The record-union., 1899-10-06


like Coleridge's Painted Ship upon a
painted ocean" The only cheering
feature of the situation was that the
Columbia steadily gained ground, as
inch by inch she crept along. At the
end of fifteen minutes several lengths
of clear water showed between her and
her green rival. The bands played and
a few whistles footed
On, on, she moved until she was fully
800 yards ahead. 1t was picturesque,
but not exciting. The immense spread
or canvas, including the balloon jib,
was drawing in the gentle breeze. The
whole crew of each yacht was aft to act
as ballast, and keep the head of the
yachts up. Only few of them were
busy easing sheets and Tightening hal
yards. Then the wind began to die,
and the great balloons of canvas for
ward collapsed like meal sacks.
AT the same time the wind canted
little, and the Columbia concluded to
change her tactics. She took in her
spinnaker and tried reaching. leaving
the balloon jib set. 1t was a challenge
to the Shamrock on her best point Of
sailing, and Captain Hogarth eagerly
accepted the gage. They went heading
over toward the Long Island shore, and
the Columbia continued to increase her
lead. The Shamrock, chagrined, at
tempted to crowd on little more can
vas by setting her staysail, but it only
kept the precious wind from the bal
loon, and the sail itself hung from the
stay as limp and hstless as a wet rag.
In few minutes she took it down.
AS the yachts approached nearer the
Long Island shore the haze lifted for
moment, and Long Beach, with its big
hotel and deserted summer cottages,
rose as if by enchantment from the
deep. Then it closed down again, and
the lazy yachts drifted on.
The great ocean liner Augusta Vic
tclia Of the Hamburg America line,
outward bound to Southampton, broke
through the mystic circle where the
yachts were battling, and slowed down
for a moment to let the passengers who
lined the rail catch a glimpse of the
contest. Then she dipped her flag and
sped on, vanishing like flying express
train into the gloom. few minutes
later the Cunard liner Servia, with the
English jack at her taffrail appeared
as If by magic through the outer edge
of the curtain. and came foaming into
port. In vain the patrol boats whistled
their warning, but she swung slightly
outward as she came on straight
through the course, dipped her flag as
she got abeam of the racers, and dis
appeared like a streak three-quarters
of mile to leeward The emigrants
aboard crowded upon her forecastle
deck to see the sight, and what they
r@I1 ",
was the representative of the new
world in which they had decided to cast
their fortunes leaving the representa-
tive of the old astern. 1t was a good
omen of the future to each of them.
/ The Columbia got most of the huge
swell as il went under her, and spilling
much precious wind out of her sails.
| Meanwhile the excursion fleet was
pushing forward to the outer mark.
When they got there they waited for
an hour, but the champions did not
come. Through the mist they could
just be made out looking like high
peaked circus tents. Then, when the
wind hauled around to the south-south-
east, and the racers had taken in their
spinnakers to beat in to it close hauled,
the excursion boats all puffed back to
| see what they were doing at this point
| of sailing.
But for the rest of the race the yachts
We're half the time in the doldrums,
with their sails Tapping listlessly
When the streaks of wind would strike
them they would luff and tack and split
tacks, each vainly endeavoring to get
| into the place where the light zephyrs
were crinkling the smooth surface of
the ocean. For two hours this was kept
up, during which no one seemed to be
able to tell exactly how the Shamrock
drew up with her adversary.
| Rather than prolong the agony and
suspense, at 3:43 O'Clock, when it was
apparent to all that the yachts could
not make the outer mark, much less
| the finish, and both were practically
on even terms, the committee decided
| to call the race off.
/ TECHNICAL STORY OF THE RACE.
NEW YORK, Oct. 5.-The weather
conditions during the early morning
hours We're decidedly more favorable
for race than those of Tuesday morn
ing. The wind was light from the
west-southwest, and the sky cloudy
when the Columbia and the Shamrock,
Lawrence, respectively, left their moor
ings in Sandy Hook Bay about 8 o'clock
and proceeded direct to Sandy Hook
/ lightship, hosting their mainsails and
club topsails on the way out and get
ting everything in readiness for a
prompt start.
The Columbia cast off from her tug at
900, the Shamrock five minutes later.
Soon the Columbia changed club top
sails setting the largest one on board
and throwing overheard the steel jack
yard which had been used on the first
topsail set. This quick yard was sup
ported by 250 life preservers. It was
picked up by the Lawrence and dashed
on her starboard side. A wooden club
topsail spar was also thrown over
board from the Columbia and two from
the Shamrock, which were picked up
by her tender.
The Columba's sails seemed to set
better than on Tuesday. She carried,
as then, crosscut mainsail, and her
club topsail seemed to be the largest
one she has yet carried There were
four battens in the mainsail Just be-
fore the start she substituted balloon
forestay sail for the small one which
she set on her way out.
Besides managing owner C. Oliver
Iselin and Mrs. Iselin, who wore white
hannel yachting costumes, navy blue
and white straw hat with ribbon
band, there were on board Butler Dun
can, Jr., Captain Woodbury. Kane, New
bury Thorne, Captain Nat Herreshoff
| T Cot