The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-05
The COLUMBIA HOLDS THE CUP
The Race Won on Time Allowance, Sham
rock Crossing the Line First by
Two Seconds.
SIR THOMAS CHEERS FOR THE COLUMBIA
brought over fifty years ago ended with
the best Of feeling "
The Official Story

brought over fifty years ago ended with
the best of feeling ~
The Official Story
At the preparatory signal at 1915
both boats were far up to the windward
and came down toward the Iight-ship
and just before the warning gun again
headed up into the wind simultaneous.
ly and worked back to their former
positions. Both were on the port tack
and close hauled, with the Columbia on
the weather quarter of the Challenger
The American boat was first to come
about after the warning gun at 1885.
Shamrock Immediately followed and
planted herself directly astern of the
Defender, at the same time breaking
out her tremendous balloon jib, and let
ting fall to starboard her spinnaker pole.
1t was Sycamore's game to cross last
If possible. This he was able to do.
but while he had the pride of position
in a leeward start he found himself
thirty seconds behind the handicap gun
Barr also handicapped his boat in
crossing but not so much as his rival
for it is estimated that he was only
fifteen seconds behind the handicap gun.
Both boats being handicapped the off
cial time of start was posted on the
bulletin board of the committee boat as
follows:
Shamrock, 11:02:00.
Columbia, 11:02:00
SHAMROCK LED TO OUTER MARK.
Hardly had the boats got over the
line before it was seen that the Sham
rock was gaining on her rival. Slowly
she crept up and at LII was on even
terms. Half a minute later she showed
her bowsprit ahead and from there on
led the Columbia to the outer mark
The official time of turning the outer
mark, was as follows:
Shamrock 12:4S:46.
Columbia 12:49:35
Thus on the run straight down the wind
the Challenger had gained according -
official time 40 seconds, but in reality
she had done better than this, for to this
~ seconds are to be. added the Is sec
onds which the Columbia led her over
the starting line
A DRAMATIC EVENT.
At 1:12 dramatic event occurred. In
three minutes the Columbia passed clean
through the lee of the Challenger, went
on the port tack and easily crossed her
bows
The Shamrock at once tackled under the
Defenders lee and then developed sit
uatlon that could not be explained except
by change of wind
While the Columbia kept on pointing
very high, the Shamrock headed far of
to leeward and for several minutes die
not point anywhere near as high as the
Columbia, and rapidly fell off.
The wind had now dropped materially
and 1t soon became fiuky as well, first
one boat getting it in puffs and then
the other AT times there was a great
difference in their pointing, the Columbia
now heading we'll up, while the Shamrock
fell off, and then again the reverse was
true.
AT 1:30 the boats were standing along
on port tack but wide apart The Column
bia was well to windward the distance
estimated by some of the Watching sharps
at nearly mile, but at the same time
she was slightly astern.
SHAMROCK GAINS ON TAcKs.
A series of short tacks was then be-
gun by both racers and in these the
Shamrock showed evident gains, being
aided by friendly slants of wind For
half an hour these short tacks continued
and when at two O'Clock the boats came
together near enough to afford compari-
son 1T was seen that the Challenger had
made up large part if not all her loss.
The wind, meanwhile, had become more
and more fiuky and was blowing not over
seven or eight knots.
A few minutes after o'clock Barr put
the Columbia about on the starboard
tack and headed for the Jersey shore
A minute later the Shamrock followed
and it was then seen beyond possibility
fof doubt that the American boat was
not only to windward, but was slightly
ahead
SHAMROCK TAKES THE LEAD
and again the Challenger came out with
gains to her credit, so that at 2:2O she
took the lead. The wind was now fast
dropping 1t became anybodys race and
the excitement increased. A few more
short tacks and the British boat added
to her lead by favoring pufs
OCauidHSHlD VI tue HlSUESL OTGef was
now required and in this respect it was
hats off to doughty Charlie Barr. He
nursed his craft along in the light airs in
wonderful manner and at every moment
had sharp eye out for any change of
wind.
When at 3:17 the Shamrock put about
to meet the Columbia it was evident
that she still had slight lead for she
forced the Defender about. Having done
this the Shamrock again went about on
the port tack with the evident hope of
fetching the line, now about mile away.
The Columbia kent on couple of min
yates longer and then followed her rival.
She was in the windward berth, but we'll
astern and the lead of the Englshman
was unmistakable. Both boats were be-
ing sailed for all there was in them
and they went through the water at