Waterbury Democrat., 1901-07-29
COLUMBIA WINS.
This Was the Nineteenth Cruise
 of the New York Yacht Club.
TROPHIES VALUED AT st,5oo

Presented By Colonel John Jacob
 Astor-About Twenty Vessels Lett
 Newport For the Start-The Consti-
 tuition and Columbia Were the Center
 of Attraction-Columb Won After
 An Exciting Race.
 Batemans Point, R. l.. July 29.-ln tcn-knot breeze and with other indl- cations promising good races, fifteen sloops and yawls and three schooners came out of Newport harbor before their respective classes for valuable cups.
 For the past nineteen years at some time during the annual cruise of the New York Yacht club. the flyers of the fleet have been given an opportunity to doff their cruising canvas and under all light sails to test their merits in a days racing Ogden Goelet offered cups in the competitions for sixteen consecutive years, and at his death Colonel John Jacob Astor stepped into the breach. To-day the trophies were
 
 and the other, $500 for two-masted vessels. The two ninety-footers, Con- stitution and Columbia. which were en- tered in the sloop class centered the interest in the races on that event The committee had arranged for start at II o'clock but fully an hour before that time the. two big yachts were out side trying the wind and sea-
 They found a good breeze, blowing straight out of the northwest and along rolf setting in from the ocean almost in the opposite direction. The sky was overcast and early in the morning gave some appearance of rain. But during the forenoon the sun burst through once or twice and began scattering the mist Half an hour before the start, however, there seemed to be little chance that observers ashore would see much of the race.
 The large yachts had been out about half an hour when the schOonerS and smaller sloops appeared with the Cor ona and Quisetta leading the fleet.
 The judges yacht, Colonel Astor's Nourmahal. came steaming down the harbor for the lightship at 10:45.
 Just after starting out of the harbor the yawl, Ailsa grounded on Cont Island, so that as the Vigilant left yesterday for GreenDort. l.. l., the Navahoe was the only yaw1 that came out at the start. Just before the yachts started the Independence came down with clubtopsails set. and seem ed to be prepared for a brush with the other two ninety-footers although not in the race At 1O:50 the starting signal for sloops was given. The ap- parent starting time of the two big boats as seen from the shore was Con stitution Il or :45; Columbia 11:0S:10.
 The starting gun for schOoners was fired at 11:10. The apparent starting time for schooners was: Corona Hill 30; Quisetta 11:12:5O; Elmina 1:13:O5.
 The yachts had sailed about five miles Constitution appeared to be leading the slOops but Columbia was quite near her. Over to the eastward Independence appeared to be keeping up. although of course not ill the race.
 At 11:45 the yachts had completely disappeared in the haze in the direction of Block Island The sky was still overcast. but the wind was strong and 1t looked as if the race would be in fshed in quick time. When last seen the Constitution appeared to be lead ing the fleet. with the Columbia close by
 At 1:34 the yachts were going so fast that they were outstripping the yacht club tug and it looked as if they would find no mark to turn when they reach ell West island. At TAO the two nine ty-footers were far ahead and were well heeIed under the three lower sails and the club topsail. At 1:43 big slOOp was discovered far ahead and it was apparently the Independence. but whether she had sailed the same course as the others could not be ascertained. The ColumDiR turned the second mark ct 2.26:40 as seen from the sSore- J'hc Constitution turned at 2.2J:iO. At 2:54:33 the Columbia crossed the finish line and the Constitution at 2:56:47. They were given a grand reception by tic committee as they swept by.