The evening times., 1899-07-07
COLUMBIA VS.. DEFENDER
Details of a Gallant Race Under
Bad Weather Conditions.
Experts Pronounce the New Yacht n
Success-Mai1es an Early Blunder
by Surfing Before the Signal Gun
Was Fired-SaiIing in nm Electric
Sform-LitfIe Breeze at the Finish.

New York July THE contest between
the Columbia and the Defender yesterday
is regarded by all yachtsmen in these wa
tiers as one Of the most valiant races that
has ever taken place in this vicinity. and
the general opinion today is that, not
withstanding the closeness of the finish,
the Columbia has certainly proved to be a
success, and that the chances are all in
her favor for competing with the Sham-
rock in the great coming international
squirt for yachting honors. Yesterday was
not fair day for speeding yachts, and
with better weather the admirers OF the
new boat declare she would have shown
her heels to the gallant old Defender at
a much greater distance than was the case
when she reached the goal at the finish.
Weather conditions were very unfaVor-
able There was rain and thunder squalls,
light, moderate, and fresh breezes, but
Notwithstanding all these disadvantages
the result established the fact that tie
Columbia is a success. She is marvelously
fast in a moderately stiff breeze and IL Is
also believed that with vicious sea and
anything less than hurricane winds she is
not lacking in the proper quality to give
a good accounting. Her full carrying Ca
pacity is quite as good as that OF any
yacht afioat
Columbia Scored on Two Legs.
On the triangular course sailed, ten miles
TO leg, the Columbia scored on two OF
the legs, although she was bothered and
pestered on the first because of an error at
the start She would have scored, too, on
the third leg had not the fiuky breeZes
greatly favored the other boat. The battle
will go into yachting history with red
mark Just 3m. 33s. is the difference in
elapsed time, the Columbia the winner.
For time on the home leg the race be-
came procession. The shifting and dying
breeze is responsible for a finish that was
devoid of excitement.
Ii took the Columbia 3h. aim. 55s and
the Defender 3h. 5lm. 2Ss. TO cover the
course of thirty miles.
Ii took the Columbia III. 3Sm.- 33s.- and
the Defender III. 40m. SIS. to cover the
first or windward, leg-which is I'm. 25s.
/ TO the Columbia's credit.
1t required the Columbia 59m. 28s. and
I the Defender III. I'm. Is. to cover the sec
/ end leg, beam reach, giving I'm. 33s. in
! favor CT the Columbia.
! The third, or home leg both a close and
/ broad reach, took the Columbia III. 9m
/ 54s. and the Defender 1h. 9m. 29s., giving
! the Defender 25s. the best of il.
Starting Out Under Tow.
| The yachts left Tompkinsville under tow,
/ the Defender getting away first. They
passed out by the main ship channel. The
! Defender OF Sandy Hook took the stops
/ of her mainsail and began hoisting it.
| There was then every indication of a
strong southeasterly breeze. Before the
] Sfr cd mo had hall
! the mast il commenced TO rain. The CO.
/ lumbia's malnsail was in place before she
arrived outside. Soon after club topsails
were set. The racing yachtsmen were bent
upon serious business. II was chilly with
! the rain, and the quarter deck parties pre-
| pared for rough weather.
! The Corsair, with the regatta committe.
| on board. made her appearance about Il
| O'Clock. and to the expectant feet signaleC
Sandy Hook lightship," and there wal
great scurrying in the tumbling seas ovel
TO the offshore beacon.
The Defender left her tug ten minutes
| after IL O'Clock, and the Columbia cast of
twelve minutes later. The brisk showe
had killed the wind. and everything undei
| sail stopped dead as stone barges. Til,
start of a necessity was delayed
Shortly after Il the Corsair anchored
near the lightship, and there were signs o
a breeze from the southwest, but ii wa
| only of zephyr strength. Then it cam,
| with some force, and the signal was Sc
for a triangular battle. The courses wer,
| displayed later: First leg, S. W. by s.; sec
ond leg, E, IL S; third leg, n. n. W. j..
W.
Columbia Makes an Error.
After deal OF maneuvering to tn,
northward and westward of the lightshiJ