New-York tribune., 1901-09-29

great showing OF the day was that the Column
bia in all breezes up TO eight miles an hour is
the best all round boat the world has ever
known. 1t also be said that another
inference to be drawn from the days racing
was that in the Shamrock, and for yesterdays
conditions, George L. Watson has produced the
fastest craft in windward work that ever sailed
a race Even with Bars superior skill in work
ing boat out to windward. the Columbia was
tied all the way TO the windward mark. and.
although the margin always small. the
Columbia was never once the leading yacht in
the whole of the fifteen mile beat.
AS summary of the whole day it should be
added that the PAGES of the boats were much
more like those of one-design racers than OF
boats built three thousand miles apart 1t was
frequently admitted after the race that IL the
Constitution had been chosen to defend she
would here have been beaten.
PROSPECT OF WIND.
The Columbia led the way out to the ocean
from Sandy Hook Bay, with the Shamrock about
a mile behind her Both were in tow of their
tugs the Shamrock's mainsai being hoisted
she went This was about $50 o'clock. and
the light northery wind. which had been NOV
ing NewYork in the early morning, had
shifted easterly. and was beginning to come
in with fairly good sailing Tower This was
had expressed the view while leaving New-York
that there was not a sign of any kind TO sug
gest that the boats would have wind enough TO
get over the course. The Columbia had all her
sails down as she towed out. and in the
long southeasterly roll. which has been coming
in for three days. the Shamrock knocking
the water off both bows with her long forward
overhang. There seemed now to be every
chance of having race in that kind of breeze
which Sir Thomas Upton said the Shamrock
wanted. The clouds to the southard had fringes
on them. and there were detached bits of fluff
coming out Of the southwark in a way suggest
ing that they had good deal of move in them.
The Shamrock was overhauled by the press
tug Walter Luckenbach just before 10 o'clock
and ranged along the spnnaker boom on the
port side, sitting down, were Watson the de-
signer; the New-York Yacht Club representa-
tive, w Butler Duncan, jr. Manager William
Jan. eson, Thomas Ratsey. Sir Thomas Upton
and Commodore Hiard.
On the Columbia at the same time and place
they were hosting the mainsail, the crew di-
vided each side OF the boom, about twenty
three men TO each Lalyard they tailed along
the deck. Both vessels had their headsails on
the stage in stops At 1908 O'Clock both yachts
hosting their club gafftopsails. and the
masthead men out the peak halyards
Clearing the yards as the sails went up The
gray gold kite OF the Shamrock was first in
place, and when it was sheeted out the peculiar
cut given by Ratsey to the cloths. which all
run in toward the centre of the sail could be
seen the big sail was spread out for the ad-
miration of the assembled yachtsmen The
Columbia's clubtopsa was much more unas-
suming in its dimensions. but it looked as usual
like clean business.
The surface of the ocean was much quieter
81 ,f,,
nothing but the old southeasterly roll to
impede the progress of the racers The wind
coming in about east by south, and at this
time did not seem to be increasing. At 1925
the committee the tug Navigator set the
course signal D. c. G., meaning east by south,
and the letter had already been sent up
meaning fifteen miles to windward and return.
BOTH BOATS UNDER SAIL.
Both boats were under sail, and had let go
their tugs by 10:30 o'clock. the Columbia carry
ing both headsais, and the Shamrock moving
for while under one headsail. Her foresail
was hoisted few minutes later When the
Navigator anchored to make the starting line
from the Sandy Hook Lightship. the length of
the line seen to be about a quarter of
mile, and IL was placed pretty nearly across the
wind, though the Navigator end seemed to be
the slightly more windward end.
The Shamrock and the Columbia both came
down then TO examine the line. and the Sham
rock went around the stern Of the Navigator TO
test her pointing on the wind and find out which
was the better end to cross at. The Columbia
also passed down to leeward here and It was
noticed that in all this preliminary manouvring
the Shamrock was keeping the weather berth
They were evidently watching each other like
cats, and Barr seemed TO be content to remain
10 leeward of the line.
At 10:45 o'clock the committee fired the pre-
liminary gun, and the Columbia was then head
ing westwardly. with the Shamrock following
considerably to the windward of her. One min
ute after the gun the Columbia went about into
the starboard tack and headed back for the line,
while the Shamrock continued to go westward
and passed in under her lee. They were then
sending up the working jibtopsail on the Sham
rock. which blew loose from its stops as il was
hoisted. The Columbia was now heading hot
foot out for the windward position and the
Shamrock had deliberately chosen to take the
leeward position.
At lO:4S o'clock the Shamrock came about
into the starboard tack and headed back for
the line. At 1861 o'clock the Columbia went
into the port tack around the lightship and at
the same moment the Shamrock was passing
astern of the Navigator. at the westerly end of
the line. She then paid off more, while the
Columbia came down along the windward side
OF the line on the port tack. Both boats seemed
to be willing to keep apart.
At lO:52:3o the Columbia went into the star
board tack and bore away toward the light
snip, while the Shamrock came in stays across
the line and paid of into the port tack This