The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1899-10-25

The Columbia Wins Two Heats and
the Shamrock Loses Her Top
mast.

ahead of the challenger, at the
outer mark, and ten minutes and
fourteen seconds in the lead at
the finish. There is the record for
the first race-that old, almost
obsolete one of fifteen miles to
windward or to leeward, which
had seemed as though it would
never be run.
NEW YORK, Oct. 17.-Ano-
Their victory for Columbia! But
public interest will hardly sur
vive another triumph of the sort.
1t lapsed with the fall of the chal-
lenger's topmast, and though
part of the excursion fleet follow
ed the Columbia in her solitary
ramble around the triangular
course there were few to grow en-.
thusiastic over a victory which
accident had rendered certain.
Nor was there any applause for
the Columbia when after that
mishap to the Shamrock the de-
fender continued upon her course.
Magnificent, bat it is not war;"
WAS a soldiers comment on Bat
laklava. Mr.. 1selin was plainly
within his rights when he round
ed out the run and claimed the
victory, for Sir Thomas Upton is
signatory that in case of accident
to either yacht the other shall
continue on her course and be
credited with a race should she
finish. There Is deep-seated in.
stinct which protests against the
acceptance of victory through the
~ aFsprcted weakness of piece
of rigging worn Uy Il rival craft.
The hope was freely expressed
that the Columbia would not
claim and would not take her
rights. But when it was seen
that there was no intent of relin-
gushing the advantage gained
there was a fervant hope, and one
freely and frequently expressed,
that the wind would die out and
thus prevent the winning of a
race through the mishap to ri
val.
To every one who went out the
disappointment was keen. A fair
er yachting day could hardly be
imagined. Moreover, it was the
sort of day that the Shamrock
people have been wishing for, a
fresh wind blowing true and
lively sea running before it. The
race itself over the triangular
course was another feature which
attracted many. All previous eff
forts in this series have been fif- |
teen miles to the windward or lee.
ward route, but the course of to-
day was to be over the triangular
run, and in the fresh winds and |
seas the contest promis-
ed to be as thrilling as any ever
witnessed in these waters.
In pure gayety of spirit the ex-
cursionists cheered and shouted |
and waved handkerchiefs and
hats when the two racers with
boom and spar buckling to the
strain of swollen canvas, went
across the starting line.
A more animated yachting pic
ture was never witnessed than
that presented by these splendid
yachts dashing along the course,
the foam dancing In brilliant rain
bows, while to leeward the water
swept in CLASSY curves from the
clear knife-like stems. Under
club topsail, jib, baby
jib and staysails the two clipped
it along, both pointing high and
footing so fast that some of the
excursion boats had difficulty in
keeping pace. But all set ont in
pursuit of the winged racers, and
all were rejoicing in the prospect
Of glorious struggle, when hopes
were dashed by the accident TO
the Shamrock. She was then the
focus for all eyes. for to the many
il seemed that she'was outfooting |
the cup defender, and it appeared
also that she had reached out far
enough TO cross the Columbia's |