Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-10-20
TO-DAY'S TELEGRApHIC NEWS.
The Columbia Wins the Race.

The Columbia Wins the Race.
Highlands, N. j., Oct. 20-The
weather conditions are perfect Tor fine
race. The wind is north northeast-20
knots an hour. The sea is choppy.
From yachting point of view better
day could not be wished for. The
crews of both racers were up with the
dawn, and as the wind rose their spirits
rose, too, with the prospect of a rafting
race. By 10 o'clock both boats bad
reached the starting point. The course
is south by west Is miles to leeward
and return. The official starting time
was: Shamrock, l1:00:44; Columbia,
11.0I:35
The wind was terrific and the water
under the yachts bows was thrown
up in volumes. I5 was wonderful!
sight and the sails of the racers were
bellied out in the wind. The Britisher
had lead of over minute. The
racers were running at least Ii knots
an hour and the excursion feet had q
lively time keeping up with them in
the heavy sea. At 11:13 the English
sloop increased her lead to slight ex
tent and was about minute and 8 half
ahead of Columbia. Then Captain
Barr hoisted his working gaff topsail,
and the American boat appeared to
gain by the additional sail. Slowly
the Columbia began cutting down Der
opponents lead. The British captain,
seeing that his lead was being cut
down, set number one jibtopsail instead
of standing jib. At 11:24 the Colum
ba took a terrific burst of speed and
was fast closing the distance. Then
Columbia's spinnaker pole cooked up
10 the air and the spinnaker blew
around the stay. Baptain Barr kept
his beat off couple OF spokes and the
sail soon rightec. This caused a good
gain for the British.
at 11:35 the yachts had cleared over
FIVE miles of the course and Shamrock
was holding her own. The race so far
was wonder and fully compensated
for the many previous fukes. They
were still sticking closely to their
course. The race before the wind is
possibly the fastest ever run in an in
transitional cup race.
At12:16 p. m. the racers we're very
near the turn. The British boat had the
best position for luffing round the
mark. Columbia turned the mark at
1880 and the Shamrock half a
minute later.
Columbia is giving the Irish boat 8
terrific lambasting. From this point it
appears now that she is almost mile
10 the lead. 1t can now be definitely
.tated that the Columbia is not only
outpointing her but is outfootng her
The wind ia still blowing good 20
knot breeze. The boats are fairly eat.
iug up tho distance to the finish line
and have covered more than half the
course
1:30. Unless the unexpected happens,
the American boat is sure winner. Al
this stage it has lost all resemblance Of
race, becau:e of the lead the Colum-
bia has over the Shamrock. The
Shamrock at this time appears to be
pointing q little better than she has
formerly done. But she will never be
able to overtake the feet winged Amer
can.
At 1:5O the wind has shifted in the
last fifteen minutes greatly to the wesi-
ward. This should prove to be quite an
advantage TO the Irish boat. as she was
nearer to the shore and with her top.
sail set she should have almost per-
feet run with the wind. So far is Co.
lum bia 10 the lead that she is practical
Iy out of all danger.
Not since the May fower.G alates
race, has there been such fast wind
ward and leeward race as this. Capt.
Hogarth at Las set up his gaf topsail.
At 2:15 the Shamrock has cut down
some of Columbia's lead, but only slight
ly. Capt. Barr, seeing that he bad the
race won, refused to risk an accident by
sending up club topsail.
2:42 Columbia wins.
Hundreds of steam whistles shreked
a welcome to the Columbia, the sue.
cessful cup defender. The Shamrock,
though defeated, was accorded well
come almost as great as that of Colum-
bia.
Official fnish-Columbia $40, Sham
rock 2:45:17.
Official turning time-Columbia 1918,
Shamrock 12:19:17.
Official start-Shamrock 11:00:34,
Columbia Hobs.
Shortly after crossing the line both
boats took tows for the Hook, the ex
cursion boats pushing on home.