The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-04

fleet rushed madly to leeward of the
last leg of the course.
Leaving the first mark on the star
board hand the racers gybed over
their big booms and went careening
for the second mark, the Columbia
gaining slowly but surely. They had
covered the first ten miles in a little
over fifty minutes. When they swung
around the second stake boat they took
in their baby jib topsails and hauled
their wind for their beat home. Both
yachts heeled until their underbodies
were lifted high over the water and
their leerails dipped a foot into the
swirling billows. In five minutes af-
ter the second mark it was apparent
that the Columbia was footing faster
and pointing higher She went
through Shamrock's lee like quar-
ter horse.
The Final Grand Rush.
The rush of the Leviathans on the
final tack was magnificent. The ex-
cursion boats, black with people from
gunwale to pilot house, gathered about
the finish in a great horseshoe. AS the
white flyer came on with big bone in
her teeth we'll in the lead, the patri-
otic shippers with their hands on their
whistle cords could hardly restrain
themselves. AS she swept across the
finish the din was soul destroying.
Whistles split the ear and steam 81
rens walled drowning the crash of the
bands and the cheers of the people.
The concert of sound was terrific.
Until after the gallant Shamrock,
beaten, but not disgraced, crossed a
minute and eighteen seconds later,
whistles and sirens were kept going.
When they died away the bands could
be heard playing Columbia, Gem of
the Ocean," Yankee Doodle" and
other patriotic airs.
Sir Thomas still Game
Sir Thomas in the Erin did not ap-
proach within half a mile of the finish
line. He had seen his high hopes
blasted and presumably did not care
to be in at the jubilation over the de-
feat of his champion. But like a good
game sportsman. after the Columbia
went over the line he ran the American
flag up to the fore peak and fired a
salute in it's honor.
The rival crews cheered each other
as they were towed home behind their
tenders escorted by the whole excurs-
ion fleet.
Within a half hour after the con-
clusion of the race the committee boat
in accordance with the agreement to
race daily from now on set the signal
for a race tomorrow.
Sir Thomas Upton, although plainly
depressed at the result of the race,
stood bravely at the gangway of the
Erin and bade cordial adieu to his
guests. He also entertained a large
party of yastsmen and ladies who
visited the Erin after the days guests
had departed.
Upton Tells of Disappointment.
81 am very much disappointed at the
result" said Sir Thomas, "and the only
consolation I have is that know I've
been licked by a good, honorable op-
ponent / know that the wind was true
and that the Columbia won without
any fiuke.''
Sir Thomas said that what he was
most disappointed about was the de-
feat of the Shamrock in the windward
work.
1--WE were all so sure she would do
well in that, and in such breeze, but
she seemed to pound too much"
He added that there would be no
changes in the trim of the sails of the
Shamrock.
The tow out of the racers
from their anchorage to the
starting line was devoid of interest.
There was no heavy swell to cause
shippers anxiety about their bobstays.
Thus it was that the Shamrock set
the largest of her club topsails and
nothing daunted, the Columbia follow
ed suit. When the preparatory gun
was fired, it was clearly evident that
the Columbia cared little for the start,
which was made to leeward on close
reach, the triangular course offering
no benefit whatever to the craft first
away. There was no true battle for
position.
The committee boat Navigator drop
ped anchor in her usual place south of
the lightship at 10:30 and at that time
both yachts in tow under bare poles,
headed Up in the wind and hcisted
their mainsails. Their headsails were
already in stops. The Shamrock was
first to cast loose from her tug, and
moment later her headsails were broken
out from their stops, and she made a
clean run for the lightship. The Co.
lumbia, which had been hugging the
easterly end of the line eased off
sheets and stood for the mark. Sig
nails were already hoisted from the
committee boat that the course would
be triangular, which meant that there
would be two close reaches and one
dead beat to windward for home.
Upton Gets His scupper Breeze.
The yachts heeled to a scupper breeze
when the preparatory gun was fired at
10:45. The Columbia far to the east
ward stood down before the wind for
the line, meanwhile the Shamrock was
circling round the lightship. Before
the warning gun was fired, ten minutes
after the preparatory signal, Columbia
was ahead and not wanting to cross
the line too early luffed up with her
headsails shaking until she almost
stood still. This put the Shamrock in
the better position and wearing close
round she crossed the line almost with
the gun while the Columbia elected to
| cross considerably more than one min
ute behind. Many experts thought that
the Columbia would be handicapped.
but Barr was on the alert and sent
ler across in time to save himself.
With the wind forward on the port
beam and with tiny jib topsail set on
the Shamrock and much larger and
| better pulling sail on the Columbia, the
yachs started out on the first leg Of
the Triangle. During the first few min.
utes 1t was impossible to say whether
the Columbia was gaining or not. In
the gusts of wind she seemed to heel
over less han the challenger and also
appeared steer slightly higher
course.
The Firs Mark Quickly Made.
The wind, though holding true from
north-northwes varied in violence. Oc-
casionally heavy squall would strike
one of the racers causing her to heel
but taking the mean of the puffs,
neither could be said to have been
more favorable. 1t oon became appar-
ent that the race WIS to be sailed in
very quick time. Th' gain of the Co