The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-07

with everything close hauled, entered
upon their test of speed The Defender
had the weather gauge by a hundred
yards and was several lengths ahead
At first the Columbia seemed to OutfOot
her rival and there seemed TO be no
perceptibIe difference in their ability TO
hug the wind. Nautical experts were
iubflant Then both yachts went over
on the starbOard tack for a long leg.
They heeIed until yards Of their bronze
bodies were exposed The Columbia
seemed more tender than the Defender
more tender. but perhaps more stately
as sh lay down to her work She heeled
enough to let the seas swirl and bubble
along her lee rail, and sometimes when
she smashed a big wave into tatterS
she shipped some water forward
Then the talent began to get nervous.
Gradually but surely the Defender was
drawing ahead and 1t was also apparent
that she was pointing higher than the
Columbia. 1t did not take the yachts
men long to discover the cause The
Defenders sails fit to perfection and
every inch of canvas drew The club
tOpsau of the Columbia, on the other
hand was loose and cracked in the
wind. The forestry sail did not draw
80 r,ivbt as we'll have been slowed in
the locker below By this time the
breeze was blowing about 10 knots an
hour. and while it continued at that
clip the Defender continued TO gain very
slowly but also very surely. Half an
hour later the wind sank to about five
knots and Immediately the sails Of the
Columbia began to draw and she be-
gan to gain upon her adversary Both
sziDpers were now Straining for the
mastery Both pinched until their head
sails trembled; they strove for the
weather gauge The Columbia cOntin-
ued to gain on every tack and a few
minutes before the first mark was
reached she crossed the Defenders bow
on the starboard tack Then the nauti-
cal sharps breathed easier. She rounded
the stake exactly one minute ahead Of
the Defender.
AS she eased her sheets and turned
the mark all the steam craft screamed
their congratulations but here also
| trouble with her head sails was con-
spicuOus. Both yachts had slowed
their baby JibS and had sent up their
big lib top sails in stops as they aD-
preached the stake; but the Defender
although the last around, broke out her
big jib fully minute before the Co
lumbia lOosed hers. And then the lat
ter had to be taken down and reset On
the long reach for the second mark.
with the wind abeam, the Columbia
gained 50 seconds About half way
/ down a black squat. which had been
] threatening to the southwark. broke
sharply and completely swallowed up
| the big yachts and their trains It was
I now only a question of how much the
| Columbia would beat the Defender and
many OF the steamers and tugs were
/ headed back for the finish
/ When the rainfall ceased the wind
/ hauled to the west and instead Of run
ming home before the wind, with spin
makers set the yachts made the last
/ legs with the wind on the port bow.
/ This was grave disappointment to the
J spectators. The wind gradually died
/ down, and when the yachts were within
/ about a fourth of a. mile OF the finish.
! the fleet gathered about the Hghtship
/ and Commodore Morgan's flagship.
! Gracefully and nOiseleSSly the COlun bia
/ swept over the invisible line between
| them and as she crossed she received
I . royal salute Whistles shTieked and