The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
COLUMBIA SHOWS SPEED.
SHE BEATS DEFENDER DECISITELT
IN BRUSH OFF NEWPORT

Higher and Foots Faster Than tho Trial
Boat-C. oliver Iselin Highly Pleased.
NEWPORT, June 25.-The Columbia received
her first trial under sail to- day. and not only
did credit to herself and her designer by her
performance, but also beat the Defender in a
hot finish to windward. and beat her SO deci-
sively as to make 1t certain that Herreshofr has
eclipsed himself in his latest design.
The little race between the boats came lust
before noon of this port in good sailing
breeze from the southwest. Both were under
their lower sails. Columbia had come down
from Bristol and Defender out from Newport
Designer Herreshof had the wheel on Co.
lumbia and Capt. Rhoades went on Defend
er Both yachts were going close hauled
on the wind about an eighth of
mile when Columbia s people evidently thought
the time had come to what their boat
would do alongside another one OF size She
had been behaving splendidly all the way
down from Bristol. carrying her sail well,
steering easily. backing quick. and looking
very handsome. but a comparison OF speed was
wanted.
With an eaay sweep from windward posi-
ton Columbia was placed on Defenders
weather quarter, and yet 80 far astern. nearly
200 feet as to give to Defender clear wind
and all the chance she could possibly ask In
regular race Defenders skipper would have
considered his chance OF backwindng the
other boat an excellent one. and II lie had tho
faster boat could have crawled away from his
opponent and finally crossed her bow. But in
this case it was Columbia and not Defender
that was the faster.
AS Columbia swung into place for the finish
and settled down to her work it was an cxcit-
ing moment for every one concerned. On one
side was boat of well-tried speed. on the
other was an unknown quantity. beautiful and
speedy looking. 1t is true. but now for the first
time in place where her actual sailing quail
tiles could be gagged. Both boats were under
the same sail, malnsal jib and staysail. and
there was breeze enough to drive them nearly
ten miles an hour even when close hauled.
On board were the men to whom the defence
Of the Americas Cup has been intrusted, while
astern were steam and sailing yachts with
many close observers on board.
Each skipper felt the importance OF the mo-
ment. and it is not to be supposed that Capt.
Rhodes let any Of his skill go by or that Her
reshoff did not get every bit Of speed out OF
Columbia. And SO as the yachts forged ahead
on the starboard tack from under the shore
at Dutch Island and headed for Fort
Adams every ono was on the alert to
note their behavior At first the issue OF tho
little race SEE m ID to he in doubt. Columbia
was indeed looking little higher. but was she
going any faster than Defender1 Could she be
pulled out OF the bad position in which she had
purposely been placed. These were the ques-
tons to be answered
Before two minutes OF sailing the answers
were at hand, Slowly but surely from a
steamer following to leeward could Column
bias bowsprt be seen creeping up toward
Defenders stem. Then 1t passed and crept by
bit by bit. by mast and headstays. until It
finally showed clear ahead and that the boat
which carried it had an undisputed lead.
At tho same time. Columbia had worked out
to windward as we'll as drawn ahead and had
not only pointed higher. but had footed faster
than Defender and had finally taken her wind
and given such a blanketng to her as she
nd 9sF' In ss. San n all hs
Columbia had demonstrated her speed. had
over his World. beater Of four years ago. .,.o.
the harbor, Defender followed suit, and the
boat speed Tor the time and trouble to which
ser eqs add0 Sas to iR Rs se thf oS to
windward. enough was seen to-day OF the
ras the Seo Tat viii ses
Defender on all points OF sailing and in all
good sailing breeze and in light air De:
fender ought to show At her best as compared
OF power may make itself felt and show that
Columbia is undoubtedly tho faster. blow high
Columbia H a left Bristol at o:15 in the morning,
wSsa ng Of inf ha1ns avn
gansatt Bay with gradually ireshcninG breeze.
tr 1d k Hs wi and p"h
Leeds were on board. Designer Nat Here's
hon was in charge and had the the whseI the most
Cant Barr took an occasional trick at it; The
working topsail was the only sail set over
well for the first time out. the mainsa being
specially good one, It is the largest ever set
sails are OF the cross pattern. in which
fish in make ike, that Of t.aIkyrlo III. Ie-
boat and to note tho ease, with which she en-
tered and left the water. there was not much
out Then nearly every minute brought some
thing new and gave chances for com risons.
more ore readily than calender but she does not
seem at all tender" or unable to carry her
Alter the brush to windwarI Columbia and
Defender were put about and taken into an
hs sRps Sh & 2i SG
sailors on the Texas cheered Columbia as she
h@ 4n Ss By s II t
the rain and fog that had been tening for
an hour or 1.-TWO shut down and made sailing
About 5 o'clock the newspaper tug s. c. Hart
which had followed the boats took turn out
into the baylfo look at the weather. Mr.
Iscn was aboard the st. Mchaels. ana stepped
to the rail aft as the tug drew alongside.
What is tho sal ling programme now for the
Coumb 2" was the query from the newspaper
I'VE shall tow to Bristol this afternoon and
finish up a little work that needs to be done on
the boat replied Mr., 1selin;
When do you expect to get away from
We hope to get away tomorrow afternoon
and have a sail with Defender"
How do you like Columbia go iar as you
We are very much pleased with her" was
Mr.. Iselin's emphatic reply.
she will be turned over to Mr. Isen when she
leaves Bristol. Sails with Defender will then
be In order OF this port. and on Monday. July
g. the boats will be in New York to race for
that $3.50 cup. Later they will be seen on the
New York Clubs cruise to the eastward, The
squadron will probably go around tho cape to
Marblehead. and the cup defenders will go
also.