The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-17
BOUNDS ACROSS FINISH LINE A
MILE AND A HALF AHEAD.
Defeating the Shamrock by 10 Minutes and "A Seconds
Magnificent Duel in GIorousI10 to u Knot Breeze,
Ending in Decisive Victory-ShamroCks
Owner Admits Himself Fairly
Beaten and Has no APP
oIoges to Make.

New York, Oct. 16.-The cup which
the old schooner America won so com
mandingly against all Corners 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 windward to Reward
course of 80 miles, the Columbia scored
against the Shamrock today in the first
race of the 1890 series for the trophy.
She bounded across the finish line fully
a mile and a half ahead of the challen-
ger, defeating her by 10 minutes and IA
seconds, actual time, or 10 minutes and
seconds corrected time, after allowing
the SIX seconds handicap which the Co
lumbia must concede to the challenger
on account of her longer water line. Ii
was a decisive contest, magnificent
race. magnificently sailed and magnifi-
Gently won. Opinion as to the merits of
the two boats had been somewhat di-
vlded as result of the fiukes during the
past two weeks. Although the prepond-
erance of expert opinion never wavered
ability of the white flyer, no nautical
sharp expected that the Shamrock would
be so overwhelmingly vanquished as she
was in today's race. The Yankee boat
ont-generalled her at the start. beat her
hopelessly in wdndward work to the
outer mark and gained - seconds in the
run home before the wind
There was a good, strong, 10 to II
I'm - I'LL Al, Il.
race. 1t is undoubtedly bitter blow.
because the English hopes of lifting the
cup have never been higher since the
Thistle met the Volunteer is 1887. Like
the Shamrock she was decisiyely defeat
ed in the first hours sailing.
The regatta committee, as a result of
the showing made by the Columbia to-
day, are convinced that the cup is safe.
Blow high or low, the Columbia, it is be-
lieyed by her manager. Mr.. Iselip, can
beat the Shamrock Sir Thomas, like
the true sportsman that he is, confessed
after the race that he had been fairly
beaten. He had no apologies to make.
Today's race was a magnificent duel,
and made up for the repeated disappoint-
ments the sightseers have suffered. 1t
was anything but comfortable day on
the water The prospect was not allur-
ing Still, the mist wreaths were car
ried along by good 10-knot breeze right
in from the east, and the old shell backs
said there was more wind where that
came from. But the excursionists who
went down the Bay were not very hope
full 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
indistinct The shores were uncertain
and shadowy. The sails of the oyster
fleet were simply gray dots in the baze.
The meteoric torpedo boats, sliding
swiftly out to the lightship were like
black shadows fitting across the water.
The only color to the dull landscape
were the ensigns and brilliant streams
of checkered flags which adorned the ex-
cursion fleet, and the dash of red from
the big hulk of the lightship. Outside
the wind was fresher. Both yachts were
fowed out from the anchorages and
raised mainsails before casting off. Mrs.
Iselin was not to be deferred by the bad
weather and was conspicuous figure on
the Columbia wrapped up like an old
salt in ii yellow oilskin.
The crew had on their working suits
of white and wore watch caps of black
and red, Iselins private colors. Several
Of the crew Of the Shamrock had ON
souwesters. From the truck of the
Shamrocks topmast floated Lpton's flag,
a green shamrock i'm yellow field. The
wind kept freshening all the way out to
the lightshiD, and the seas split more
of their froth. No large assemblage was
on hand to witness the start, the re-
peated fukes having made the public
very chary about coming out. A few
sidewheeIers, the regular fleet of ocean
going tugs and a score or two Of steam
yachts were all.
Promptly at 10 O'Clock the committee
boat signalled the course, - miles dead
into the eye Of the wind to the eastward
and return. Both yachts set No. club
topsails, their shippers evidently agree
ing that it would not be wise to carry
their largest skyscrapers in such a
breeze. Just as the warning gun boom
ed a driving mist swept in from the
east, beating into the faces Of the PAL
triots and adding to their discomfort.
There was some lively jockeying behind
the line before the start and the Co
lumbia got the better Of it. She clearly
0utman0euyered her rival, eventually
forcing her over the line first by half
length but leaving the Columbia in the
weather position.
The official time Of the start was:
CoInn1da 11:01 :0G.
Shamrock I1.0l :03.
Close hauled on the starboard tack,
The yachts plunged seward heeling to
the 12ylgnOt breeze. The frst few min
nfes Of the race were tie most inter.
estiDg. They made beautiful picture