The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-05
ABLE TO BEAT SHAMROCK
SIR THOMAS CARES LITTLE
ABOUT THE WIND.
THE SHAMROCK READY FOR ANY SORT
She is in the Best Condition for the Races To.
Day. The Columbia Takes Trial
Spin to Try Her New
Club Topsai.

New York, October 4.-Some uncer-
tainty has prevailed as to the course
which will be sailed tomorrow by the
Columbia and the Shamrock. The mat.
ter was settled however, this afternoon
at the meeting of the Regattas Com
mittee, which was held at the New
York Yacht Club House. After the
meeting S. Nicholson Kane announced
Tuesday--15 miles to windward or lee
ward and a beat back.
1t seems that the agreement be-
tween Sir Thomas Upton and the Co
lumbia's owners relates that where it is
impossible to finish contest within
the time limit the same class of race
must be continued until a decision is
reached. Consequently, before the two
boats can meet on the three leg bout,
1t will be necessary to settle the capa.
hiinies of the two champions on the
straightaway run of 15 knots.
In consequence of the quickly waning
daylight at this time of the year the
Regatta committee today determined
that the start should be made at 1915
the time previously fixed for the yachts
going over the line.
The off-racing day was a busy one for
the sailormen on the two cup racers. The.
Columbia went out for a short trial spin
outside Sandy Hook shortly after noon
today, principally to try new club top
sail, which her managing owner, e. Oliver
Iselin, wished to have stretched and
ready for tomorrow's race. The sail
set perfectly.
G. Oliver Iselin, who, with Mrs. Ise-
lin and their guests, Woodbury. Kane,
Herbert Leeds and Nebury Thorne, is
quartered on the st. Michael's, said to an
Associated Press representative this af-
ternoon: s Il
Il am satisfied with Columba's work
during yesterdays race, bur not with
the weather conditions. None of us
could tell where the wind was coming
from, not even the sailing master. In
all my Watching l don't remember when
I've seen fukier day than yesterday.
With all that, however, we had over
hauled the Shamrock for the third time
when the race was called off. She
could not have crossed our bow il
she had gone about at that Time Our
crew worked well from start to fin
ish."
1t has been understood in some quar-
ters chat Captain Rhodes, of the De-
fender, would be on board the Column
bia Ill her races to look after the trim
ming of the sails, and in an advisers
capacity. On board the St Michael's a
member of the crew said tonight
Captain Rhodes has not been with
us yet, but we all wish he was along.
He may come yet, and il he does he
will be welcome"
Skipper Charlie Barr is not worried
a bit about the result of the races. He
sticks to his original assertion that the
Columbia is the fastest single stick
yacht afloat and that in windward or
anyVther work she is more than a match
for the Shamrock.
Sir Thomas Lipton is not worrying
over tomorrow's race either. On the
contrary when seen today on the Erin
he felt confident that his craft would
give Il good account of herself no mat
ter what kind of a breeze there is. He
wants a good fresh breeze, however, so
that the relative speed of the defender
and the challenger can be thoroughly
demonstrated.
Sir Thomas did not care to make any
statement ABOUT IOlflOffDWS S race, except
that the Shamrock would carry exactly
the same sails as she did i'm yesterdays
contest, and that her crew would do
their best to cross the finish line first
The English challenger is in the best of
condition for the coming race. Not d
piece of wire in her rigging nor an inch
of canvas was found TO be damaged
III the least degree when her crew
looked her over this morning.
Sir Thomas received hundreds Of
cablegrams today from all parts of the
world, congratulating him on the spen-
did showing his boat made in light air
against the defender.
In speaking about the manner i'm which
the course was kept clear, Sir Thomas
said:
Il can't get over the great organiza-
tion that has been made here to keep
the course clear. Yesterdays course
was the clearest we ever had, or | ever
saw in England, and only proves what
| said before / came to America, that
in all previous races the best boat has
always won. / may as well say now
that the Shamrock lis the fastest boat
ever built in Britain, and the workman
ship was the best that money could buy.
can't tell what her cost was, but it is
probably more than you have any idea
of. She cost as much as six ,Valkyrie's. s.