Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-21
DaiIp Mennebec 3opri1aL.
THE CUP STAYS.
CONTINUED from page ~

Oceans of spray came over and occa-
sionally both shipped solid crests of
water forward Everything aboard
was wet and dripping. Seldom has
there been such a smashing sea under
the bows of cup contestants. The
shamrock labored more than the Co
mmbia. once or twice she buried her
bows in the seas, wetting her head
sails.
Ten minutes of this satisfied the pa
triots that the defender was as much
superior to the Shamrock in rough
weather WindWard work as she was
in the lighter airs. She pointed almost
a point higher than her rival and foot
ed just as fast.
The Columbia had housed her work
ing topsai before they turned the
mark, but the Shamrock held on until
in the freshing wind it was deemed
dangerous to carry it longer, and a
sailor was sent aloft to lower il. 1t
was delicate job with the big 90
footer bucking into the jumping sea
like a broncho. but after five minutes
of hard work it was accomplished.
on every tack of the thrash to wind
ward the Yankee increased her lead.
sailing so close that the old salts said
she would wipe the eye of the wind
At Las, the Columbia was leading by a
quarter of q mile. The situation for
the Shamrock was desperate and the
British skipper decided to crowd on
more canvas. After some trouble he
succeeded in setting a small clubtop-
sail. The Columbia kept on under
mainsail, stay and jib.
no ba1 no
press of canvas until her decks were at
an angle of 80 degrees. Her speed was
undoubtedly increased. but her inability
to point lost her almost as much as she
gained in footing. Then she resorted to
splitting tacks. once running close in
shore under the Navesink Highlands. y
slight cant in the wind favored her at this
time and she managed to close up the
gap until little more than half n mile sep
arated her from the Columbia. Soon after
the wind slackened little and thereafter
the Shamrock lost rather than gained
ground. All excursion boats at this time
were bucking into the head seas for home.
But the pace was too hot and not half the
fleet was in at the finish.
The rush Of the racers on the final tack
was magnificent. Geysers spurted from
piled up against the weather rail. AS the
Yankee shot across the finish between the
lightship and the committee boat. the
whistles of the fleet screeched loud ap
plause
The challenger raced across ) minutes
and Il seconds later. The Shamrock re
ceived a noisier reception than the cham
pion as she finished, perhaps because SOM
of the belated vessels had arrived.
A grand spectacle followed. The victor,
after lowering her sails, set the Stars and
Stripes at her topmost truck, al both ends
of her spreader and at the taffrai!. Soon
the whole fleet blossomed out in Ameri-
can flags. They flew from every staff ana
gaff and mast.
The Corsair. the flagship of the New
York Yacht Club, had six shaping in the
stiff breeze as she went alongside the CO
lumbia and gave her three shriekin%
blasts. The crew cheered and the Dee"
Isle men aboard the Columbia responded
with barred heads Every ship in the eX
curson fleet followed, turning loose whis
ties and sirens in a maddening chorus.
Some of the excursion boats kept their
whistles going half way to New York.
The Erin later steamed up to the Co
lunDld, the QUITS anu StIiptS Hull'IliisS
from main and mizzen The Corsair
greeted her with cannon, which Sir
Thomas acknowledged by dipping tn
English Jack at the taffrail. Then the
crew of the Erin lined the rail ana gave
three cheers for the victors. The cheers
were returned with interest by the crew
Of the Columbia.
The American yacht was first to reach
her mooring buoy inside the Hook ana
when her late rival came up in tow the
sailors of both Justify cheered each other.
Sir Thomas later went aboard the Cursair
and there soon afterWard sir. lsclin
Joined him. There We're toasts to victor
and vanquished, to America and Great
Britain, to gentlemen ana ladies ana all
sorts of things, and so with Fluctuations
all around, the cup series for 1889 ended
with the best Of good feeling