The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-08-29
COLUMBIA VS.. CONSTITUTION
TOM Upton SAW THE RACE.
Constitution Supposed the Columbia
Had stopped ON Account of the
Weather and QUit-Their Races
Since July 1-Are u Tie Out of Six
teen Races.


Oyster Bay, Aug. 26.-The Columbia
gided across the finish line at s min.
utes past O'Clock for the eighth time
a winner over Constitution. And the
most cordial salute that greeted the
old champion came from the steam
yacht Erin, having on board Sir Thorn
as Upton, who had himself been beat
en- three times by the same boat.
There was no second, for Constitution
had quit. After sailing once around
the triangular course of the Seawan-
haka club with Columbia AZ seconds
winner. having gained on every leg,
both boats ran into a terrific rain
squat. They CROPPED about for some
time in the downpour and shifting
breezes, hardly able to see two lengths
ahead. At last the weather cleared a
bit Columbia picked up the mark
and stood for it. Constitution, how
ever had already withdrawn. Having
sent down her big topsail she was
headed for Oyster bay. Columbia kept
on, finishing the race and won the cup
| The race marks the finish of the
preliminary or tuning up series be-
tween Constitution and Columbia
They now come to the trial races off
Newport, under the auspices of the
New York Yacht Club. The boat win
ming two out Of three races. provided
there has been fair test of speed in
average cup conditions, will undoubt-
eddy be selected by the Americas cup
committee to sail in the international
races against Shamrock II.
| Beginning on July / the two candi-
dates for the honor of defending the
cup have made 10 starts. Out of these
there have been 16 finishes, an un.
usually large number. Constitution
has won eight and Columbia eight.
But these figures. taken alone, do not
quite represent the respective merits
OF the two boats as shown by the con.
tests already sailed. A brief review
Of the results show that Constitution
has shown superiority in light breezes
and smooth seas only. Columbia has
never been beaten in anything like a
strong and true wind. with one excep-
ton. which was on August 10, of New
port, when she suffered mishap in
a hard hammer to windward. in the
strongest breeze of the whole series.
When the accident occurred she was
ahead Of Constitution and it is the
general opinion that she would have
beaten the new boat had she not been
Obliged to luff into the wind for more
than five minutes. However, the per-
Torrance Of Constitution on that day
was grand one. The wind blew to
"a knots at times and she took the
heavy seas and hard puffs with a
clubtOp sail aloft, in admirable style.
The first race on July / was won by
Columbia in a 10 knot Southwestern.
On July Columbia became disabled
three miles from the start, where she
had lead, and Constitution then re-
fused to take walkover. On July 6
and 8, in very light airs, at no time
blowing over six knots and most of
the time under four, Constitution
showed up In wonderful form and
gave the old boat two decisive beat.
ings. On the 10th Of July Constitu.
ton started but soon withdrew ON &C.
count of thick fog. Columbia and In.
dependence went over the course, how
ever unable to finish within the time
limit. On July II and IL Columbia
won two victories. one In nine knot
southwester and the other in fresh
northeaster. Then came the races
during the excursion of the New York
Yacht Club in the light breezes Of the
sound. Constitution took three to Co.
lumbia's one. On July % Columbia
took the Aston cup on the Newport
course in handsome style and Consti
tuition went to Bristol to change her
rig. her managers not being satisfied
with her performance. They next
came together on August 10, in the
hard race already mentioned. On Au
gust IL Columbia won the time al
lowance in a very close finish in q
light and fluky wind. They started or
August IA in a light breeze on a wind
ward and leeward course. The wind
fell fiat and after four hours of drift
ing both withdrew. being then on ever
terms. Then came the light air Larch
mont races in the sound on August
16 and II which Constitution took. ont
by a large margin and the other BY
only So seconds. The two boats cam,
to Seawanhaka course and the de
cisive victory Of Columbia is still
fresh in the minds Of the yachtsmen
Today's race, the last Of the long pre-
liminary series, tells its own story.