The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-08

could be heard playing. Columbia.
Gem OF the Ocean" Yankee Doodle"
and other patriotic airs
Sir Thomas, in the Erin, did not ap-
proach within half q mile OF the finish
line. He had seen his high hopes
blasted and presumably did ont care TO
be in at the jubilation over the defeat
OF his champion: but like q good game
sportsman. after the Columbia went
oyer the line he ran the American flag
TO the fore peak and fired q salute in
its honor.
The rival crews cheered each ether
as they were towed home behind thsir
tenders. escorted by the who'll excur-
sion fleet.
Within a half hour after the conc,u-
sion OF the race the committee boat, in
accordance with the agreement TO race
daily from now on. est the signal for a
race tomorrow.
Sir Thomas Upton. although plain
ly d~epreyssd at the result OF the race.
stood brayely at the gangway of the
Erin and bade cordial adieu to his
guests He also entertained a large
party of yachtsmen and ladies who VS.
tied tbs Erin after the days guests had
departed.
Il am very much disappointed at the
result" said Sir Thomas. and the only
consolation / have is that I know 1
have been licked by a good. honorable
opponent. / n that the wind was
true and that the Columbia wen with
out any fiuke."
Sir Thomts said that what he was
most disappointed about was the defeat
of the Shamrock in the windward work.
we were all SO sure she would do we'll
in that and in such a breeze, but she
seemed to pound too much"
He added that there would be no
changes in the trim in the sails of the
Shamrock.
The tow out OF the racers from their
anchorage to the starting line was de-
void of any interest. There was no
heavy swell to cause the shippers anx-
iety about their bobstays. Thus IL
was that the Shamrock set the largest
OF her topsails. and, nothing daunted,
the Columbia followed suit.
When the preparatory gun was fired
1t was clearly evident that the Column
bia cared little for the start which was
made to leeward on a close reach, the
triangular course offering no benefit
whatever to the craft first away. There
was no true battle for position.
The committee boat Navigator drop
ped anchor in her usual place south of
the flagship at 1920 and at that time
both yachts in tow under bare poles
headed up in the wind and hoisted
mainsails. Their headsails were al
ready in stops.
The Shamrock was first to cast loose
from her tug and a homer later her
headsails were broke out from their
stops and she made a clean run for the
lightship.
The Columbia which had been hug
ging the easterly end of the line eased
off sheets and stood for the mark.
Signals were already hoisted from the
committee boat that the course would
be triangular, which meant that there
u-&,,1l l.
dead beat to WindWard for home.
The yachts heeled to a scupper breeze
when the preparatory was fired at
10:45. The Columbia, far to the east
ward. stood down before the wind for
the line. Meanwhile the Shamrock
was circling round the lightship.
Before the warning CUNT was fired ten
minutes after the preparatory signal
Columbia was ahead, and, not wanting
to cross the line too early, luffed up
with her headSails shaking until she
almost stood still. This put the Sham
rock in the better position, and, wear
ing close round, h crossed the line al
most with the gun. while the Columbia
elected to cross considerable more than
one minute behind. Many experts
thought that the Columbia would be
handicapped, but Barr was on the
alert and sent her across in time to
save himself.
ON H FIRST LEG.
With the wind forward on the port
beam and with a tiny jib topsail set on
the Shamrock and a much larger and
better pulling sail on the Columbia, the
yachts started out on the first leg Of
the triangle. During the first few
minutes it was impossible to say
whether the Columbia was gaining or
not. In the gusts Of wind she seemed
to heel over less than the challenger
and also appeared to steer a slightly
higher course.
The wind, though holding true from
north-northwest. varied in violence.
Occasionally a heavy squall would
strike n Of the racers. causing her to
heel. but taking the mean of the puffs.
neither could be said to have been more
favorable.
1t soon became apparent that the
race was to be sailed in very quick
time.
The gain of the Columbia, which the
turn of the first mark proved she had
made. was almost imperceptible. To-
ward the mark the wind ~freshened.
The Columbia with a lesser sail spread
seemed to stan sitter than her rival,
but there was little to choose between
them. They smothered along toward
the mark and when they rounded it the
Columbia had gained only twenty-five
seconds.
FOR THE SECOND STAKE.
The gybe on both crafts was wei
done. Under the same sail as they
started they both stood for the second
mark. The wind piped stronger and ir
the strongest of the puffs the Sham.
rock had to luff a little to ease her tc
the force of the breeze. The Columbia
on the contrary, was allowed to fee
the full power Of every squall, never
being eased and it was hat which
helped her ahead. In spite Of the large
sail spread of her antagonist h wa:
never left behind, but kept up with thu
challenger. 1t became apparent at thu
time hat the Columbia had sailed ovel
one-half Of the second leg that shs
had saved her time and was. barring
accidents. winning. Her skipper, in
stead OF nursing her through tht
squalls, let her feel the strength Of
them, while the Shamrcck's larger
spread of sail caused her to make i'm
perative tufts or else carry away some
thing.