The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-10

New York, Oct. 9.-There is buoy
ant feeling of expectancy and excite
ment among the yachtsmen tonight not
that they feel sure of a race tomorrow,
but that they know every day will be
a race day from now out to the finish,
with the exception of Wednesday. This
agreement of the regatta committee
and the Shamrock people has proved
popular. 1t is a fair proposition, and
every one likes the manner in which it
is metz
This has been foggy day around
the Horseshoe, and everything has been
quiet on the fleet there except on the
decks of the Columbia, where they
have been cutting and reftting sails.
This is taken in yachting circles to in
dictate nervousness. There is nothing
to be gained in trying to put aside
facts. 1t is as well, and oftentimes
better, meet the truth first as last,
and this is the truth of the racing stu
alton tonight; They are worrying on
fident on the Shamrock.
The reason for all this is that the
English boat has done the better work
on the three days of the f1ukes. Look
at it from whatever standpoint you
will, these plain facts are staring you
in the face. On two days at the mo-
ment the signal Race off" was set,
Shamrock was in the lead. On the
third day she was no worse than on
even terms. Indeed the weight of opin-
ion is that she was ahead, considering
her position and the fact that she
started some seconds behind Columbia.
Add to this her time allowance of six
seconds and the chances are still more
in her favor.
There is good reason for the nervous
ness among the Americans, and moth
ing has occurred today to diminish it.
1t is an unpleasant truth, but 1t is just
as well to admit it. The race is still
the talk Of the town, and some betting
is going on tonight. much of it on even
terms. The weather is the important
thing now. Three days of drifting have
changed the character of the specula-
ton. 1t is now quite as much will
there be a racer as "Who will win ~
The weather man at Washington
promises southerly increasing breeze.
If 1t comes it will be a welcome wind
come many miles to witness the con-
test. If this prediction is fulfilled the
racers will be sent over the line to
windward down the Jersey coast, the
course the same as Saturdays only the
order of sailing is reversed, the first leg
TO windward with the run home.
DoLEFUL FOG SIREN.
The fog siren at the Hook pumped
Hn1a f11l rt1ft all l, \,
layers of mist. Dreary as the day was,
it broke at least the rule of a good
wind on off days and Gains on racing
days. and on all sides it was hoped
that the wind for once would be good
and true on the day Of the race The
hurricane bulletin which the weather
observers rushed in on Sunday caused
worry on both sides. The hurricane in
the end turned out to be the stretch of
fog which settled down over an oily
sea- While a hurricane would have
been decidedly more dangerous, 1t is to
be questioned If it could have been
more depressing than the fog. Even if
the bending on of the mainsail on CO.
lumbia had not been necessary, it
would have been clever move to take
up the minds of the sailormen. They
began fussing and f1ddling early in the
forenoon, and they kept it up till we'll
into the afternoon.
ARRANGING THE SAILS.
AS soon as Hathaways sailmakers
got through with the alterations on the
Columbia's mainsail this morning, the
sail was hauled up from below, bent to
the mast, boom and gaff and hoisted.
After inspection by Managing Owner
Iselin and Capt. Chas. Barr, 1t was de-
cided that the sail was not yet fit to do
hattle III tomorrow'S race, so it was
lowered and after some minor altera-
tions II was hoisted again at p. M,
when II set almost fiat as board, ex-
cent for few wrinkles up near the
head under the gait. A new club top
sail was also bent. hut not hoisted. 1t
was made up on the yard and covered
to keep 1t dry, for the air was full Of
dampness and what old sailors call
"Scotch mist" The mainsail was low
cred soon after four O'clock, slowed on
the boom and covered for the night.
MR.. IsELIN ARRIVES.
e. oliver Iselin arrived from the city
on the tug Wallace B. Flint, just be-
fore noon. When seen on board the
tender St. Michael's, soon after, he
said 1--WE are all hoping for breeze
tomorrow, so that we may finish at
least one race. l should like to get
through before Christmas. Asked if
the arrangement to sail every day after
Thursday was satisfactory to him. he
said:
TO he able to race every day and finish
up the series
MY. Iselin did not care to make any
comment on the last race further than
to say that some of the newspaper re-