New-York tribune., 1901-09-29
A GREAT PACE.

| IL is scarcely to be believed that at any time
! since men first went down to the sea I'D shlps
| there has been a more masniheenrly cohtesteu
race between vessels driven through the seas
below by the winds Of heaven above than that
which resulted yesterday off Sandy Hook in a
victory won by the Columbia from the Sham-
rock on the narrowest margin ever recorhed III
any race for the Americas Cup. AT the ehd oi
the thirty nautical miles, fifteen 10 windward
and fifteen before the wind, the defender Deat
the challenger, boat for boat, by thirty seven
seconds In other words, at the END OF race
that took over four hours and half TO sail the
American boat led Sir Thomas Lptens yacht
nv inst a little over half minute SO close
were the two flyers that not until huhdred
whistles boomed and roared and shrieked theif
salutations 10 the winner was IL certain lnaI
the Irish boat was beaten. Indeeh, at shaIp
angle from the finish line 1t appeared TO some
spectators that the challenger was nrst across
Some of the evening papers shared thls error
and announced that the Columbia had won on
her time allowance only
Under the conditions that prevailed yesterday
no two boats were ever better matched. 1here
was never time in the whole thirty miles when
either had anything like commanding lead
over the other, never a moment When elthel
skipper had cause TO abandon one jot or title
surprises, and the biggest of them was that
the Irish Yacht excelled the home boat at just
the point where it was expected that she would
be inferior The Columbia has long been re-
garded as wonder In eating and beating 10
windward, but If any superiority was SHOWN
Yesterday at that sort OF sailing IL was not
shown by Captain Barr's boat. Indeed, on the
the windward leg the Shamrock gained thirty
nine seconds over her rival. Soon after the
turn for home the light breeze began to fail
still further. and, despite the fact that most
was expected of the Shamrock in this very
kind of air, the white yacht overhauled her,
regained the lost lead and managed. by per
sistence that seemed almost humanity obstinate.
TO retain it 10 the end.
After Thursdays attempt at 4 race had been
called off with the Columbia far in the lead,
many expert observers assured themselves that
the Shamrock would not lift the Cup. Let them
beware The Cup is not safe by any means.
The Columbia is the swiftest American yacht
that ever took a sea bone in her teeth. Ameri-
can talent tried 10 produce her superior this
spring and failed. But it forced her to her last
gasp TO win that splendid battle of the white
wings yesterday off Sandy Hook and there are
two more victories to be won.
The Shamrock is the most dangerous antago-
mist that ever came over the blue seas for that
ancient trophy that has been so gallantly fought
for and so we'll defended through so many years.
Sir Thomas Upton, her owner, is of the opinion
that she will sail her fastest if the wind be
strong and steady, and it may he that the
challenger will be first home next Tuesday.
But if she should not win single race she has
helped TO furnish what was in some ways the
most notable yacht race ever held in these or,
we believe in any waters. AS Captain Hank"
Haff said yesterday after the race was over:
"Sir Thomas may not lift the Cup this time;
but, Great Cesar! how he has set it rocking!'