The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-23
CONSTITUTION DEFEATED.
Columbia Won Twice Around the Sea-
anhak Triangular Course.

OYSTER BAY, L. l., Aug. 22.-The CO.
lumbia gave the Constitution a good round
beating to-day twice around the Seawan-
haka triangular course. On corrected time
the older boat won by two minutes and
five seconds and on elapsed time by one
minute and thirty-nine seconds. But the
figures do not represent the decisiveness
Of Columbia's victory. for as a matter of
fact she beat the new boat twice. The
first time around the triangle OF fourteen
and three-quarter miles the Columbia
gained over five minutes Then a shift
OF wind on the short leg across the sound
put the Constitution upon even terms.
when a new race was practically started.
the breeze now coming through true again.
This time the Columbia gained over a min
ute and a half.
1t was a day OF iuky sound breezes. but
frequent change I'm the wind IL was the
Constitution. II was at no time a white
cap breeze, and the sea was smooth condi-
tons which have heretofore always fa vored
the Constitution. The rev boat did not
seem to nave any of the speed she has
the starting line, and, although the two
yachts crossed almost at the same minute.
With one gun start. the Colombia romped
on and took a lead OF an eighth of a mile.
while the Constitution was gathering WAY
To be sure the Constitution was trying a
new mainsail, and IL set very badly during
the first round. bu; IL kept getting better and
better. and for the las fifteen miles of the
course was drawing very well. Then, too.
the club topsail was almost useless in the
windward work. The CLUB was badly bent,
and the canvas did little work when the
constitution was close hauled. But all this
does not account for her defeat. Even on
the last leg OF the race, IN a close reach for
the home mark, while both boats had ex-
actly the same wind and the Constitutions
sails were apparently drawing for all they
were worth, the Columbia added a minute
TO her lead. With the international contest
less than "A month away to-day's race
opened the whole cup defender proposition.
and the yachtsmen are guessing again.
When the days race started Columbia
was ten seconds ahead and in the better
berth, and when she had rounded the first
mark she had gained IS seconds. On the
next beat of five and a half miles 10 the
second mark Columbia made the greatest
gain OF the day. She both outpointed and
outfooted the Constitution and was leaving
her astern In a most surprising manner.
The wind was blowing not over nine knots
and was serving both boats alike. After
rounding the second mark and coming
down to the home mark the Columbia was
first to run into the calm streak between the
winds. The Constitution. keeping out i'm
the sound and carrying the northerly breeze
down with her. ran up on the Columbia be-
fore the latter was able TO trim sheets. But.
Notwithstanding this. when the first round
or the course was finished Columbia had
Fained 5 minutes and Is seconds. Both
broke spinnakers with booms guyed well
forward and stood for the first mark on
the second round About a mile short Of
the turn the Columbia ran into a calm.
The Constitution carried wind up with her
and closed up the gap. For some minutes
the two boats drifted along together. side
by side. Then an easterly breeze came up
and the Columbia, being to windward, took
Il first and luffed round the mark.
After turning the wind headed the CO.
Iumbia and the Constitution ran up along
side. almost on even terms and To wind
ward. Barr was not TO be cutdone, how
ever. and he luffed out. carrying the Con
s%titution well into the sound and high OF
the mark Then he bore away and stood
for the mark with a good full. After round
ing the two racers came forth TO the finish
line with a close reach, the wind now blow
ing a good ten-knot gait. the strongest OF