The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-06

I
twelve miles OF the course 10 the outer
mark. the Regatta Committee declared
the race off, as il was manifestly impos-
sible with the breeze then blowing. for
the boats TO round the stake before the
time limit expired, much less TO get back
home again.
SHAMROCK GAINS.
During the time in which the yachts
were at II. the wind, which carried them
dead before it over the line had hauled
around until at the finish they were
beating into its teeth. While the wind
held astern the Columbia steadily out
footoT her rival Until she was fully half
mile ahead but in the shifting, baf-
fling wind that followed during the last
three hours, with the great single-striok-
ers lacking and beating and gybing to
catch every streak Of wind, with fortune
hclpin one, about as much as the other.
the Shamrock gradually worked her
way up until, when the race was decar-
ed off, the two boats were about on even
terms, the. Shamrock perhaps half a
length ahead, but so close was the Column
bia. that captain Barr could have thrown
a biscuit to the foreigner The only les
son learned by the nautical sharps from
to-day's trial of the abilities Of the two
boats, is that in light weather conditions
the Columbia is the superior In running
and reaching, and the Shamrock slightly
better ia beating. There has yet been
no indication of what either beat can do
In q piping, wholesale breeze.
SO gentle were the crestless pulsating
seas that any kind Of river or harbor
craft could venture out with impunity
and a colony of excursion boats, yachts,
tugs, side-wheelers and sailing vessels
gathered around the red hulk of the San
dy Hook light-ship seven miles from the
entrance TO the lower Bay. TO watch the
start
a heavy haze hung over the sea and
shut off the view OF the thousands wait
ing on the highlands Of Naves.nk and the
Long Island shore. The torpedo-boats,
guarding the course, threaded their way
in and out through the acres of boats
like needles, their wakes a thread OF
foam, warning the excursion shippers 10
keep their distance. But little difficulty
was experienced to-day, as Captain Ev-
ans interviews threatening dire cOnse-
quences TO offending shippers had had
wholesale effect. Already the crowd was
! disappointed. Each one had come down
praying for a stiff breeze and found in
stead that there was hardly wind enough
to keep the flags futtering. What there
was was from northwest by north from
over the land. Preparations were made
aboard both yachts for the lightest airs
before the start. The Columbia discard
ed her heavy steel topsailyard for a
lighter and longer pine one and the Irish
boat sent aloft the largest club topsail
ever seen on her. larger by yards than
any used in her trials on this side.
Mrs. Iselin. wife Of the managing owner
OF the Yankee boat and who never fails
20 be aboard during a race, was snugly
ensconced in the companionway OF the
Columbia. attired in a iaunty whine fan
mel costume with a red streamer around
her hat
As soon as the committee boat had
holsted the signal letters ID. l.. c. max
ing the course Is miles southeast by south
before the wind and return. a putting
tug stood straight out to sea TO plant
the outer mark which neither Of the rae
ers was destined to round to-day. There
was some pretty manoeuvering behind
the lines before the start, each breaking
ont her balloon jib and lowering her spin
maker boom as they jockeyed for posi-
ton.
THE START.
Both got across in the smoke OF the
last gun. the white beauty length ahead
and in the windward berth.
The official time Of the start was:
Columbia, II O0;5S.
Shamrock, 1l:0l:O5
The wind was blowing hardly five
knots. AS she crossed the green boat
broke out her spinnaker, which was IN
stops. IL was an English fashion 10 hoist
this sail from the boom, and the Sham
rock In her trials chung 20 the English
| way but since her arrival she has learned
many Yankee tricks, and breaking out
the spinnaker is one of them. The cup
defender was a little slow in getting her
big belying sail out, and this somewhat
dampened the ardor OF the patriotic
throng of Americans, who love nothing
so much as forehandedness and snap; but
sixty seconds later both boats were on
even terms. fleeing before the gentle
breeze wing and wing, spinnaker balanc-
ing ma'nsail and bullying balloon lib draw
ing forward. The bells in the engine
rooms OF the excursion feet changed, and
the careening hulls started forward In
pursuit But they slowed down almost
immediate and then stopped
The light breeze was carrying the big
Yachts down the wind at snairs pace.
They drifted along like two lazy clouds
of smoke upon the surface Of the water
For almost an hour the spectators on the
excursion boats watched them drift like
Coleridge's painted ship upon a painted
ocean"
NOW THE COLUMBIA.
The only cheering feature of the situa-
ton was that the Columbia steadily gain
ed ground: inch by inch she crept along.
At The end Of fifteen minutes several
lengths OF clear water showed between
her and her green rival The bands
PLAYED and a few whistles footed On. on
she moved until she was fully five hun
bred yards ahead. II was picturesque.
but not exciting. The balloon lib. was
drawing In the gentle breeze. Then the
wind began 10 die. and the great balloons
OF canvas forward collapsed Ike meal
sacks. At the same time the wind cante"
n little and Columbia concluded 10 change
her tactics She took in her spinnaker
and tried reaching leaving The balloon
iib set. II was a challenge TO the Sham
rock on her best noint OF sailing. and
Cantain Hogarfh EAGERLY accented the
gage They went heading over toward
the Long Island shore and the Columbia
continued 10 increase her lead The
Shamrock chaerined. attempted 70 crowd
on n little more canvas by setting hc-
s.nvsa'l hut z on'v kan' fhe r-ec'off.
wind e~or, Der ha"oon ~ 49, 49, $50
b,,~r f~nv~, the efay linn and