The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-05
SIR THOMAS FAILS
TO LIFT THE CUP


10 LIFT THE CUP
Continued From First Page.)
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 1855.
Shamrock Immediately followed, and
planted herself directly astern of the de-
fender. at the same time Breaking out
her tremendous balloon jb ana letting
fall to starboard her spnnaker pole. 1t
was Sycamore's game to cross last if pos
sble. 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 han
dicapped his boat in crossing. but not so
much as his rival. for it is estimated that
he only fifteen seconds behind the
handicap gun.
Both boats being handicapped the off
cial time of start was posted on the bulle-
tin board of the committee boat as fol-
lows:
Shamrock Observation-Disclosures. 600
Columbia ..................... .l1:o2:c0
SHAMROCK GAINED.
Hardly had the boats got over the line
before it was seen that the Shamrock
was gaining on her rival. Slowly she
crept up. and at 1117 was on even terms.
Half a minute later she showed her bow
spirit ahead, ana from there on leo the
Columbia to the outer mark.
The official time of turning the outer
mark was as follows:
Shamrock Observation-Disclosures, .12:iS:i6
Columbia. Observation-Disclosures. i2:49 30
Thus on the run straight down the
wind the challenger had gained. accord
ing to official time. forty-nine seconds,
but in reality she had done better than
this for to this forty-nine seconds are to
be added the fifteen seconds which the
Columbia led her over the starting line.
At liz a dramatic event occurred. In
three minutes the Colum hia passed clean
through the lee Of the challenger, went
on the port tack and easily crossed her
bows. The Shamrock at once tackled un-
der the defenders lee and then developed
a situation that could not be explained
unless by change of wind. Columbia
kept on pointing very high The Sham
rock headed far off to leeward, and for
several minutes did not point anywhere
near as hieh as the Columbia, and rap
idly fell off.
WIND FLUIlY.
The vino had now drOppAu materially
and it soon became huky rs we'll, first
one boat getting it in puffs and then the
other. At times there was a great differ
ence in their pointing, the Columbia now
heading We'll up while the Shamrock fell
off and then again the reserve was true.
At 80 the boats were standing along
on mort tacks. but wide apart The
Columbia was well to windward. the dis
lance estimated by some OF the yachting
sharps at nearly a mile but at the same
time she was slightly aStern. ~ series OF
short lacks was then begun by both
racers. and III these the Shamrock snow
eG evident gains, being aided by friendly
slants of wind. For half an hour thee
short tacl,s continued. and when at
O'Clock the boats. came together near
enough to afford comparison. 1t was seen
that the challenger had made up great
part. if not all of her loss. The wind,
meanwhile, had become more and more
fuky and was blowing not over seven
or eight knots.
4 few minutes after o'clock Barr put
the Columbia about on the starboard tack
and headed 70, the jersey shore y min
ute later the Shamrock followed and 1t
was then seen beyond possibility CT doubt
that the American boat was not only TO
windward. but vas slightly ahead Again
the racers went into short taclzs aud
again the challenger came out with gains
TO her credit so that at 2:20 she took the
lead.
The wind was now fast dropping. 1t
~,
became a!Stuus race d.!o thS NI1,S
ment increased. y rev more snort tachs
and the British beat acde.i TO iier REQ ~
faVoring puts. Seamanship OF tae hlSn-
est order was now required ana IN th's
respect it was Eats on to doush5S Silar
lie Barr. He nursed his craft along in
the light airs in 4 wonderful manner and
at every moment had a sharp eye out
for any change Of wind.
When at S:l1 the Shamrock put about
to meet the Columbia it was evident that
she still had a. slight lead, for she forced
tho Shamrock again went about on the