The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-25
CONSTITUTION QUIT
HARD RAIN SQUAIsI. PUTS AN END
TO YESTERDAYS YACHT
RAGE
OLD BOAT GOES THE COURSE
At the Time the New Boat Pulled
Out Columbia Was Ahead,
Having Gained on
Every Leg.

OYSTER BAY, L. /, Aug. 24.-The
Columbia glided across the finish line at
eight minutes past this afternoon for
the eighth time winner over the Con-
sttution. And the most cordial salute
that greeted the old champion came from
the steam yacht Erin, having on board
SIR Thomas Upton, who had himself
b en- beaten three times by the same
boat There was no second for the Con-
sdtution had quit After sailing once
around the triangular course of the
SeaWanhaka club with the Columbia A
seconds winner, having gained on every
leg both boats ran into a terrific rain
squall. They CROPPED about for some time
IN the dOwnpour and shifting breezes,
hardly able to see two lengths ahead. AT
last the weather cleared a bit. The
Columbia picked up the mark. which was
the first of the second round, and stood
for it. The Constitution, however, had
already Withdrawn. Having sent down
her big topsail she was headed for
Oyster Bay. The Columbia kept on.
finished the race and takes the cup.
Today's race marks the finish of the
preliminary or tuning-up series between
the Cons titution and Columbia. They
now come to the trial races off Newport
under the auspices Of the New York
Yacht club. The boat winning two out
Of three of these races, provided there
has been a fair test OF speed in average
cup conditions, viii undoubtedly be Sc
lected by the Americas cup committee
to sail in the international races against
the Shamrock II. Beginning on July l.
the two candidates for the honor of de-
Tending the cup have made nineteen
starts. Out of these there have been
sixteen finishes, an unusually large num-
Der. The Constitution has won. eight and
the Columbia eight. But these figures
taken alone, do not quite represent the
respective merits of the two boats as
shown by the contests already sailed. A
brief review of the results shows that
the Constitution has shown superiority in
light breezes and smooth seas only. The
Columbia has never been beaten in any
thing like a strong and true wind with
one exception and that was on Aug. 10,
off Newport, when she suffered mishap
in a hard hammer to windward in the
strongest breeze of the whole series.
When the accident occurred she was
ahead of the Constitution in the weather
berth and 1t is the general opinion that
she would have beaten the new boat
had she not been obliged to huff into the
wind for more than five minutes. How
ever, the performance Of the Constitution
on that day was grand one. The wind
piped up to a knots at times, and she
took the heavy seas and hard puffs, even
with a club topsail aloft, in admirable
style. The first race on July l. was won
by the Columbia in a 1O-knot southwest
er. On July % the Columbia became dis
abled three miles from the start, when
she had a lead and the Constitution re-
fused to take a walk-OVer. On July
and in very light airs, at no time blow
ing over knots, and most of the time
under 4, the Constitution showed up in
wonderful form and gave the old boat
two decisive beatings. On the 10th of
July the Constitution started, but soon
withdrew on account Of thick fog. The
Columbia won two victories, one in
S-knot Southwestern and the other in
fresh northeaster. Then came the races
during the cruise of the New York Yacht
club in the light breezes of the sound.
The Constitution took three to the
Columbia's one. On July "a the Column
bia took the Aston cup on the Newport
course in handsome style and tie Con-
stttution went to Bristol to change her
rig, ner managers not being satisfied
with her performances. They next came
together on Aug 10 in the hard race
already mentioned. On Aug. u the
Columbia won on time allowance in a
very close nnlsh III light and t1uky
winds. They started on Aug IA in a light
breeze on a windward and leeward
hours of drifting, both Withdrew, being
then on even terms. Then came the
light air Larchmont races in the sound
on Aug. l6 and Il, which the Constitution
took, one by a large margin and the
other by only IS seconds. The two boats
came to tne Seawanhaka course Thurs
day and the decisive victory of the
Columbia is still fresh in the minds of
the yachtsmen. Today's race the last
of the long preliminary series, tells it's
own story.
NEW YORK, Aug. 24-sir Thomas
Upton, when seen by an Associated Press
repres NATIVE after the race, said: the
weather was bad for racing and think
the Constitution did the right thing in
stopping when she did. In that thick
weather there was no use taking chances
OF an accident, either of collision or of
running aground. Our yachts on both
sides OF the water have had experience
enough of that kind"
ST. Thomas refrained from saying any
thing regarding the merits of either the
Columbia or the Constitution.
On board the Erin as guests Of the
shamrock owner were Lieut. Col. Bur
bank and his daughters and several other
oIhcers. Capt Sycamore and Navigator
Hamilton also saw the race from the
-, - incl Gus iiiiiSly Saiu TO the
newspaper men; You brought US out
mere to give US a soaking What VIII
you do with us if we take the cup?"
Wllham Butler Duncan, the Constitu-
ton S manager, when asked why he quit.
said; We hove to when the weather
got thick and l supposed the Columbia
mad also quit. I shall take the Consti-
tuition east tonight If the weather clears
and there viii be no more races until
the trial races.
TN,y-F-s3 SsT- ITTT-S -