The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-28
Two GREAT SEA JOCKEYS
The Shippers Who Command CO.
IUmbia and Shamrock IL.

Who the Captains Are-Both Men Of
Great ENperiencc-Ruces Lie in
Their Hands-TbIs Il Sycamore'S
Third Attempt to Lift the Cup.
NEW YORK. Sept. 2S-In the present
series Of races. more than any other ever
sailed Tor the Americas Cup. the rcspou-
sibnty of success. OF failure, rests with
the two men who have been selected 60
sail the challenger and defender. and
also with the members Of the crew. who
have been carefully chosen and drilled by
them. Money Will not avail now. nor
can plans affect the result. The owners
however. have the satisfaction Of knowing
that the men al the helm OF the sham
rock n and the Columbia have no equal
ON either side Of the Atlantic as yacht
ing shippers.
The two greatest sea jockeys I'm the
world are I'm command of the challenger
and defender. Not only are they brilliant
ana daring sailing masters but they are
familiar with every phase OF yacht rae
ing. and the word fear is not in their vo-
cabulary-
Capt Charles Barr. who is again I'm
command Of the Columbia, is pre-omi-
n,ntly the best yacht-racing captain in
shippers have now avowed his SUPERIOR
~.
1t is claimed by members of the Cup
committee that while there was little to
choose between the two boats. there was
a great difference in the manner i'm which
Charley Barr and his crew handled the
Columbia, compared to the Indifferent
manner i'm which Captain Rhodes and his
men dallied with the Constitution. II was
apparent almost from the first prelimina-
~ race that Captain Barr as "A racing
skipper was superior to the man from
Long Island, and IL is said. more than
one member Of the Cup committee asked
Butler Duncan. managing director of the
Constitution. that the shippers and crews
Of the two yachts be changed for a series
Of races and let Captain Barr and his men
try out the Constitution Mr.. Duncan de
clined 20 do this for fear of hurting the
feelings of Captain Rhodes and his men
and thereby releEated an investment of
S250o00 to the junk man
After the Columbia had been selected
20 defend the Cup "a member OF the com
mittee said there was little difference be
tween the two boats, but after seeing
Captain Rhodes and his crew handle the
Constitution throughout the trial races
the committee thought Il would be sui
cidal 10 outrust him with the defence Of
the Cup. The seamguship displayed by
Captain Barr and the manner in which
h. handled his crew were Infinitely SUI
peri0r 10 the work Of Captain Rhodes on
the Constitution.
This story shows the esteem I'm which
Captain Barr is held 10y the members of
the New York Yacht Club Given
slightly inferior boat, certainly one more
poorly equipped, his superior ability as a
seaman and race captain Is counted ON
to overcome those difficulties, ana 90 him
has been entrusted the defence Of the
Cup.
Captain Barr is only thirty-fve years
ole. He was born In Scotland. and ship
ped aboard a yacht as cabin boy before
he was twelve years OLD He was captain
of a yacht at eighteen years Of age, and
at twenty was racing skipper. Before
removing to this country he sailed mum
Der Of races on this side of the Atlantic.
He took charge Of the Navahoe. in 1s95.
and sailed her in races IN English wat
eTs. He was also in command OF the
NigiIaut when she met The Ealkyrle 1,
and two years ago successfully sailed the
Columbia against the Shamrock J.
Captain Barr. while daring. Is not rack-
less lie knows his boat and ne knows
his crew In fact, that Is one OF the ST.
CrcfS OF his success as "a racing skipper
He has selected the men under him with
great care. and understands them thor
Oughiy- He is a strict dlSciplil4rlau. but
always ready TO bestow praise where IT. is
deserved. and h. asks no man 20 perform
a difficult task that he is not willing o. DO
himself As sea jockey in American
waters he Is in a class by himself, and
there is not point in yacht racing that
h. has not thoroughly mastered.
Capt William Sycamore, of the Sham
rock II. enjoys even "a greater prestige in
English waters as a reso!Ute, daring. and
foxy skipper than does Captain Barr In
this country. Not only has he for years
been a student Of the wind and waves.
but he has the faculty Of knowing what
to do at exactly the right time. Yacht
critics who have followed the trials Of
the Shamrock III outside Sandy Hook say
skill in handling the challenger, and IL is
doubtful II there was a better-trained
racing crew than he has under him.
This IS Captain Sycamores third at
tempt 70 win the Cup. and while saying
little. he is overlooking with confidence.
and has inspired his crew with the belief
that the Shamrock cannot lose as long
as they do their duty.
The English captain is some ten years
older than Captain Barr. and has the add
vantage Of the American skipper IN the
way OF experience He IS typical sailor.
and his Weather-bcaten face shows years
Of life spent In the open. Re has all Of
the tcnacity Of the BritOn. and Ike the
boat he commands, is the strongest that
could be secured 20 sail the challenger.
taEnia the Prince Of Wales racing yacht,
and won many notable racing events with
her
Captain Sycamore is I'm favor Of abolish
ing the rule which allows each boat two
minutes in which 70 get across the line.
he can after the starting gun has been
fired.