New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-03
COLUMBIA'S MAST BREAKS.
UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT TO THE NEW
CUP DEFENDER.
,.rr AT NEWPORT BROUGHT TO A SUDDEN
END-NARROw ESCAPE FROM
SERIOUS DAMAGE

Newport r. L. Aug 2.-The race between the
Columbia and the Defender for the cup offered
Nv the Newport Racing Association came to a
sndden end this afternoon. The yachts under
xoost magnificent weather conditions. had sailed
aver about seven miles of the course. when the
rav steel mast Of the Columbia suddenly
.,snned about thirty feet from the deck tumb-
ling her entire suit Of sails into the water This
&c the worst accident that has ever occurred to
On American racer practically on the eve Of the
Gun contest. The only wonder is that the CO.
Iumbia did not suffer more serious injury as
result Had there been a heavy sea her delicate
bottom would have been badly pounded by the
broken spars. Fortunately the water was
Quiet and by heroic effort the crew was able
70 keep the yachts sides clear and her hull thus
escaped damage.
Never before had the Columbia shown such
superiority over the Defender she did in the
fragment Of the race to-day Within a few
minutes after crossing the line she had added
about two minutes to her lead of forty seconds
at the start, and after that seemingly did not
try 10 increase her lead. The boats. in a fine
southwest breeze. were having grand beat TO
wndward when the accident occurred They
had made short hitch into Narragansett shore
and longer one off Point Judith. and then
Started on the port tack out by Point Judith
Light
They had not reached that point when. al
1904 o'clock the entire sail of the Co.
iumbia was seen 10 collapse
HOW THE MIsHAP OCCURRED.
The pine topmast broke first apparently just
above where It telescoped into the head Of the
steel mast. and as the huge club topsail dropped
over TO starboard the mast trembled a second
and then crashed down TO the deck. The mast
did not break clear off. but buckled just half
way from the deck TO the head. leaving a jagged
tear in the steel where the rivets had been
driven. The gaff and main boom were not in
jured a particle. but the great mainsai was
ripped from the hoops and torn half way across
parallel to the gaff. The club on the topsail did
rot break and as the sail had been cut
clear II was dashed across the deck block ana
tackle rugged on the end projecting over the
starboard counter. by means Of which the gan
and canvas were hoisted aboard The masthead
did not strike the deck. but came within two
feet Of crashing through. A number of matches
were used 10 brace the head so that II would not
sway back and forth with the movement OF the
boat. ,,,
AS she came UP the bay in tow the Columbia
looked more like pile driver than any other
sort OF craft At the time Of the accident the
Oefender was two minutes and forty seconds
astern while feet of tugs and steam yachts
was not far away. Every vessel was rusheo 10
the assistance Of the disabled boat, but II was
found that the crew were able 10 take care Oh
themselves and they reported no one injured
II took nearly an hour TO clear the Wreckase anu
get Il on board. .
The Columbia was towed 10 her mo0rlnss' IN
side Fort Adams by The Associated Press tug
S. c. Hart arriving there at o'clock The De
fender took little spin and then foiloWeo hef
crippled rival up the bay.