for the first time in foreign waters. When the course had been sailed over twice and Vigilant was far in the lead the bobstay of Britannia was carried away or she sustained some injury to her gaff, and her foresail waa lowered, her topsail taken in and the struggle given Up. Vigilant went over the course and finished winner. There is no doubt Vigilant would have given a most decisive beating to Britannia had the accident not occurred.

READ MORE : VIGILANT VICTORIOUS. - The Daily Morning: VIGILANT WINS A RACE. - New-York tribune: VIGILANT'S WINNING DAY,

July 20 - $400 Prize value - Royal St George

Britannia won again at the Royal St George Yacht Club Regatta on July 20, in Dublin Bay,..

EIGHT FOR BRITANNIA.
Leads from Start to Finish Through Squalls, Rains and Calms.

VIGILANT NEVER PROMINENT.
Great Crowd of Irishmen Ouat to See the Crack Yaohts at Kingstown.

Kingstown, Dublin Bay, July 20. - The race to-day was for a prize of $400, offered by the Royal St. George's Yacht Club, and not for the St. George's Cup, as previously announced. The course was quadrangular, and about fifty miles long.

READ MORE : EIGHT FOR BRITANNIA. - AGAIN THE BRITANNIA RULED; THE CUTTER WON OVER THE ROYAL ST. GEORGE COURSE. - The Daily Morning: VIGILANT WINS A RACE. - ASTERN OF THE BRITANNIA.

July 21 - $400 Prize value - Royal St George

... but Vigilant beat her the following day.

VIGILANT THE VICTOR.
Got a Wind in the Last Round and Just Ran Away from Britannia.

FLUKY UP TO THAT TIME.
Light Breezes, but Our Boat Nearly Always Ahead of the Englishman.

Kingstown, Dublin Bay, July 21. - The American sloop Vigilant and the British cutter Britannia started this morning on their tenth race, with the score standing 8 to 1 in favor of the Prince of Wales' yacht. The wind was light and the course was the same as yesterday. The prize competed for to-day was $300, given by the Royal St. George's Yacht Club.

READ MORE : VIGILANT THE VICTOR. - IT WAS THE VIGILANT'S DAY. - The Daily Morning: VIGILANT WINS A RACE. - THIS TIME THE VIGILANT.

July 23 - £60 Cup -- Royal Munster

At Queenstown, Britannia won again...

VIGILANT HAS A JONAH.
Once More She Is Becalmed in the Homestretch and Loses.

TWO AND A HALF MILES AHEAD.
Gould's Yacht Making a Show of Britannia When the Wind Fails.

ROCHE'S POINT, Queenstown Harbor, July 23. - There was a fresh northwest breeze blowing this morning when the crowds began assembling to witness the day's racing under the auspices of the Royal Munster Yacht Club, and everything looked bright, promising good sport and a thorough test of the rival yachts Vigilant and Britannia.
The American sloop and the British cutter arrived here at 5 a.m. today, from Kingstown, Dublin Bay, in tow of Mr. George J. Gould's steam yacht Atalanta, none the worse for their trip, and fit to race for the Republic and the Kingdom they respectively represented.

READ MORE : VIGILANT HAS A JONAH. - VIGILANT HAS HARD LUCK; LED TO THE LAST ROUND AND THEN FOUND A CALM SPOT - UNFORTUNATE VIGILANT.

July 24 - Cork Yacht Club Trophy

... but lost to Vigilant in Cork on July 24.

VIGILANT AN EASY WINNER.
Took the Lead Soon After the Start and Was Never Caught.

GOOD WIND AND NO FLUKES.
Nine to Three Now the Record of the Contests Between the Yachts.

ROCHE'S POINT, Queenstown Harbor, July 24. - Vigilant and Britannia started this morning in their twelfth race, with prospects of good weather for the first day's racing of the Royal Cork Yacht Club regatta. The course today was the same as yesterday, except for the finish. instead of being at the Spit Light, at the head of Queenstown Harbour, as yesterday, is at the regular Club finish line, between the club-house and No. 1 buoy, giving thus an additional lap for the yachts, making nine laps in total compared to eight laps yesterday.
The prize competed for by the runners today was $500 donated by the Club.

READ MORE : VIGILANT AN EASY WINNER. - BRITANNIA DEFEATED AGAIN; THE YANKEE WON THE CORK YACHT CLUB'S TROPHY. - VIGILANT BEST WORK.

July 28 - £75 Cup - Mount's Bat

On July 28, Vigilant, Britannia and the 40-rater Corsair were at the Penzance and Mount's Bay Regatta in Cornwall, one of those pleasant coastal fixtures offering classes for everything from the largest yachts to local fishing boats, and attended by thousands, afloat and ashore. Britannia beat Vigilant by 5 minutes 14 seconds and the still disabled Satanita, did not start. By then the American's sails were mishapen and in poor condition, to the despair of her crew.

There was continued good feeling between the skippers and crews of the British and American racers. Britannia's victory was "the signal for the most enthusiastic cheering from thousands of throats, the noise of yachts' whistles and sirens adding to the excitement which prevailed." Vigilant also came in for ovation. After rounding the committee boat, the two cracks came close together and Vigilant's crew gave hearty cheers for the Britannia, whose crew vigorously returned the compliment.

VIGILANT DEFEATED.
Britannia More than Three Minutes Ahead on the Homestretch.

WIND FAIR FOR EACH CRAFT.
America's Sloop Never Able to Get the Front and Easily Beaten by Wales's Boat.

PENZANCE, England, July 28. - With a steady south-easterly wind blowing across beautiful Mount's Bay, one of the most picturesque parts of England, Vigilant and Britannia started this morning on their thirteenth race, the score standing nine races to three in favor of the Prince of Wales's yacht.
It had been arranged that Mr. A. B Clarke's Satanita was to meet the American yacht today, but her sailing master last night, dissatisfied with the time allowance imposed upon him by the Regatta Committee, telegraphed to Mr. Clarke that he was going to Falmouth and so wouldn't race today. Soon after Satanita has sailed, a telegraphic message was received at Penzance for Satanita's commander, in which her owner ordered the yacht to be raced under any conditions.
But it was too late. Satanita was by that time well on her way to Falmouth.
The race to-day was for a prize of $300, given by the Town Committee, and not for a "yacht club" prize, as in all previous contests between the two cracks.

READ MORE : VIGILANT DEFEATED. - BRITANNIA FRONT AGAIN; THE CUTTER DEFEATED THE YAN- KEE SLOOP EASILY. - BRITANNIA AGAIN WINS.

July 30 - Royal Cornwall Yacht Club regatta - Falmouth

Two days later, at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club regatta in Falmouth, the three big yachts were preparing to race when Vigilant suddenly lowered her mainsail and withdrew from the race, to the disappointment of the large crowds of spectators. She hadstrained her bobstay and Hank Haff thought that the headgear would come down if they raced in a freshening wind. With his races at Plymouth cancelled, Vigilant then sailed to the Solent, to refit for Cowes Week and a private match which was being arranged with Britannia.

August 4 - $500 Prize - Private match

After her defeats by Britannia on the Clyde and at the Penzance Regatta, where the yachts raced in an annual fixture on the way from the Clyde to the Solent, there was tremendous interest in this match race, especially as it was a prelude in Cowes Week.

Englishmen hoped for a hard breeze with plenty of windward work, which would suit Britannia. By the time Vigilant reached the Solent she had been tuned up and had her sail area slightly reduced. Her owner contacted Ratsey & Lapthorn to obtain an English suit of sails to replace the ill-fitting ones she had carried on the Clyde. The firm felt that they could not supply them and instead Vigilant's big mainsail was sent by rail from Penzance to Southampton, together with some of her headsails, where it was practically rebuilt by Tilling & Son.

Both yachts were docked for bottom cleaning and were remeasured at Southampton the day before the race, when Vigilant's crew turned everything possible out of her, even food and drinking water. As a result of the measurement, Vigilant had to allow Britannia 2 minutes 4 seconds on the course.

The prize was a £100 silver cup (cost) to be given by the owner of the losing yacht to the owner of the winner. They started over the Royal Yacht Squadron line, westward to round the East Lepe Buoy, then to the Warner light ship off the east end of the Isle of Wight, then back to Cowes, twice round - in all about 42 miles. Hundreds of steam and sailing yachts crowded Cowes Roads to see the start of this international contest. The westerly wind was fresh and they made the East Lepe mark in three tacks over the foul tide, the only windward work of the day, with Vigilant leading by 50 seconds in the jibe around the mark to sail eastward, and setting a large jib topsail (such a sail was afterwards called a "Yankee jib topsail" by English crews), compared to the British yacht's ordinary sized one. Vigilant continued to draw away and a spectator wrote: “As the yachts threaded the fleet anchored in Cowes Roads they were heartily cheered. The crews of HMS Dreadnought, the German corvette Stosch and the Osborne, royal yacht, being particularly demonstrative.'

Off Seaview the breeze freshened and at the Warner the Vigilant was 2 minutes 44 seconds ahead. They reached back through Spithead and into the Solent, rounded the East Lepe and again back to the Warner, the jib topsails being taken in as the breeze freshened. On the reach back to the finish at Cowes, the German Emperor cutter Meteor was pacing Vigilant, which was also followed by her owner's large steam yacht Atalanta. Vigilant won by 4 minutes 29 seconds, a few minutes after this photo was taken. She is travelling at her maximum speed, perhaps 12 knots, in the smooth waters and will get fresher puffs when she clears the high lands at East Cowes. She carries her jib-headed topsail, and the large light weather jib topsail is stowed on the bowsprit, ready to be re-set if necessary.
Vigilant surging toward the finish line at Cowes on August 4, 1894, in the lead during her private match with Prince of Wales' cutter Britannia.

VIGILANT TRIUMPHANT.
Captures in Gallant Style the Match Race Made by the Prince.

FINE STIFF WIND ALL THE WAY.
Britannia Never Able to Catch Up with the American in Such Weather.

COWES, Isle of Wight, August 4. - With a stiffish westerly breeze blowing and prospects of a good day's racing, the American sloop Vigilant and the British cutter Britannia started this morning in the match race for a cup valued at $500, arranged between George J. Gould and the Prince of Wales.
Never in the history of British yachting has so many yachts witnessing an aquatic contest, and it is doubtful lf as much interest was ever taken in any yachting event.
The yachts were officially measured yesterday. Vigilant spreads 1,200 square feet of carvas more than Britannia, while the cutter is a foot longer on the waterline. Vigilant's rating is 169, and Britannia's is 153; therefore, the American sloop allows the cutter 2 m. 4s.

READ MORE : VIGILANT TRIUMPHANT. - VIGILANT IN TRUE FORM; DEFEATS THE BRITANNIA IN A VERY LIVELY RACE. - VIGILANT ON HER METTLE.

August 6 - Royal London Yacht Club regatta

NOBLY DONE, VIGILANT,
Beats Britannia and Satanita in a Race Around the Isle of Wight.

WIND FAILED AT ONE TIME.
Britannia Then Crept Up, but the Breeze Freshened and Goulds' Yacht Raced Away.

COWES, Isle of Wight. August 6. - With prospect of a splendid day of racing. Vigilant, Britannia and Satanita started this morning in the big event of the Regatta of the Royal London Yacht Club. A better course could hardly be desired, and the weather was what the experts were pleased to call of the Satanita variety,
The course was around the Isle of Wight, starting eastward, once around for a total distance of about fifty-five miles. A superb marine spectacle was presented. There were nearly three hundred yachts of varying size and description.

READ MORE : NOBLY DONE, VIGILANT, - THE YANKEE SLOOP WINS AGAIN; VIGILANT BEAT THE BRITANNIA AND SATANITA AT COWES. - VIGILANT WINS AGAIN. SHE BEAT THE BRITANNIA AND SATANITA IN HANDSOME STYLE

The Vigilant has been entered for the following races:
    » August 8 – Royal Yacht Squadron regatta, Cowes.
    » August 9 – Royal Yacht Squadron regatta, Cowes.
    » August 10 – Royal Yacht Squadron regatta, Cowes.
    » August 11 – Royal Southampton regatta, In the Solent.
    » August 14 – Royal Victoria regatta, Ryde.
    » August 15 – Royal Victoria regatta, Ryde.
    » August 16 – Royal Victoria regatta, Ryde.
    » August 17 – Royal Victoria regatta, Ryde.
    » August 20 – Royal Albert Regatta, Southsea.
    » August 21 – Royal Albert Regatta, Southsea
» August 24 – Royal Dorset Regatta, Weymouth.
    » August 25 – Royal Dorset Regatta, Weymouth.
    » August 27 – Torbay Royal Regatta. Torquay.
    » August 28 – Torbay Royal Regatta, Torquay.
    » August 31 – Royal Dart Regatta, Dartmouth.
    » September 4 – Royal Western of England Regatta, Plymouth.
    » September 5 – Royal Western of England Regatta, Plymouth.

August 9 - Cowes Town Cup - Royal Yacht Squadron

BRITANNIA ALL THE WAY.
Vigilant Makes a Poor Showing in the Race for the Town Prize.

AND IN A STIFF WIND, TOO.
Our Boat Runs Too Close to the Shore and Meets with a Slight Mishap.

COWES, Isle of Wight. August 9. - Vigilant. Britannia, Satanlta, Meteor, Corsair and Namara were entered for to-day's yachting event, the Town Prize of $100 presented by the inhabitants of the town of Cowes, for all yachts of not less than thirty tons belonging to any recognized yacht club, but only Britannia and Vigilant started.
They sailed over what is known as the Queen's course, somewhat less than fifty miles (forty-seven miles estimated),

READ MORE : BRITANNIA ALL THE WAY. - BRITANNIA AGAIN LED THE WAY.; Beat the Vigilant in a 48-Mile Race. - BRITANNIA'S FINE WORK. THE ENGLISH CUTTER BEATS THE VIGILANT BY OVER TWO MINUTES.

August 11 - Race Britannia v Vigilant proposed by Lord Wolverton for a 100 Guineas Cup rescheduled for Wednesday 15 - Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club

August 14 - Royal Victoria Yacht Club Regatta - Vigilant unable to compete. Satanita defeated Britannia.

August 15 - Lord Wolverton Cup - Royal Yacht Squadron

NO YACHT RACE TO-DAY.

Vigilant - Britannia Match Postponed Owing to a Gale,

FRESHWATER, Isle of Wight, Aug 16. - The private match arranged between Mr. George J. Gould and the Prince of Wales, to sail Vigilant and Britannia fifteen miles to windward and return, for a cup offered by Lord Wolverton, was postponed indefinitely this morning, owing to the fact that a gale of wind was blowing, making it impossible for the yachts to put to sea.
The failure ot the Messr. Gould to race Vigilant yesterday is still adversely commented upon on all sides. One newspaper says: "We hear so much about what Vigilant can do in a hard wind that it would have been only sportsmanlike to give Satanita a chance of proving her. The excuse that Vigilant was preparing for to-day does not hold. It must be noted that Britannia does not need to go into training."

READ MORE : NO YACHT RACE TO-DAY.

August 16 - RYDE TOWN CUP

SATANITA WON THE CUP
VIGILANT LOST THROUGH THE BRITANNIA'S JOCKEYING

Forced Into Shoal Water by the Prince of Wales's Yacht -- Capt. Haff Says It was a Put-up Job -- On Corrected Time the Satanita Won by More Than Eight Minutes and the Britannia Beat the Vigilant 3 Minutes and 31 Seconds.

RYDE, Aug. 16 - Whatever chance the Vigilant may have had in the race to-day for the Ryde Town Cup, valued at $500, she was forced to sacrifice it in jockeying with the Britannia, which clung to her throughout the contest, occasionally forcing her into shallows, where in windward work she found it impossible to use the full depth of her board, and thus made leeway, which was beneficial to the Britannia...

READ MORE : SATANITA WON THE CUP - SATANITA'S TURN TO-DAY - SATANITA WINS EASILY.

August 18 - Lord Wolverton Cup

VIGILANT IS DISABLED

SHE LOSES HER CENTRE BOARD AND IS UNABLE TO RACE.

The yachts got under way at 10:30 o'clock, and passed down the Solent. The Britannia, after rounding the Needles, headed to the eastward, into Freshwater Bay, The Vigilant was then standing close to the Needles. She suddenly luffed up, lowered her topsail, took in her forestaysail, and run down her racing flag. It was seen that she was disabled, and boats put out from the Osborne and the Atalanta to learn the nature of the accident. Later a boat from the Osborne conveyed the information to the Britannia that the Vigilant had lost her centreboard, and would not be able to race. The Britannia returned to Cowes under sail, and the Vigilant was towed to Southampton to be dry docked.

Cowes, Aug, 18. Howard Gould says that the Vigilant struck the ground close to the Needles, the chain of her centreboard broke, and the board sank. He blames Pilot Draper for running the sloops ground. Draper says that at the time he did not know the centreboard was down, Mr. Gould further said that he did not think the Vigilant would get another centreboard here. He thought she would race again, however, before leaving English waters, toward the end of September.

LONDON. Aug. 18. - Several English newspapers print rancorous paragraphs daily concerning the American cutter vigilant. They speak sarcastically of her absence from recent races in the Solent, and criticise Mr. Gould savagely for not keeping her in every contest. The FIELDS says to-day: "The Britannia's superiority as a workable sailing craft has been shown more plainly than ever. She undoubtedly is the most capable yacht that ever has been built."

READ MORE : VIGILANT IS DISABLED.- SHE LOSES HER CENTRE BOARD AND IS UNABLE TO RACE.

VIGILANT CENTREBOARD NOT LOST

It Is Wedged, and Can Neither Be Lowered Nor Raised.

SOUTHAMPTON, Aug. 30.- The Vigilant was examined this morning by a diver, who reported that her bottom had not been injured by her contact with the rocks in rounding the Needle. The diver found that the centreboard of the American boat had not been lost, but was rendered useless by being wedged in the truck, the board is about half way down, and is so tightly held that it can neither be lowered nor raised. In addition to this the chain controlling the board is broken. The Vigilant sutalned other damage in having about four feet of her rail on the starboard quarter carried away by her contact with tlio Swedish bark below Hythe on Saturday.

READ MORE : VIGILANT CENTREBOARD NOT LOST.

THE VIGILANT'S BAY CUP,

BUT THE RACE WITH THE SATANITA WAS NOT FINISHED.

On the Last Leg of the Second Time Around the Triangular Course, the Wind Died Out and the English Boat Signalled For a Tow - The Committee, However. Declared the American Yacht the Winner - The Royal Dart club severely scored for its Decision.

Dartmouth, Sept 1. - The Vigilant and the Satanita started In a race this morning for the Bay Club prize valued at $40. The course was triangular, from Dartmouth Range southwest to a mark boat off Torcross, thence by the east mark boat and back, three times around, the total distance being forty-two miles.

READ MORE : THE VIGILANT'S BAY CUP

THE VIGILANT IS DISABLED,

AND CANNOT SAIL FOR THE CAPE MAY CUP.

Another Accident to theAmerican Boat's Centreboard - Howard Gould Has a Narrow Escape from Serious Injury - Captain Hank Haff Greatly Disappointed.

COWES, September 4. - The Vigilant has met with another mishap. On her passage from Portland to this place yesterday, she reached a point inside the Needles, near Hathergood Point. A sudden shock was felt, indicating that she had struck a rock or some other obstruction, and it was found that she had lost her centreboard.
Howard Gould and Mr. Boyd, who were sitting at luncheon, has a narrow escape from serious injury. As the boat struck, the crank flew from the centerboard winch and struck the corner of the table at which they were sitting with such force as to break off a large piece of the top... Captain Haff is not sure if the boat struck, though he is not prepared to say that he did not.

Mr. Gould, after conferring with Mr. Jameson and the committee, withdrew his challenge for the Cape May Cup and the withdrawal was accepted. The race was therefore declared off. Mr. Gould will sail for New York on Thursday, Sept. 27, leaving both the Atalanta and the Vigilant on this side.
George Gould is greatly disheartened at the continuous ran of bad luck the Vigilant has had. He was quite ready to sail to-morrow, however, and take the chances of winning without a centreboard. He expresses regret at the mean insinuations in some of the newspapers that the centreboard was lost purposely in order to avoid a race. He has at all times been anxious to sail and never to evade a race.

READ MORE : THE VIGILANT IS DISABLED