The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-06
But Some Surprising IltOI-
nation.
SHAMROCK GOES TO The FRONT.
Apparently a Faster Boat TO Wind
ward,

tnHlenRer-tne bFeeLe anu
the Challenger Creeps Up Close TO the
Yankee and Finally Outpoints and
Outfoots Her in n Beat Against the
wind-The Race is Called on Long Before
the Yachts Reach the Turning Mark.
Yesterdays performance in the nearby
Atlantic was empty OF result. but big with
omnous information. After lazy. drifting
sail with the wind aft. seemingly all in Colum-
bias favor. brcaze sprung un Of sufficient
strength and steadncss for time to give a
reasonably fair test OF the yachts qualities
when cosehaulcd; and the Shamrock emerged
from this to all appearances the better boat.
1t cannot be called decisive. for thxe were
conflicting arguments that forbid absolute
decision. but it was enough to indicate very
strongly that Shamrock has 1t in hor to give to
the Cup the lit desired OF Sir Thomas Upton.
Certainly up to date the evidence is In her
favor. At the best We can only hope while We
wait for a final trial W it'll everybody convinced
that the two boats make mighty tight nt."
The course was as clear as the virgin prairie.
the patrol watchful and efficient. the excursion
fleet submissive and helpful. and every
thing as it should he. barring tho wind. Tho
race. or the uncompleted race. left things in
very interesting situation.
The morning opened apparently In a mood OF
sullen Indifference to tho New York public.
which OF course had no other wish than to see
o day fit for sailor kings to do battle in. As the
sun rose sleepers who woke with 1t in the lower
part OF the town heard an ominous footing
| on the waters. 1t told OF fog and indicated that
tho last nights prediction OF cloudy weather
might be verified with all too much realism.
Then memory arose Of the hard bright North-
ern weather which had filled Tuesday morning
with such promises of q rafting breeze. only
to play false and stink away In favor Of a sum-
mer calm. and so people hoped that the Spirit
OF Contrariness would turn the uncertain
zephyr into long and heavy blow.
The air was still misty when the first news"
paper tugs cleared the Battery. Down al
Tompkinsvills was a white fleet OF rev.
enue cutters and yachts OF both kinds.
Tho powerful Valiant was there. her flashing
ventlators making an old sailors heart ache
for tho crew that had to keep them bright. un-
til he saw that they were nickel plated aud not
brass. and the artists eye wished that Mr.. VAN
derblt would take of his royal yards and trim
what was left to suit. Near the Valiant lay tho
Varuna. beautiful and stately. and the bright
particular star OF Bristol fashions. the Intrepid.
The Narrows gaped like mouth that could in-
deed send its ynwr over the roofs OF the world.
the lower bay showing through che forts like
a mere blank Of haze. Below the mist soon
faded. so that the Highlands came into view
from clear across the bay and the West-south-
west was sending a pleasant s!x-knot breeze
out into the ocean.
About half past 4 the ompeting yachts I'M
fastened themselves from tho ground OF tho
Horseshoe. where they had lain since Tuesday
night. and. hooking themselves to their re-
spective tugs. started for the place OF battle.
Both passed the Hook with their mainsails up
capped by club topsails On Tuesday the wind
had been strong enough to raise doubts as to
the best sail to send aloft. and even the Ques.
ton as to whether working topsails would not
be the wisest after all. This morning, how
ever. the gentle air disposed OF uncer-
tanty. and each skipper few the biggest kite
he had. The sight OF Coumbia's biggest and
best brought comfort to her friends when they
rememb ered that on Tuesday che had sailed
under tho disadvantage OF a very much smaller
topsail than Shamrock Shamrock carried
the one she had worn before.
When few miles from the LiRhtship they
cast of their tugs with everything set prepara-
tory for the hours play before the game began
in earnest. Things seemed all right aboard
them both. all canvas appearing to be ironed so
smooth that it must have come fresh from the
IuunUTy, excepting lOpSdll, Inns
had pucker in both head and Glow. but tho
leach was taut and to keep 1t fiat under all
changes OF the atmosphere three small battens
were discoverabe.
The preparatory signal. set at 10:45. found
little moro than the business part OF the fotillA
in attendance. Beside the press tugs and the
faithful Vigilant. which. with her work ing top
SAIL was there like u football veteran to gaze
on the struggle OF the shock headed champions
AL H. III.
Withdrawn in glory, there were only a few
yachts and the days police. tho squadron
commanded by Capt Evans. After the bril-
liant performance OF the revenue cutters DUR
ing the war. no Gisrespect can be suspected In
any remarks concerning them, but 1t may
be permitted to observe that while ON
this peaceful duty. they appeared IN
comparison with the destroyers like the Old
Guard in full gorGsousnses. as against
retired regulars in mutt. The portly cutters.
cleaning in white and brass. were armed to tho
teeth with weapons running from GatlinRS to
tour.incherS. while the lean and wiry devils in
black. the most Internal engines known to war
fare, were dressed moro after the simplicity OF
African bellies: they had scarcely anything on
but u few empty torpedo tubes and coming
towers. The wind had moved up toward
the northwest. so that the course was
Sianalled southeast by east. meaning
another run 10 leeWaro Tor the nrSe
leg. This put quietus on all real OK
element over the question as TO which
boat would lead over the line. since
in runs before the wind either skipper 10
willing to have the other go first.
The warning gun apparently shot away
the Staysail hayardS on both ships.
since down those sails came with a run.
making ready for tho balloons that
would come later. Slowly they came back
to the line under this shortened canvas
like two runners walking to the scratch in
friendly conversation. from which at the wsrd
they would Jump to run each others lsES q.