The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-18

New York, oct. 1S.-The signals for 4
triangular course were set at 1852.
yesterday. for the race between Colum- |
bia and Shamrock. and one OF the "om-
m9uee boats was sent at once to log |
of the first ten-mile leg. and place the
first mark. The course for the first leg
was east by south the second leg
southwest half south, and for third leg,
north northwest
The first 10 miles was TO be windward
work, the second 10 reach with boom
TO starboard and the third reach with
boom to- rrtr-t, IN les m 10 n
when the preparatory signal was given
the yachts were maneuvering for posi-
tions while the torpedo boats and reve-
nue. cutters were driving what few
excursion boats and yachts there were
away from the starting line At the
warning signal, given at 1885, the breeze
had increased perceptibly, and there
was promise Of a good start in few
minutes. The skipper Of each yacht
saw to Il that the mainsheets were Kept
well aft so that they could quickly
jbe or tack their boats.
AT one minute before the starting
gun the Shamrock. which had been
maneuvering southeast Of the light
-.
toward IT. Her hoorn was to port and
well inboard. Coming up from the
ncrthward also with boom 20 port and
wind ahead the Columbia met the
Shamrock Just as Ho~arth was getting
ready 20 luff his yacht sharp around
the lightship's stern. The situation at
gun-fre was almost exactly the same
rs that between the Defender and Val
kyrie H.. as they approached the line
on the dav when the Valkvrie fOuled
the Defender When the Shamrock a
rncment after gun-hre rounded the
lightshp's stern. and luffed sharp up
on the wind the Columbia having been
unable TO gan the weather berth. had
now an overlap cf half her length on
close ware they that the Shamrock's
main boom epd "a she luffed TO hor
course came dangerously near the Co
iur,-hia's weatho~ shrouds AMI mast
had runner. P~rh va hts were close
hauiaS On tho starh~sr7 took. crossing
the line in diagonal course.
sHAMRoCK'S START.
The Shamrock had certainly the bet
ter of the start and the Columbia was
placed in a position that few yachts
would be able 10 extrdcate themselves
from without either keeping broad off
or f0uiinE. II was with intense inter
penylrg Yachts and excursion boats
watched the outcome Of this battle
royal between the single-stickers.
One minute had not passed before the
Columba's bowsprit began TO show
out ahead Of the Shamrock's. AT 11:02
when the handicap gun was fred the
Columbia was half a length out from
under the lee OF her rival and 30 sec
onds later. when the Shamrock tackled
10 port u get clear OF the Coumbia's
back wind. the latter Yacht. by tack
Ing FIVE seconds later. placed herself |
In a commanding position on the sham |
rocks weather quarter.
The official time Of the start was:
start l
h m (
Columbia ....................... ll.OO17 |
shamrock ..'.......,.......... 11:00:l5 |
THE FIRST LEG.
The wind was east by south and
freshening by degrees as the Yachts /
stood along on a northeast by east /
course They were taking the easterlv |
swells rather hard at times. plunpin, I
their bowsprits clear under and doubt.
less putting TO a severe test an their
spars and rigging.
With half an eve anv sailorman could
see. looking ar the yachts end on, from
astern. that the Columbia was lying.
say from half 10 three-quarters VI a
point higher than the Shamrock. both
apparently having their sheets trim.
med alike on the port tack. The fact
that the Shamrock carried no baby lib
topsail was excellent evidence that her
CAPTAINS were afraid that N set it
would pull her head of more vet, so II
was kept down. while the Coluinbia's
setting perfectly on It's stay. must have
helped that Yacht. instead of retarding
her In the windward work. Fifteen
minutes after the start the Coium-
bias position was fully two hundred
yards dead 60 windward OF the sham
rock. the latter being AZ that timo
slightly forward Of the Coiumbia's led
beam.
1T NEVER HAPPENED.
Capt. Barr evidently meant 90 con-
tinue on the port tack 90 Liverpool N
necessary. until the shamrock came
about. That never happened. however.
for as the breeze freshened and bothS