The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-19

Sandy Hook. Oct. 19.-Again the
tickle wind prevented a decisive contest
between the Columbia and Shamrock.
The cup defender had made grand
showing in the light and taffling air
that prevailed and had clearly outsailed
the Shamrock to the outer mark
When this was rounded the American
yacht was six minutes and five seconds
ahead Of her rival and increasing her
lead.
But the wind. which had been falling.
seemed TO die out altogether shortly
after the mark was left astern and the
boats remained almost oecalmed, In
the fitful airs that came later the CO.
lumbfa maintained her lead and was
fully a mile to the front when il be-
came apparent neither boat could fin
ish within the time limit and the race
was declared off.
New York. Oct. l9-There was a
cloudless blue sky over the Battery
at seven O'Clock this morning and a
light but steadv, northwest breeze was
blowing. The Long Island and Jersey
shores OF the upper bay were slightly
cegered wS.h haze. but the Indications
were that the day would be clear and
cooler with light to fresh north to
northwesterly winds. The steamer
Blackbird, flying the Shamrocks flag
was at her usual place near the barge
oiilce wafting FOR the Ruests of Sir
Thomas Upton. and four or five press
dispatch boats we're also moored in
tnat vicinity awaiting the scribes who
were To report what. as they hoped
would be the last Of the series of races
this year for the Americas cup. There
was much speculation as to result of
the Shamrock's added ballast and in
creased waterline. The old salts along
the water front. however. adhered to
their former statements that the
Columbia had the stuff in her 10 beat
the green flyer in any and all sorts of
a breeze.
CREWS AT WORK.
on board the Columbia and the
Shamrock. the crews were up with the
sun and soon afterwards had their jit5
and staysails up in stops and covers off
their mainsails. ready TO make sa at
a moments notice. BY 5 O'Clock the
udu bctH ldhen lll LOW ny
the tug James A. Lawrence and was
heading for the point OF the hook. She
mad her mainsail up and was sending
ciubtoDsail of small size aloft.
The Columbia which was then fast to
| her buoy commenced hosting her
mainsall. Five minutes later Shamrock
was under sail in the lower bay. She
had mainsail. clubtopsail and jib set
| and was trying her new topmast.
One or two OCEAN liners going down
| the bay early i'm the morning saluted
| the yachts as they passed out TO sea
while all around on the waters hovered
| the usual flock OF fishermen, Swimming
about in lively mannerunder the
| freshening breeze. According to the
rules the yachts today were set down for
a 10 mile run or beat from Sandy Hook
| lightship and return and early this
morning the conditions indicated that
| the Yachts would go before the wind
| i'm southeasterly direction with a
beat back a total distance of 30 miles.
! This course would mean running
/ straight out to sea away from either
! shore and with no chance Of fiuky
winds off the Jersey or Long Island
shores.
some Of the old fishermen at the
| Highlands. however. shook their heads
when they saw the northwest wind and
| said that the breeze would not hold the
/ U1N out anu NileNA tAif NNoAhNi NNNiN
probably be a repetition OF that of two
| weeks ago.
SIR THOMAS NOT HOPEFUL.
The Shamrock passed out the end OF
the Hook under racing sails at $50.
The Columbia got outside the Hook
soon after o'clock with mainsan SET
| and headsails up in stops. To repre-.
I sentative Of the Associated Press whC
/ saw Sir Thomas Upton on board tn,
Erin at 7:30 a. m, the owner OF th'
! Shamrock said the wind appeared to bi
| a diving wind. He added that he hard
! ly dared TO hope there would be enough
| 10 permit OF finish race today. TIL,
Indications at 2 o'clock. however. seem
,d very good for race. Mr.. G. Olive
| Isern declined 10 express an opinion
! upon the Weather. The Shamrock II
running out TO, the lightship. found tn,
wind light.
A PECULIAR CONTRAST.
There was peculiar contrast be
tween the weather at the Highlands
and at Sandy Hook. At the Highland
at 9:i5. there was n good breeze from
the northwest blowing over H. knots an
hour. and. inside OF New YORK harpor
many white caps could be seen Tine
weather was also quite clear inshore.
AZ Sandy Hook lightship. or near
that point. the yachts seemed 20 ha-e
no more than a or S-knot breeze, while
| the haze was so dc-ss that the light