Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-16

The Associated Press dispatch boat. AL
bert H. Ellis, off Long Beach, L. l.. Octo-
| Der IL, = p.m.-The Columbia turned the
windward mark, off Short Beach, at ~ 80.
The Shamrock turned at 1925. These
times are unofficial
The Columbia's lead over the Shamrock
/ is about one and one-haIf miles. The mark
was hfteen miles from the starting line.
The two yachts are now running home be-
| fore the wind. at PAS.
NEW YORK, October 16.-A heavy, damp
fog hung over the upper bay at ii Ii m.
today, and there was only light, south
erly breeze stirring, u dtscouragng out
look for the beginning OF the third week
of the attempts to sail the first OF The
series OF races in the contest for America
cup between the Columbia and the sham
rock.
The observers of the Associated Press
along the Jersey shore had no encourage
ment TO furnish the public in their carly
morning bulletins. Highland Beach at :
a. m, said the weather was thick, with a
light southeast wind blowing. and Galilce
IL the same hour reported that dense
fog prevailed there, with a light southeast
wind blowing. Both these points. however.
added that the breeze seemed to be fresh
ening. Long Branch made about the same
report.
Far Rockaway. at about 80 am. said
seven-mile breeze was blowing there from
east northeast, and steadily increasing IN
strength, and that the fog was lifting.
Long Branch, at T:45, the wind east north
east, with heavy fog. All points "sporJed
the sea smooth.
Glimpse of the Columbia.
a little later the observers near the start
caught a glimpse OF the Columbia coming
down under her mainsail in tow. Following
her closely came the Shamrock. At 10
o'clock the breeze was blowing nine miles
an hour from the southeast AT Ig:2o the
committee boats We're in place, and at I0:}G.
with the wind veering east and blowing
quite briskly, the committee signa!ed that
the course would be east Both yachts at
this time had their club topsail ana main
sails set. When the signal was made there
was but one excursion boat al the start. 10
private yachts and but few other boats
The wind at 1919 was blowing at the rate
of eight knots.
The two yachts were jockeying about the
start with their Jbs, mainsaiIs and top
sails set. when at 1855 the warning gun
fired. Both boats timed themselves
well and EybHg. came to the line. The
starting gun was fired, and so well had
they gaueed their positions that both
crossed within a minute and almost to-
gether, the Shamrock with slight advan-
taSe.
The preparatory gun had been fired from
the committee tug at 1913. The blue peter
and red ball We're hoisted simultaneous
~. Both the racers were then heading for
the line, having cast off from their tow
beats quarter of a mile north of the light
ship. Under mainsau club topsails and
tibs they came slowly down with the wind
on their quarter The Columbia broke out
her forestaysail just as the smoke had
drifted away from the signal gun. The
Slra mrock followed close after the cup de-
fender with her forestaysail still in stops.
The Columbia did not cross the line from
the windward side. but instead trimmed
her sheets and went around the committee
tug, which was anchored due south from
the lghtship, that the line a per-
feet right angle to the course.
Shamrock Kept Straight Course.
The Shamrock kept straight on her
course, leaving the tug to port, and after
the Columbia had swung off again the two
boats came into close quarters. There be-
gun a game at jockeying for the windward
position. Both trimmed sheets fiat aft and
slowly the challenger forged out into the
lead and the Columbia had to pass under
her stern.
challenger was to get the better of the
start but Barr was equal TO the occasion
and allowed the Shamrock to wear OF to
port Both boats were heading toward the
committee tug and were about a half mile
away when the warning gun was fired at
1859 The contestants worked slowly
toward the line. Captain Barr purposely
allowed the Shamrock to get couple Of
lengths ahead and short distance to wind
ward. Neither boat was in a hurry to get
to the line and the crews were kept busy
getting the jib topsails hoisted up in places
in readiness TO break out the moment the
starting gun was fired.
There was no sign of excitement on either
boat, despite the fact that the start prom