The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-26
COLUMBIA xFLO<T AGAIN.
Her Big Oregon Pine Mast Unstopped to
Make Way for q steel One.

BRISTOL. July 25.-The Columbia was hoated
from the marine railway at o O'Clock this
| morning. few patches OF the hull In the
vicinity OF the bilges that were not cleaned
yesterday were finished this morning by the
crew. After the corrosive spots were scrubbed
on. emery paper was used to brighten them
mp. AT $3.50 O'Clock the underbody was nearly
in as bright condition as 1t was when the
craft was launched. The staRinGs were then
removed in preparation for floating the new
boat. The work OF letting the yacht slide
down the railway In the cradle occupied only a
few minutes-much less tim than 1t took to
first launch her about six weeks ago The de-
siRner gave the signal to the engineer in the
south shop and without ceremony the cable
drum was reversed and away she rolled toward
tho water. She was out beyond the end OF the
pier before being actually afoat. The Column
ba was then turned around byim cans OF kedRe
anchors. With her bow heading of shore she
was warped In stern foremost alongside the
north pier and made fast.
The derrick steamer Archer dropped along
side OF the new defender at 10 o'clock for the
purpose OF taking out the big Oregon pine
rnainmast. Riggers went aloft and sent down
the blocks that were hooked TO the masthead,
tho strut and sections OF rigging. Tho Archer
had derrick scou alongside OF her. Chain
cables were strung under tho scow and set up
on a purchase on the Archer The scow was
made fast on the starboarl side OF the Archer.
while the Columbia was on the port side. The
weight Of the scow aided in balancing the
Archer, while the big mast was being un-
stepped. The same plan was followed in step
ping the mast some weeks ago:
The steam tender ST. Michaels left for New
port at 10 o'clock this morning. The new steel
shop Tor the ,e Goumbs Men n'n spent ali day
looping the rigging over the masthead and ad-
lusttnR It for setting up. The spar seems to
than that % the Defender. 1t was found by
e1perience with the old cup champion that
masts as they ought to be. The Columbia is to
have something brand new. They, are OF metal
and Ealyanized. Being Of metal, they are thin
ready strung. on the mast The SPAR has been
moved out OF the shop to be stepped. 1t could
not be done until the Columbia was moved out
The The crew 9pccomplished deal Of work yes,
very, easily with emery. paper and water.
scrubbipg brushes were also brought into play
plates that were cleaned and dried were
touched over with an oily substance applied
rroyement in leaving a smooth and slippery
surface. 1t answers the purpose Of pot lead
ing diver worked scrpbbing off below the
water. but was not obliged to wear his helmet.
He was up to his shoulders in water; and I'm
ishcd his work before o'clock in the after
There are eight strakes Of plating on the
hull OF the Column oia. the lower. ones covering
G h as fSa and d 6s v Tq9a %de
Her underbody was pretty well out OF the
water yesterday afternoon at low tide. Then
there was not more than foot OF It under
water. The lower end Of the rudder was all
clear. The model suRgestsan almost cut and
out tin-k keel boat Both ends of the keel rake
at angles Of ~ degrees or thereabouts
From side view the keel resembles much the
fin keel Of the sloop Memory in that it tapers
dlW al ta In "a hn ln0
The Memory was built over five years ago
A naphtha launch came here this morning at
O'Clock from Newport, bringing three Of the
Defenders main sheet bloc ks to be overhaued
at the boat shop. Tho blocks were al ready at
II o'clock. and we're then taken back to New
port. c. Oliver Iselin arrived here shortly
after IL o'clock this morning.