The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-06
THREE Will RACE TODAY
CONSTITUTION. INDEPENDENCE AND
COLUMBIA TO BE TESTED.
Contest Promises to BE Almost as In
terestfng as the Coming Amerf-
cas- Cup Yacht Races.

NEWPORT. r. L.. July appropriations
are complete tonight for the great race
tomorrow between Constitution, %Independ-
ence and Columbia.
1t is probable that there is more interest
in this race than in any yacht race ever
sailed between American yachts.
Independence is an unknown quantity.
She is regarded by many experienced
yachtsmen as an experiment. And. should
she win over the two Herreshoff boats,
many experts go so far as to say thai this
would put an end TO the big single stickers
as cup challengers and defenders, so wide
is her departure from the original yacht
ing idea.
Then, too, the interest in to-morrow's
race is widespread and intense. because,
should 1t proceed from start to finish with
out accident. it will be the first real test
of the new Herreshoff creation. Constitu-
ton. She has thus far started in only two
races. In the first she suffered a slight
mishap herself. which many say was
enough to lose her the race. In the second
trial the old Columbia came to grief and
the contest was declared off. So, as a mat
ter OF fact, her speed qualities are as yet
untried.
The only known quantity is Columbia.
Some say that in her the limit of speed has
been reached. a famous New York yacht
club man said to-day that her captain,
Charlie Barr, is the best racing skipper
In the world. and. furthermore. that he is
now getting more speed out of Columbia
than ever.
There was much discussion this after
noon and evening over the relative meas
urements Of the three racers. AS the meas
urements stand now, the racing length of
T>.at fc "a % feet. Tndanar1anan
1903. 30; Columbia, 1o2. 50. Thus, in the thirty
mile course, Constitution, the largest boat
of the three. would allow Independence
forty-four seconds and Columbia one min
ate ana seventeen seconds. and Jndepend-
ence would allow Columbia thirty-three
seconds. Should the result be very close it
might be necessary to remeasure Independ-
ence. as Mr.. Hyslop was not satisfied with
the water-line measurement this morning
on account OF some difficulties IN getting
the tremendous overhang, which, by the
way. is the longest he ever measured in an
experience extending over many years.
There was some excitement in the bay
this afternoon when it was thought the
two boats were having a little brush while
out on trial spins. They came together on
the same tack while close hauled entirely
by accident, and for four minutes went on
in thorough racing style. But, try as they
would, the sharps could get no reliable line
on their abilities. Independence left her
moorings about 1:35 this afternoon and
stood down the channel under mainsail.
club topsail, stsysail and jib. When of
Castle Hill she broke out her tremendous
s~pinnaker, and with a good burst of speed
went down towards Brenton's Reef light
ship. When well off the reef she took in
her spinnaker, came about and stood over
toward N~arragansett pier. Then she hauled
aft her sheets and started on a five-mile
beat UP the bay. The Constitution, which
had been lying at her mornings all the
morning with mainsail and a new club top
sail set, let go and stood over for the
Jamestown shore on the starboard tack.
Captain Rhodes apparently only jogging
her along. Soon afterward. however, he
had everything down I'm proper form. and
the boat went through the water at top
speed In a = light northeast wind. Well
down the channel to leeward was Independ-
ence. also at her best speed. apparently,
and also on the starboard tack, but the
Boston boat was so far in the lee that Ii
was not possible TO get any idea Of their
relative speed qualities. independence was
given a good full and went through the
water very fast. but Constitution was at
the same time performing much higher.
The little brush was soon over and no one
was the wiser. Both boats shortly. after
came TO their mornings. columbia oid not
leave the harbor to-day.