Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-09-06
THE COLUMBIA
Once More Selected TO Defend
the Americas Cup.
cratic Temper Of the Constitution
Cannot Be Relied Upon.
Everyone Satisfied That Columbia Is Best
Boat and Can Save Cup.

luiiy Ntlttiiib t4'' '''''' ~
the Coiumhil and the Constitution i'll
the light of IS finished races which the
boats have sailed this season. the chal-
lenge committee of the New York
Yacht club at a meeting on board the
flagship. today. decided that the CON
Stitutiun was too much of an unknown
quantity ana that the Americas cup
would be safer by being defended by
the Columbia. The formal notice of
the committees decision is as follows:
AT a meeting in charge of the COM
mittee on challenge of the Royal Ulster
Yacht club held on the flagship at 1.3O
A. NJ the Columbia was selected to
represent the New York Yacht Club.
tSigncd) j. V. S. ODDIE. Sec
The decision Of the committee was no
surprise to those who have been close
~ watching both boats during the sea
son. although it was disappointing to
say the least to the syndicate headed
by Mir. Belmont which built the Con-
stitution, and espeCi ally so to W. But
Ter Duncan who has managed the boat
most faithfully since her Keel was lad
last winter. The committee. however,
felt that they should look at the prob
lem fi,m all sides. at not only as to the
models of the boats. but as to the sails
and the handling and they came to but
one conclusion. and that was-the Co
lumhia. All the members of the com
mittcc were present. with the eXcep-
ton OF ]. =. Morgan. the members If
the committee being as follows: Com
modore Lewis Cass Leiyard. Rear
Commodore Robinson. Former Comma
dore T.. NJ. Brown. {. oliver Iselin
Archibald Rogers. Secretary J. V. S.
pddic and j. Malcolm Forbes.
The discussion was long. The per-
formanccs of the two boats We're gone
over Systematically and critically com
pared II was thought that the beha-
vior OF the Columbia was far more
consistent than that Of the tonstitu-
ton and that under the circumstances
there was no other alternative.
This decision may be disappointing
to the syndicate headed by August
Belmont which owns the Constitution.
but the challenge committee. judging
by results and not by the theories.
were practically compelled to choose
the Columbia whose races have shown
none of the crratic form manifested
by her rival.
The handling of the Columbia by f.
ID. Morgan and Capt Charles Barr
may have influenced the committee in
their choice.
The selection of the Columbia will be
popular among yachtsmen generally.
She has been tuned up to the point of
perfection. Her crew are enthusiastic
believers in her capabilities. Their drill
and discipline are beyond praise and
nobody who has watched them have
any doubt that they win make a gal
liant defence Of the Americas cup.
Her skipper handles the Columbia
as if she We're a small eat boat and
thoroughly Understands hey. Her mate,
Lcmucl Miller. is smart at handling
her sails and officers AMI crew are IN
harmonious accord. i;arr, her sailing
master, is not at al likely to he rat
tl"d' by any sea jcclIcying attempted
on the Shamrock
Butler Duncan. who has So ably
managed the Constitution. has had a
good deal to contend with. 1t is the
opinion Of many Of his friends that il
Nat HerrcShoft had not been confined
to his room by illness he could nave
lcmcdird The faults Of the Constitution
and brought h"r out a winner.
The columbia. however has shown
herself such i reliable all-rounl yacht
that her claims to defend the cup were
too strong to be resisted. Thus The
decision If The challenge committee i.
held to be Stri lily just and imparti ii
There will be no more racing of tht
3ofootcrs II Newport. The time be
nd W., int 81 b-
cup race at Sandy Hook. Sept. p. vii
BE- spent in putting the Columbia il
the best possible condition to aefcnc
the cup.
w. Butler Duncan, Jr.. manager a.
tin" Constitution. expressed his disap
pointmcnt that his boat was not elect
CT IS the cup defender. He said tina
everything possible had been done L
set the best speed out Of her. He ha,
no fault to find with officers or crew
He said that Captain RhoadeS hao
been both skillful and faithful and tn,
manager had nothing but praise fo
the CONSTITUTIONS skipper.
Mr.. Duncan. however. lai1 mucl
blame on the sails of the boat for he
inconsistent racing. He said it was
mistake to change the first mainsai
Win winch she was doing such goo,
work IN her early performances.
H. ID Morgan. the manager of the Co
lumhia. said. this afternoon that h.
would make every effort to place the ol,
cup defender in as perfect shape as DOS
Slble. " is too late for a new mainsail
hut with few slight alterations to tn,
present one it is hoped that it will carr,
the yacht through the cup races success
fuiiy. An attempt will be made to hay
Two other old mainsails placed in condi
ton. 50 that they may be used in al
emergency.
An interesting feature Of the situation
is the future of the Constitution Angus
belmont endured the rejection of the boa
ot which he is the principal owner wit
rhi!osophic for;itude. He will keep her i
commission. 50 that if any acciden
should befall the Columbia she will h
ready to fill the gap.
Mr.. Belmont will do all in his power I
he'p the Columbia to keep the Gun q
THIS side of the Atlantic. He will len
her sails. spars. or anything that may /
neeced 1t is plain that he believes ths
the selection Of the Columbia was a mi.
take, Tor he believes she is a slower boa
.t ~.