The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-05

the Columbia's mainsail was slack in yes
terday's race, Columbia's manager said:
That has been fixed. 1t was a little slack.
but not enough to affect the sailing"
RHODES MAY ASSIST BARR.
1t has been understood in some quarters
that Captain Rhodes, OF the Defender,
would be on board the Columbia in her
races to lock after the trimming of the
sails and in an advisory capacity. On board
the st. Michaels a member of the crew
said tonight: Captain Rhodes has not
been with US yet, but we all wish he was
along. He may come yet and If he does
he will be welcome"
Sandy, the Columbia's mascot, is the same
yellow dog that helped TO pilot the De-
fender to victory. He is well fed, sleek
looking and carefully guarded by the
steward. The crew feel that Sandy is in
dispensable to the success of the yacht.
Skipper Charlie Barr is not worried a
bit about the result of the races. He sticks
to his original assertion that the Columbia
is the fastest >ingle-stick yacht afioat and
that in windward or any other work she
Is more than a match for the Shamrock.
Sir Thos. Upton is not worrying over to-
morrow's race ore bit. On the contrary,
when seen to-day on the Erin. he felt con-
fident that his craft would give a good &C
count of herself no matter what kind OF
a breeze there is. He wants a good fresh
breeze, however, so that the relative speed
of the defender and the challenger can be
thoroughly demonstrated He had just re-
turned from a visit to Shamrock late this
afternoon when seen by the Associated
Press representative.
After taking a cup of tea and a little
toast Sir Thomas spoke about his sail on
the grand old schooner yacht America. 'the
boat that caused all the trouble TO quote
Sir Thomas. He said he had a splendid sail
around the bay for about two hours and
from the speed the old boat made in the
stiff southwesterly breeze he did not wonder
that she lifted the cup on the other side
nearly fifty years ago.
SIR THOMAS HOPES TO WIN.
Sir Thomas did not care TO make any
statement about to-morrow's race, excep:
that Shamrock would carry exactly the
same sails as she did in Yesterdays con-
test, and that her crew would do their best
TO cross the finish line first. The English
challenger is in the best condition for the
coming race. Not a piece of wire in her
rigging nor an inch of canva was found
to be damaged in the least degree when her
crew looked her over this morning. The
members of the crew are confdent she will
prove a winner and some of them are ready
to lay a few guineas II they get the chance.
Sir Thomas received hundreds OF cable
grams to-day from all parts Of the world,
congratulat!ag him on the splendid show
ing his boat made in light air against the
defender. Some of the cables said Sin
Thomas. ARE from people 1 do not know
personally, but that only goes to show what
a great interest is being taken in the races.
One OF them read thus: Tommy, don't
make room for your uncle"
In speaking about the manner in which
the course was kept clear, Sir Thomas said:
Yesterdays course was clearer than any !
ever saw. and only proves what j
said before / came to America, that in all
previous races the best boat has always
won. 1 may as well say now that the Sham
rock is the fastest boat ever built IN Britain
and the workmanship was the best that
money could buy. 1 can't tell what her
cost will be. but it is probably more than
you have any idea of. She cost as much as
six Valkyries. The estimates already given
are away below the mark"
Chevalier De MARITIME, the marine artist
who has been commissioned by Sir Thomas
to paint a series of pictures of the races,
was one of the party that enjoyed a sail or
the America. He said he was delighted
with the old champion, and admired boats
built Of wood more than any others. The
chevalier has not yet commenced any of his
pictures. but is making rough sketches
which, with the aid of snap shots, will give
him material for his big painting. which will
not be commenced until his return to Lon
don.
THE ERIN'S GUESTS.
Among Sir Thomas's guests tomorrow on
the Erin will be Rear Admiral Philip, u. s.
N, commandant of the Brooklyn navy
yard; Mr.. and Mrs. T. A. Edison, w
Bourke Cochran, Richard Croker, Rear Ad.
miral Lord Charles Beresford and Lady
Beresford, Sir Arnold Morley, Sir Henry
Burdette, Charles Russell and the lord chief
baron of Ireland, Baron Pollas. Rear Ad-
miral Sampson would have been aboard,
but, as he goes to Hampton Roads to-mor-
row. it will be impossible. On either Saturday
or next Tuesday Admiral Dewey will be
one of Sir Thomas's guests. Lord Mimic
governor general of Canada, will witness
Saturdays race from the Erin. and Rear
Admiral Schley has accepted an invitation
to be on board the same day. George West.
lHSHouse, the inventor, Will also De a guesl
Saturday.
To offset the Columbia's mascot, the crew
of the Erin and Shamrock also have a good
luck dog-a small fox terrier puppy. He
was laughingly pointed out to the Asso.
ciated Press man by Charles Russell and
Mr.. Barrie as the rival of the American
dog. The puppy sports an greer
ribbon, tied in a bow at the nape of his
uQCK That he fS a universal fauorita ohou,
Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht was evidenced
by the litter of small cakes and other edi
bles on the usually spotless deck.
Matthew, a Cingalese servant of Sit
Thomas, and another mascot, is rehearsint
a song to be rendered on the announcement
of Shamrock's victory. 1t is set to the tunt
of Wearing of the Green the last line Of
the chorus being:
We'll say goodbye, Mistasr Yankee,
When We bring that fiagon back"
When asked about. the condition of the
Shamrock's designer, VIM. O.. Fife, jr., Sil
Thomas said: DIR. Reid Mackey. my doe
tor, is with him, and / understand he is no
much better. / am very sorry. for / mis-.
him very much. His illness at this time II
very unfortunate"
Mr.. Fife is confined to his room in tn,
Fifth-avenue Hotel with infiammator,
rheumatism. from which he has been suffer
ing for several days. He declined last nigh
to express any opinion as 10 the perform