The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-06

somewhat dampened the ardor of the
patriotic throng Of Americans Who love
nothing more than forehandedness and
skill, but sixty seconds later both boats
were even terms, fleeing before the
gentle breeze, spinnakers balancing
mainsails and buging balloons draw
ing UPWARDS The bells of the eX-
cuTsion fleet changed, and the carreening
hulls started forward in pursuit. But
they slowed down almost Immediately
and then almost stopped. The lazy
breeze was carrying the big Yachts down
the Narrows. They drifted down like
two clouds OF smoke upon the surface of
| the water their frail hulls slipping
through the placid seas as gracefully and
peacefully as if they had been in a
dreamleSs sleep.
COLUMBIA LEADS
For almost an hour the spectators on
the excursion boats watched them drift
like Coleridge's painted ship upon a
painted ocean," The only cheering fea-
ture of the situation was that the Column
bia steadily gained, as inch by inch she
crept along. AT the end of fifteen minutes
several lengths of clear water showed be-
tween her and her green rival The
bands played and few whistles footed
On, on she moved until she was fully 800
yards ahead. 1t was picturesque, but not
exciting. The immense spread of canvas
including the balloon jib, was drawing in
the gentle breeze The whole crew of
each yacht was aft to act as ballast and
to keep the head of the yachts up. Only
a few of them were busy easing sheets
and tightening halyards.
Then the wind began to die and the
great balloons of canvas forward col
lapSed like meal sacks. At the same time
the wind canted a little and Columbia
concluded to change her tactics. She took
in her spnnaker and tried reaching, leav-
ing the balloon jib set. 1t was a chal-
lenge to the Shamrock on her best point
of sailing and Capt. Hogarth eagerly &C
cepted the gage. They went heading over
toward the Long Island shore, and the
Columbia continued to increase her lead.
The Shamrock chagrined, attempted to
crowd on little more canvas by setting
her stay sail, but it only took the pre-
cious wind from her balloon and the sail
itself hung from her as loose as a wet
rag.
AS the yachts approached nearer the
Long Island shore the haze lifted for a
moment and Long Branch, with its big
hotels deserted Of their summer crowds,
rose as if by enchantment from the deep.
Then it closed down again and the lazy
yachts drifted on. The great ocean liner
Auguste Victoria, of the Hamburg-Amer
lean line, outward bound to Southamp-
ton, broke through the misty circles
where the yachts were battling for the
supremacy and slowed down for mo-
ment to let the passengers who lined
the rail catch glimpse of the contest
Then she dipped her flag and sped on,
vanishing like a flying express train into
the gloom. A few minutes later the
Cunard liner Servia, with the English
Jack at her taffrail, appeared as If by
magic through the outer edge Of the cur
tain and came foam1ng into port. In vain
the patrol boats whistle blew warn
ing, but she swung slightly outward as
she came on straight through the course,
dipped her flag as she got abeam of the
racers and disappeared like a streak,
three-quarters of q mile to leeWard.
IMMIGRANTS PLEASED.
The immigrants aboard crowded upon
her forecastle deck to see the sight, and
what they saw pleased them immensely.
There was the representative of the new
world in which they had decided to cast
their fortunes leaving the representative
of the old world astern It was a good
omen Of the future to each of them.
The Columbia got most Of the wash from
the big transatlantic uncr, bobting on
the huge wave as 1t went under her and
splitting much precious wind out Of her
sails. Meanwhile the excursion fleet was
pushing toward the outer mark. When
they got there they waited for an hour,
but the champions had not come Through
the mist they could be just made out,
looking like high-peaked circus tents.
Then when the wind hauled around to
the south southwest and the racers had
taken in their spinnakers to beat into 1t
closehauled, the excursion boats all puff
ed back to see what they were doing at
this point of sailing
For the rest Of the race the yachts were
half the time in the doldrums, with their
sails Tapping listlessly. When the
streaks of wind would strike them they
would huff and tack and split tacks. each
vainly endeavoring to get into the place
where the light zephyrs were trying to
crinkle the smooth surface Of the ocean.
For two hours they kept this up, during
which time no one seemed to be able to
tell how lie Shamrock drew up with her
adversary
There was an end to the prolonged
agony and suspense at 3:43, when it was
apparent to everybody that the yachts
could not reach the turning point, much
less the finish, and with the boats on
even terms the committee called the race
off.
DRAMATIC INCIDENT
The most dramatic and picturesque in
cident of the day occurred at the finish,
and it repaid the thousands of sight |
seers for the disappointment they were
experiencing. Just before the regatta |
committee boat broke out the signal !
which declared the race off, the specta- !
tors, all Of whom were in doubt as to
which boat was ahead, were watching |
the yachts with intense interest. They |
had split tacks, and now the Columbia |
was sailing toward the Irish boat on the |
port tack, with the evident intention of |
crossing her bow The water between |
them grew narrower and"narrower until |
aboard. Everybody on the excursion |
fleet expected her to cross the Shamrock's |
bow, but Capt. Barr found it too risky |
and as the American champion rose in /
a queenly fashion on a heavy swell, he /
put his helm down and came about on the /
starboard tack on the Shamrock's lee.
1t was a disappointing moment for the
patriots. Although the Columbia had
her nose in front the challenger Tapped |
her and had the weather gauge.
Just at this juncture the signal went UP
declaring the race off, and before the
astonished spectators realized what had
happened they saw both yachts, whose
shippers had evidently been waiting for
the signal, turn about on their heels for
home. The movement they executed
was like two dancers in waltz after
the music had stopped or like two boys
giving a jigstep when the days work is
done
PRETTY PICTURE
The sea was a picture. All about the
horizon was a tangle of masts and stacks
and sails. Away off to the eastward
the White Star steamer Germanic was
coming in from the Atlantic, with bone
in her teeth A full rugged ship, with
all her royals set, was sailing proudly
out to sea, while off to the westward, In
the direct track Of the excursion fleet,
as every vessel headed straight for