The times., 1899-10-02
COLUMBIA VS.. SHAMROCK
international Yacht Races TO Begin
Tomorrow Morning.
The winner of Three Ont of Five TO
BE Awarded the Coveted Cup-COn-
meHts for Preventing Interference
With the Boats During the Match.

ternailoAal yacht races for the America s
Cup will begin at Sandy Hook Lightship
outside Of New York harbor, between the
TWO white-winged flyers, the Columbia. de-
Tending the trophy, for this country, and
the Shamrock, Sir Thomas Lipton's chal-
lenger, from Great Britain.
Universal interest attaches to this great
event, which is TO decide the respective
merits of American and British yacht
building. and American and British ability
in speeding nd-propelled craft over a
given course.
The winning yacht must take three races
out Of five. but one race TO be sailed each
day and day to intervene between each
contest. II nothing occurs TO cause post
pOnement. the first three races will be
sailed tomorrow, Thursday. and Saturday.
Other races may possibly be sailed on Oc-
tober 10 and u TO determine which yacht
is entitled to the superb silver trophy and
what is more dear to the yachtsman's
heart the international championship.
AS these races are a test OF strength as
well as Of sailing qualities of the boats
there has been a personal agreement be-
tween Sir Thomas Upton and C. Oliver
lselin that each yacht shall stand by the
consequences Of any accident happening
70 huA lIEA lUE NGSSti SUdll
sail out the race. This arrangement has
been deemed advisable, TO preserve either
party from embarrassment in a case where
il is TO be decided whether one vessel
should retire from race after her COM
petitor has become damaged through ac-
cident.
AS 6 result OF the conferences about po-
iicing the courses to be sailed Capt. Rob-
ley D. Evans, Of the Navy. has been sp-
H.
arrangements, and he is fully empowered
10 exclude any vessel from the line He
viii be assisted by Lieutenant Commander
Fremont supervisor of the harboT. The
boats employed for this police duty viii
be re-enforced by as many torpedo boats
as can be made ready.
The United States statute under which
Captain Evans will act was passed by Con-
gress and approved May 10, 1896. to meet
the complaints set in motion by Lord Dun
raven. II follows in part:
That in order to provide for the safety Of pas
sengerS on excursion steamers, yachts, oarsmen,
and at craft, whether observers or participants
taking part in reeattas, amateur. professional,
thai may hereaiter be held on naElgable waters.
the Secretary of tho Treasury be and he i hereby
authorized and empowered in his discretion TO
detail revenue cutters 10 enforce such rules
may he adopted 10 insure The safetg OF passengers
on aaid excursion sfeamurs- yachts, oaTsnen, and
al craft whether Observers or participants in
such regatfas.
Tie Quartermaster's Department mas ar
ranged TO have the transport Mcpherson
attend the races for the benefit Of army
officers and their families
In case esther contestant shall complain
10 the committee on challenge that his
vessel has bsen interfered with by excursion
steamers OF any other vessels while the
race was in progress, the committee VII
take the complaint into consideration. and
If il finds il weH founded, will seek con-
ference with the committee reprcs enting Inc
Royal Ulster Yacht Club which is tn : clab
that Forwarded Sir Thomas Lip.on's chal-
lenge, with a yiew to arrange for the sail
ing Of subsequent races without public No.
tice.
II j. now thoroughly well understood
among all the captains OF vessels chartered
for the race days that their licenses viii
be revoked or suspended in case OF any
infr2ctlca c. the rlies laid down for keep
ing the course clear Captain Evans has
received Instruction from Washington to
confer with the committee CT the New
York Yacht Club and settle the courses
10 be sailed. The fact Of the matter is
that the courses cannot be prearranged.
and the task laid cut for those who are
70 keep the course clear is much more diff
son for this is that no one can know til
just before the race how the boats will be
started on They may go northeast OF
southwest CT in any other direction. &C.
cordlng 10 the direction Ct the wind at
the time The first leg OF a triangular
course must be laid out dead to windward
as the wind al the time happens 10 be so
as 70 secure some beating in the race. The
Windward and leeEard races must also be
started either dead to Windward or directly
% leeWarn. II not started ia this wav
these races are spoiled. Consequently. IN
III the last half hour before the start not
even me members Of the regatta commit
tee themselves, know what courses The
yachts viii be started on.
The conditions that were agreed n a,
New York last September between the
CUBS committee and the challenger rep
iesentauFes viii now be followed exceDf
SO lar as they have been altered By q fur
tner agreement arrived a. on Wednesday
The start is 10 be at Sandy Hook light
snip and the course from the starting lire
vii De laid to the windward. The first
race VIII be fifteen knots to windwarl or
leeward. and return The second raca win
De an eeuilsteral triangle. ten miles TO a
4eg, the first leg TO Windward
The third and fifth races will h the
same as the first. The fourth race will he
The same as the second Every course "a
oe iala down viii be as nearly as possible
an even thirty knots. The preparatorv
signal shall be given fifteen minutes before
The starting signal. and IN case OF a change
an time Of start a preliminary signal viii
Dc given fifteen minues before me pre-
paratory.
An assurance Of having the races sailed
In fairly good breezes comes. in under The
rule about the time limit If one Of the
boat does not finish before the expiration
Of i've hours and half. exclusive OF time
allowances. such race shall not count and
must be resailed. The start viii be at as
near TO ii a m as practicable.
The following notifications were agreed
upon or Wednesday: First-A prepara-
tary signal shall be given fifteen minutes
before the starting signal and a warning
signal i've minutes before the starting sig
nal In case OF change in the time of
starting the same signal shall be used.
The change is IN the addition OF the warn
.ng gun, and the provision that in ease OF
3 change IN the time OF starting the same
signals &c be used.
Secono-The provision that II a race Is
not started by 80 p. N. the regatta com
snittee shall have the right to declare the
.sce postponed for the day and that no
race shall be started after D. M. was
-hanged 70 provide that no race shall be
started after I2 80 D. IA
Third-The provision for the presence on
board during the races OF a Representative
named by competitor was changed by
adding that representative OF the COM
peting yachts should be present during all
Measurements.
THE COLUMBIA THE FAvoRITE.