Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-07
COLUMBIA WINS
Though Greatly Hampered by
Her I|I-Setting Sails.
Takes 30-Mile Race from the Defender
by 8 Min. IS Sec.
Race Is Rather Unsatisfactory, Though Co.
'umbia's Superiority Is Shown.

New York, July 6.-By the race be-
tween the new cup defender, Columbia
and the old one, Defender, sailed, to-
DAY, over triangular course of 30
miles, 10 miles to leg, it has been
plainly demonstrated that no matter
now skllfully constructed yacht may
be, her sailing and ability to go to
windward may be killed by imperfectly
setting sails. The Columbia won the
| race by margin of minutes, SO sec
onds unofficial time). There is no
doubt she would have won by a larger
margin if her sails had fitted as well as
| the Defenders.
In the windward work while the
wind was strong, Columbia was unable
either to outfoot or outpoint the De-
fender, chiefly on account of the bad
set of her club topsail, jib topsail and
| forestaysail. She covered the first leg
of 10 miles to windward, three min
| utes faster than the Defender but one
| minute of that gain was made when
| the wind became light and less than
two miles from the turning point
On the second leg, Columbia gained
| 5S seconds. 1t was a reach, both yachts
carrying large (not balloon) jib topsails
On the last leg, close hauled work in a
light breeze. Columbia lost five seconds
to the Defender, probably by reason of
| shift of wind which favored the De-
| fender.
Yet. based upon the showing she
| made as a better boat than the De-
fender under adverse conditions, the
nautical sharps are strongly convinced
that Sir Thomas will sail home without
the silver mug, the possession of
which have given us the yachting su-
premacy of the world since 1851. But
today's race was an unsatisfactory
| one; shifting. battling winds and a bad
lumpy sea with dirty rain squalls
made the conditions anything but ideal
for yachting.
In the windward work the Columbia
with sails drawing badly, demonstrate
ed her superiority, and in a long reach,
with sheets eased. she outfooted the
Vanderbilt boat. The sudden shifting
OF the wind prevented trial at run
ming with spinnakers. In light wealth
er, close hauled, therefore it can be
said that she is undoubtedly the De-
tenders superior, but what she can do
in piping breeze remains to be seen.
There was considerable delay at the
start. The breeze had freshened as the
yachts went outside and lumpy sea
was running. After the racers had
cast off their lines sharp rain squat
killed the breeze. But the suuan was
brief and half an hour later steady
12-knOt breeze was blowing from the
southwest. The Corsair signalled the
f,.ct
Jersey coast and the yachts began to
jockey for position. Capt. Barr had
the tller of the Columbia. Capt.
Rhodes had the helm of the Defender
Defender crossed on the port tack
The Columbia crossed two minutes af-
ter: both yachts carried forstaysails.
jibs. baby jib topsails and club top
sails
The beat to windward made beauti-
full race. The Defender had the
weather guage by 100 yards and was
several lengths in the lead. At first
Columbia seemed to outfoot her rival
and there seemed to be no difference
in their ability to hug the wind. The
Columbia seemed more tender than
the Defender as she lay down to her
work. Some times when she smashed
a big wave. she shipped some water
forward. Then the talent began to
grow nervous. for gradually but sure
ly the Defender was going ahead and it
was also apparent that she was point
ing higher than the Columbia.
The Defenders sails fitted perfectly
and every inch of canvass drew. The
breeze was then blowing about 10
knots an hour and while it continued,
the Defender continued to gain. Half
an hour later the wind sank to about
five knots and Immediately the sails of
the Columbia began to draw wind and
she began to gain. Few minutes be-
fore the first mark was reached she |
crossed Defenders bow on the STAR
board tack. She rounded the stake eX-
actly one minute ahead. On the long |
reach for the second mark with the |
wind abeam, the Columbia gained 50 |
seconds.
AS the Columbia crossed the finish |
line she received a royal salute. For |
several minutes whistles shrieked and |
sirens waited. AS the Defender cross |
ed, / minute and 81 seconds later, she |
also was greeted with a demonStra- |
ton quite as enthusiastic and prolong- |
ed The yachts were Immediately |
taken in tow and brought up the bay. |
Mr.. Herbert Leeds, on behalf of Mr.. |
[seln. said, after the race, that the
friends of the Columbia were very well
and hoped to do better when
The sails were made more trim. He
said that the yacht would leave for
New Rochelle, tomorrow. Mr.. Butler
Duncan said he had nothing TO say for
he Defender. Everything had been
The race, today, was an Informal
rial for a cup offered by the New
York Yacht Club. The official trial
will occur. in September.