Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-06
Yachts Columbia and Defender Sail
ing for a Cup.
THE CONTEST is 4 CLOSE One
- Fair Breeze Blowing, But Thick
Weather Prevails.
INTERESTING DETAIL S

NEW YORK. July 6.-The weather early
today gave promise of being favorable for
the first trial race between the yachts Co
lumbia and Defender for $3.50 cup, offered
by the New York Yacht Club. There was
haze on the water and a light wind from
the south southwest.
The boats were both anchored off Temp
kinsville, s. l., last night. At SIS this
morning Defender was taken in tow by a
tug and started for Sandy Hook. She was
followed half an hour later by Columbia.
The yachts were cheered by the crews of
boats In the bay. among them being the
transport Fitzpatrick.
Weather Looks Unfavorabie.
At 10 am. the wind had fallen away to
scarcely more than three-knot breeze,
and there was considerable fog off shore.
The sky was darkening in south and west
and rain was threatening.
AT 1875 am. both yachts were close to
the Scotland Hgt tship, with mansails set
At that hour the wea Their was still thick
Both boats passed Scotland lightSh1p at
about IL am. on their way to the starting
point. Sandy Hook liShtship. three miles
further out.
The crew of Defender had then sent aIoft
big club tOpsail, and Columbias club top
sail was also going up.
The wind had strengthened at II I'm. to
about five miles an hour.
Start Ordered From Lightship.
At Ills the Corsair. the regatta commit
tees boat. hoisted a signal ordering the
start to be from Sandy Hook lightship-
At this time it was raining heavily, and it
was almost impossible to see the Sandy
Hook Ightshi2 frcm shore
The rain stopped at about u:3p O'CLOCK,
and. though the sky was not clear, it looked
better 10 the westward.
Defender could just be seen at the start
1srrt, -lEi OF
IL 81. and Columbia was also made out a
little later There was very little wind on
shore. and Ii looked if there would be
some delay in starting the race Both boats
at Ii 40 We're some distance off from the
starting point; Columbia over mile away.
Triangular Course Decided On.
At room both yachts were in sight. stand
ing northeast. toward the Sandy Hook
Nghtship. They were under mainsail, club
tOpsails jibs and staysails.
At 12:.so the Corsair. the committee boat.
signaled that the race would be sailed on d
triangular course. ten miles to each leg.
Defender First Over Starting Line.
The preparatory signal was fired at FOB
and the starting gun was heard at about
12:JS Defender crossed the line at 12:5s
and Columbia at 12:j9:30. both yachts on
the port tack.
At / 10 pm both boats were on the port
tack standing in shore near the highlands.
The breeze was then fairly good
AT liz they changed to the starboard
tack
At 1:2I dispatch from the Highlands of
Navesink said both yachts are heading
southeast, but the weather was thick
that they could not be distinguished apart.
Defender Appeared TO Lead.
At 81 both yachts went on the port
tack. There was very little distance sepa-
rating them at that time, but Defender
appeared to have slight lead
AT 80 the boats were about three miles
due east of Seabrignt n. J., standing in
shore on the port tack, with every stitch
of canvas drawn. Ii was difficult to say
which was in the lead at that time, the
race being very close one.
Columbia One Minute Ahead.
NEW YORK. July 1.-THE observer at
the Highlands OF Navesink reports that
Columbia turned the first stakebOat at 30
and that Defender followed one minute
later.
Increasing the Lead.
NEW YORK. July 6.-At $50 pm. Column
bia seemed 10 lead Defender by quarter
of mile.
At 3 pm. the racers were lost in the
haze. When last seen the Columbia ap-
peared to be in the lead.