Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-10-03
! ME GREAT YACHT RAC[
First Race Between Columbia and
Shamrock Sailed Today-A
Close Contest
Both Yachts Alternately in the
Lead With Result Constantly
In Doubt.
Time Limit Finds Boats Three Miles
From Finish and mo Raco" is
Announced.

D, ". IT,
five and half hours, expired at 4:45,
with both boats three miles from the
finish and no race. At the time the race
was called one could toss biscuit from
the Columbia to the Shamrock.
New York, Oct. 3-The day for the
great yacht race opened with the prom
Use of ideal weather for the contest. Ex-
cursion steamers all heavily loaded
started early.for the scene of the race.
Sir Thomas Liptons British yacht
Shamrock passed out in tow at 8
O'Clock for the first of the series of in
ternational races with the New York
Yacht Clubs Columbia for the Ameri-
cas- cup. The Columbia followed at
0:25, also in tow. The Columbia broke
out two head sails at 9:4O. two miles
east of Sandy Hook and cast off her
tow. AT the same time the Shamrock,
three miles further east, headed up into
the wind and began hoisting it's main
sail. The Columbia reached Sandy Hook
lightship at 1912. The Shamrock was
then three miles to westward. but head
ing for the lightship. Strung out asterr
was a large fleet of excursion boats. AL
1915 the wind was almost due north
east. ten knots an hour. a good club
topsail breeze.
AT 11:12 the starting gun was fired.
The Shamrock apparently crossed the
line at 11:15:3O and the Columbia at
11:15:55. The Shamrock went over the
line with a baby jib topsail and forestry
sail set, breaking Chem out as she
crossed. The Columbia broke the big
balloon topsail and spinnaker. The
course Is fifteen miles to leeward and
turn down the Jersey shore. The sham
rock Gid not set its spinnaker until five
minutes after crossing the line, during
which time the Columbia pulled up
somewhat on her. When that went up
however. she began drawing away and
at 11:2l led the Columbia by 200 yards
Five minutes later the Columbia, how
ever, was trife closer. Then the
Shamrock set Its balloon jib, but still
the Columbia appeared to be gaining
slightly.
Columbia by 1882 had crawled up to
almost even terms with the Shamrock
The wind, however, was streaky, and
did not hit the boats at the same time
only about three miles being covered at
that time.
At 11:45 the excursion boats began
crowding the racers and took all the
wind out of the Columbia's sails, while
the Shamrock had a full breeze and
was not affected by the excursion fleet.
AT 11:47 the Shamrock was rapidly
pulling away from the Columbia, either
through a favorable shift of wind or
because of being better handled. The
Columbia seemed dead, while the
Shamrock was a revelation to those
who thought her slow in light airs.
At 11:52 the Shamrock was a quarter
of a mile ahead. Both had all sails set.
The Shamrock continued to gain and
at 1908 Jed by half mile. Both yachts
We're sailing exactly the same course
and appeared to catch about the same
wind, the force of which is decreasing.
AT 1905 the yachts had sailed about
six miles. The Shamrock during the
past ten minutes gained rapidly and
seemed to be sailing very fast.
AT 1907 the Shamrock led by one
minute and fifty seconds.
AT 12:15, however, the Columbia be-
y ~ ~.
and both boats gybed. The Columbia
continued increasing its speed ana
passed the Shamrock. This change re-
suited from the gybing, shifting the
mainsail over to port, while the balloon
glib was also hauled over and thebig sail
set to port. Columbia was also helped
by the fact that the excursion steam
ers were moved from her track. At
1929 she was going like an express
train, increasing her lead.
1892 p. m.-The Columbia is nearly
a quarter of mile ahead, having sailed
about half the course. The wind is
freshening and the Columbia steadily
gaining.
12:4i p. m.-The Columbia is over
half a mile in the lead and seems to be
dropping her rival very rapidly.
p. m.--Ten-knot wind, east by
north. The Columbia is still gaining.
1:20 p. m.-The Shamrock went about
on port tack. Two minutes later the
Columbia headed for the stake boat, her
lead constantly increasing.
1;3S p. m.-The Columbia turned the
stake boat.
lao p. m.-The Shamrock followed at
LAO.
1:45 p. m.-Both on the port tack, the
wind freshening from the northeast.
The Columbia is pulling away from the
Shamrock.
2:15 p. m.-The winds have gone down
to Ave miles an hour. From Navesink
Highlands it appears as II the Sham
rock has overtaken and passed the
Columbia. It is hazy.
2:25 p.s m.-The Shamrock seems to
have good lead.
1:ss >. m. Columbia began outpolnt-