The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-10-13
BETWEEN THE YACHTS TO-DAY NOT
CONSIDERED PROMISING.
BOTH BOATS IN FINEST TRIM.
The CoIumbia-s Crew say All They
Want Is Good Breeze and They viii
Win Upton as Cheerful and Conf
dent as Ever-Odds Offered on the CO.
1umbia Former Commodore j. ID.
smith Thinks the Shamrock slightly
the Better BoatA

New York, October 1.-THE outlook
for a race between the Shamrock and
the Columbia tomorrow is none of the
best Even the hitherto optimistic
weather bureau will not promise a
breeze. The revised agreement calls
for a start every week day from this
time on, so that there is a possibility
of the fate of the cup being decided
this week.
Looking as fine as two fiddles tuned
up to concert pitch, the Columbia and
the Shamrock lay quietly at their moor
ings all day with their tenders close at
hand, the tugs standing. by for a call
During the early morning hours the
fog was even thicker than on Tuesday,
but when the sun came up toward noon
the fog cleared away under the infiu-
ence of a light breeze from the south
southwest.
The cover was taken off the Colum-
bias mainsail just before noon and it
was given a thorough overhauling and
drying. The new club topsail was also
looked after and the running gear in
spected fore and aft.
BOTH SIDES CONFIDENT.
The utmost confidence in the Ameri-
can yacht prevails among her crew
Many Of them have wagered a month S
wages on her, and all agree that she
cannot be beaten.
"Just~ give us a breeze like we used
| to have at Newport on some days."
said one. "and we will show what she
| can do. Those who think she is just a
light weather boat will get left; that's
all. The harder it blows the better the
boat will CO. down the wind, or any
other way; it does not matter, so long
as it blows good, steady breeze from
start to finish. We know we have a
hard boat to beat, but we shall beat
| her just the same
Captain Barr has little or nothing to
| say, but he also, the sailors say, has
no thought of anything but making the
Columbia cross the finish line first in
every race.
Sir Thomas Upton was as cheerful
| as usual, full of hope for a breeze to-
morrow and full of confidence in the
| Shamrock's ability to lift the cup.
| There she is," said he, with a show
of pride in his voice and GESTURE, as he
| pointed to the green beauty, lying
| peacefully at her buoy, nothing has
| been done to her since the last race,
| and nothing needs to be done. She is
ready to start when the gun is fired"
In response to a question, Mr.. Islir
said Designer Herreshoff would sail on
the Columbia in all of the cup races
as he had sailed on the trials already
| held, and would add his experience and
| knowledge of the boat to that of Cap
| tain Barr.
| ODDS ON THE COLUMBIA.
AT the New York stock exchange to-
day offers of 10 to on the Columbia
| found no takers. There was no money
backing the Shamrock in the hands of
commission brokers.
At the New York Yacht Club, and at
other clubs, no Shamrock takers have
been found and the Columbia seems to
be the favorite yet with American bet
ters. Betting has been even, 10 to and
| 10 to today in Columbia circles, but
no money is ready from the opposition
and no betting of account has been
done. One to bet in hundreds was
recorded at the Hoffman house, but all
! the other centers have no reports OF
| wagerS.
! In an interview with former Commo-
dore James D Smith, Of the New York
Yacht Club. he said:
There is little difference between the
| boats, if there is any, and from what
I have seen Of their sailing qualities
thus far, I should prefer the Shamrock
While may be subject Of cavil from
| my fellow members of the New York
Yacht Club, I yet think that 1 am en-.
| titled to my opinions. For several Sc
ries of races I have been chairman OF
the American cup committee. I ask.
ed to be excused from further duty IL
this matter and cup committee today
and for this race is composed of Com
modore J. P. Morgan, Vice Commodore
Ledyard, August Belmont, Jr., Secre
tary J. V. s. Oddie, treasurer of the
WherSt; former Commodore E. NJ
Brown and Herman Duryea. / do no,
care so much to be quoted as saying
that 1 think that the retention Of the
cup is in doubt. I would not say thai
I wished that the Shamrock might wir
Ibhe series eventually, but / believ,
that the Shamrock is the most danger.
Gus challenger that the New Yorl
Yacht Club has had for q contestant
since the America brought the cup over
to u.s.
ODD FELLOWS HAILIN WALLACE