The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-05

On Wndl proved 10 D6 TIE last TdGC "a
the international series of 1901.
I Both boats being handicapped, the
official time of the start was posted on
the bulletin board of the committee
board as follows:
Shamrock 11:02:00.
Columbia 100000.
Hardly had the boats got over the
line before it was seen that the Sham
rock was gaining on her rival Slowly
she crept up and at 1117 was on even
terms Half minute later she
showed her bowsprit ahead and from
there on led the Columbia to the outer
mark.
The run down the wind was unevent-
full after the Shamrock took the lead,
except few moments before the turn,
when the Columbia, catching a fresh
puff of wind, first ran up on the chal-
lenger's weather quarter. The boats
were then very near the turning buoy,
so the Shamrock took in her spinnaker
and balloon jib and set with greater
speed than has yet been shown by the
British crew, her jib and staysail AS
| soon as these two headsails filled with
wind the British boat luffed out under
the bow of the Columbia, took on new
life and romped ahead again. Inc
Columbia kept up her spirnaker till
with this additional sail to pull up, but
she was unable to do it and had to turn
| 40 seconds behind her rival.
| The official time of t,.rning the enter
mark was as follows:
Shamrock, 12.4S:46.
Columbia, u. 1895
| Thus on the run straight down the
, wind the challenger had gained, &C
! cording to official time, AZ seconds; but,
|
| this, for to this 40 seconds are to be
| added the Is seconds which the
Columbia led her over the starting
line.
After rounding the mark the Sham
rock stood off for some minutes on the
starboard tack. The Columbia immed1-
ately after turning went over on the
port tack. Just before l o'clock the
defender came about and stood over on
f! the starboard tack toward the Sham
rock The two boats held along to-
gether on the same tack for some five
or six minutes. Then the Shamrock
put about and at LOS crossed the Col
umbias bows and tackled we'll on the
American boats weather.
Then exactly as was the case yester-
day and at almost the same time of
day, 112, another dramatic event OF
the race occurred.
In three minutes the Columbia
passed clear through the lee of the
challenger, went on the port tack and
easily crossed her bows. The Shamrock
at once tackled under the defenders
lee and then developed situation that
could not be explained unless by
| change of wind While Columbia kept
on pointing very high, the Shamrock
| headed far off to leeward and for sew
| 4 INT q q
near as high as the Columbia and rap
idly fell off. The wind had now dropped
materially and it became fiuky as we'll
first one boat getting it in puffs ana
then the other. At times there was q
great difference in their pointing the
Columbia now heading well up while
the Shamrock fell off, and then again
the reverse was true. At 1.30 the boats
were standing along on the port tack,
but wide apart. The Columbia was
well to windward, the distance being
estimated by some of the yachting
sharps at nearly a mile, but at the
same time she was slightly astern.
A series of short tacks was then be-
gun by both racers and in these the
Shamrock showed evident gains, being
aided by friendly slants of wind.
For half an hour these short tacks
continued and when at 2 o'clock the
boats came together near enough tc
enable a comparison it was seen the
challenger had made up large part
if not all of her loss. The wind mean
while had become more and more fiuky
and was blowing not over seven OF
eight knots. Instead of being good
test of sailing, the race now became a
matter of luck in getting and good sea-
manship in meeting the varying puffs.
At the same time 1t became very close
affair and there was intense excitement
in the sightseeing fleet.
A few minutes after 2 o'clock Barr
put the Columbia about on the star
board tack and headed for the Jer-
sey shore A minute later the Sham
rock followed and it was then seen be-
yond possibility of doubt that the
American boat was not only to wind
ward but slightly ahead. Again the
racers made short tacks and again the
challenger came out with gains to her
credit, so that at 220 she took the lead.
The wind was now fast dropping, but
the boats were within five miles of the
finish line and had plenty of time In
which to cross In the limit, unless the
breeze fell to a fat calm. 1t became
anybody's race and the excitement in
creased A few more short tacks and
the British boat added to her lead by
favoring puffs. Stewardship of the
| highest order was now required and in
| this respect 1t - hats off to doughty
Charlie Barr. He nursed his craft
| along in the light airs in wonderful
| manner, and at every moment had a
! sharp eye out for any change of wind.
Shortly after 2.30 both boats went on
a long port tack and when, at 81, the
/ Shamrock put about to meet the
| Columbia. 1t was evident that she still
had a slight lead for she forced the
defender about. Having done this, the
Shamrock again went about on the
port tack with the evident hope OF
fetching the line. now about mile
away. The Columbia kept on couple
of minutes longer and then tollowea
her rival She was in the windward
4 berth. but we'll astern and the lead OF
y the Englishman was unmistakable.
4 Both boats were being sailed for all
there was in them and they went
through the water at a speed remark
able for the wind that was then blow
ing.
It was apparent that a nerve-strain-
) ing finish was at hand. Charlie Barr
kept up his good work and took adj
vantage of every possible change Of
air that could possibly help him. The
Columbia was perceptibly gaining, but
every soul in the feet was wondering
if she could pull up enough to cross
the line ahead. The wind headed both
boats a bit and 1t became apparent
| that neither could fetch by the light
ship. At $50 the Shamrock went about
on the starboard and headed for the
middle of the line. The Columbia tack
! ed under her lee. Bars game being to
back wind the head sails Of the chal-
, lenger. On they came, the American