Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-11
BY | MIN, ID SEC.
Columbia Has a Great Race
With the Defender.
A Heavy Wind, 0isagreeabIe Rain and
a Boisterous Sea.
Gives Both Boats All They Want Defender
Calamity Holds Her Own.

Vineyard Haven. Mass, Aug. 10
Inc old yacht champion Defender
practically won a race against CO.
lumbia, today, if time allowance was
given, in the dirtiest sort Of weather
for yacht club cruise. But the vic
tory, il must be admitted, was more
than well-earned and the yachtsmen
of the New York Yacht Club and the
guests never before saw, and may
not see again for years, such a sailing
event.
The margin between the two famous
sloops was IA seconds over a minute
in the 31-mile run from Brenton's reef
lightship, off Newport, to the West
Chop buoy, in Vineyard sound, with a
change in course at Vineyard Sound
lightship, l. Ia miles from the start
Taking out Of consideration the mag
nificent Spectacle Of the great fleet Of
craft sailing under heavy canvas, only
some Of the smaller ones, with reefs
taken in their mainsails, the race be
tween Columbia and Defender was act
ually soul-stirring.
After both got away over the start
ing line it was nip and tuck, with
eascd sheets. for almost an hour. De-
fender just hairs breadth in the lead.
After Columbia made a gain so that
Defender would cross under her stern,
Columbia did not walk away as the
heavy breeze hove the latter down and
made her lose distance on repeated
luns.
The fleet got away from Newport
with miserable weather prospects, and
rain fell through the entire day. and
the southerly 15-knot wind brought in
a wringing wet mist from seaboard.
The run out to the lightship was
quickly made, and all the boats got by
the flagship Corsair between 1915 and
II O'Clock, and all finished off West
Chop. shortly after o'clock.
The two big sloops We're held back,
Defender crossing the line at 1000,
and Columbia at 11.20.20 Columbia at
once bore down on Defenders weather
quarter. but could not get by her and
for Il miles the boats sailed side by
side
Just before reaching Vineyard
Sound lightship, II IA miles from the
start. Columbia managed to pass De-
fender
Just before reaching the lightship.
both boats set No. l jibtopsails and
three strong puffs knocked both boats
well down and Columbia was forced to
huff each time
From the lightship to the finish.
nearly 20 miles, the boats ran some
what more off the wind, and Columbia
drew away from Defender. but finish
ed 1 minute and IA seconds ahead of
her.
Today's race and the performance of
Columbia was satisfactory on the
score Of heavy weather. She took all
that came and while eased up several
times. that was no evidence that she
would have had too much Of a good
thing if a stake was ending on the
outcome of the race.
All the other boats found that the
weather was boisterous enough for
the time being and some of the
schooners fairly flew through the wa
ter carrying some frisky looking
bones in their teeth" The sloop Wig
liant, which headed the fleet, finished
first. with Navahoe second. and then
anne the two big racers. All the craft
lnlshed in nasty squall, which made
ne turn at the West Chop buoy par
eXhilarating for all hands.
Tonight, the fleet rides at anchor in
he Haven with turbulent waters I'M
and plenty of wind whistling
through the rigging overhead To
morrow. most of the boats will sail
'ver TO New Bedford. but Columbia
md Defender will probably pass by
8uzzard's bay and continue to New
port.