New-York tribune., 1901-08-18
RHODES'S EIGHTH VICTORY,
CONSTITUTION TRIUMPHs BY A MAR
ROW MARGIN AT LARCHMONT.

Iarchrnont in a better breeze than the previous
day. and the Constitution beat the Columbia by
less than a minute corrected time. 1t was a chase
all day. the Columbia trying her best to hold
boat whose best performance is in calm water.
The fact that the conditions were not those which
met with I'm ocean racing made the contest OF
minor moment with yachtsmen who are making
up their minds as TO the best possible defender OF
the Americas Cup, but the racing provided a
pleasant and Interesting day for a large number of
people present all kinds of boats. and that is
perhaps the best that be said for the contest
ing of intended racers in such confined
waters.
Yesterdays margin for the Constitution
ffty-eight seconds and the race was sailed in
steady breeze and smooth 1t lasted about
three hours and three minutes but the intended
Windward work not a dead beat. so that II
fast reaching nearly all the time. Neighboring
shores exhibited little sign Of appearing through
the haze before the hour appointed for the start Of
the yachts But the Larchmont yachtsmen were
TOO well accustomed to the sleepy conditions OF the
western Sound. which in summer months seems
nearly always a suggard, and does not usually
wake I'D til about noon or later. and there was a
general inclination get the boats off in any kind
Of light air and trust to luck for fresher breeze
later
Preparations were therefore made TO start the
yachts About 1880 o'clock there was a small
ripple on the water, and one or two small craft
were able to leave the harbor. The mainsai OF
the Constitution was now going up. but it was
after II O'Clock before the Columbia, which had
been lying all night anchor in Glen Cove, put In
an appearance. The regatta committee delayed
their departure from the club until here shoulo
be a good chance of a start. The send off was
therefore postponed breeze Of four knot
strength came in from the southwark at 1880
o'clock and soon the entire course 10 be sailed
could be seen. The Columbia came over under sail
carrying her No. ] clubtopsail, and waited for
about half an hour the officials.
Course No chosen. which meant a beam
reach Of six miles, beat OF six miles with long
and short leg and a broad reach OF three miles
this fifteen mile triangle being sailed twice around
The committee hoped TO get the yachts of by
$780, but they delayed somewhat because OF
the slow work in making sail the Constitution.
At this time the wind had increased TO about seven
knots from the southwest. The warning signal
given at O'Clock. with both yachts to the leeward
Of the line beating up The Columbia 10
windward and al his time seemed TO be in better
position. They up behind the committee boat
at the northern end of the line. The Columbia
first swing off for the line the starbOard
tack, the Constitution following soon after. Both
shippers timed the distance nicely and right
at the line when The signal given los
O'Clock The start OF the closest ever
made by the big yachts. they got off a few
seconds after the gun and only two seconds apart
The narrow escape of the steam yacht Scud from
collision with both racers added a sensational
feature.
The preparatory signal at j o'clock found the
tive yachts well down the course, with the CoIum-
ha IN her customary wlndward position Captain
Rhodes was the first. He put about and came
back under the stern OF the committee boat, fol-
lowed only a length behind by the Columbia. A
minute before the gun the Constitution tackled
ship with main boom off TO port, and headed for
the line. The Columbia just cleared her rivals
stern and Iut about only a few rods on the Con-
stitutiop's weather. Then came the incident Of
the Scud, which gave anxious moments TO both
racing captains. There she on the line. and in
ffna of f,nrH
Rhodes trying 10 lufr out and prevent the
Columbia from blanketing his boat. while Bars
game was 20 bear down. The Scud caught
between them, and for moment IL looked
she must be down. Her speed
saved her. She sent ahead under the
Jingle bell and worked out OF the pocket right
under the Columbia's bowsprt just in time. Once
clear OF the steamer the yachts were sent for the
line twelve knot Clip very close together, with
the Columbia on the weather beam OF the Constitu-
ton. Nine seconds before the Constitution
over the starting signal given and both were
safely away for their thirty mile race, breaking
out reaching abs with the gun.
The Official time OF the start was: The Constitu-
tion. los: :O9: the Columbia. 1871
This close start the result OF fine caicula-
iion and cool heads Of both captains. Barr had
the wtndward position, 20 be sure but he was not
sbe completely blanket his rival. for when once
away the Constitution began 10 reach through his
lee and get her wind clear. The reach down to
the first mark was made in quick time and IL was
only fast steam yacht that could keep up the
pace The Constitution gained slowly but surely.
She has always shown great speed qualities
beam reach in a smooth On this leg she made
her greatest gain and covered the six miles in 40
seconds less time than the Columbia. The boats
were timed al the first mark follows: The Con-
stitution. l.37 :0l; the Columbia 1915.
After rounding the Constitution made short
tack IN shore, and about the weather bow
of the Columbia just as the old boat iufred around
he Roth boats stood down on
starboard tack toward the entrance Of Hampstead
Bay The Columbia 10 be doing better
close hauled. and when half way down 10 the next
mark went clean through the Constitutions lee
romping of with a good hard full The Consti-
tuition however pointed well up and kept her
HindWard position Coming into the bay the
new boat caught the fresh wind first, and added
materially to her lead. Both boats were able 10
make the second mark, with long and short
leg. At 2I5 o'clock the Constitution went inshore
on the starboard tack The Columbia stood on
minute longer and then followed.
They tackled arouno the second mark follows:
The Constitution. 2:2els: the Columbia 2:21:2s
The Constitution had gained twenty-four seconds
in the siK-rnie leg. close hauled. This a
isfactOry performance the Columbia heretofore
has always done best against the boat In wind
ward work IN anything a nine-knot breeze.
The wind was about the best OF the day and
was blowing well up 70 ten knots. Both boats came
over 10 the home mark OF Larchmont. a broad
reach. with big jibtopsails and balloon staysalls
on this short leg of three miles the Constitution
added only second 10 her lead and they were
timed 81 the mark follows: Constitution 1852
Columbia, 2.S7.3s.
The Constitution covered the first half OF the
in lsi:ls the Columbia taking only minute
accidents snd nukes the boat had the old
champion beaten. she was well within her han
diesp OF time allowance. After rounding the buoy
and starting the course the second time the Con-