The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-07-07


after the Defender Both yachts car
ried four stay sails, jib, baby 1ib, top
sails and club top sails.
The boats to windward made beau
tiful race The interest was intense fol-
the first few minutes as the big racers,
with everything close hauled, entered
upon their test of speed. The Defender
had the weather gauge by hundred
yards, and was several lengths ahead
At first the Columbia seemed to out
foot her rival, and there seemed to be
no perceptible difference in their abil-
ity to hug the wind. Nautical experts
were jubilant. Then both yachts went
over on the starboard tack for Ions
leg. They heeled until yards of their
bronze bodies were exposed.
The Columbia seemed more tender
than the Defender-more tender, but
perhaps more stately as she lay down
to her work. She heeled enough to let
the seas swirl and bubble along her lee
rail, and sometimes when she smashed
a big wave into tatters she shipped
some water forward.
Then the talent began to get nervous.
Gradually but surely the Defender was
drawing ahead, and it vas also appar-
ent that she. was pointing higher than
the Columbia. 1t did not take the
yachtsmen long to discover the cause.
The Defenders sails fit TO perfection,
and every inch of canvas drew. Tha
club topsail of the Columbia, on the
other hand, was loose, and cracked in
the wind. The forestry sail did not
draw, and might as well have
been slowed in the locker below.
By this time the breeze was blowing
about ten knots an hour, and While IL
continued at that clip, the Defender
continued to gain very slowly, but also
very surely. Half an hour later the
wind sank to about five knots, and iIn.-
mediately the sails of the Columbia
began to draw, and she began TO gain
upon her adversary. Both shippers
were now straining for the mastery
Both pinched until their head sails
trembled, as they strove FOR the
weather gauge The Columbia contin-
ued to gain on every tack, and few
minutes before the first mark was
reached she crossed the Defenders
bow on the starboard tack.
Then the nautical sharps breathed
easier. She rounded the stake exactly
one minute ahead of the Defender. AS
she eased her sheets and turned the
mark all the steam craft signaled their
congratulations. But here trouble with
her headsails was conspicuous The
yachts had slowed their baby jibs, and
had sent up their pig j;b topsails in
stops as they approached the stake, but
the Defender, although the last around,
broke out her big jib fully a minute
before the Columbia ioosenei hers, and
then the latter had to be taken down
and reset.
On the long reach for the second
mark, with the wind abeam, the Column
bia gained forty eight seconds. About
half way down black squat, which
had been threatening to the southwark,
broke sharply, and completely swai,-
lowed up the big yachts and their
trains. It was now only question of
how much the Columbia would beat
the Defender, and many of the steam-
ers and tugs were headed back for the
finish.
When the rainfall ceased the wind
hauled to the west. and instead of run
ming home before the wind, with sf!nss
makers set, the yachts made the last
leg, with the wind on the port how.
This was grave disappointment to the
spectators. The wind gradually died
down, and when the yachts were within
about fourth of a mile from the fin
ish the fleet gathered about the light.
ship and Commodore Morgans flag.
ship. Gracefully and noiselessly the
Columbia swept over the invisible line
between them. and as she crossed she
received a royal salute. Whistles
shrieked and sirens walled. Five min
utes the din continued. As the De-
fender crossed the line she also was
greeted with demonstration quite as
enthusiastic and prolonged. This
yachts were Immediately taken in tow
by their tugs and brought up the bay.
Herbert Leeds, on behalf of Mr. Iselin
said after the race that the friends Of
the Columbia were very. we'll satisfied,
and hoped to do better when her sails
were made more trim. He said there
were no accidents of any kind, and the
yacht would leave for New Rochelle
tomorrow.
Butler Duncan said he had nothing to
say for the Defender. Everything had
been satisfactory. The race was IN in
formal trial for a cup offered by the
New York Yacht Club.
The official trials will occur in Sep.
TENDER.
THE NEXT SPEAKER.