The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-01

eu ydruS OIL lnelr bronze unOerDOdleS.
NECK AND NECK.
Neck and Neck, tack and tack, they
raced like team or horses. Dismay
began to be written on the faces of the
patriots as Barr tried once, twice and
finally a third time to cross the bow Of
the foreigner only to be forced around
each time by the lean golden muzzle
of the Britisher. On they flew and the
Columbia seemingly falling back rather
than gaining. The hearts of the patri-
OTIS sank lower and lower. AS the
yachts got farther out the swells
heightened and the white flyer seemed
to labor more heavily in the long
waves.
Just after passing Long Beach hotel,
with it's verandas and windows filed
with people the old City Of Paris, now
the Philadelphia of the American Line,
came foaming in from the east with a
bone in her teeth. She headed slightly
northWard between the racers and the
shore in order not to impede them with
her wash and went by like an express
train, dipping her flag in salute.
cent about the stake boat as the yachts
rounded the outer mark, but it was a
doleful fleet.
THE ERIN SALUTES THE SHAM-
ROCK.
AS the Shamrock wore around with
her spinnaker pole poised to starboari
like lance in rest the big steam yacht
Erin opened her whistle long and loud
1t was the. first time Sir Thomas had
felt the joy Of victory and he and his
party probably enjoyed it to the full
The Yankee shippers were too polite
not to pull their whistle cords, but
the toots were not loud nor long; but
when the white flyer Columbia began
to eat the green water between ier-
self and the challenger, dropping spirits
began to rise and when the yachts got
on even terms about half way home the
bands began to play and the people
raised cheer.
NEARING THE END.
As they approached the finish line,
the Columbia leading by half dozen
lengths, all the pent up enthusiasm burst
forth. About quarter of mile before
they reached the line the golden boat
blanketed the white one and for a mo-
ment she ran up a longside and it look
ed as if she would be first home.
Cheers died in patriotic throats Sud-
denly, as the Columbia luffed off and
got her wind clear she forged ahead and
came tearing down like mad. AS she
crossed three lengths ahead the en-
thusiasm broke out again with re-
doubled energy
THE FINISH.
Every yankee skipper grabbed his
whistle cord and made terrific noise
and din. Sirens walled and the white
steam jets made it look as if every
! ship had broken her steam chest
| Every body cheered. Men and women
jumped up and down for very joy.
Not few hats tossed in the air fell
overheard. but their owners cared not.
The Corsair, ]. P. Morgan's yacht, set
American flags at both peaks, gaffs
and taffrail. Soon the whole fleet
blossomed in the national colors The
Corsair went along side the defender
and her crew gave three cheers, which
the Yankee tars aboard the Columbia
answered with barred heads The whole
, fleet seemed anxious to escort the Co.
lumbia to her anchorage.
Meantime the Shamrock had taken a
tow from her tender and had drawn out
of the ruck of the steamers. Escorted
by the Erin, which showed a big hole
that the revenue cutter Gresham had
! stove in her portquarter, she headed
for her berth behind the Hook
Some of the excursion boats dropped
back to salute the popular sportsman
who has been game enough to make a
! second effort to lift the cup and then
! the whole fleet moved on in mad race
Tor home, many of the shippers keep
! ing their whistles going until they
reached tn eNarrows at the entrance Of
the upper bay.
Upton NOT DISCOURAGED.
When it was all over, Sir Thomas
Upton showed himself the thorough
sportsman he is: WELL" he said, as
; he stood on the deck of the Erin,
that's one against us: but in NV heart
I am just as hopeful as I was this
morning. for I fell that if I only have
wind I'm all right. 1t was a fair and
| square race, no fluke, but it was not
! the Shamrock's day. We want a
breeze that will put that deck six
inches under water and then you'll see
a race, but be sure Of one thing-I was
licked fairly today
Captain Bob Wiring, who was on
! board the Erin at Sir Thomas elbow
| said: IF we get fresh breeze we will
! lift the cup yet A nine to twelve