Evening journal., 1901-10-02
SECOND RACB
DISMAL FAILURE
Yachts Could Not Cover the
Course in Time Limit
ShamrOck's Skipper Took Gambler S
Glance While Columbia WaS Lead
ing and Luck Came

New York, Oct. 2.--Yesterdays at
tempt to sail the second Of tie present
series Of international yacht races fori
the blue ribbon of the ser. proved a
aismal failure. Between $4,000 and 30
900 people who crowded the pleasure
feet on Sandy Hook Lightship m the
hope OF seeing a repetition of the
thrilling sport Of last Saturday wit
messed instead more Of a drifting match
than a race. The wind was exceedingly
light and variable, at times falling so
low that the gossamer wind penants
which are as light as thistle down,
hung limp against the masts of the big
single stickers.
The wind with crews lined up on the
lee rails, was not sufficient at any time
to make the racing machines heel TO
their lines. At the end of four and a
half hours the two yachts had covered
less than one half of the prescribed
course of 30 miles. and as there was
no possibility OF their finishing within
the time limit the regatta committee
declared the race off.
When til q gun was fired announcing
this decision the challenger was about
half mile ahead OF the defender and
to that extDnt yesterdays trial was a
victory for Shamrock IL. But the fiuke
Yesterday demonstrated little as to the
question of supremacy between the
two boats except perhaps that Sir
Thomas new champion Is more dang
erous in light airs than was supposed
after her two former meetings with
the white flyer to which the patriots
are pinning their faith. In flulSy winds
of variable strength shifting as they
did yesterday, through six points of the
compass. luck cuts almost as much
figure as model and seamanship and
yesterday fortune was unmistakably
with the foreigner.
The course was an equilaterial tri-
angle. ten miles to the leg, the first leg
being a beat due east into the wind.
| The Yankee skipper at the start out
generalled his adversary in n splendid
piece Of iockeying, crossing the line in
| the windward berth twelve seconds
ahead OF the Britsher. This advantage
| Columbia held for two hours while
both yachts steered far off their course
to the southwark looking for n streak
Of wind that would profit them. Final
" Barr declined longer TO continue the
vainless quest. He put his helm down
and headed in shore on the starboard
| tack
The Shamrock at this time. after
both had been sailing in the same airs,
was beaten boat and her skipper
could afford TO take a gamblers chance
with fortune. He held doggedly on and
/ fortune smiled upon him.
Shamrock Took Gamblers Choice.
Within five minutes he got a breeze
out OF the south which ruiiied the crest
through the Columbia's weather. But
this was not his best piece OF good for
tune. After this reverse the Columbia
slipping through the seas at an aston
ishing pace considering the lightness
Of the breeze, had worked out ahead Of
the Shamrock. but TO leeward.
When the two yachts were in this
position about two miles from the first
turn cant Of the wind threatened to
blanket the Columbia and 10 avoid
such possibility Barr went under the
Shamrock's stern. Just as he did so the
! wind hauled around more 20 the south
knocking the Columbia's head off until,
, to the astonished spectators. she
. seemed headed almost back for the
+, lightship at the starting line. The
b golden boat favored by the same breeze
4 was headed in exactly the opposite di-
p rection. Then the shifting wind backed
again and Barr got the Columbia
Strengthened out he was a third OF a
4 mile astern.
j. In this position the two boats
P rounded the first mark. the Shamrock
q 3 minutes and 8 seconds before Co
e lumbia or gain for Shamrock in the
r beat TO windward adding the 70 sec
I onds which Columbia beat her over the
= line OF 3 minutes and 20 seconds.
~ During the next hour in a close reach
n for the second mark the yachts were
m able to cover about four or four and a
,s half miles Of the remaining 20. and as
"a only so minutes then remained before
iv the expiration OF the time limit tn,
T. race was declared of. After turning tn,
mark the experts thought Shamrock
he increased her lead slightly. This gaiI
e. may, however. been accounted for b,
s the fact that she carried a large reach
Ie. ing jib topsail while Columbia wa
o. working close 20 the wind with
IN small baby iib topsail. a mere hand
tn kerchief compared to Shamrock's larg
IN er sail. When the excursion feet head
IT. ed back for home the only real race O
CO. the day occurred. II was the race 10
vs. New York. Last night both IN
he Yankees and the foreigners were pray
by ing for good stiff breeze on Thursda
IDS when yesterdays race will be resailet
len
lea Upton On the Contest.
incl Always Optimistic Sir Thomas Tsr