The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-12
ISELIN ANSWERS CRITICS.
ASKS THEM TO SUSPEND JUDGMENT
UNTIL THE MATCH ENDS.

Rain and southeasterly winds are the Weather
forecast for to-day. and this announcement 10
certainly not very promising for the yacht
race. DR.. Mackay on the Erin received tele-
gram from the Weather Bureau at Washington
that said there was no wind to speak OF in any
part OF the United States. and when 1t was
read on board the yacht every one was sad.
There are many yaohtsmen. however. who are
rather sceptical az to the weather prophecies.
and whom they learned that the outlook was
poor officially they declared there would be
good breeze and that the yachts would be able
to make race.
One old salt who frequents South street de-
clared that the wind would be from the north
east and that there would be no rain. These
are the conditions everybody wants. but
wherever the wind comes from II Is hoped that
1t will be strong enough to send the yachts
over the course within the five and half
hours allowed for the contest.
The two yachts remained at anchor all day
long. At noon the sail covers were taken of
but about an hour later they were put on
again. On the Colum bia the crew were at work
ut various Jobs during the day The rigging
was looked over and attention was paid to the
bobstay. The new clubtopsai was on the
deck but nothing was being done to it,
This sail was m ade by Wilson and Griffin and
was tried for short time on Tuesday after
noon. 1t is a much larger club topsal than
any the Columbia has yet shown In a race and
1t seemed to 1T better than her old ones 1t 10
bent on a steel yard and a wooden club.
The cloths appear to be narrower than those
OF the other sails and they run straight from
huff to leach. A strengthening band OF cloth
has been run across the sail from the lower
| end OF the yard to the inner end OF the sail. G.
Oliver Isein said that as far as the sail had
been tried he was pleased with It. but he did
| not know whether 1t was larger than the big
| club topsail OF the Shamrock.
There were rumo-s on Tuesday that Mr.. Ise-
| lin had asked Captain Rhoades and Capt Hank
| Half to sail on the Columbia to give Capt. Barr
| the benefit OF their experiences. The truth OF
| the matter is: Capt. Rhoades was asked to sail
on the Columbia before the races began but he
declined. No invitation has been extended to
| Capt. Half.
Mr. Iselin talked rather freely yesterday az
terneon to reporter of THE Sun regarding the
criticisms Of the Columbia and the way the
yacht has been sailed. He said
| What has impressed me more this year
| than anything else has been the lack OF sup
port the American boat has received. To me
| 1t seems that as the race is between an English
| yacht striving to win the Cup and an American
| yacht trying to defend 1t, each boat should
| have the proper backing
Those OF US who have been on the Columbia
in all her races have perfect confidence in her
l think that she will prove herself to be the
better boat whom We get the weather to mako
| a race Now the contest 10 on and we are in 1t
| to the end. The hope Of keeping the Cup 10
| placed In the Columbia and the American
| people have given proof time and again how
high they regard that silver trophy.
Surely IL any words are to be said at this
| time they should be words OF announcement.
but it seems to be the time for criticism.
| For some critics the particular task OF the
| moment appears to be to find flaws and foster
discomfort. Ny own belief in the craft cannot
be shaken by such criticisms. The men who
are sailing the yacht are as keen as they
can be for victory. Now l will not say
| that these men have been affected by talk or
| by what they have read. but yet can see
| where it might destroy part OF their energy.
| In the end this means loss OF enthusiasm and
| that may make difference in the handling OF
the yacht. This spirit is not found on the
other side. When their yachts are racing they
are Loyalty supported.
Honest criticism no one objects to. but there
are times when it is advisable TO keep criticism
quiet. Let US sail the races. | think We will
| win, and when the series is ended II We have
not won then we may be taken to task for
what We did not do. For my part cannot
see what there has boon to criticise. We have
had three days OF drifting. Any boy can whitte
out boat that will drift. The test is yet to
come. but we have already been weighed In
the balance and found wanting. This 10
amazing to me. 1t is something new In the
history OF cup racing When tho Valkyrie in
the first trial with the Nigilant In 1893 turned
the outer mark twenty minutes ahead Of the
Vigiant there was no such outbreak, and
| cannot see any reason for il now. Weneed en-
couraRement. and think We should get it."
On the Shamrock everything was quiet.
few OF the sailors were on the deck OF the yacht
playing checkers. There was nothing to be
done on the challenger. those in charge being
perfectly satisfied with her condition. All are
anxious for race and there has been con slider
able grum bling at the weather. The strain is
a great one on the men.
They have been anchored at the Hook for
about six weeks. except the short time they
were in the dry dock. but the mon are such
good -natured lot that they are all making the
best OF the conditions. Capts. Hogarth and
Wringe give them all the relaxation they can,
but there is not much sport to be found at
Sandy Hook. Sir Thomas Upton visits them
several times each day and he always has a
| pleasant word for all.
Sir Thomas is feeling the strain and he wants
the races to be sailed as quickly as possible.
Yesterday during the fog. which was SO thick
| at times that the Shamrock could not DO seen
| from the deck Of the Erin the launch was sen
over frequently to see that all WAS right.
Sir Thomas was anxious to hear what the
outlook was for breeze. Tho Shamrock 10
ready to racs at any time" said he. 'aud at a
few minutes notice. The men have had very
little to do all day. and they are getting rather
i'm patient for a real test with the Columbia
This weather cannot last forever. and If we
wait long enough We shall have the wind we
want / really think there are some persons
who think there is such thing as making the
weather to order.
l have received several cablegrams from
England during the last twenty-four hours
asking about the weather outlook. Yesterday
got despatch which was published in THE
SUN telling me to come home as tho Shamrock
had won three races This 10 my reply:
Many thanks. Clerk Of weather solely respon-
sble for state Of matters. Prospects OF spend
Ing winter of Sandy Hook whistlIng for wind
Is no Joke"
| | authorizing one OF the agents OF Sir Thomas
Upton to bet 81 900 against the Columbia. sir
! WI nRI cd about this He