The San Francisco call., 1899-10-07


ATEW YORK, Oct 6-This has been a
nj day of rest on board the interna
~ tional racers. The Columbia was
l. towed from Sandy Hook to Bay
Ridge to get her out of any danger from
the northeaster The Shamrock remained
at her anchorage at the Hook, her people
seeming willing to take the chances. The
wind blew up pretty fresh about O'Clock
but there was nothing to threaten harm
to a yacht so we'll protected by tenders
and tugs, to say nothing of the powerful
Erin.
The feeling on both sides is one of con-
fidence Mr. Iselin thinks he will win.
Sir Thomas Upton has nice little corner
in the Erin all ready for the cup. The
public is in doubt, and it must be said
that there is a feeling of indecision among
the expert yachtsmen. The two days OF
drifting have furnished almost nothing
on which to base opinions. They have,
however, seemed to strengthen the belief
that the Shamrock is a thoroughly dan
gerous proposition. This is now a we'll
grounded opinion, and if the two days OF
light airs have done anything they have
shaken that confident feeling that has
prevailed among the hackers OF the CO.
lumbfa Those who have watched most
closely every movement of the two YachtS
are firm in the belief that there is little
to choose between them in a drift. land
as it is remembered that the Shamrock
people have never asserted that she was
a drifter it can be understood that there
is reason for rise in the Shamrock STOCK.
Twice in the two days of racing there
have been times when both boats were
sailing under exactly similar conditions
for an hour after the start on Tuesday
and for a like length of time after the
start on Thursday. Both were sailing
dead before a light wind, With the same
spread of canvas. On Tuesday the Sham-
rock drew away from the Columbia ON
Thursday the Columbia drew away from
the Shamrock No one can draw lines on
the racers from this, and it can safely be
said that the only change that has taken
place in the opinion of yachtsmen IS one
that tends to increase the doubt.
With her great mainsail snugly slowed
on the boom under waterproof cover
the yacht Columbia lay at anchor off the
Sea Beach pier at Bay Ridge to-day. rid
ing out the easterly storm under the lee
Of the land. All her other sails were un-
bent and slowed below, where they will
be kent drv until needed Should there
be rain and a strong breeze, however, the
sails will not be spared tomorrow, Tor
rain or shine, barring accidents, the
yachts will start in their race ana make
a third attempt to complete the course
of fifteen miles to windward or leeWard
and back
When interviewed on board the tender
St Mlchaels to-day. C. Oliver Iselin, the
Columbia's managing owner, said
1--WE know practically nothing more OF
the merits of the boats than we did on
Tuesday If anything, we know less. Ior
we did not turn the outer mark TINS time
but have every confidence in the Celum-
has ability to outsail the Shamrock on
all points when we get steady breeze.
mt
OF Yesterdays race Mr.. Iselin added:
"IVhen we made that last turn we We're
not able to cross the Shamrock DOW, put
in all the WindWard work of yesterday
there was very little difference in the SAIL
ing of the yachts. We were in the best
position most of the time, ana the Sham-
rock was only a few yards ahead wheh
the race was called off.
Mr.. Iselin said the same guests would
ha on board the Columbia in tomorrow
race as were there on previous days.
At sundown the wind jumped around to
the westward Of north and blew great
guns for awhile Captain Barr housed the
Columbia's topmast at once, gave the
Yacht fifteen fathomS more cable and
made preparations for letting go the sec
ond anchor The weather looked dec1d-
edlv dirty from the sailor mans stand
noint so enough of the crew were kept
on board to take care of her in any emer-
gency AS she is lying In berth, with
shore under her lee, if she should part her
cable in the night or drag her anchor dur
ing the night some quick work would be
necessary to save her from going on the
beach or smashing against the Sea Beach
piers.
The early rising sailor men of the Co
lunbia heard the whimpering of the wind
at the Hook to-day and they saw In the
rainstorm the prospect OF reai Gay
rest They needed it, too, for Whlle the
easv lolling excursion crowds who watch
od tho race figured that the sailors must
he working easier than any men they
ever saw the fact was that the crew,
To a man. worked three times as hard
as If genuine race had been sailed
Eight times the spinnaker was set ana
taken in while the slowing OF oalooners
and topsails was a most momentous oc-
casion. When the men turned out to-
day they found that their spell OF rest
was to be very near reality:
Mr. Iselin decided, for one thing, that
II would be good to move up to Bay
Ridge There was a look in the sky
which hinted that some other anchorage
might be better so the consort was call
ed ahead and a little after o'clock the
tow began. The Columbia was logged
along easily, like a racer down from the
line. Two coastwise steamers passed her
and the little clusters of storm-clad
passengers gave her cheer. A little
under two hours from the time she left
her anchorage inside the Horseshoe, the
Columbia was anchored off Bay Ridge.
The wind seemed to have an extra jam
In it then and so after making fast to the
buoy the anchor was got over as well.
Snugged down at last, the only work of
the day for the white jacketed crew was
done This was the inspection of the
racer Aloft and below the Deer Island
men climbed and worked Every part
had to stand inspection. Small chance
there was. indeed, of any strain having