The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-07
CLOSE CONTEST PROBABLE
EXPERTS CONVINCED SHAMROCK -
A DANGEROUS PROPOSITION.
smas So Confident Of WinninG
Has Arranged Place ON the
Erin for the Americas Cup.

-
NEW YORK, Oct. 6.-This has been q day
of rest on board the international racera
Tbs Columbia was towed from Sandy Hook
to Bay Ridge 10 get her out OF any danger
from the northeaster. The Shamrock re~
mained at her anchorage at the Hook, her
people willing TO take the chances. The
wind blew up pretty fresh about o'clock.
but there was nothing TO threaten harm to
a yacht so well protected by tenders ana
tugs, to say nothing of the powerful Erin.
The feeling on both sides is one OF conf
dence. Mr.. Iselin thinks he VIII win. Sir
Thomas Upton has a nice little corner In
the Erin all ready for the cup. The public
is in doubt and II must be said that there IL
a feeling of indecision among the expert
yachtsmen. The two days Of drifting have
furnished almost nothing on which TO bass
opinion. They have. however. seemed to
strengthen the belief that the Shamrock Ii .
thoroughly dangerous proposition This u
now a well-grounded opinion. and IL the two
days of light airs have done anything they
have shaken that confident feeling that has
prevailed among the hackers Of the Colum~
bia. Those who have watched most closely
every movement of the two yachts firm
In the belief there is little to choose between
them in a drift.
Twice in the two days OF racing there
have been times when both boats were sail
ing under exactly similar conditions-for an
hour after the start on Tuesday and for
like length Of time after the start on Thurs
day. Both were sailing dead before light
wind, with the same spread OF canvas. On
Tuesday the Shamrock drew away from the
Columbia. On Thursday the Columbia drew
away from the Shamrock. No one can draw
lines on the racers from this. and IL can
safely be said the only change that has
taken place In the feeling OF observing
yachtsmen is one that tends to increase thu
doubt.
STIFF BREEZE PROBABLE.
1t now looks as though the first race to q
finish would come in a good. stiff breeze.
At sundown the wind was blowing hard
from the north. The weather was clearing
and there were good signs OF pretty hard
northwester in the morning. II it comes
the world will see the greatest struggle for
yachting supremacy in the history OF inter-
national racing. The local weather bureau
to-day gave out the following: Saturday
will open with rain and strong north to
northwest winds on the yachting course.
but will diminish in force by afternoon
with fair weather"
With her great mainsail snugly stoweo
on the boom under O waterproof cover, the
yacht Columbia lay at anchor OF the Sec
Beach pier at Bay Ridge to-day riding OUT
the easterly storm under the lee Of the land
All her other sails were unbent and slowed
below. where they will be kept dry until
tomorrow. Should there be rain and q
strong breeze, however. the sails will not
be spared tomorrow for rain or shine.
Barring accidents the yachts viii start In
their race and make a third attempt 70
complete the course of fifteen miles TO wind
ward or leeward and back
When seen by an Associated Press repre-
sentative on board the tender St. Michaera
to-day c. Oliver Iselin. the Columbas man
aging owner. said: I'VE know practically
nothing more of the merits of the boats
than we did on Tuesday. II anything. we
know less, for we did not turn the outer
mark this time, but / have every conf
dence in the Columbia's ability TO outsan
the Shamrock on all points when we get q
steady breeze. That's what We want-somA
wind"
I'm case there is wind enough to force tho
yachts to shorten sail how would the
Columbia's mainsail be reefed, with lac
ing with reef points?'' was asked
with reef points in the regular way,~
replied Mr.. Iselin. But don't think we
shall have TO reef at any time during these
races. These boats will carry whole MAIN
sails for long time"
OF yesterdays race Mr.. Iselin addeds
when we made that last tack we were
not able to cross the shamrock's bow. but
in all the windward work OF yesterday there
was very little difference in the sailing &C
the yachts. We were in the best position
most OF the time and the Shamrock was
only a few yards ahead when the race was
called off,"
Mr. Iselin said the same guests would bo
on board the Columbia in to-morrow's race
as were there on previous days. Speaking
of Commodore j. Pierpont Morgan's inter-
est in the races Mr.. lselin said: Il have
not seen the commodore since We began TO
race, but I'm sure he is following the work
Of the Columbia with as much interest an
amy Of u.s."
BLEW GREAT GUNS
At sundown the wind jumped around to
the westward OF north and blew great guns
for a while. Captain Barr housed the
Columbia's topmast at once gave the yacht
fifteen fathoms more cable and made prem
arations for letting go the second anchor.
The weather looked decidedly dirty from the
sailorman's standpoint. so enough or the
crew were kept on board the Columbia TO
take care of her In any emergency. AS shs
is lying in berth with the shore under
her lee. II she should part her cable In the
night or drag her anchors during the nighs
some quick work would be necessary 10 save
her from going on the beach or smashing
against the sea beach piers.
The early-rising sailormen Of the Columbia
heard the whimpering OF the wind at the
Hook to-day and they saw In the rainstorm