Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-07-11
SAILED FASTER THAN WIND
The Magnificent Victory of the
Yacht Constitution.
GREATLY SUPERIOR TO COLUMBIA
Put the Independence Out of
the Running.
Great Race Won In Mastery styIe-Neu
cup Defender shows Herself the Greatest
craft That Ever Sailed in Light Breeze-
The Independence Never in II.


The Independence Never In II.
Newport, r. l.. July a.-If the vic
tory of the Constitution oyer the
Columbia and tine Independencs In The
first of the three curnered races on
Saturday was significant and definite.
her winning yesterday may we'll be
characterized as overW beImine and the
defeat OF the independence as positive
and almost hopeless. The aunroach
Of evening again found the COMMITTEES
buat anchored far uut in Narragansett
Bay, along with the catboat which
marked the other end of the finish line.
teoiously waiting for the Boston boat to
cross, while her rivals were well IN the
harbor ON the way to their moorinps.
The new Herrsshoff boat had bsaten
the Columbia by nearly half an hour
orer the 30-mile course, while the
record against the Independence vac
over one hou- and a quarter. She cams
near travelling around the triangle while
the CroEninshield creation was cover-
ing two legs of it, Yesterday race
establishes the new Bristol sloor as ],
record breaker in light airs. She bas
accomplished what yachtsneu consii !.
cred impossible 10 thus beating the
Columbia. while her performances has
put the Independence entirely out Of
the running in conditions like those OF
TODAY.
What her showing may be in heavy
weather Is still matter Of coniecturs.
rs IL lie With the Independence, but the
experts are now almost ready to accent
Rny Achievements Of the Constitutioo
without surprise.
or oil the conquests in the history of
the renowned races for the America =
cup, that of yesterday is the most re-
markaoie, not only of the races proper,
hut also OF those incident to the selec-
tion OF a cup challenger or cup de-
fender.
Constitution has proved herself the
pest lignt, weather craft OF this genera
tion; volunteer, Vigilant, Defender
ana columbia have 10 the past achieved
Eonusrfnl aud glorious things ip the
cause of defending the cup, hut the
Constitution caps the climax.
The wind was light from the soutb.
west ut the start, and there was A long
and greasy ground swell from the south.
west when the start was made ffom a
point i've Miles east.southeast of Brep.
TOMS keef lightship. The first leg Of
the triangular course OF 30 nautical
miles was dead beat to winds ard of
~ miller, the course being southwest.
Inc start of the Constitution was
notable. She did mot seem TO want 10
lake the windward position, but being
10 hurry to crcss star ted from pretty
nearly the leeward end of the line and
luifsd up TO cross JUST as the pun
sounded. This would have been tbs
cause of berth further TO laeward
but liItle while after Columbia and
Independence had crossed the Constitu.
lion showed her naughty disregard n
the PAIR of them by proceeding On tbe
sfarbosrd tack with a little iib topsail
defiantly shaking it's luff at everything
afoat, then going about and crossipe
the bows OF her opponents, ana wber
satisfied with the lead she had OBJ
tained, lacking and occupying com
manding berth to windward and a leac
which she maintained to the end OF th,
race.
There was haze and dampness and an
epossessing outlook generally, but
tns constitution oVercane every OBJ
stacie lnat ouered in the way OF flukes
and doldrums and, sailed with tao
ana SSH, Won out at the first mark b,
~ minutes, ~ seconds over Columbia
GnGf
Illuminating experience.
ON the next leg, reach of 10 miles
with only gentle zephyr blowing OF
the starboard beam with fine reachine
]ib topsail set to whatever airs mich
come her way, she sailed faster thai
the vind and by rare skill and superio
ability worked herself through VIVA
seemed az almost mex tricable taaele q
humidity and haze, greasy proupC
swell and dead Gains to another extra
Ordinary achievement. She roundef
the Seward marx minutes and 4.
seconds ahead of Columbia. And them
scurrying faster than the wiud. which
never during the racing excseded In,
force of six-knot air, she made tn
browning record of her history by sail
ing over the 10 Knots IN 40 minutes ant
46 seconds 4
Then came the cheering and notes n
scolaim from whistles and sirens i,
honor OF the greatest boat that eve
sailed fast light-weather race. VIVA
Hhe may do with topmast housed /
quite another story. She is M to tbi
time superb in light airs, but a strongs
breath may conquer her.
In writing of the brilliant work O,
Columbia, mention should be made q
the valiant efforts the old shin made 3
escape from the hoodoo Of greater mel
on the Part OF the Constitution. Tn
brave and determined efforts of r. %
Morgan, the plucky amateur, Charlie
Barr, the able skipper and a crew who's
like can mover be surpassed, who ken
up tho great Eight to the finish an,
In the smart handling of the sails neye
lost point, were all recognized by An
preciatiye spectators. That she lost wa
owing TO the fact that she was OUT
classed as vessel.
The Independence was not bandi
capped by her personnel, but simply b
her inability to sail fast under tn
conditions that prevailed. She made
fairly good start. she experienced n
particularly bad luck. In fact. In IN
reach to the second mark she had In
greatest bit of luck in her life az an
maoe faster time over the leg TO th
tune OF minutes and % seconds tina
Columbia.
That IS the only satisfactory episod
connected with the race of the Ipde
pendspce. In two trials in light wea
tner she has not proved to be anywher
near her rivals. What may happen i
stronger breezes cannot be predicted.
Tbs Consultation beat the Columbj
- minutes and s seconds cori eoteti time
aud the Independence hour IS minute
and 81 seconds, corrected time.
On the beat to the first mark tb
elapsed times OF the three rivals were
Constitution. =. 20. %; Columbia, 9. 81
o.; Independence, 9. Is. AZ.
Constitution on the first IO.mila Ia