The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-26
COLUMBIA AHEAD.
American Yacht Leads Half
Mile at the Turn.
English Boat Appeared SWlfter
at the Start.
WIND WAS VERY LOW.
Both Crossed Starting Line sc
About 1l:I5.
Shamrock at Half Way Point 6
Minutes Behind.
Wind So Light at Close, Contest
Is Declared OF.
WIND WAS VERY Low

IThe Associated Press report Of the
yacht race was made by wireless teIeg-
raphy. with the cooperation Of the
AIarconi company Of London and the
American Wireless Telegraph company
Of Philadelphia
New York. Sept 2s.-with a brilliant
autumn sun and a piping breeze the
first day OF the International yacht
races opened with every promise of per
feet conditions Of wind and weather
After blowing half a gale nearly all
night the northeast breeze subsided
tribe at sunrise, but at 8 O'Clock Sandy
Hook and the highlands at Navesink
reported that il is still blowing at IS
knots It had swept away every yes
tige or mist or haze. and the Long ISL
and shore was visible from the Jersey
coast
The sea, however. was quite rough
and heavy surf was pounding on the
beach at Sandy Hook.
Remembering how the breeze fell yes
terday. however. from a half gale in
the early morning to light six knots
at 2 o'clock the weather wise were in
clined TO place only faint faith in the
early morning conditions
On board the challenger and defender
every one was early astir BY $40
O'Clock both boats had gotten their jibss
and stay sails IN stops and laid their
spinnakers ready to break The big
club topsails also were made
ready and the covers taken Off the
main sails
No changes were made IN the princi-
ezt.- II -1-a
same main sail bent that she used in
the aquan or Sandy Hook last week.
and the Columbia's main sail is the
same one which she tried last Saturday
on Long Island sound.
At sos. the Columbia slipped her
moorings and was taken in tow by
the tug Flint A moment later the
Shamrock was taken in tow by the
Lawrence. Going at fun speed. the
Flint with the cup defender passed the
point Of the hook at 9.12, heading for
Sandy Hook hghJship. At that hour
the wind had decreased slightly and
was blowing at 16 knots from the
northeast
The Victor with the guests of Sir Lip
ton arrived at the hook about s.. 40 and
the party aboard were transferred to
the Erin which imm ediately started af-
ter the Shamrock 1t had been Sir
Thomas Lipton's intention to sail in the
races on board the Shamrock. but this
morning he concluded that his leg
which is still lame from a recent fall
would prevent his taking an active part
in the management Of the boat. SO he
remained on the Erin
On board the Shamrock were W But
Ter Duncan. representing the New York
Yacht club. Mr.. Jameson and Mr.. Rat
At 1910 the wind stiu held At Is
knots
Fully 10000 persons left the city for
the race
It was 10 o'clock when the first ex-
cursion steamer passed the hook and
then began a splendid procession Of
beautiful yachts and big excursion
boats
The course today was Is miles to
W1ndWard and return. starting from
the Sandy Hook lightship and running
20 point OFT the Long Island shore
The yachts crossed the starting line
at the following official time COlun-
bia 11-10.49: Shamrock 1I-1I.O1
Both boats crossed the line on the
Etarboard tack. but headed around i'm
mediately and went on the port tack.
The course viii be east by north,
starting a little east Of the highlands Of
Nayesink-
The Shamrock was apparently few
hundred yards ahead OF the COlum bia
but the latter was some distance to
Windward. In the first five minutes of
the sailing the American boat seemed
~ A-~AA -AAE H9AA1AAAAOGh %0DQ shape. DHr
after that the Shamrock began to go
away and at 11-2O il looked as If she
might be able to force the Colombia
about when she came around on the
sraEbOard tack
The wind has fallen or to about
knots and the yachts are moving very
slowly
At 1852 the yachts were holding
southeast on the port tack The race.
however. was very close and after 20
minutes Of sailing neither apparently
had any advantage
Official time of the Shamrock was
u-l4-o5. Columbia 11-14.12 Columbia
seemed TO have the best OF the start
but Shamrock forged well ahead foot
ing much faster than the defender
After the two boats went about on the
starboard tack 1t was noted that the
Columbia was pointing higher than the
Shamrock and at 11.34 the American
boat seemed 10 appear more like her
old self. for she then began TO get along 1
raster However, at u-4Z Columbia /
crossed Shamroch's bow and at 12.0S
apparently had a lead of quarter OF a |
mile The wind continued falling and I
the race was slow.
At 12-31 p m Columbia was about 200 I
yards on the weather bow of Shamrock /
and stil In the lead. Twelve minutes 4
later Shamrock caught a fresh puff Of 4
wind and pointed up finely Columbia 4
soon caught the breeze. however ana I
outfooted and outpOinted the sham
rock
At 1.05 p. M Sandy Hook reported
wind nine miles east. an increase Of /
Both boats had come about on port
tack. standing or shore. Shamrock