The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-07

Boln yacntS carried -FOUR stay sdiis, JiDSs ooOs
jib topsails and club topsails. The beat TO
windward made a beautiful race. The inter-
est was intense for the first few minutes
as the big racers with everything close
hauled entered upon their test of speed The
Defender had the weather gauge by hun
dred yards and was several lengths ahead.
The crews of both yachts were piled along
the leerais like sacks of oats. their feet to
leeward their heads pillowed on the rails.
THE TALENT NERVOUS.
AT first the Columbia seemed to outfoot
her rival and there seemed to be no percep-
tible 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 until yards
of their bronze bodies were exposed. The
Columbia seemed more tender than the De-
fender-more tender, bat perhaps more state
ly as she lay down to her work. She heeled
enough to let the seas swirl and bubble
along her leerail 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 sDurted twenty feet high from her
bows. but as she lifted beautifully she looked
like huge gull rising from the water. Then
the talent began TO get nervous. Gradually
but surely the Defender was drawing ahead
and 1t was also apparent she was pointing
higher than the Columbia 1t did not take
the yachtsmen long TO discover the cause
The sails 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 staysail did
not draw and might as well have been taken
down.
By this time the breeze was blowing
about ten knots hour. and while ii con-
tinued 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 headsails 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 starboard tack. Then the nau-
teal sharps breathed easier. She rounded
the stake exactly one minute ahead Of
the Defender.
MORO TROUBLE FOR COLUMBIA.
As the Columbia eased her sheets and
turned the mark all the steam craft
screamed their congratulations. But here,
also, trouble with her headsails was con-
spicuous. Both yachts had slowed their
baby jibs and had sent up their big jib
topsails as they approached the stake, but
the Defender, although the last around.
broke out her big jib fully a minute before
the Columbia loosed hers. and then the lat
ters had to be taken down and reset On
the long reach for the second mark, with
wind absam, the Columbia gained fifty
eight seconds. About half way down a
black squall which had been threatening
to the southwark, broke sharply and COM
pletely swallowed up the big yachts and
their trains. 1t was now only a question
of how much the Columbia would beat the
Defender, and many Of the steamers and
tugs headed back for the finish. When the
rain. ceased the wind hauled, to the west
and. instead of running home before the
wind with the spinnakers set, the yachts
made the last leg with the wind on the
port bow. This was grave disappointment
to the spectators.
The wind gradually died down, and when
the yachts were within about fourth of
a mile of the finish the fleet gathered about
the uSutSIlp anu SoHuuOuOTt hOTedn ,
flagship. Gracefully and noiselessly the Co
lumbia swept over the invisible line be-
tween them and, as she crossed, she re-
ceived a royal salute. Whistles shrieked
and sirens walled for several minutes. AS
the Defender crossed the line she also was
greeted with demonstration quite en-
thusiastic and prolonged. The yachts were
Immediately taken in tow by their tugs
and brought up the bay.
The official time of the finish was: Co
lumbia, 4:47:55; Defender, 4:49:4S. Follow
ing is the official summary:
ELAPSED
Yacht Start. Finish. Time.
Columbia ........... 10000 4:47:5s 3:E:55
Defender .........12 :5s:2O 4:49:4S 3:51:2s
The Columbia wins by three minutes.
thirty-three seconds elapsed time. Until
the official measurements of the yachts are
announced the time allowed the Defender
by the Columbia will not be known. The
following shows the elapsed time at each
mark:
Start to First TO Second to
Yacht. First Mark. Second Mark. Finish.
Columbia =. 1859 00:5S:2S 1:09:54
Defender :. 1:40:5S 1:01:Ol LOG: 2S
Oo:02:25 0o:oi:ss 0O:OO:25
An analysis of these figures shows that
/