New-York tribune., 1899-07-19
START i2:cc
DESCRIPTION OF THE RACE.

As the starting gun doomed at II o'clock the
britannia almost Immediately crossed the line
the shamrock following in such a way as 10 give
the irnpresson that she had objection 10 giving
10 the Britannia slight lead The latter how
ever ala not long maintain the advantage II
was dead beat to undward and little distance
was covered before the Shamrock. which start
ed on the short leg 10 port, overhauled her' On
the following long leg 10 starboard the oham-
rock forged ahead rapidly. and half an nour
after the start had lead Of three-duarters OF
mile. II was at once noticed that she was sail
ing nearly half point nearer the wind tnan the
Britannia The Shamrock carrying her
mansail. tb-headed topssil. jb and foresail'
The Britannia carried the same canvas. but in
addition her club topsan The Shamrock was
half mile ahead passing Warner.
Hogarth was at the helm Of the challenger.
The boat held up admirably. and there was not
drop Of water her deck She proved ex-
tremely quick in putting about. being only ten
and a half seconds in stays.
On rounding the Nab Lightship both yachts
set their spinnakers for the run back
The only mishap Of the day took place soon
after this When the Shamrock's spinnaker be-
gan 70 All the top caught in the crosstrees. The
huge canvas Topped fat. and then suddenly
a
visible in the upper part. where long strip
had been torn out. leaving hole big enough
for man TO crawl through The shamrock's
speed naturally suffered somewhat from this ac
cident Both boats soon set their topsas, and
later their balloon foresas.
YACHTS MAKE FAST TIME.
The vessels gybed to port near Ryde. They
we're then travelling at such a rate that the
press boat going at speed Of II knots was
unable to keep pace with the Shamrock. though
the wind lightened considerably after leaving
the Nab Lightship. The Britannia appeared 10
he holding her own for a short spell before she
reached Ryde. but the Shamrock again crept
slowly ahead. widening the gap. The scene at
this time was an inspiriting one. Both yachts
under a cloud of canvas were gliding on even
keels
The wind freshened after passing Cowes. and
both boats took in their spnnakers and started
on the broad reach 10 the Solent Buoy. After
gvbing around they reached back. finishing with
a short tack 70 make the home mark
Both yachts admirably handled. but the
Shamrock had clear advantage throughout
She gained on every tack 70 windward.
The opinion generally expressed here that
the Shamrock would give a good account Of
herself in the race for the Cup
CROWDS ALONG THE sOLENT.
There was much excitement on the Solent to-
day over the Britannia Shamrock race From
early morning crowds watched the preparations
on board both yachts, while the whole feet from
Southampton. Cowes and other points made for
Ryde. The scene at Ryde Pier was most ami
mated. Long before the start crowds Of fash
ionable visitors had arrived.
The Shamrock was towed from Southampton.
the Erin following. with Sir Thomas Upton and
a distinguished company
The Prince Of Wales arrived at Southampton
at II o'clock. wearing a yachting suit. and i'm
medately embarked on board the Admiralty
yacht Fire Queen. and soon afterward he board
ed the Britannia