The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-06
OLD BOAT is CHOSEN
CUP DEFENDER OF 1899 WI BE
THE CUP DEFENDER
OF 1901
OFFICIAL SELECTION MADE
New York Yacht Clubs Challenge
Committee Reach Conclusion
That Columbia Is BETTER Than
Constitution.

NEWPORT, R. l., Sept. 5-The yacht
Columbia, champion of 1893, has been
chosen to race against the Shamrock II.
in defense of the Americas cup.
This decision was reached today after
a conference lasting two hours between
the members of the challenge commit
tee. All the members were present. Com
modore Lewis Cass Ledyard presided.
The discussion was exhaustive. The
preferences of the two boats were gone
over systematically and critically COM
pared. The conclusion was that the be-
havior of the Columbia was far more con-
sistent than that of the Constitution, and
that in the circumstances there was no
alternative but to name her as the de-
fender of the cup. 1t was held that while
the decision might be disappointing to
the syndicate which owns the Constitu-
ton, the committee was compelled to
shown none of the errat:c form mani
tested by her rival. The formal an
nouncement of the selection of the Co.
luTnbia was posted at the club shortly
after u o'clock. It read as follows:
AT meeting of the committee on
challenge of the Royal Ulster Yacht
club, held on the flagship at 1870 a. M,
the Columbia was selected to represent
the New York Yacht club.
~. V. S. Oddie, Secretary"
W. Butler Duncan Jr., manager of the
Constitution, expressed disappointment
that his boat had not been selected as
the cup defender He said everything
possible had been done to get the best
speed out of her, and he had no fault
to find with officers and crew. He laid
most of the blame to the boat for erratfc
behaviour
The announcement Of the selection of
the Columbia was received here with ex-
pressons of approval among yachting
men. She has found such favor here
that the decision of the challenge COM
mittee is held to be justified
Yachting men regard the Columbia as
being tuned up to the point Of perfection.
Her crew are jubilant over the selection
Their discipline is beyond praise, and
there is no doubt that they will make a
gallant defense of the cup.
The time between now and the inter-
national yacht races at Sandy Hook on
Sept. 81, will be spent in putting the Co
lunNbia in the best possible condition.
BARR IS CRITICISED.
Mr. Duncan was interviewed at length
this afternoon, and repeated that one
of the gravest mistakes of the season
was the taking off of the old mainsail of
the Constitution, under which the yacht
was winning races, and trying a new
one, which did not suit her at all. He
reiterated that he was perfectly satisfied
with Capt. Rhoads and the entire crew,
and had no criticism to make as to their
work. The Constitution, he believed to
be an able boat, much faster than the
Columbia and he was only sorry that
he had not had further opportunity of
proving It, He refused to criticise the
handling of Columbia, but 1t is learned
| from some Of those who have been on
the Constitution during the racing that
in a number of instances the boat had
kept away from the Columbia when
Capt. Barr was coming down on her
rather than risk a foul or serious injury.
A foul actually took place just as the
start of last Mondays races, when it is
claimed by those on the Constitution,
Capt. Barr luffed the Columbia into the
new boat and hit her. It has been the
policy of those handling the Constitution
this year not to risk too much, although
every effort has been made to bring out
the good qualities Of the boat.
E. D. Morgan, manager of the Column
bia, said he would make every effort 70
place the, old cup defender in perfect
shape. He said she is in excellent trim
at present. An atternpt will be made to
have two other old mainsails placed in
condition so that they may be used in an
emergency.
Mr. Morgan seemed pleased with the
challenge committees selection, but re-
fused to- comment on It. He expressed
much sympathy, however. for Mr. Dun
gan and praised his perfect work during
the year.
An interesting feature of the affair is
the future Of the Constitution. August
Belmont endured the rejection of the boat
of which he is the principal owner with
philosophic fortitude. He will keep her
in commission so that if any accident
should befall the Columbia she would be
ready to fill the gap
Mr.. Belmont will do all in his power to
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