The age-herald., 1901-08-11

seconds before the signal gun was fired to start the two sloops, their shippers were doing their most adroit Jockeying for the windward position. Rhodes how ever, was out-generalled by Barr, and the Columbia got away first, and in the weather position, after going through an experience which seemingly threatened disaster to both of them as well as mis- hap to the steam yacht Narada, which was at the starting line On official bus mess in connection with the run. For a few seconds all on board each of the vessels was in a strenuous state of ex- citement, but Barr handled the Colum- bia as if she was a 20-foot knockabout, and started in about his business without a scratch of paint or parting a strand
 The run from New London to Newport, so far as the Constitution and Columbia were concerned, was one of the most in- teresting struggles two pleasure crafts ever engaged in. The distance from one port to the other is over a forty-knot course, of which thirty-seven was a dead beat to windward. The wind was blowing a good twelve-knot measure from the eastward at the time of the start It was just the kind of a blow the Constitution seems to enjoy, and Barr fairly rejotced in 1t, only I fancy if the Columbia's skipper had his own way he would have made it a trifle stiffer. Be that as it may it was no drifting match. The struggle was made over every knot of the course. Fancy how well fought, how Stubboniy contested and how skill fully carried out, both shippers guided their, when at no time during the thirty seven knots beat the boats were more than 100 yards apart The fresher the wind Increased the better the Columbia seemed to like 1t, and when both boats were off Stonington the Columbia had quite good lead.
 Constitution CrawIed Up.
 The breeze then frightened and the Constitution began to crawl up on some thing like even terms with the two-year- old champion. Then Rhodes began his work of endeavoring to force his way to the front. Tack after tack was made, knot after knot was sailed, but do what he would, Rhodes found himself unable to draw out from. tho Columbia's lee. Barr met every move skillfully, and the Constitution found herself blanketed Near the close the wind again freshened. and the Columbia forged ahead and finished about half a mile to the good of the Constitution. Some idea can best be formed of the stubborn manner in which the struggle was conducted on both sides when the records show that in their long beat from Race Rock to the finish line of Brentoriss Reef Light Ship, Constitution and Columbia made over fifty tacks
 The recent cruise of the fleet from Newport to Martha's Vineyard was un- eventful. It was drift of the most stu pid kind. Not boat finished within the time limit. Neither Constitution or Columbia took part in 1t. Their non- participation, of course, deprived 1t of it's public interest.
 It is to be regretted that Lawson's In- dependence was not in the run from New London to Newport. The blow possibly might not have been up to the measure Hank Half would like to have seen dealt out. but he would have had chance to again pit his skill against Rhodes and Barr, as well as test the ability of his ship in a thirty seven mile beat to wind ward. There are a number of yachts men who have faith in the Boston boat, and claim she has not yet had fair op- portunity to show her real character. Certain it is she did not show to ad- vantage in the races off Newport. There were. however, good reasons for it. The races this week may have a different tale to tell. The Constitution, Columbia and Independence will all three meet. There is little reason to fear the Independence will not make good showing under all weather conditions-aye, possible in a drifting match.
 Sir Thomas Lipton's Shamrock by this time Is nearly half way across the At lantic. She sailed last Saturday with her steam convoy, the Erin, and in a few days from now we may expect to hear of them off Sandy Hook, where a warm welcome awaits these anything but poor exiles of Erin, coming over here to try to lift our America's Cup