Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-20
COLUMBIA LEADS
But Not Enough Wind to
Finish the Race.
Shamrock 0utcIassed Under Very Con-
ditions for Which She Longed.
Columbia About 3 Miles Ahead and Gaining,
al End OF Race.

New York, Oct. 19.-Had the wind
held, today, the Columbia Shamrock
series for the Americas cup would
have ended in three stright heats for
the defender and the Irish mughunter
would have sailed home without the
trophy, beaten as decisively as any
past candidate for cup honors. Only
the failure Of the wind saved her from
experiencing a defeat more singing
than she suffered, Monday, when, over
windward and leeward course 80
miles, she lost the race by 10 minutes
and s seconds
Today, she was beaten on the run to
the outer mark minutes and 81 sec
onds, elapsed time, and on the leg
home. which should have been beat,
but which, owing to a shift of the wind,
was a broad reach the white flyer sail
ed away from her like a witch. When
the race was declared off, about 10
minutes before the expiration of the
time limit, the Columbia was leading
by about three miles. She was then
four miles from the finish. Had the
race ended the challenger would have
been beaten by at least 20 minutes.
Sir Thomas boat was very badly
CATION of talent aboard of her The
two English captains and the captain
of Emperor Williams yacht Meteor
failed to get her over the line before
the handicap gun was fired and she
went in the race penalized by two sec
onds on that account.
The additional ballast which was put
into her, yesterday. also seems to have
been blunder on the part of her man
ayers. as it increased the size of the
body to be forced through the water
and in the light air that prevailed, to-
day. retarded instead of increased her
speed. The Herreshoff model has now
demonstrated her great superiority at
all points of sailing in light and moder-
ate weather over the Fife creation.
What the Shamrock might be able to
do in rough weather and a reefing wind
is still problematical, but after the
drubbing she has received the experts
are almost unanimous in the belief that
the Columbia can take her measure in
light airs or gale Of wind. The crew
of the Shamrock are now convinced
that we have the better boat. Before
the race, Monday. they had the most
supreme confidence in their ability to
win with the Shamrock.
There was 70 living with them
said one Of the Yankee tars on the
did not think their boat would win.
They absolutely knew it. They would
not even hear arguments. After they
returned from the race, Monday, they
were So sore that they would not speak
to each other. Now they are frank
enough to admit that the Columbia is
the better boat by 10 minutes over a
80 mile course"
The yachts will race again, tomor-
row. and even if the Columbia wins
there is a possibility that two more
races Will be sailed A suggestion to
this effect has been made and Sir
Thomas appears anxious that it should
be carried out. He has been greatly
has made, but believes she must do
better over a triangular course in
heavier wind and has said that he
would be pleased to sail two more
races.
This was a radiant day for those
afloat. Though a veil of light haze
hung over the horizon, not a cloud
flecked the blue sky. A 10-knot land
Ditele DltN out OF the northwest. ~
big holiday crowd went out to witness
what all supposed would be the last
race of the cup series. The bay was
alive with sails. Fifty or more sailing
ships Of every style Of rig. which had
been weather bound for two weeks,
We're speeding seward.
The course, today. was laid Is miles
before the wind southeast by south.
straight out to sea. After some pretty
behind the line. Capt.
Barr bested the talent aboard the chal-
lenger, sending the Columbia flying
across the line p seconds ahead of his
adversary.
The handicap gun doomed two sec
lnds before the Shamrock crossed and
she sailed away with that penalty in
addition to the 16 seconds she now al
ows the Columbia. The race to the
outer mark was not exciting. Both
Yachts crossed with bullying balloons,
nainsails and their largest clubtopsails
Ira wing. But as the wind had pulled a
little TO southwark after the course
Continued on page 81
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