Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-10-17
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
The COLUMBIA Sails Alone.

IHG OOluhOI<t 9tiiio RiohS'
Highlands, o.. 17.-Flushed with
victory, the sailors of the Columbia
we're early astir and busy this morning
examining the yacht to see that no part
was strained or broken In the race of
yesterday.
The course is triangular one. The
first leg is beat of ten miles, east by
south; the second leg is reach of ten
miles, southwest, one half west, and the
third is q ten mile run home, north,
northwest with the wind beam.
Both yachts started for the starting
point some time before the hour of the
rice.
When the Saamrock's club topssil
was finally sci 1t was seen thet Captain
Hogarth had hoisted the immense top
sail of which so much had been spoken
by Yachting cranks. If the Brilisber
keeps this large sheet up during the
race, while the wind is blowing its pre-
sent velocity. then he is taking every
chance to return him winner.
At 10:45 the preparatory gun was
fired.
The wind is freshening, blowing ten
knots. Shamrock crossed the line fol.
lowed by the Columbia on her weather
quarter. Shamrock crossed at 11:0l;
shamrock at 11:01:42. After crossing
the line the Shamrock tried to outfoot
her rival instead OF outpointing her.
Hogarth did not break out his baby
jib topsail The Columbia seemed to
be slowly cutting down the Shamrock's
lead and at the same time she is out.
pointing. The wind is blowing stronger
every minute, and the Shamrock's club
topsail was carried way at 11:25 o'clock.
The wind was too strong for the Sham
rocks topsail, aud the biggest topsail
ever set on any boat has lost her the
race. The Britisher Immediately came
about and started for home under her
mainsail and fore staysail. Under the
agreement entered into by the owners
it is stipulated that should any boat be
disabled the other boat shall sail over
the course alone. Columbia appeared
to be slightly in the lead, when the &C.
cident to the Shamrock occurred.
Highland, 11:43.- Just few seconds
after the. accident the mist shut down
and the yachts were lost TO view. The
racers must have been about four miles
from the turning stake when the acct
dent took place. The excursion fleet
seemed parslyzed with surprise. Some
stood still, others wheeled around and
foIlowered the disabled racer, while
others tagged after the Columbia on her
long trip alone.
Off Sandy Hook, Oct. 17.-Shamrock
will lose the second race with Columbia
because of an accident to her spars.
Twenty.four minutes after the boats
crossed the line this morning her top.
mast snapped under the strain of the
big club topssil she had been using and
came down to the deck with terrific
crash. Shamr ock was forced TO aban-
doned the race and at once started for
the Horseshoe to make repairs.
Sbamrock's huge club had been the
marvel and envy of American yachts
men ever since the green boat came
over to try to "lift" the cup. The sail,
the p'ide of the Britishers heart, prov
ed to be her undoing.
At 11:24 the two yachts were stand
ing on the port tack, and going through
the water like scared horses. They
were still almost on even terms. Sud.
/. denly there was puff of wind and
the huge club topsail on Shamrock
shivered, rolled up aDd then came
down at rush, falling into the belly
of the mainsail. A cry of consterna-
lion went up. Shamrock's topmast
had snapped off clean eighteen inches
above the top of the mainmast. The
boats were by this time five miles
on their way, or half way TO the stake.
The topmast came down, carrying the
topsai and both it's taper spars. In
the fall the topmsst club was broken.
All the top gear came down. While
her men cleared away her hamper, Lip
toms Erin ran up to learn the details OF
the accident and to see if anyone had
been hurt. He then signalled for the
Lawrence, the Shanrock's tender.
This tug came up and taking Shamrock
in tow, started for home. Columbia
kept right on the course.
| Columbia took no chances OF suffering
similar mishap for she Immediately
took 10 her baby iib topsail and thus
eased the strain on her topmast.
Shamrack's men Will spend the balance
of the day stepping new topmast and
preparing for tomorrow's contest.
AS thu Columbia crossed the line at
2:36, winner of the second race, excur-
sion boats and all kinds of craft let forth
blast of whistles that must have
stirred the Columbia's sailors.
The next race will be called on Thursday.