The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-05

the port tack and crossed the Columbia's $ bow. She held this tack for about two minutes and then again swung about on the starboard Rack and both boats were headed shoreword. For five minutes more they had 1t nip and tuck and then Sycamore again laid the Shamrock on the port tack followed closely by his rival.
 It was then that the patriots took new hope for the white flyer seemed to be pointing higher and footing faster than her opponent. When they had been on port tack long enough to draw comparison it was evident the American boat was slowly forging to the front
 By this time the official turning time had been worked out and posted. showing that in the turning the foreigner was forty-nine seconds ahead, which left the Columbia only six seconds to make mp to get within the time she was allowed. If she could do 1t, and 1t looked then as If she could, the race was hers. s As they held along on the port tack, both yachts heeled beautifully to the breeze. which though somewhat lighter, still held plenty of strength to send them home within the time limit. It was just :12 when beyond question of doubt it was seen that the American had turned her old trick in windward work and was ahead.
 Yankee Skipper Was Alert.
 With nasterly seamanship, Barr had stolen the windward berth into which the nose of the Columbia was gradually eating. The willy Yankee skipper had turned what looked like defeat into prom ise of victory. It was not all seaman ship, however for he had been aided by an unfortunate pun of wind catching the Shamrock and laying her over but his keen eye saw 1t and he took instant nlx r< s-ez tune.
 Both yachts held the long port tack for almost ar hour and the race at this time was slow when compared to the speed of the first leg. The wind had fallen considerably. The sky became overcast with light fieecing clouds which sent patches of shadows sweeping across the water. Now and then the yachts would fall into the path of a shadow and show up dull and gray. Then caught again by gleam of sunshine, their sails stood out glistening white.
 The excursion fleet kept we'll astern and the sea was very smooth. 1t was just 2:03 when Captain Barr put the Columbia on the starboard tack and headed In to- ward the Jersey shore. A minute later Captain Sycamore put the Shamrock around on the same tack and as they sped shoreward, it was seen the ColumbiN was still ahead and well to windward.
 After ten minutes of sailing, both boats again went on the port tack. the Colum- bia as usual taking the lead fin this man. oeuver. But Captain Barr only held this course for a few moments before he again put the Columbia around on the starboard tack.
 The wind was getting light and inclined to be fuky, and the race was becoming slower. In less than five minutes the Co., lumbia was again put to port tack, head ing for the lightship, while the Sham rock went about on the starboard tack. And now the Shamrock seemed to be picking up and had apparently taken the lead.
 Closest Kind of Race.
 It was beginning to be the closest kind of a race. At 1:O5 o'clock 1t was evident that the Ulster yacht had secured a slight lead. For the next fifteen minutes the yachts continually split tacks.
 After a short while at this game. both yachts at 2:30 went about and stood on the starboard tack for the Jersey shore. Tn this game of tacking. the Shamrock had crawled up to windward and was ahead by a narrow margin. The wind was getting still lighter, but the finish mark was then not more than five miles away.
 The race had reached point where the slightest favorable puff of wind meant much, and where seamanship of the fin- est kind was required. At 3:05 p. m. the yachts were still holding the long port tack and the finish mark was not more than three miles away. A large part of the excursion fleet had scurried ahead and taken up positions around the finish line.
 At 3:17 the Shamrock went on the star board tack, being then about a mile and half from the light ship. he held this tack toward the Jersey shore until she met the Columbia. Then, being to the weather of the latter, the Shamrock forced her about and, swinging around on the port tack, headed for the line. The Columbia followed her immediately.
 Headed for Finish Line.
 The boats were now straight for the finish. the Shamrock having the weather and what looked like a safe lead.
 It was then merely question of wheth- CT or not the American boat could get to the coveted finish line, not ahead, but within her forty-thre seconds of time al- lowance from the other boat.
 Both racers seemed to know that the goal was near at hand, and they slipped through the water faster than 1t seemed possible for the light wind to drive them.
 At 3:30 they both went on the starboard tack the Shamrock taking the lead in this manoeuver.
 At that time. the Columbia was just un- derneath the Shamrock's lee bow. It was heart-breaking, the second dragged like minutes As they drew near the line it was seen that what had seemed to be a safe lead for the Shamrock had become a doubtful proposition. A second later and 1t developed almost to a certainty that even if the Shamrock should cross the line first the Columbia was within her time allowance and had the race AL most as one boat, they went across the line, the Shamrock first, but the Columbia so few seconds behind her that it made no difference. Thus the Columbia won in three straight races. She was the victor of 1901, and retains the cup
 Official time of the finish was: Sham- -ooIr o.2s.oa. Colnrnhia 2.2h.ln