Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-20

THE COT RSE OF
lee rails and the burying of noses once in
q while for the yachts.
Some Fog and Haze.
The line of observation was somewhat
limited at o'clock by a little fog and a
great deal of haze. but the brisk wind and
the fog cleared it away somewhat as the
morning advanced. There was some dis
position on the part of many old weather.
wise near the start to be skeptical about
the stout breeze holding out for the race,
and OF course there was much reason for
their lack of faith, remembering some of
the early morning breezes of the other days
that had failed. 1t was nearly $50 o'clock
when the observers near the starting line
saw the white wings of the yachts appear
ing out of the haze and jumping along I'M
der a spanking breeze toward the line.
The Shamrock turned up her green shining
line In the sunlight, and pushed her nose
through the foam as if the breeze had been
made expressly for her. The Columbia sat
up straighter and looked a trifle more dig
nified, but both sped along in a manner
that spoke we'll for a much closer contest
than any preceding one. if the stiff wind
should mold out. The yachts jumped out Of
the smooth water of the Hook into the
choppy under their own sail, as il re-
j3iCing at their ability to move rapidly.
The Shamrock had her mainsail and jib
set when she started out. and the Column
bia had up her mainSail only Even with
tEat small amount Of sail they came tear
ing along toward the starting point
through the choppy sea and driving it from
their smooth sides in masses of white
f am.
Shamrock Has Slight Lead.
Nearing the line the Shamrock. with the
aid Of her extra headsan. outfooted the Co
lumbia and got down minute before her
The lee rails OF the yachts We're awash.
At 1904 the committee boats arrived at
the line and at that time there was not
q private yacht or excursion boat around.
The Shamrock. after running about a half
a mile beyond the lightship. went about
and started to set her fOrestaysail. For
some reason or other she took it in again.
The Columbia still kept her one sail
At 1915, when the preparatory gun was
fired, the Columbia was shooting up to
the windward of the starting line on the
starooard tack. She carried mainsail and
jib only, bur had her staysail in stops ready
10 break out
The white boat heeled over 50 that her
~ AfiAI was bii'ltf water All Jfle Tune ana
the spray flew over her sharp bows The
Shamrock was a half mile south of the
Hghtship, but Hogarth was watching for
the gun. and when he saw the smoke he
fetched the Shamrock about and hurried
to get to weather of the line.
While on the port tack the Shamrock
crew hoisted small working topsail .whic h
caused the Shamrock TO heel away down.
but as long the spars held. Hogarth
did not miEd. The Columbia had meantime.
came about and ran down to meet her ri
val; then, coming about again. reached up
to the windward ahead of the challenger
Hogarth followed in the Columbia's wake
and It was noticed that even after putting
up tie topsail the Shamrock did not pick
up any on the American. Both boats broke
out forestry sails, when the warning gun
was fired at 1O:55. and the crews hurried
to get their spinnakers ready for breaking
out on the starboard side The Shamrock
gybed over first and headed for the start
ing lire. followed Immediately by the Co
lumbia-
Great Burst of Speed.
Capt Hogarth apparently slowed up 4
trite SO that the cup defender was about
to reach UP to the Shamrock's weather
quarter. and in these positions the two
racers ran along at trtue ndous speed for
TWO minutes BY this time each craft had
nearly reached the committee tug, marking
the east end Of the line. and although the
Columbia was Up to wiudward of her rival
the Shamrock, when the starting gun was
fred put her tiLer up and swung of to
cross the line, breaking cut her balloon jib
as she did SO Capt. Barr appeared TO be
IN no hurry TO get away. and instead Of
swinging over the line, ran along by it al
most TO the Hghcship. The Shamrock's
shippers We're not going To wait for the
American boat. but tore across the line at
ll-m.3i. the crew hauling the spinnaker
CUT TO the end of the pole as she swept
over Bars apparent motive In not cross
Ing dead astern OF his rival was 10 save
time by holding back until just before the
handicap gun. and also to be in position to
break up the Shamrock wind In the
breeze that was blowing when the boats
started II was doubtful whether he gainel
the advantage to any extent. Barr put hi s.
helm I'd and the flying American Yacht
swept across the line close to the Iightshi,.
end at 1l.Ol:35- II was grand start to
witness.
Capt Hogarth evidently had the trick of
Yesterday in mind. that Is. to give the Co
Iumbia the sixteen seconds allowance right
on the start. so that. starting astern. he
could gauge the wind. Capt. Barr shot the
Columbia down almost as if willing and
then on the moment he went down the
line on an angle and. instead of following,
the Shamrock. was leading
Not a Good Move
The move on the part of the Columbia
seemed hardly a good one, as with the
eighteen-knot breeze, the boat ahead SEEM
ed bound to stay there for time
Precious seconds were lost while tba
Shamrock was fast running away. Rarr
saw this, and the Columbia within ninety,
seconds was put about and after the green
beat on the course The run was a fair
one, and two minutes after the start the
Shamrock was leading by four boat lengths.
4 minute later the crafts were staggering
along with all their head sails set The
challenger made the best choice.
The challenger was carrying at the start
working tOpsaiL She also set the staysail
and small jib. Where she won appar-
entity was in a small spinnaker. 1t really
looked Ike a small balloon jib topsail, but
held down In its place and drew like q