The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-06-26

OF Sandy Point light about half way
down the island, n thir to the south Of
Half Way Rock, a fourth b Gould island
and fifth to the Conanisst island shore
just north Of Jamestown. As she came
out after the latter tack. she met the
Defender and Navahos coming out OF
Newport harbor. accompanied by feet
Of steam yachts and sailing Draft. The
Navahoe hauled up to wiudward, having
only mainsail and jib set but the Defender
came down with the wind, passing under
the stern of the Columbia just after the
latter had swung round for another hitch
toward jamestown. Instead OF kssping
on the Columbia was beaded after the
miles up the bay before the wind. When
the Columbia started after the Defender
the latter had lead OF about 200 yards
but after the three miles were sailed, the
boats were on even terms, the Columbia
II anything being little ahead.
Just before the Defender came out. the
working topsail was set on the Columbia,
but 1t was taken in within fifteen Elm
utes and the boats had their first trial to :
gether under the same sails, mainsail,
forestaysail and jib. Both boats made
number of short bitches, but as they were
half mile apart little could be jud ged
of their comparative speed. The Coiumbi
was to the windward and seemed to gain
on the Defender, pointing higher and
outfooting her. Just after the two boats
had tackled to port under the Jamestown
shore the Columbia was eased of and
running down toward the Defender, took
q position on the Defenders weather
quarter. Captain Barr, who was sailing
ths Columbia, berthed the new boat in
the worst position for q race, and with
the two yachts scarcely fifty yards apart,
the first real brush to windward between
the old and the new boats was on.
Captain Barr gave the Columbia good
rap full, while Captain Rhoads on the
Defender did not try to pinch out ahead.
1t was fair, honest te st of the sailing
merits of the twoIboats under tiattened
sheets, ten knot breeze and smooth
sea, and those who saw 1t did not have
to wait long for the result. The Defender
bad plenty of room to reach out ahead of
her rival and only required the necessary
speed to d o it. That she failed In the at
| tempt must be the source of the greatest
qualification to American yachtsmen in
general and her owners and builders In
particular, for it showed the new boat to
be another wonder and that the Shamrock
will have to sail with marvellous speed
to win the Americas cup.
Within thres minutes after Captain
Barr started after the Defender, he had
blanketed her and in five minutes time
he was well out ahead. Both boats stood
over towards Fort Adams for a few min.
utes longer and then the staysails Of the
Columbia came down, and she headed
for an anchorage outside the torpedo
station. while the entire North Atlantic
squadron and dozen or more large
sailing yachts. including Commodore
Morgan's flagship Corsair, gave her a
silent welcome by dipping their colors.
The Defender ran In and anchored near
the Columbia, and Mr.. Butler Duncan,
who has the old cup defender In charge.
went aboard the Columbia to offer his
congratulations.
1u an iHeefVieW lhtcr, MT. lselln ethJou
that he hoped to have the Columbia out
for short sail tomorrow, and would
endeavor to bring her down to Newport
again on Tuesday.
"Ars you satisfied with the boats" was
shouted from the press tug.
Very much so," answered Mr.. Iselin,
his face wreathed with smiles
$50 are we," was the chorus from the
press tug, and the managing owner of
the Columbia tipped his hat and went
below.
The rain continued all the afternoon
and about two o'clock the tender st.
Miehaeis took the Columbia in tow and
started up the bay to Bristol.
COLUMBIA AT BRISTOL
Bristol r. l., June 26.-The Columbia
arrived here about o'clock this after :
noon In tow of the tend or St. Michael
ami achored quarter of mile off the
Herreshoff docks. 1t is understood there
is still considerable work to be done on
her interior fittings and the carpenters
will go to work on that part of the boat
In the morning. Those of the crew who
came ashore seemed greatly eiated at the
fine showing OF the boat.
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