The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-10
Sailors on the Yankee Boat Kept
Busy on Monday Altering and Re-
fitting the Main Sail.
HEAVY FOG ALL YESTERDAY
Hut A STIFF sOUTHERLY BREEZE
PREDICTED FOR TODAY.
weather sharps, However, Are Not
Betting on Wind Enough TO Finish
the Race Within the Time Limit.

NEW YORK, Oct s-There is buoyant
feeling of expectancy and excitement among
the yachtsmen tonight. not that they feel
sure of q race tomorrow, but that they
know every day will be a race day from
now out to the finish. with the exception OF
Wednesday. This agreement of the regatta
committee and the Shamrock's people has
proved popular. 1t Is fair proposition and
every one likes the manner in which IL Is
met.
This has been a foggy day down around
the Horseshoe and everything has been
quiet on the fleet there. except on the decks
os the Columbia, where the crews have
been cutting and refitting sails. This Is
taken an yachting circles to indicate ner-
vousness. There is nothing TO be gained
In try ing TO put aside facts. They are wor-
rying On Columbia; they are calm and con-
fident on Shamrock The reason for all this
is thai the English boat has done the bet
ter work on the three days of the fukes.
Look at II from whatever standpoint you
will, the plain facts stare you in the face
On two OF the days at the moment the
signal race on was set Shamrock was
in the lead. On the third day she was no
worse than on even terms. Indeed. the
weight of opinion is that she was ahead
considering her position and the fact that
she started some seconds behind Columbia
Add to this her time allowance OF six Sec
onds and the chances are still more In
her favor. There Is good reason for ner-
vousness among the Americans and moth
ing has occurred to-day TO dimfsish H. 1t is
an unpleasant truth. but II Is Just as well
TO admit IL.
The weather Is the important thing now.
Three days Of drifting have changed the
character of the speculation. 1t Is now
quite as much will there be race" as
which will win? The weather man in
Washington promises southerly increas-
ing breeze. II IL comes X will be a well
come wind TO thousands OF yachtsmen who
have come many miles TO witness the con-
test II this prediction Is fulfilled the rae
ers will be sent over the line 20 windward
down the Jersey coast. The course viii be
the same as Saturdays, but with the order
of sailing reversed-the first leg 20 wind
ward with a run home. This will be more
satisfactory, as Ii gives better caance for .
skill in maeuvering for the weather terth at
the start.
A DREARY, MISTY DAY.
The fog siren at Sandy Hook emitted its
doleful warning all to-day through the lay
ers OF mist. Dreary as the day was IL
broke at least the rule Of a good wind on
off days and calms on racing days. and on
all sides there was hope that the wind for
once would be good and true on the day OF
days. The weather observers for once kept
their hands for time of the business OF
storm sighting. Both Mr.. lselin and Sir
Thomas Upton appreciate all they have
Co. 49, st..~ hall
which the weather men rushed In on sun
day caused worry on botn sides. The hur-
r.cane turned out TO be stretch OF fog
which settled down over the sea-
AS soon as Hathaways saiimakers got
through with the alterations on. the CO.
lumbia's mainsail this morning the san was
hauled up from below. bent TO the mast.
boom end gaf and hoisted. After inspec-
tion by Managing Officer Iselin and Captain
Barr IL was decided that the sail was not
yet fit to do battle tomorrow. SO IL was
lowered, and after some minor alterations IL
was hoisted again at p. m, when II set
almost as fiat as a board. except for a
few wrinkles UP near the bead under the
gaff. A new club topsail was also bent
but not hoisted- II was made up on the
yard and covered TO keep II dry. for the air
was full OF what old sailors call Scotch
mist The mainsail was lowered soon after
o'clock, slowed on the boom and covered
for the night.
C./Oliver Iselin arrived from the city on
tug just before noon. When seen on board
the ST. Michaels soon after he said: I'VE
are all hoping for a breeze tomorrow so
that we may finish at least one race. /
should like to get through before Christ
mas"
day after Thursday was satisfactory 10 him
he said: Yes. indeed; We are only too
glad to be able TO race every day and finish
up the SERIES"
IsELIN SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT.
Mr.. Iselin did not care 10 make any COM
ment on the last race. further than TO say
that some OF the newspaper criticisms OF
the Columbia's tactics were unfair and un-
called for. The Columbia's crew. he said
were all well and eager for the next race
IF we have a good steady breeze" he
said, "I have every confidence in the yacht"
The docking Of the yachts between races.
which was the original intention II they
showed signs OF becoming foul, will have
to be abandoned on account OF the new ar
rangements. IL will be fair for one as
the other II now stands. say the owners.
who feel that what little growth may have
accumulated can make very little difference
In the sailing OF the two yachts.
Sir Thomas Upton remained on board
the Erin all day. He did not deny himself
TO visitors. but gave all his usual cour-
teous greeting when they came up the
gangway. He was expecting 90 attend
private dinner given In his honor tonight
at ore OF the big hotels in the city. but sent
a telegram to the gentleman who was TO lie
his host. begging TO be excused until after