The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-04
VICTORY FOR THE COLUMBIA
The Shamrock is Beaten Once More, and by
Three Minutes and Thirty
Five Seconds.
THE RESULT OF THE CONTEST DECISIVE

pointed until the experts explained that
there was no windward berth in a reach
where the boats could lay their course
straight for the mark and that the posi-
tion astern where Barr could keep
his eye on every move of his rival was
the commanding one. He could watch
Sycamore like hawk knowing that when
the gap, between was closed the race was
his.
MINUTES OF SUSPENSE.
For the first fifteen miles no human eye
could tell which ship, if either, was gain
ing so closely were they matched. But
gradually it became apparent that the
Columbia was overhauling the flying chal
lenger.
Slowly inch by inch and foot by foot
the white boat gained Both were going
at terrific pace. The patrol fleet to
leeward. jsteaming in line ahead at inter
walls of four hundred yards, had no diff
Guilty in keeping the course clear Every
one had crowded on steam to keep the
racers in sight and the gait at which they
were going left the tug boats and some
of the steam yachts astern.
The guide boat which started Is min
utes before the race, dug out full speed,
but she was hardly able to log off the
distance and get the float overheard
before the racers were upon her.
ARUSH BY THE FLEET.
AS the yachts approached the outer
mark stream Of signal flags were set
on the Revenue Cutter Gresham, the flag
ship of the patrol fleet instructing them in
the universal language of the sea to
change direction by the right flank. The
patrol boats swung around to line west
and charged down upon the excursion
fleet. The latter, with bells changing in
the engine rooms for more speed turned
tail and the whole fleet rushed madly to
leeward of the last leg of the course.
Leaving the first mark on the starboard
hand the racers jybed over their big
booms and went careening for the Sec
ond mark, the Columbia gaining slowly
but surely.
They had covered the first ten miles in
a little over fifty minutes. When they
swung around the second stake they took
in their baby jib-topsails and hauled
their wind for the beat home. Both boats
wheeled until their underbodies were
lifted high out of the water and their
lee rails dipped foot into the swirling
pillows.
In five minutes after rounding the sec
ond mark it was apparent that the Co.
lumbia was footing faster and pointing
higher. She went through Shamrocks
lee like quarter horse. The rush of the
leviath until the final tas was mag
nficent.
The excursion boats, black with people
from gunwale to pilot house, gathered
about the finish in great horseshoe.
WHISTLES SHREK VICTORY.
AS the White Flyer came on with big
bone in her teeth well in the lead, the
patriotic shippers with their hands on
their whistle cords, could hardly restrain
themselves. AS she swept across the fin
ish the din was sOul-destroying. Whis-
ties split the ear and steam sirens wall
ed, drowning the crash of the bands and
the cheers Of the people. The concert
Of sound was terrific.
Until after the gallant Shamrock. beat
en- but not disgraced, crossed a minute
and eighteen seconds later, whistles and
sirens were kept going. When they died
away the bands could be heard playing,
Columbia, Gem of the Ocean," Yankee
Doodle" and other patriotic airs.
SIR THOMAS PROVES GAME.
Sir Thomas in the Erin did not ap-
proach within half a mile of the finish
line. He had seen his high hopes blast
ed ard presumably did not care to be in
at the jubilation over the defeat of his
champion. But like good game sports
man after the Columbia went over the
line he ran the American flag up TO the
fore peak and fired a salute in it's honor
The rival crews cheered each other as
they were towed home behind their tend
ers escorted by the whole excursion fleet.
Within a half hour after the conclusion
of the race the Committee boat in ac-
cOrdance with the agreement to race
daily from now on set the signal for a
race tomorrow.
Sir Thomas Upton, although plainly
depressed at the result of the race, stood
bravely at the gang way of the Erin and
tade cordial adieu to his guests. He
also entertained a large party of yachts
men and ladies who visited the Erin al
ter the days guests had departed.
HIS ONE CONSOLATION.
Il am very much disappointed at the
result said Sir Thomas, "and the only
consolation / have is that 1 know I have
been licked by a good, honorable opponent.
l know that the wind was true and that
the Columbia won without any fuke.'
Sir Thomas said that what he was
most disappointed about was the defeat
of the Shamrock in the. windward work
Eve were all so sure she would do well
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 Of the sails of the Shamrock.