The Saint Paul globe., 1899-07-07
SAILS LIKE A BIRD
Continued from First Page,

Continued from First Page.
the sloop and came back across the line,
lutfing sharp around at its weather end
and crossing finally just within the time
limit.
These are the official times of the start:
Preparatory signal, 1888; start, 1888; ham
dicap, l p. m. Time of start: Defender,
IL 5S:2O, Columbia, 10000.
The handicap of time was two minutes
that is the yachts were allowed that
time to cross the line after the starting
signal Capt Rhoads, of the Defender,
timed the starting signal so we'll that at
just crossing the weather end of the line,
close up to the Corsairs starbOard quar-
ter. She was clear of the line in ten sec
onds, going at good rap full, close
hauled on the port tack. Just as she
cleared the line. the Defender tackled to
starboard for thirty seconds This placed
bow.
That's good move" said Capt Joe
ellsworth, who was a guest on the Asso-
ciated Press tug. "Rhoads is trying to
split his wind Now we shall see if the
Columbia is able to get out from under
lee"
forge ahead of the old one. 1t was only
a few minutes, however, when they
gave her a good. hard pull. AS soon as
Barr began to pinch her the jib topsail
and forestry sail began to shake. The
leach Of the, club top .shivered and sthe
yacht while heeling oyer until her rail
was aWaSh at times, was not able to
gain an inch on her rival.
All hands except those stationed at
the head sheets. were lying fiat on deck,
close UP under the weather rails of both
boats. G. Oliver Iselin moved about in
cessantly watching the head sails and
occasionally giving an order to trim a
sheet or slack 1t. Everything was done
to improve the set of the sails, but to
position most Stubbornly. Every sail
on board of her seemed to set TO perfee-
ton. There was not wrinkle or a
shiver in one of them and they were
all pulling their required number of
pounds.
Six minutes on the port tack and then
about from full to full in about
twenty seconds.
When both yachts had settled down to
work on this tack the Associated Press
boat was put square in the Columbia a s
wake. and 1t was then seen the yachts
were about to head S. S. E. z S. on this
west by south half-south, showing that
they were able to lie within AZ points
to the wind. On this tack both did con-
siderable pounding in the ugly easterly
swell. Watching them both for a few
moments as they scooped in water over
the lee rail and then lifted their booms
high out of the water. it seemed as if
easier than her sister ship.
The Defender, being the leader by about
a 0ozen lengths, went about at 1:25. the
SOlOIIlDld ldChlIS JUST d IUlIlll0
Both took the seas much easier on this
port tack but the Columbia's sails set
better on the starboard tack. Soon after
1:30 the wind lightened considerably and
Just as soon as it did the Columbia be-
gan to overhaul her rival. Both We're
now rapidly approaching the Jersey shore
The masts Of the sunken steamer Mace
donian were passed stones throw away
at 1855 and four minutes later the De-
fender went about near the buoy on
Shrewsbury rock. Waiting until the Co
j
Capt. Barr let her come around to star
board at POP.
In seven minutes both made another
hitch to port The first mark-a red and
white striped flag on float. was now in
sight, so in five minutes more both skip
pers believing they could weather 1t. sang
out hard lee, :" and put the yachts on
the starboard tack for the last hitch. So
close uD to the Defenders lee quarter
was the Columbia when the former filled
away that she "split" her wind and for
nearly minute the Columbia was in
irons"
In the light wind then prevailing the
Columbia was steadily gaining. Barr, TO
make his position sure, put her about
again for fifty seconds only, just enough
to place her well to windward of Defend
ers wake, then after tacking he gave her
a good rap full and let her go for the
mark which was about half a mile away.
Five minutes after making this tack Co
lumbia had passed to windward of her
rival and at 2:2S. when both broke. their .ib
Top sails. IHSE6 was gap Oh several
lengths between them.
Out on the bowsprits of each yacht In a
fifty q dozen sailors were dragging out
the big jib topsails and swapping them
on the stays, for it was to be a race with
the wind about abeam otter rounding the
mark. The first mark was rounded as fci-
lows:
Columbia 2:3S:33.
Defender, 2:S9:lS
Columbia's s gain, 45 seconds.
Both yachts approaching the mark were
on the starboard so In rounding it they
simply kept off and eased sheets until on
their courses. The Defenders jib topsail
was broken out and set one minutes aft
er rounding. The Columbia's when broken
out was foul aloft. 1t was smartly hauled
i down and reset two minutes after round
ing the mark. With freshening breeze
and assisted by wet sails, for they went
| through a thunder Squall which extended
! from the Highlands clear around to the
southwest, the yachts made good time TO
the next mark without starting a sheet.
| even in the squall which struck them
! when about five miles had been covered.
In this work with eased sheets the Column
bia seem to have gained. and official
figures show that she did go. The fleet of
! yachts followed them as fast as possible.
! the COrsair going ahead and taking a
position near the second mark. which was
| jibed around as follows:
Columbia, 3:3S:01.
Defender. 3:40:19
Everyone had hoped to see spinnakers
set when the yachts had rounded this
mark on the run for the finish JJnfor.
! tunately the wind shifted so far to the
westward that the crews had to trim
sheet for the port tack, almost as soon as
| they rounded
The yachts were not.even able to lie
| their courses for the finish until about
! six miles had been covered. when the
| wind canted again and let them come
up to their courses. 1t was thought that
the Defender being astern got a sight
| advantage in this. The wind lightened
| considerably just before the finish and
the yachts crossed the line at not more