Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-06
!. T0DAY'S BIG RACE.
The Three Great Yachts in
Perfect Racing Trim.
Constitution viii Give independence
a. Sec. and Columbia II Sec.
Shamrock Gives shaareck u, ihs Challsasss,
c'ssAias Defeat.

Newport. r. L.. July 5.-Preparations
are complete. tonight. for the great
race. tomorrow. between the Constitu-
ton. Independence and Columbia. All
three boats are ut and their managers.
captains and crews are anxious for the
fray.
1t Is probable that there Is more in
terest in this race than In any yacht
racing contest that has evet before
taken place between Americas. .boats.
The Independence IL an absolutely un-
known quantity: and should tslie win
over the two Herreshoff boats, many
experts go 80 far as to say that this
would put an end to the big single
stickers as cup challengers and de-
tenders, so wide Is her departure from
the original yachting idea.
And then, too, the interest in tOmor-
rows race Is widespread and intense
because should II proceed from start to
finish without accident II will be the
first real test OF the new Herreshoff
creation. the Constitution. She has
thus far started In only two races. In
the first she suffered a slight mishap
herself. which many say was enough
10 lOse her the race. In the second her
rival. the old Columbia, came to grief
and the contest was declared off, So
az n matter Of fact her speed quail
ties are as yet untried.
The only known quantity Il the CO.
lumbia. Some say that In her the limit
of speed has been reached. Certainly
She Is fast. and certainly she IL well
ha ndled. A famous New York Yacht
Club man said. today. that her cap
tain. Charlie Barr. is the best racing
skipper in the world. and furthermore
that he Is now getting more speed out
OF the Columbia than ever before in her
history.
AZ the measurements stand now the
racing length OF the Constitution is
1913 feet: Independence, 1875: Co
lumbia, l02.3e Thus in 4 3O-mile course
the Constitution. the largest boat of the
three. would allow the independence
A seconds and the Columbia l minute
and II seconds: and the independence
would allow the Columbia 90 seconds.
Should the result be very close it might
he necessary to measure the Independ-
ence again. as Mr.. Hyslop was not sat
isfied with the water line measure
ment. this morning. on account Of
some difficulty in getting the tremen-
dous overhang. which, by the way, is
Tn. longest he ever measured.
There was a bit of excitement in the
bay. this afternoon. when it was
thought that the two new boats were
having little brush while out on trial
chi
tack while close hauled entirely by
accident. and for II minutes went on
in thorough racing style. But the
sharps could get no reliable line on
the abilities Of the two boats.
The Independence left her mOorings
about 1.35. this afternoon. and stood
down the channel under main sail.
clubtopsail. ,staysail and jib.. when Off
Castle Hill. she broke out her tire
mendOus spinnaker and with "a good
burst Of speed went down toward
Brenton's Reef lightship. When wen
of the reef she took in her spinnaker,
came about and stood over toward
Narragansett Pier. Then she hauled
aft her sheets and started on a emile
beat up the bay.
ing at her mornings all the morning
with Vainsail and a new clubtopsail
set. \go and stood over for the
Jane &n shore on the starboard
tack, Npt. Rhodes apparently only
joggiY rher. along. Soon after, how
ever. had everything drawing in
propei ~prm and the new Herreshoff
boat went through the water at
top 81 "a in a light northeast wind
well en the channel and to leeward
was Independence. also at her best
speed Extremity, and also on the star
boardl .satls. but the Boston boat was
80 far in the lee that 1t was not posi- |
Bile to get any idea Of their relative |
speed qualities.
The Independence was given a good
lull and went through the water very |
last. but the Constitution was at the |
same time pointing much higher. The I
title brush was soon over and no one
vas the wiser. Both boats shortly at !
er came to their mornings. The CO.
umbia did not leave the harbor, today.I
She Is already for the contest.
The series Of races which will beetin.
tomorrow. is the first big event under
he auspices Of the Newport Racing
Association.
The wind Is light from the east, to-
light. but the weather sharps are pre- [,
letting good racing day.
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