New-York tribune., 1899-07-07

| other racer bent on the halyards to her kite
and sent It up. 1t took some time for the mast
head men TO get the heels of the yards lashed
on both boats and then the sails were sheeted
home At II 55 o'clock the Defender let go her
tug and staggered off at a great pace under one
jib as headsail.
Then came period Of doubt to the course
which would be chosen during which the big
flagship Corsair came rushing along majestcally
and showing two flags hung vertically under
her red white and blue and yellow. These read
"T. O. which, being interpreted. meant, ac-
cording to the code, that the start would be
made from Sandy Hook Lightship.
This was made necessary by the fact that
from the Scotland Lightship neither a windward
nor leeward course could be laid out clear Of
all land. Through the rain. then, the feet fol-
lowed the Corsair across TO the Sandy Hook
Lightship. This removed the start still further
from the sailing vessels. which could not keep up
with the procession when the rain killed the
wind. John r. Drexel's big three-master Sui
tana came past. rolling heavily and lot of
others gathered near.
At 1925 the course signal was given from the
Corsar-Signal T. This meant the thirty-mile
triangle, ten miles to leg, With the first leg
dead to windward.
BEGINNING THE FIGHT.
After the ten-minute signal at 1910 o'clock
both yachts being then close together. hauled
their wind and went far toward the Navesink
Heights Then the Defender jibed away and the
Columbia came In stays. and both returned
toward the line. The Defender was determined
to get off first time, and she jibed twice While
the Columbia headed 20 cross. She got the
starting gun at 12:55 o'clock. but she had al
ready crossed the line. and had to return and
cross again. Owing TO the premium that is put
on slow starting in these races, both boats could
have their starting time calculated for three
minutes after the gun The Defender got on
well, but the Columbia had about two minutes
chalked up TO her credit at her start
At 20 they made their first tack. The Column
bia went into the starboard tack to get clear of
the Defenders lee but Urias Rhodes had no
notion of allowing that He came around at
once and stood along to windward. Charlie
Barr tried his best to get out of the trap in
which Valkyrie II had Vigilant for two hours.
but lufing was use, and good full did not
run him past the windsplit. Each time he came
into the windspt from the Defenders sails the
Columbia dropped behind.
At l:3S o'clock the Defender came about, fear
ing to overstand the windward mark Ihe
Columbia continued on the same tack for a mile'
TO make sure of getting clear before following
But this seemed to do her no good. She was
not carrying her sail as well as the Defender.
She lay over to a greater angle In the mean
time the Defender was making a grand night for
il. and it was hard going for every foot she
gained
PUNCHING" TO WINDWARD.
About 1:55 o'clock it was noticed that the wind
was slightly lighter and that Charley" Barr
was trying another game with the Columbia. He
was trying a series of "pinches'-little short
runs up TO windward slightly shaking and then
fall again. On the schooner Colonia Barr met
no equal at this sort Of work, but Captain
Rhodes on the Defender. saw him" every
time Rhodes was evidently confident in his
boats ability to be pinched and starved in
windward work Yet it undeniable that the
Columbia improved as the wind lightened ana
when both yachts were almost on an even keel
she began to draw up.
At 2I4 o'clock the Defender came about INTO
the starboard tack off Seabright and the Colum-
bia soon followed her down the coast Here lot
the first time in the race could be seen the lohe
bows of both yachts lancing out of the waves
The bow of the Columbia was revelation She
seemed to be nothing more than shallow canoe
back to about her middle.
Suddenly il was seen that the Columbia was
able to improve her position as she took short
beard to windward and soon began to pass the
Defender This was a surprise to all the guests
on the Cepheus. The Columbia forged steadily
ahead on a favoring slant. and rounded the
wiz ward mark at 2:35:3O. The Defender had
c,ose work 10 get around but made the turn
vithou. a tack forty seconds later. Times at
first mark (unofficiaD:
Defender