The Saint Paul globe., 1899-07-07

foot her rival, and there seemed to be no
perceptible difference in their ability to
hug the wind. Nautical experts were
jubilant. Then both yachts went over on
the starboard tack for long leg. They
heeled heavily. The Columbia SEEM
ed more tender than the Defender-more
tender, but perhaps more stately-as she
lay down to her work. She heeled enough
to let the seas swirl and bubble along
her lee rail, and sometimes when she
smashed a big wave into tatters she
shipped some water forward. Miniature
cataracts poured from her glistening
decks when the water spurted twenty
feet high form her bows, but as she
lifted beautifully she looked like a huge
gull, romping from the water.
SPECTATORS NERVOUS.
Then the spectators began to get ner-
vous. Gradually, but surely, the Defender
was drawing ahead, and it was also ap-
parent that she was pointing higher than
Columbia. 1t did not take the yachtsnen
long to discover the cause. The De-
tenders sail fit to perfection and every
inch of canvas drew. The club topsail of
the Columbia, on the other hand, was
loose and cracked in the wind The fore
stay-sail did not draw. BY this time the
breeze was blowing about ten knots an
hour, and while it continued at that clip
the Defender continued to gain, very
slowly, but also very surely.
Half an hour later the wind sank to
about five knots, and immediately the
sails Of the Columbia began to draw, and
she began to gain upon her adversary.
Both shippers were now straining for the
mastery. Both pinched until their head
sails trembled as they strove for the
weather gauge. The Columbia continued
to gain on every tack, and a few minutes
before the first mark was reached she
crossed the Defenders bow on the star
board tack Then the nautical sharps
breathed easier. She rounded the stake
exactly one minute ahead of the De
fender.
As she eased her sheets and turned the
mark all the steam craft screamed their
congratulations. But here also trouble
with her head sails was conspicuous.
Both yachts had slowed their baby ibis.
and had sent up their big jib topsafIs In
steps as they approached the stake: but
Defender, although the last around. broke
out her big Jib fully a minute before the
Columbia loOsed hers. And then the fat
ters mad to be taken down and reset. On
the long reach for the second mark. with
the wind abeam, the Columbia gained
hfty-eight seconds. About half wav
down black squall, which had been
threatening to the southwark. broke
sharply, and completely swallowed up
the big yachts and their trains. It was
only question Of how much the Col
umpla would beat the Defender now, and
many OF the steamers and tugs headed
back for the finish.
WHISTLES sHRIEKED.
When the rainfall ceased, the wind
hauled to the west, and instead of runnino
nome before the wind with spinnakers
set the yachts made the last leg with the
wind on the port bow. This was a. grave
disappointment to the spectators The
wind gradually died down, and when the
yachts were within about a fourth of a
mile of the finish the fleet gathered
ABOUT the lightship and Commodore Nor
gan hagship. Gracefully and nobIv the
Colufnbla swept over the invisible line
between them, and as she crossed she re-
ceived a royal salute. Whistles shriakad
and sirens walled. For several minutes
the din continued. The Columbia made
no response to this thunderous demon
stratiOn. AS the Defender crossed the
line she also was greeted with a demon
stration quite as enthusiastic and pro-
longed.
The yachts were Immediately taken in
Tow by their tugs, and brought up the
Herbert Leeds, on behalf Of Mr.. Iselin.
said, after the race, that the friends of
Columbia were we'll satisfied and hoped
to do better when their sails were made
more trim He said there was no acci-
dent of any kind, and the yacht would
leave for New Rochelle tomorrow.
Butler Duncan said he had nothing to
say for Defender. Everything had been
satisfactory.
The race today was an informal trial
for cup offered by the New York Yacht
club. The official trials will occur in
September
OFFICIAL FIGURES.
SANDY HOOK, N. J., July 6.-Columbia
won the race. She crossed the finish
line at 4:47:55 official time. Defender fin.
ished at 4:49:4S official time, Columbia
winning by l minute So seconda As she