Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-06
THE RACE AGAIN OFF.
Sea a Second Time Refuses
Yachts an Opportunity
A MERE DRIFTING MATCH
More Of a Pluks in Some Respects
Than Tuesdays.
sIGHT-sEERs MUCH DISAPPOINTED.


NEW YORK. october 5.-Again to-day
the sea refused the Shamrock and the
Columbia a field of conflict; again to-day
the multitude which went out to watch
the contestants for the yachting cham
pionship Of the world returned disap-
pointed, ana not a little Disguised. The
question OF supremacy between the two
great yachts is still as much as open
question as before they first met, as the
contest to-day was in some respects more
Of a huke than that Of Tuesday. 1t was
a drifting match almost from start to
finish.
The yachts crossed the L. with
breeze Of five knots, and the wind never
blew more than six knots, most Of the
time less than three, and part Of the time
not a breath of air was stirring. After
sailing four hours and forty-three min
utes, the yachts having covered only
twelve miles Of the course TO the outer
mark. the Regatta Committee declared
the race off, as it was manifesty impos
sible. with the breeze then blowing, for
the boats to round the stake before the
time-llmit should expire, much less to get
back home again.
During the time In which the yachts
were at it, the wind, which carried them
dead before it over the line, had hauled
around, until at the finish ther were beat
ing into its teeth. While the wind held
astern the Columbia steadily outfooted
her rival, Until she was fully half a mile
ahead, but in the shifting, battling winds
that followed during the last three hours,
with the great singe-stickers lacking and
beating and gybing TO catch every streak
of wind. and with fortune helping one
about as much as the other, the sham
rock gradually worked her way up until,
when the race was declared of, the TWO
boats were about on even terms, the
Shamrock. perhaps, half a length ahead,
but so close was the Columbia that Cap
tain Barr could have thrown a biscuit TO
tho foreigner.
ONLY LESSON LEARNED.
The only lesson learned by the nautical
sharps from tO-days trial Of the
abilities OF the two boats Is that in light
weather conditions the Columbia is the
superior in running and reaching and
the Shamrock is slightly better in beat
ing There has yet been no indication
of what either boat can do in u piping,
wholesale breeze.
So gentle wore the crestless, pulsating
seas that any kind of river or harb0r
craft could venture out with impunity
and a colony OF eXcurslOu-boats, yachts.
tugs. side-wheelers. and sailing vessels
o
Sandy Hook lght-ship, seven miles from
the entrance to the lower bay to watch
the start.
A heavy haze hung over the sea, and
shut of the view of the thousands wait
ing on the highlands OF Navesink and the
Long Island shore. The tOrpedO-bOats,
guarding tho course, threaded their way
i'm and out through the acres of boats
like needles. their wakes a thread Of
foam. warning the excursion shippers to
keep their distance. But little difficulty
was experienced to-day, as Captain
Evanss interviews. threatening dire con-
sequences 20 offending shippers, had had
q wholesome effect
CROWD DISAPPOINTED.
Already the crowd was disappointed
Each one had come down praying for a
stiff breeze and had found instead that
there was hardly wind enough 70 keep
the flags huttering. What there was from
northwest by north from over the
land. Preparations were made aboard
both yachts for the lghtest airs before
the start. The Columbia discarded her
heavy steel topsail yard for a lighter
and longer pine one, and the Irish boat
sent aloft the largest club topsai ever
seen on her, larger by yards than any
used in her trials on this side.
Mrs. Iseln. wife of the managing owner
Of the Yankee boat. and who never fails
| TO be aboard during a race. was snugly
ensconced IN the companiOnway OF tho
| Columbia, attired in a jaunty white han
mel costume, with a red streamer arOunC
her hat
As soon as the committee-boat mac
hoisted the signal letters. I'd. c. L.
| making the course fifteen miles southeast
bv south. before the wind and return q
putting tug stood straight ont to sea q
| plant the outer mark. which neither oil
| the racers was destined 10 round to-day
I There was some pretty manoeuyring be-
| hind the line before the start each bOal
| breaking out her balloon-jib and lowering
her spinnaker- boom as the two jocIoyeC
for position.
THE START.
Both got across in the smoke Of The
last gun. the white beauty length
| ahead and in the windward berth.
The official time Of the start was:
| Columbia, n0O:53.
Shamrock. 1l:Ol05.
The wind was blowing hardly five
| knots. AS she crossed the green boat
broke out her spinnaker, which was II
| stops. 1t Is the English fashion TO hois
this sail from the BOOM and the Sham
rock. in her trials, clung TO the English
way. but since her arrival she has learn
ed many Yankee tricks, and breaking
| out the spinnaker is one Of them. The
| cum defender was a little SLOW In getting
| her big-bellying sail out and this some
| what dampened the ardor OF the patriotic
| throng of Americans, who love nothinl
| SO much as forehandedness and snap. bu
en- seconds later both boats were on ever
| terms. fleeing before the gentle breeze
| wing and wing. spinnaker balancing main
| sail and bullying balloon-jib drawing for
| ward. The bells in the engine-ro0ms o.
| the excursion fleet changed, and th'
| careening hulls started forward In pur
| suit But they slowed down almost i'm
| mediately and then stopped.
PAINTED SHIPS ON PAINTED OCEAN
| Tho Iioht braeze was carving the big