The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-10
SHAMROCK HAS
THE BEST OF IT
Grew of the Columbia Nervous as to
the Final Outcome.
ALL SERENE ON THE SHAMROCK.
Sir Thomas Confident of Carrying the
Cup Back TO EngIand-Races
Now Every Day But Wednes-
day Until the End.

NEW YORK. Oct. 9.-There is a buoy
ant feeling Of expectancy and excitement
among the yachtsmen tonight, not that
| they feel sure of a race tomorrow, but
they know every day will be a race day
| from now 10 the finish, with the excep-
ton of Wednesday. This agreement OF
the Regatta Committee and the Sham
rock people has proved popular 1t is q
fair proposition and everyone likes The
| manner in which 1t is met.
This has been a foggy day down around
the Horseshoe, and everything has been
quiet on the feet there exccpt On The decks
| of the Columbia, where the crews nave
been cutting and rentting sails. This Is
taken in yachting circles to indicate ner-
IN trying to put aside facts. They are
worrying on Columbia. They are calm
and confident ON the Shamrock. The
reason for all this is that the English
boat has done the better work on the
three days Of the fiukes.
STERN FACTS.
There is good reason for nervousness
among the Americans and nothing has
occurred to-day to diminish it. 1t is an
unpleasant truth but it is just as well to
admit it.
The weather Is the important thing
now. Three days Of drifting have changed
the character of the speculation. The
weather men i'm Washington promise a
southerly increasing breeze. If it comes
it will be a welcome wind to the thou
sands of yachtsmen who have come many
miles to witness the contest. If this pre-
diction is fulfilled the racers will be sent
over the line to windward down the Jer-
sey coast the course the same as Satur-
days. but that the order of sailing is re-
versed. the first leg 20 windward with a
run home This will be more satisfactory
as Il gives a better chance for Skill IN
manouvering for the weather berth at the
start
The fog siren at Sandy Hook emitted
its dolefm warning all to-day through the
layers Of mist. Dreary as the day was
II broke at least the rule Of good wind
on off-days and Gains on racing days and
on all sides there was hope that the wind
for once would be good and true on the
day of the race.
As soon as Hathaways sail-makers got
through with the alterations OF the Co
lumbias mainsail this morning, the sail
was hauled up from below, bent 70 the
mast. boom and gaff and hoisted. After
inspection by Managing owner Iselin and
Captain Barr IL was decided that the
sail was not fit to do battle tomorrow.
so it was lowered. and after some minor
alterations was holsted again at o'clock
Y al aG "A
except for the few wrinkles up near the
head under the gaff.
new club-topsail was also bent, but
not hoisted. II was made upon the yard
and covered, 10 keep II dry for the air
and was full of what ola sailors call
Scotch mist"
The mainsail was lowered soon after
4 o'clock, slowed on the boom and covered
for the night.
c. Oliver Isein arrived from the city
on a tug Just before noon. When seen
Oh board the steam yacht soont after
ne said:
I'VE are all hoping for a breeze to-
morrow so that we may finish. at least,
one race. ! should like to get this through
before Christmas"
Mr. 1selin did not caro- 20 make any
comment on the last race further than
to say that some Of the newspaper re-
porters' criticisms Of Columbia's tactics
were unfair and uncaled for The Column
bias crew, ne said, were all eager for
the next race. III we have good, steady
breeze" said he, II have every confidence
in the yacht"
SIR THOMAS CONFIDENT.
On both Shamrock and Erin an air OF
confidence is noticeable. and the men viii
be greatly surprised If they do not cqp-
ture the cup Sir Thomas himself s. IS
certain Of carrying the coveted silver
cup over the Royal Ulster Yacht Club. as
he Is that there are to be at least three
more races but he does not care to win
on a huke OF any sort. His sole desire
is for the better boat to win. and If he
canot win with the Shamrock It Is more
than likely that ne will come again next
year with another boat.
The owner of the challenger voices the
sentiment of those on the Erin that there
would be no wind tomorrow They
thought that the fog which hung heavily
over the horizon to-day would not clear up
for over twenty-four hours bat expressed
n wish many times that King Eolus would
blow his bellows vigorously tomorrow, SO
that the racers could have a chance at
each other in something beside a drifting
match.
When asked what had been done aboard
the Shamrock during the day. Sir Thomas
replied that the crew had not touched
a piece OF rigging or sail since the green
craft came into her moorings Saturday
night and his boat was ready TO sail
another race an hour after saturday 5
race was declared OIL.
NEW YOPk. oct. 1O-At . 4. NJ. SAN
M, win