Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-17

NEW YORK, Oct. 16.-The cup which the
old schooner America won so commandingly
against all comers over the course around
the Isle OF Wight in 1851 and brought back
across the seas will probably remain here
another year, a defiance to the world
In a glorious breeze, over a windward and
leeward course of thirty miles, Columbia
scored against Shamrock today in the first
race of the 1899 series for the trophy. 1t
bounded across the finish line fully mile
and a half ahead of the challenger, defeat
ing it by ten minutes and fourteen seconds,
actual time, or ten minutes and eight sec
onds corrected time, after allowing six Sec
onds handicap which Columbia must con-
cede to the challenger account of it's
longer water line.
1t was decisive contest, a magnificent
race, magnifcently sailed and magnifcently
won. Opinion as to the merits of the Two
boats had been somewhat divided as a result
of the fukes during the last two weeks. AL
though the preponderance of expert opinion
never wavered in its loyalty to the wonderful
speed and ability of the white flyer, no
nautical sharp expected that Shamrock would
be so overwhelmingly vanquished as it was
in today's royal struggle.
The Yankee boat outgeneralled it at the
start, beat it hopeessly in windward work t.
the outer mark and gained twenty-five sec
ouds in the run home before the wind There
was good, strong ten or twelve-knot breeze
and it held throughout the race.
1t is undoubtedly bitter blow, because
the English hopes of lifting the cup have
never been higher since Thistle met Volun-
teer in 1887. Like Shamrock, it was de-
cisvely defeated in the first hours sailing
Sir Thomas Makes No Apologies.
The regatta committee, as result OF the
showing made by Columbia today, is con-
vinced that the cup is safe. Blow high or
low Columbia, it is believed by its manager,
Mr.. 1selin, can beat Shamrock. Sir Thomas,
like the true sportsman that he is, confes ed
after the race that he had been fairly beaten.
He had no apologies to make.
Todays race was a magnificent duel and
made up for the repeated disappointments
the sghtseers have suffered. 1t was any
thing but comfortable day on the water.
The prospect was not aluring. Still the
mist wreaths were carried along by good
ten-knot breeze right in from the east and
the old shellbacks said there was more wind
where that came from.
But the eXcursionsts who went down the
bay were not hopeful until they got outside
The low clouds overhead shut out the sky
and the streaked water matched them. The
mist made everything look ghostlike and in
distinct. The shores were uncertain and
shadowy The sails OF the oyster fleet were
simply gray dots in the haze. The meteoric
torpedo boats, sliding swiftly out to the
lightship were like black shadows fitting
across the water. The only color in the dull
| landscape were the ensigns and brilliant
streams of the checkered flags which
| dor H,n
red from the big hulk of the flagship. Out
side the wind was fresher and whipped
some foam out of the waves.
Mrs. Iseiin on Deck.
Both yachts were towed out from the
anchorages and raised mainsails before
casting off, Mrs. IseIin was not to be de-
TERED by the bad weather and was a con-
spicuous figure on Columbia, wrapped
up like an old salt in yellow oilskin.
The crew had on their working suits of
white and wore watch caps of black and
red Ieelin's private colors
Several of the crew of the Shamrock had
on sou westers, From the truck Ct Sham
rocks topmast foated Lipton's flag, green
shamrock in a yellow field
| The wind kept freshening all the way out
to the lighship and the seas split more of
their froth No large assemblage was on
hand to witness the start, the repeated
I iiukos having made the public very chary
about coming out. A few sidewheeers the
regular fleet OF ocean going tugs and
score or two of steam yachts were all.
Promptly at 10 o'clock the committee boat
! slgnaled the course, fifteen miles dead into
! the eye OF the winds to the eastward and
return Both yachts set No. 2 clubtopsails,
! their shippers evidently agreeing that it
would not be wise to carry their largest
| skyscrapCrs in such a breeze. Just as the
warning gun doomed a driving mist swept
! in from the east beating into the faces OF
the patriots and adding to their dlscom-
| fort.
Some Lively JockeyIng.
There was some lively jockeyng behind
! the line before the start and Columbia
! got the better Of it. 1t clearly outmaneuy-
cred it's rival eventually forcing II over the
line fret by half length, but leaving CO.
! lumbia in the weather position. Close
hauled on the starboard tack the yachts
! plunged seaward heeling to the twelve-kn
! breeze The first few minutes OF the race