The San Francisco call., 1899-10-09


ing entirely out of the question American
pride in the American boat, all true
sportsmen are rejoicing. Here is con-
test worth having. Here is a yacht race
that is worth all the money that has been
spent, all the time and care that have
been given. 1t is a great struggle, and no
man can name the winner. This is the
feeling in New York to-day, and this is
gain for the Shamrock side, for did she
not start the week bad second?
The betting is still slightly in the CO.
lumbia's favor, but this is not based on
the judgment of yachting experts. There
is more Columbia money to be had be-
cause of local pride and this is the infiu-
encing factor in the matter of odds.
Both yacnts are still at the Hook to-
day 1t was day of rest on the racers,
Mr.. Iselin and his friends coming to
town. leaving Captain Charlie Barr on
guard.
Sir Thomas Upton and his friends are
near their boat on the Erin, and there
they will remain until the last race Is
over. Sir Thomas said to-day that un-
der no conditions would he leave the
Horseshoe until the contests were over.
He seemed very much worried about the
illness of Mr.. Fife, and he insists that the
Shamrock IS under great disadvantage in
not having him on board.
The opinion was quite general to-day
that there was something in yacht rae
ing by which a line could be drawn on
The merits of the boats. There was wind
enough for a couple OF hours to furnish
q test, the first real test of the week, and
while it lasted the boats were under equal
conditions and the Shamrock did the bet
ter work. That is the reason for the rise
in the Shamrock stock to-day She Is
good in run dead before the wind. She
is good in beat to windward. What she
will do in reach is undecided, but the
Impressions are against her on this point
of sailing.
There was another high northeaster to-
day and the Sandy Hook waters were
Churned up in fine style. On Tuesday the
struggle will be resumed.
Captain Barr spent the best part Of his
day on board the Columbia. Mr. Iselin
left Saturday night with his entire party
of Corinthians, and when the captain
arose this morning 1t was to the task of
looking after a number Of things which
Mr.. Iselin himself ordinarily attends to.
All the Columba's sails were unbent on
Saturday night, but at that time it was
expected that one of the morning tasks
would be to set them again. The Sun
day trial has always been a feature up
to this time. The state of weather to-day
spoiled all hope along that line and the
men did not seem to mind the priva-
ton.
looked very bare. She was headed into
the gale, or as much Of it as got inside
the Hook, and the man forward on watch
kept under the lee as well as he could.
Captain Barr spent most of his time
below. Altogether the day was a dreary
one. There was nothing left for the men
to do but to lOll on the tender and wish
for a breeze on Tuesday Last Sunday
they had plenty of visitors who chcered
the boat. These crafts We're missing to-
day. The Sandy Hook boat came along
side and those on board saluted the de-
fender. The Hook was deserted to-day
except for the newspaper boats. In spite
of all the past fZzles the sailor men on
the Columbia still seem confident of sue
cess. The presence Of the Shamrock near
by simply makes them more firm III their
belief of victory when a real trial comes
The race Of Saturday operated as a tonic
on them all. Up to that time they had
heard so much about their skipper being
outgeneraled that some of them may have
be something in I. The Saturday race,
to their mind, however, showed them a
different phase and every one on board
felt that they would show the English
shippers yet what was possible The men
had no other comment to make on the
race The policy of those in charge of the
defender is not to talk at all, and the men
follow the implied Instructions to the let
ter.
The programme of Monday IS one OF
rest The men will do some little work in
the line Of making surer but it Is not ex-
pected that the Columbia will go out to
sea at all, and the energy will be re-
served for Tuesdays race.
Sir Thomas Upton spent the greater
part Of to-day on board the old schooner
yacht America as the guest Of Lieutenant
Colonel Butler Ames. He rose early not
withstanding the fatigue Of yesterdays
race, and after breakfast spent a couple
Of hours reading the newspapers. Then he
went on board the America in one of the
Erin's launches in company with Sir
Henry Burdette, Right Hon. w. ]. Pierce
and Mrs. Pierce, Charles Robsell, Dr.
Macllie, Mr.. ]. F. Young and Sailmaker
Ratsey.
AS soon as the party was safely on
board the America left her anchorage and
under a reefed mainsaI, foresail, jib and
staysail knocked about the Horseshoe for
a couple of hours. The stanch old boat
was sailing at her best in the stiff breeze
and the party enjoyed the outing very
much.
Mr.. Ratsey was glad to get on board the