The times., 1899-06-28
TRIAL OF THE COLUMBIA.
The New Cup Defender HnndiIy Out
sails the Old Champion.

The New Cup Defender HnndiIy Out
sails the Old Champion.
Newport, r. l., June 27.-The Columbia
and Defender left the harbor this morning
for brush on the ocean course. They
were followed by large number of craft.
all crowded with enthusiastic yachtsmen
who were anxious to see how the new cup
defender would compare with the old. The
conditions were all that could be desired
for the first contest of the new sloop.
From the landlubber's point of view it
was beautiful day for the trial The at
mosphere was as clear as on bright day
in winter, and perched on Bateman's Point
or on the hills overlooking Fort Adams
spectator could see almost across to Block
Island. From the yachtman's standpoint,
however, the conditions were not so favor
able. AS the sun rose over the town the
breeze which usually rises with 1t failed
to appear. Every now and then few
gentle puffs would come down from the
northeast, but they were only puffs, scarce
ly enough to fill the sails of the small
boats, and when what little breeze there
had been shifted to the southeast it almost
died away.
Between and . o'clock ALMOST dead
calm lay over the harbor. but soon after
9 o'clock little breeze sprang up. Pleas
ure craft then began to make for the
Columbia. She swung lazily at her an
chor, lying Just to the southwest of the
torpedo station, with the Defender moor
ed to the south and the warships of the
North Atlantic Squadron lying not far to
the north. With the freshening breeze,
preparations for getting both the Colum-
bia and Defender under way were at once
begun. The cover was taken from the
Columbia's mainsail, and when everything
had been made ready the crew began to
hoist the huge mainsail. While this work
was in progress the staysail and topsaiI
arrived from Bristol. In Sundays trial
it was found that they did not set we'll
and they had been sent back to the
Herreshoffs to be recut.
Mr.. Iselin and his friends, Herbert C.
Leeds and Capt. Woodbury. Kane, spent
the night on board the tender St Mich
aels. Mrs. Iselin, who was also on the
tender, was taken i'll last night Physi-
clans were summoned and she was all
right this morning. Mr. Iselin in speak
ing of the days programme said:
We shall go out for brush with the
Defender and come back for luncheon.
Then, if the wind holds good, We shall
have another trial this afternoon
Hosting the Columbia's mainsail was a
signal which set all those aboard the
pleasure craft in the harbor astir. After
the. mainsail had been hoisted on the
Columbia her iib and staysail were Iun
up in stops, and at 1925 o'clock her crew
gathered about the capstan and began to
pull upon the anchor chain. Mr.. Iselin
Mr.. Leeds, and Captain Kane had gone
aboard in their launch, and were watch
ing proceedings with interest. Mr.. iselin
walked up and down the deck giving orders
to Capt. Charlie Barr, who had the wheel.
Foot by foot the anchor chain came up,
and at 1910 o'clock the Columbia filled
away and started for the open sea. Just
before she got under way the New York
Boat Club pennant was hauled down from
her topmasthead and replaced by Mr.. Ise-
Inns private signals, the red and black
swallows tail.
In the mean time Mr.. W. Butler Duncan,
jr., had boarded the Defender. Her main
sail was hoisted and her staysail run up,
and she ran before the wind down TO a
position well astern of the new cup de-
fender. In making for the ocean the two
boats had the wind dead against them.
The Columbia filled away on the port
tack, heading for the Dumpings. AS soon
as the breeze filled her mainsail she broke
out her jib and then her staysail. The jib
was inclined to flap in the wind, but the
staysail filled superbly.
perfection of set was a match for the main
sail. The breeze was blowing at the rate
of about eight knots an hour, and under it
the new cup defender went ahead at fast
clip The Defender had come about, and
under mainsail, staysail, and jib was fol-
lowing the Columbia as fast as she could
The Columbia, however, outfooted her.
drawing ahead even in the preliminary
brush, slowly but surely.
hoo tba yt-nt ta-
much cleaner than the old. She curled up
under her lee bow a wave much smaller
| than that tossed off by the Defender, and
scarcely a ripple was left astern. The
Herreshofs had aimed to get an easy en-
trance and run, and it was evident that
they had succeeded. At 10:40 o'clock the
Columbia came about on the starboard
tack and stood for Castle Hill. She worked
as well on this beat as on the other. Her
jib had in the mean time been rearranged
and it now filled beautifully. At 10:55
o'clock Captain Barr threw the wheel over.
The Columbia glided about in a twinkling.
being only twelve seconds in stays and
headed for Beaver Tail on the port tack.
The Defender had set her working topsail.
but even with this extra spread of canvas
she was unable to equal the speed of the
Columbia, which every minute left her
farther astern.
peared on the surface in the turning over
of the sloop to c. Oliver Iselin. her man
| aging owner, yesterday afternoon. In every
Herreshoff contract there is a clause which
provides that no boat shall be handed over
| to the owner until they are satisfied with
it and know that ii will add to and not
detract from their fame. Therefore when
Mr. Iselins colors were hoisted to the
topmast head yesterday and the yachting
ensign was flung out from the stern. it
meant that Nat Herreshoff, the designer
| and builder of the new cup defender. lad
satisfied himself that she was all he had
expected her to be, that he was confident
| that she was the fastest boat on this side
of the Atlantic, and a worthy sloop to put
| forward for the defence of the Americas
| Cup.
Demands II Jury Trial.
Philip T. Carter, who is charged with shooting
| and wounding Spencer +. Lee, when called to
hafn J,lf, b,U