The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-20

ninging down drops of nasty moisture
ana there was promise OF a day OF
clear sunshine, good breeze and a rae
ing sea, combination that has not
been prevalent during the unfortunate
trial days. The wind at that hour was
blowing fully 10 miles an hour from the
north northeast with every indication
that it would be more east, sending the
yachts down the Jersey coast.
The tide was running ebb and the
wind therefore did not kick up such a
bad sea, although II meant the swash-
ing Of the lee rails and the burying Of
noses once in while for the yachts.
The line Of observation was somewhat
limited at o'clock by a little fog and
a great deal Of haze, but the brisk wind
and the sun cleared IL away somewhat
as the morning advanced. There was
some disposition on the part Of many
old weather wise ones near the start.
however. to be skeptical about t(a
stout breeze holding out for the race.
TOW BOATS DISCARDED.
II was nearly half past O'Clock when
the observer near the starting line saw
the white wings OF the yachts appear
ing out of the haze and jumping along
under a spanking breeze toward the
line The Shamrock pushed her nose
through the foam as IL the breeze had
Il D
lumbia sat up straight on and looked a
trile more dignihed. but both sped
along In manner that spoke well for
a much closer contest than any pre-
ceding one IL the stiff wind would hold
out
The yachts had ignored their tow
boats for the first time and had
jumped out OF the smooth water Of the
Hook into the choppy sea. and under
haf af
ability TO move so rapidly
The Shamrock had her mainsail and
jib set when she started out and CO.
lumbia had her inainsail only. Even
with that small amount of sail they
came tearing along toward the start
ing point like torpedo boats and driv-
ing the choppy sea from their smooth
sides in masses OF white foam.
JoCKEYING FOR POSITION.
At l0.45 the preparatory gun was fired
from the regatta committee tug Walter
A. Luckenbach. which had anchored
| east OF Sandy Hook lightship. When
| the signal was given the Columbia was
| shooting up TO the windward OF the
starting line on the starboard tack. She
| carried mainsail and jib only. but had
her staysail in stops ready TO break out.
The white boat heeled over so far
| that the lee rail was under water all
the time. and the spray flew over her
| sharp bows. The Shamrock was half
a mile south Of the lightship. but Ho-
garth was watching for the gun and
when he say the smoke drifting away
from the committee tug. followed a
few seconds later by the report. fetched
the Shamrock about. and hurried TO get
the weather Of the line.
THE Columbia came about and ran
down to meet her rival Then coming
about again reached up TO windward
ahead of the challenger. Hogarth fol-
lowed in the Columbia's wake and IL
vas noticed that even after putting up
| the topsail the Shamrock did not pick
I'm any on the American. Both boats
! broke out forestay sails when the worn
| mo pun was fred at 1885 and the crews
| hurried 10 get their spinpakers READY TOT
| breaking out on the starboard side.
The Shamrock was first 10 gybe over
and head for the starting line. ana was
followed Immediately by the Columpla.
Eant uogarth apparently slowed up
triae. 80 that the cup defender was able
to reach up TO the Shamrock's weather
ouarter and i'm these positions the Two
racers ran along at tremendous speeu.
nv this time each craft had nearly
reached the committee tug marking tne
east end OF the line and althougn .ne
Columbia was up 10 w1ndward OF ne.
|
gun was fred. put no her tiher anu
( swung off to cross the line breaking
/, out her balloon lib as she did SO.
THE START.
Cant. Barr appeared to be In no nur-
nv TO get awav and instead or SWING
ING over the line. ran along by II at
most 20 the hghtship. The Shanirock
skippers were not going TO wait Tor the
American boat but crossed the llne AZ
II On. "a the crew hauling the spinnaker
ont TO the end Of pole as she swcp.
over Rarr's apparent motive IN no,
crossing TO the eastward or his rival
Was 10 save time bv holding back until
tuet before the handicap gun and ais
90 no In n position 90 break M the
sbamrock's wind The breeze that was
hioving when the boats started II wa'
doubtful whether she gained advanfag.
, 10 any extent.
HOGARTHs TRICK.
c.antain Hogarth evidently had ~
, erich OF Yesterday IN mind TO rive th'
| Columbia the rs secon Is allowance fifh
ON the etart eo that s'artinC eei-f~ ~
couia gauge thp wind. Caniain Bar
eboi the Columbia down almost as 2
, willing and then. on the moin,M