Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-01
Columbia Beats Constitution in an
Exciting Race.
WON BY LESS THAN 4 MINUTE
First Trial Between Old Yacht
and New.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT

BATEMAN'S POINT r. L. July 1.-The
ColuIr bia crossed the finish line at 2 2:32 ;35,
the Constitution crossing at 2:33:ls
BATEMAN'S POINT. r. l., July l.
When the Constitution and the Columbia
hoisted sail for the first race OF the season
between Americas Cup defender yachts the
breeze inside the bay was very light and
the yachts had some difficulty in getting
out TO the starting point. The contest was
a windward and leeward affair OF thirty
miles. BY the time the yachts had reached
the lghtship they found a good breeze
from the southwest. and at Il:3o there
seemed little chance for a postponement.
Both yachts came out OF the harbor with
large club topsails set.
Columbia was the first out. but she was
only a few minutes ahead Of the Consti-
tuition. The boats were almost identical in
appearance. After waiting at the light
ship about 10 minutes the Judges appar-
emily decided that the wind was too near
the southwest to risk starting from the
lightship, SO the whole fleet started on TO
the eastward.
On the way signals were hoisted on the
flagship to indicate a beat to windward for
fifteen miles and return.
The preparatory gun was fired at IL 80.
Five minutes later the warning signal was
given.
d
Of the line, the Constitution being farther
away. Roth yachts at once began maneu-N
vering for position.
Columbia Gains After Start.
The starting gun was fired at 11:4o. the
Columbia crossing first and to windward at
11:4O:22 and the Constitution right under
her le. at 11:4o:33 Both boats went across
the line on the starboard tack, under all
sail and stood about south, wind being
southwest.
In the first eighth Of a mile the Column
bia pulled out bit on the Constitution.
Later, however, the new boat drew upon
her, SO that she was almost on even terms,
though still to leeward. When the yachts
had covered about a mile Of the course
they were still standing out TO sea on the
starboard tack.
The Columbia. from this point seemed TO
have gained bit to windward.
During the next five minutes Columbia
outpo.nted the Constitution and was ap-
parenuy gaining to windward.
Consultation Makes . spurt.
The Columbia had outpointed the Consti-
tuition ana was apparently half mile to
windward OF the new boat She seemed
also to be footing just as fast as the Con-
stitutio.l and apparently had shown during
the frs. half hour of sailing that she was
little better to windward than the new
Herreshoff production.
At 1922 the Constitution tackled to port
and the Columbia followed Immediately
after 1t then looked as II Columbia had a
lead of quarter of a mile. After three min
utes OF sailing on the port tack the Con-
stitution began to foot very fast and sue
ceeded in cutting the Columbia lead down
almost half.
Columbia Runs Away From Rival.
The CONSTITUTIONS gain was due to Cap
tain Rhodes giving the new boat a good
full. while Captain Barr kept the Columbia
out to weather. Before the Constitution
caught him, however. Captain Barr gave
the Columbia a better full and once more
she started ahead OF the new boat. She did
not gain much, however, and the yachts
were having grand fight about ten miles
off shore until at 12:4o the Constitution
apparently took in her tib and was sailing
under forestry sail and baby jib topsail
i Iie Columbia was running right away
from her and was almost mile ahead Of
the new boat, and going very fast.
At 12:48 the Constitution reset her Jib.
but she was over a mile astern of the Co.
lumba. 1t looked as If the new boat had
carried away her jib halyards, for she had
been sailing without any tib for more than
ten minutes
At 2:1O p. n. the yachts had sailed about
half the distance back to the finish line.
The Columbia still seemed to hold her own
in the lead, with about half a mile to the
good.
Close Finish.
At 2:25 o'clock pm. the yachts were
about two miles from the finish The Con-
stitutiou had gained steadily in the preced-
ing fifteen minutes. Passing a given mark
the Colum m5ia had a lead at this time OF
one minute f. teen seconds.
At 2:22 o'clock the Constitution took In
her balloon iib, hut the Columbia still
kept hers out
Columbia crossed the line at 2::S2 :35; Con-
stitution at 2:33:1S.