The Yacht Race That Proved the 'White Wings'
A high-stakes regatta on Elliott Bay ends in triumph for a new vessel, showcasing the rapid development of maritime sporting life in 1887 Seattle.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Great things were expected of the 'White Wings' in the way of sailing by her builders, Mr. Hanford and A. B. Hanford. The race yesterday served to show that the White Wings is a remarkably fast boat in a heavy wind, and that she is possessed of great speed. The start was a flying one. It is seldom that a more even start is made, and as the boats swept down sound, they presented a beautiful sight. The 'Adventurer' passed the judges' boat about forty-five seconds ahead of the White Wings. It soon became evident that the latter boat was on a good footing and out-pointing the former. Slowly but steadily the White Wings forged ahead until Smith's Cove was reached, when she ran at least a quarter of a mile ahead of the Adventurer. The wind was blowing almost a gale, and the White Wings was fairly plowing through the water, leaving the Adventurer further and further in the rear. The White Wings rounded the buoy at five minutes after 3, and without the loss of a second squared away for home. On the run home, the White Wings showed a clean pair of heels to the tug that tried in vain to overtake her, and continued to widen the distance that separated her from the Adventurer until the latter boat was literally out of sight.
“The White Wings was fairly plowing through the water, and leaving the Adventurer far and further in the rear.”
In 1887, Elliott Bay was the stage for elite leisure and intense local competition, much like today's busy waterfront. While the massive sailboats of the Victorian era have given way to yachts and massive cargo ships, the bay remains a symbol of Seattle's identity as a city defined by the water.
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