The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-02
As FAR As 1T WENT.
Details of the Drifting Match of Yes
terdny on sandy Hook.

NEW YORK, Oct. IA nfteen-kno,
breeze from the north northwest was ruf-
fling the ocean when the crews OF Columbia
and the British challenger turned out with
the sun this morning. There was a snap
of early autumn in the air. and overhead
an unspotted blue sky gave promise OF an
ideal day for the second race between the
big flyers The crews OF the yachts were
early astir. Both yachts were ready for a
start at $50. The mooring chains had been
unshackled, and they were holding only by
slip lines.
Columbia was the first to start for the
lightship. She was in tow. and was fol-
lowed a few moments later by Shamrock.
BY 10 o'clock the racers were at the light
ship and the skirmish line OF the excursion
feet was sweeping around the Hook.
Sir Thomas Lipton's steam yacht Erin
was well TO the front OF the fleet with a
distinguished party an board. The big
dent IN her port quarter made by the rev.
enue cutter Gresham i'm collision on Sat
urday had been Strengthened out and a
coat of green paint covered all outer marks
of the accident
Meantime both Columbia and Shamrock
were making sail A few minutes after 10
o'clock Shamrock had set her club topsafl.
staysail and jib, i'm addition 10 her mainsail.
and a minute two later Columbia fol-
lowed suit. The sails flied fairly well an
they came about TO the wind. but the breeze
appeared to be rather htful. Then both the
racers dropped their tow lines and stood
off. while the judges boat took a position
sorle~hatto the north Of the lightship.
There was a large fleet OF pleasure craft
lowering about, and a noticeable increase
in the number of sailing yachts Lewis
NiXon's houseboat Loudon was anchored
near Sir Thomas Lipton,s big yacht. The
Erin, while nearby was the old schooner
yacht America.
AS the yachts drew down toward The
starting line the wind was decreasing per-
ceptibly. When they were about three
miles from the lightship the vanguard OF
the patrol boats and committee boat hove
i'm sight, and away up the NarTOws A grow
ing cloud OF black smoke heralded the
coming of the great excursion feet The
close race OF Saturday and the beautiful
weather which prevailed In the early morn
ing to-day drew attendance consider
ably in excess OF either Of the preceding
days.
After a conference on hoard the commit
tee boat signals were set for "A course
follows:
The first leg due east. beat: the second
south southwest one-half west. broad
reach on the port tack and the third north
northwest, One-nalf west close fetch 20
WIND VERY LIGHT
Meanwhile the wind had fallen so light
that the two big yachts stood up like
churches. the breeze not being strong
enough TO give them any heel.
BY the time the preparatory gun was
fired the yachts scarcely had steerage way.
the flags on the committee boat barely be-
ing lifted out from the mast. In order 20
facilitate her maneuver Shamrock broke
out her baby jib topsail. As also did Colun-
bia The yachts spent moro than seven
minutes after the preparatory signal was
fired in following each other In circles
about the committee boat. soon after the
warning signal was fired Columbia stood
of and then headed back for Shamrock
which at that time was standing on 10
starboard tack and headiag for the line
There was the usual sockeying e.
windward berth Hard luck was VI q
British challenger. for she stood .