Evening star., 1901-09-02
THE COLUMBIA AGAIN
Old Cup Defender Once More Outsails
Constitution.
BOATS MADE 4 CLOSE START
The Old Boat Then Gradually
Gained Half a Mile.
THE RACE IN DETAIL

BATEMAN'S POINT r. T., September
2-There- we're many evidences Of good
racing weather this morning when tho
crews of the Columbia and Constitution
came on deck to prepare the ninety
footers for another contest. the second Of
the trial races to determine the defender
of the Americas cup. The storm of yes
terday had apparently passed away, but
the northeast breezes still held and at 8
o'clock had attained a sufficient velocity
to send the yachts round the thirty-mile
triangle. the course secured by the regatta
committee for the days contest 1t was
of the Constitution hustling about the
decks of the latest Herreshoff creation this
morning. To a man every one on board
knew that unless the yacht Won today tho
chances Of being selected to defend the
cup were very small. On the other boat,
anchored just over in Brenton's cove. there
was that feeling of elation that comes
from the knowledge that in nine races out
of seventeen the Columbia has defeated
the Constitution.
Sir Thomas Upton n Spectators.
Above all, those on both boats felt the
critical eyes not only of the judges who
will determine which of the two yachts
shall meet the Shamrock III, but also two
keen gray eyes on the bridge of a foreign
steam yacht flying the green shamrock
who watched every move and compared
every burst of speed with his own boat
now lying in Sandy Hook bay waiting
patiently for her antagonist. That today's
contest was to be a race with no favors on
either side shown by the careful way
in which each skipper this morning went
over his boat, examining carefully each
spar and Shroud for treacherous flaws
which might. under a sudden stress OF
wind snap and put his boat out Of the
contest At . o'clock the headsails were
hoisted in stops and preparations made for
setting the big mainsails.
Among the twenty-five steam yachts that
made ready to follow the yachts was tEs
Erin, on board of which were Sir Thomas
Upton, his racing representative. VIM. {.
Jameson. his crack skipper, Capt. Syca-
more. and his new boats designer. Geo.
L. Watson. Probably the trial races for
the Americas cup defense never had such
body of peculiarly interested spectators
that which went out at the start at
Brenton's reef this morning.
Columbia First to Appear.
AS usual the Columbia was the first to
come out of the harbor. running down
under three lower sails and large club top
sail about 1890. Closely following came
the Constitution under similar canvas. and
by IL o'clock both racers had reached the
light ship. The wind by this time had
hauled to a little east Of north, but on
shore the breeze seemed to have little force,
and the yachts moved about very slowly.
The weather was delightfully."- clear. and
those on shore could see many miles out TO
sea.
About ten minutes after the yachts ar-
rived at the hghtship the judges boat came
down and took up her position. Following
came the rest of the steam yacht fleet. in
Guiding the Erin and j. Pierpont Morgans
Corsair.
At 11:3O the wind had dropped to less
postponed the start until some time later In
the day.
Constitution Crosses First.
The Constitution crossed the line first at
:OO: 10; Columbia at 1:00:14. The Constitu-
ton got much the better Of the start. being
right on the Columbia's weather. Captain
Barr being unable to get from under the
new boat. Just before the yachts started
1t looked as If there might be a foul, as tho
two boats were very close on approaching
the line and the Columbas boom as she
swung off almost hit the head sail Of the
Constitution. Both boats crossed the line
on starbOard tack. Columbia right under
meath the Constitution. but within three
minutes after the start the Columbia
seemed to have pulled out from the new
boat. for the Constitution went round on
the port tack and stood offshore. This en-
aDlou Cn0 SOluHDld 10 Swing TOuuu anu
get on the weather Of the Constitution.
The Course Today.
The preparatory signal was fired at 1880
The course Is to be as follows:
Starting from lightship ten miles east by
south to the first mark, then ten miles
southwest half south to second mark, then
to the finish north by west half west, also
ten miles. If the wind holds the yachts
will have a beat to the first mark. broad
reach to second. anchored off Point Judith.
and a close reach to finish at lightship.
The warning signal was fired at 1855.
The wind at this time was about east, blow
ing about five knots.
At 1:5O p.m.-The yachts have sailed
about four miles of the course and Colum-
bia seemed to be continually gaining. She
then seemed to be over a quarter Of a mile
to windward Of the Constitution, and to be
continually getting the better Of the new
boat in being able to head closer to the
wind. The wind held from the eastward,
but the race was a very slow one.
At 2:15 p.m.-Haf a mile intervenes be-
tween the Columbia and the Constitution.
the older boat having increased her lead
in the last twenty minutes perceptibly.