Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-18
THE COLUMBIA AGAIN.
She Wins, But Unfortunately It
is Over a Cripple
BRITISH BOAT WRECKED.
Her 1OpmaSt Carries Away Early
in the Race.
THE NEXT CONTEST TOMORROW.
Meantime, the Challenger VIII Have
New Topmast Fitted-RuIe Under
which American is Bound to Take
Yesterdays Victory.
THE NEXT CONTEST TOMORROW.
Yesterdays Victory.

lO-udN the gun was nitu NHl'H StdTNsu
the Columbia and the Shamrock over the
triangular course. The Irish challenger
got over the line two seconds ahead OF
the Columbia, but the latter overhauled
and passed her in a few minutes. The
wind was blowing ~ knots, and both
yachts had all plain sails set. At liza
the Shamrock's topmast was carried
away. She Immediately put into the wind.
and abandoned the race. Nobody was
hurt.
When the accident happened the yachts
were nearly five miles from the starting
line the Columbia leading by several
lengths.
Under the revised agreement, the de-
fender sailed over the course alone, thus
scoring second win.
Official time: Start-Shamrock. n:co;l5;
Columbia, II 0o17.
First Mark. Columbia, l2:29.2S: second
mark, Columbia. 1891; finish, Columbia,
2S717
THE SHAMROCK ACCIDENT.
The topmast of the challenger, Sham
rock carried away twenty-five minutes
after the big single-sticker had crossed
the starting line to-day, and her enor-
nous club topsail. with its 5000 feet Of
canvas. came rafting down on the deck,
leaving her a hopeless cripple. No
amount Of pluck or courage could face
such a catastrophe and Captain Hogarth
Immediately abandoned the race, tow
ing back to the anchorage after he had
cleared away the wreckage.
The Columbia continued over the course
alone. placing to her credit the second
Of the races for the Americas cup. The
accident to the Shamrock ruined the race,
and caused the keenest regret among
the yachtsmen and the thousands Of
sight-seers. who were on hand 10 witness
what had promised TO be a glorious duel.
WHY COLUMBIA CONTINUED.
II is unfortunate that the defender
should have been the beneficiary OF an
accident. as there is little glory in beat
ing a cripple, but the rule is iron-clad.
II crippled before the start, time for re-
pairs is allowed but once over the line,
if ANYTHING carries away, the sufferer
must make such repairs as she can or
if rendered hors du combat, as the Sham
rock was to-day, she must take the con-
sequences. There is good sense and logic
behind the rule.
The races are a test of construction, as
well as OF design and seamanship. Doubt
less, if Dir. Iselin could have had his
choice in the matter he would generous
IL have declined to continue, in view OF
the crippled condition of his rival, but the
rules gave him no alternative. lie was 10
dutv bound to 90 on, and as he finished
we'll within the time-limit, the race was
his.
YANKEE WOULD HAVE WON. ANY
HOW.
Had the accident not occurred, how
ever il is believed that the Yankee boat
would have repeated the beating she gave
tbo challenger yesterday. During the
twenty-five minutes the yachts sailed she
had gone through the Shamrocks lead
like a streak. and had established lead
NJ more than 800 yards on the weather
bow. .
When the Puritan fouled the Genesta'
ON the inside course, in 1881 carrying
away the challenger's bowsprit ana TOP
masr. although the race was at MS
mercy under the rules Lord Richard
Sutton magnanimously refused TO claim
II TO avoid lust such a contingency III
which the beneficiary of an accident Is
a,uavs reluctant TO claim his rights,
enecisI clause was added 10 the regular
rules this year, leaving absolutely no op-
tion in the matter. This clause was slsn
ed by Sir Thomas Upton ana MI. lSeilu
a few DAYS before the date OF the hrst AZ
tempt to race. ,,r,c.r,
CAUSE OF SHAMROCK VIXEN.
The accident to-day shows what uei
cate machine a racing yacht Is hoWauaSs -
and how close to the limit oil saIe's
iii II Is a superlatively hght struc
. Du.,'' r,a,ebed down by enormous ballast
=. na,.r,, the gigantic spread or canvas.
rrha most delicate and scientific ADJUST
,nent of weights is required Inc simple
hraol,ino of a stay to-day wrecked the
Shamrock. ..
The wire backstay Of the topmast,
,,,hich helms 10 support the slender spar,
cave way. and this support removed her
Sreson-nipe topmast, as big as tele-
o,,a9b-nole sixty feet long. and fourteen
inches in diameter, snapped of Ike
match lust above the "ermast cap
This mast was not only supporting the
nressure OF a l5-knot breeze against hci
hie kite but was also sustaining Tue
crushing weight OF the sail itself ana the
Two club topsail yards each torty le''
long. On, ,rr,,-pSnAY
later i'm the afternoon the SHAMROCK
WAS towed up TO the Erie Basin IN ,he
r-nner bav. A new topmast VIII DE SET
~ t'-morrow. and she VIII De refnea-
cured She will probably be tak'-A oul
Sor spin tomorrow, 10 Try her ne"
Itch and the third race OF Ihe series
I'm he sailed on Thursday. rms race
Vim Tin he over a windward ana lee
I'D course. and II the Columbia wins
w., sor,es will have been completed WIN
o''t Giving the Shamrock an opportunity
~ ,est her merits in her favorite point
.a,I,ng-over a triangular course.
A DAY OF PROMISE.
Tho aav had promised a glorious con-
80 There were only gray, neutral
80 IN the morning, but hard,
Ing l2-knot breeze out of the east
ticke5 up the white caps, and the wina
and tide helped 10 pile up the tumphhs
waters. The pulses OF the spor,smeh
,brobbed In anticipation. and Dig eA-
c,,rsion feet slowly steamed out 10 wiz
ness the second duel between the sham-
rock and the Columbia. Some OF the
smau sailing feet got outside. piuhsihs
their bowsprits under, and "e'tins
their headsails as they waiio"eu ~
broken water. until they were siao