The San Francisco call., 1899-09-29
COLUMBIA
PLACED ON
DRYDOCK
She Looks Much More Like
a Racer Than the Irish
Boat.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK, Sept. 2S.-The Columbia
was docked at the Brooklyn Navy-yard
this afternoon. She will probably remain
there until Monday, the day preceding
the first of the series of races for the
Americas cup, during which period every
art known TO the builder, rigger and sail
maker will be employed in getting the
craft in the best possible trim for the con>
test.
The contrasts between the lines of the
Shamrock and the Columbia are very
marked. In the former one can see big
bulky craft, dependent upon a greater
spread of canvas for superiority in speed,
while the latter has the thoroughbred ap-
pearanCe that comes with inner INES ana
Il more slender hull.
The Columbia was viewed from all sides
by admiring hundreds, most OF whom also
had seen the Shamrock in the dryd0cK,
and ninety-nine out OF every huhQreu
were of the opinion that the American
boat was far more racer IN looks lnan
the Irish challenger. Even the English
and Scotch yachting writer's sent across
10 report the cup races admitted that the
Columbia was the better looking craft OF
the two, but they hope for heavy breezes,
so that the Shamrock can make her best
When the keel touched on the blocks
they were at q depth Of twenty rect ana
q few inches of water. After the water
had receded so far that the Columbia 5
hull below the water line was exposed to
view. it was seen that the action OF the
water had corroded the bronze plates SO
much that she appeared painted green.
The bilge plates were remarkably prlght'
however. showing what friction Will DO
when the vessel is under sail.
When the Columbia goes out of the dry
dock her underbOdy will gllsten ike goId,
The white top sides We're sandpapered and
8 fresh coat Of paint Will be put. op. Inc
Columbia looks like q big fin keel. Her
lead is thickest and deepest we'll forward
on the keel, SO as TO be directly under the
center of effort while on the shamrock
the lead is amidships. Ihe american
boat is cut away forward much more
than the Irish cutter, and has a longer
overhang aft. The formers keel lead is
than the latters, which accounts for her
superior uuickneSs in stays me olIge
plates on the Columbia do not look as
Smooth as on the Shamrock, but the rest
of the hull is as good a piece OF work.
manship as that of the latter
John Hyslop, official meaSurer or the
New York Yacht Club, visited the yard
this afternoon and arranged with Mr..
Iselin to put the tape on the Columbia
next Monday. He declined to express an
opinion on either the Irish or the Ameri-
Captain Philip Ellsworth, who designed
the Atlantic, saw the Columbia he sald
he believed the Columbia would defeat
the Shamrock, but thought the 1r1sh craft
would prove as good as the American at
every point in sailing except in windWard
work. He said:
q
lumbia's. put on keel like that of the
old America cut down the sail. and I'll
bet she would defeat the Columbia hands
down
Secretary Spaldng has approved the rules
and regulations for the government of the
course during the coming yacht races,
which were submitted by the regatta
committee of the New York Yacht Club.
There are nine rules, providing for the
position of the patrol fleet in every pos
sible contingency and insuring a clear
course \ clear space of half a mile about
the starting line viii be maintained until
the race has started. After crossing the
line the torpedo fleet will form column
and stand on course parallel with the
yachts The revenue cutters will form a
line astern. This formation will insure a
clear space one mile wide astern of and to
windWard of the competing yachts. Pro-
vision is made for maintaining this space
under any conditions. Elaborate rules are
laid down for the triangular races. On
the run in all vessels will be kept from
crossing the sailing line Of the yachts and
must keep to leeward of the patrol line.
Violation of these rules will incur the
same penalty as violation of the naviga-
ton laws Of the United States Offending
vessels will be brought to with a shot and
sent back to New York in charge of a
revenue officer