The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-07


every one was determined that even II the old
boat was beaten she would not be dlsgraced.
and after 1t was all over II would be known that
there had been yacht race.
As soon as the boats were started the covers
were taken OF the mansails and they were
prepared for hoIsting as soon as they should
DO wanted. On the Columbia the lib was sent
up In stops all ready for breaking out and the
staysail was made ready to set. With c.
Oliver Iselln on the Columbia were his brother
william L. Iselin. Arthur Iseln son OF Will
liam +. Iselin. Capt. Woodbury. Kane OF the
Rough Riders. Herbert c. Leeds. and New
berry d. ThOrne.
The Defender led the way all down tho bay.
with the Columbia about two miles astern.
James StIllman was on board the Defender
with Mr.. Duncan, Her sails we're all ready for
hosting. and the Scandinavian crew. with
their white uniforms and red and black toques.
looked very neat and were apparently ready
to show that they were just as good as
the Deer Island sailors on the Columbia.
At 1925 o'clock the Defender was at the east
ern end OF tho Gedney Channel and Capt.
Rhoades set the men to work to get the club
topsail ready. The big spars were placed In
position on the deck and the sail was brought
up and laced for hosting.
At &c: 80 o'clock tho Columbia was Off the
point OF the Hook and the straps were loosened
of tho mainsail. The crew lined up on each
Blde oil the mast, one SlOe nhVlnR tne main ndl-
yards and the other the throat halyards. and
the big piece OF canvas began to rise. 1t set
well for new sail. 1t seemed to be u
little full on the cew and the leach was rather
loose These defects can soon be remedied.
The mainsail on the Defender was set shortly
after the Columbia's was run up. The crew
got to work at 10 81. and as the sail was hoisted
two battens were put In to make it SGT well on
the leach The colors OF Mr.. Duncan. a red and
all mt wit VIII in
the centre. fluttered below the gaf. At this
time the tug Luckenback. with Superintendent
Eiels Olsen on board. was heading for the Scot
land Lightship. She was to log the course as
soon as the Regatta Committee had decided
where to send the racers
The Defender was painted last Saturday and
Monday. The paint. which Is a special prepa-
ration that will hold to the aluminium topsidcs.
looked notified and patchy. Otherwise the
yacht had the spic and span appearance OF q
new boat.
HOSTING THE CLUB ToPsAILs
As soon as the mansails had been holsted
and properly trimmed. Carts. Barr and Rhoades
took the wheels on their respective yachts
and club topsails were sent alott This is
always delicate job The tugs still had
hold OF tho yachts and were keeping
their heads to tho wind. The Scandina-
Wan sailors on the Defender seemed to
be on their mettle and quickly sent the big sail
aloft where two men guided IL into position
and dashed II. The Columbia's club-topsal
was not hoisted as easily as that OF the De-
fender. A rain sduall broke about this time
and made things unpleasant for q while. but It
soon cleared away.
A few minutes past II O'Clock Commodore j.
Plerpont Morgan's handsome steamer Corsair
passed out by tho Hook. She was travelling
like racehorse trying to get to the Iightshp
st,o,r o., a,,tS H,A 49,.
triatic stay. One was red. white and blue.
which. according to the international code OF
signals. represents the letter T. and the other
was yellow flag. which stands for the letter O.
These two letters meant that the start would
be made from the Sandy Hook Lightshlp. and
the feet at once headed for that mark.
The Defender at 10 minutes past IL O'Clock
cast of her tow, broke out her lib and stood
on the starboard tack toward the Lightshp
The wind was brisk and she heeed grace
fully. Storm clouds darkened the horizon
shoreward. and tho prophets declared dole
fully that the portending downpour would
kill the breeze. Rain spluttered out OF
the blackness as the Columbia cast or
her tow and proceeded toward the Liehtship.
The breeze died out. and for some time the
yachts were in the doldrums. They pounded
and smacked the sens with their convex bows.
sending fountans OF spray squirting to port
and starboard. The rain ceased. leaving tho
yachts becalmed. Then little puff came out
OF the southeast. Then there was another
pun. the sails filed again and the racers stood
for the Lightship. The wind aoon became
steadier blowing from the south.
TRIANGULAR COURSE SELECTED.
When the Regatta Committee saw that the
columbia and Defender could reach the Sandy
Hook Lightship, and TINT the wind gave prom
lse of holding. the flag for the letter I was
hoisted on the triatic stay which notified the
yachtsmen that the race would be over tri-
angular course. The tug Luckenbnck, which
had kept close to the flagship. also hosted this
signal. to repeat it to those that could not see
1t flying from the Commodore's steamer.
The Corsair anchored to the eastward OF the
LiGhtshp at n distance that gave ample sea-
room to the racers
Then there was another wait. This time 1t
was to see that the wind held true and 10 avoid
any hukes il possible. At about twenty min
utes before noon the course signals were
hoisted. The triangle was thirty miles
In length. each side being ten miles.
The first leg was southwest by south.
the second east. half south. aud
the third north-northwest. one-half west.
These directions were signalled with the code
flags. and they few in three strings from the
stay on the Corsair. The tug Lucken back went
alongside the flagship. Superintendent Olsen
received his final instructions and the work Of
logging Off the course began. Floats with red
and white flags were carried on the tug to be
thrown overheard at the end OF the ton miles
as turning marks. These flags were to be left
on the port hand.
FLEET AT THE STARTING POINT.
The yachts by this time had reached the
starting line and were sailing about waiting
for the preparatory signal The feet OF steam
yachts, excursion steamers and tugs took
points OF vantage near the line in order to have
good view OF the start. The Iron Steamboat
Cepheus had on board the members OF
the New York Yacht Club and their
friends. and she hove to near the flag
ship Another Iron Steamboat and the
Dolphin and Bay Queen were we'll flled
with those who wished to see the trial.
l. "a -I.i.. i