Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-10-10
THREE RACES A FAILURE
Columbia and Shamrock Are Close
ly Matched.
EXCEED TIME LIMIT.
One of the Most Remarkable Races
in the Long Series of
Cup Trials.

New York, Oct 3.-The first race of
the series for the America $. cup between
Columbia and Shamrock proved one of
the most remarkable of any yet sailed for
the greatest of all trophies. Light breezes
prevailed, varied in spots by a puff or
two, and in turn both boats enjoyed the
benefit and suffered a change in position
Excursion boats, of which there We're
hundreds, interfered in Il measure with
the progress of the racers, and in this re-
spect Columbia suffered most. The of
fetal start was as follows: Shamrock,
II 1881; Columbia 11:16:20.
Shamrock gained n hundred yards at
the start and she increased her lead dur
ing the first hour. Columbia'S sails did
not set properly, particularly her balloon
er, and she disheartened her followers
by her lifelesS work.
Suddenly, however, with change of
SAIL and a puff OF a breeze. the Ameri-
can cup defender took on new life and
within few minutes she had oyerhauled
her rival, and was pushing her white
nose through the water at a rapid rate,
outfooting the challenger, and gaining at
every dip of her nose. She made the lead
more than half mile III a short time,
but then her spinnaker seemed to set
badly. She carried it few minutes
longer, during which time she lost
ground. AMI within two miles of the
mark the Shamrock was again making
up her lost ground. being not more than
one-third of Il mile astern.
They rounded the mark as follows: Co
lumbia. l :3S:4 Shamrock, :4O:11. The
enthusiasm was wild.
On the beat back, there was Il success
sion of small tacks, the Columbia max
ing move for move with the Shamrock.
until about 2:45, when with the Sham
rocks standing off shore. the Columbia
split lacks with her keeping on in shore
for ten minutes.
This was an unfortunate move for the
Columbia skipper. for the wind not only
lighted in shore. but shifted to eastward.
so that the Shamrock which tackled ut
2:46 was greatly benefited by the
change.
Shamrock gained by this combination
Of circumstances the lead which she mad
lost early in the race. and gradually
worked ahead of the Columbia, lead
which she held to the end.
The time limit of five and half hours
expired at 4:40 and at that time both
yachts were three miles east of the High
lands and the same distance from the
finish line at Sandy Hook lightship. The
Shamrock was ahead, but at the time
the race was called off a person could
toss Il biscuit from the Shamrock TO the
Columbia.
Second Race.
New York. Oct 5.-The race today was
simply a drifting match and. like the
first. was not completed i'll the time linn
it. The breeze was from west-southwest
at the start, but shifted to north-north-
west later in the day. The Columbia led
the Shamrock but the latter showed re-
markable light-weather qualities The
weather was haZy and the positions of
the yachts during the various phases of
the race We're not easily discerniblc. At
1902 o'clock both yachts took in their
sails and were towed TO anchorage.
When they gave up the drift they were
five miles southeast of Sandy Hook light
ship.
Third Race.
New York, Oct. THE race today
was declared off owing to the expiration
of the time limit, after the yachts had
covered two-thirds of the complete
course. The wind was north-northea st.
and the yachts were sent away before
the wind to a mark fifteen miles down
the Jersey coast. The Columbia crossed
the line about IL seconds ahead of the
Shamrock, and was Il leader for about
seven miles. Then the Shamrock passed
her. The boats We're close together
rounding the mark. When the race was
IncIarnJ off tho ColuD,bio xxyoc oo,l;,,r