New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-07-12
VICTORY FOR COLUMBIA
CLOSE AND EXCITING RACE OF THE
CUP YACHTS.
INDEPENDENCE SHOWS GREAT IMPROVE
MENT IN STRONGER BREEZE AND
BosToN's HOPES REVIVE
[By TELEGRAPH TO THE gRrBUNE.I

[By TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Newport, R. L, July lit was the greatest
race Of the year, and it would have been better
with more wind. The Columbia got enough
breeze TO sail race within the six hour limit
and she fight that hammer and tongs
from start TO finish. She it on even terms
sailing, with no flukes anywhere and no favors
asked. The Independence did as much as the
Boston people have lately said she would and
as long the breeze lasted with any power in it
she beat both the Herreshoff craft. The Constitu-
ton turned the fifteen mile windward mark be-
hind the Crowninshield design. and although
the positions changed on the run hCme the Law
son boat showed that she is dangerous craft
In a strong breeze. After showing that she is a
perfect ghost in almost a dead calm the Con-
stitution's showing in to-day's race suggested
that perhaps that is the only time she can be
sure OF beating the Columbia. and that in all
breezes of above seven eight knots an hour the
Columbia stands TO win. while there was a
strong suggestion made that from winds OF ten
miles upward the Independence might have the
best of the argument.
The morning cleared slowly after the rain of
the previous night. but at o'clock there was
bright spot in the southwesterly sky to tell
where the wind would come from The COM
mi,iee left no one in doubt. but steamed around
20 out After that decks all alive the three
OF them. and the headsails went UP In stops
while the work of the ballbearing sheaves in
the blocks OF throat and peak halyards had a
melody for the ears of yachtsmen. Soon the
big jackyarders were climbing UP the wide
and high mainsails while the breeze freshened
and those who had been sloths in the lethargy
Of the dull morning got up and shifted battle.
Charlie" Barr put knife in his sleeve for the
Constitution. and before the day was he
stuck il in deep. Hank HaH got ready his
evening speech, which to include the re-
mark. II told you sor' and when the three ves-
sells beat out to the Brenton Reef Lightship they
were almost alone on the vast deep.
THE INDEPENDENCE STARTS FIRST.
William E. Iselin's big schooner Emerald
slicing rollers outside, and the yawl Petrol, the
steam yacht Nydia, Henry c. Rouses Lady
Godiva and the steam yacht Indolent were out
there. but the collection small. The COM
mittee sized up the wind exactly it was and
they futtered out the flags I'D F j." which
told the captains that they would beat out for
fifteen miles to a mark lying in the winds eye
south-southwest- The warning gun went off at
1918. and the racers were then moving briskly
through the sparkles that danced the ocean
roll. This long. high roll not the product
OF any local breeze, but OF some strong wind
hundreds OF miles away, and ii was long enough
- give only two at once to ocean steamship.
The Independence at the first gun came around
and passed down through the line to leeward,
while the Columbia gybed and went out to
vindward west of the lghtshp Then the 1920
signal was given and the Columbia went out to
where the Constitution bearing away for
the line. The Columbia stayed out to windward
Of Rhodes and then payed away sixty seconds
coming for the line. but too soon, and had to
skirt down inside it. The Constitution slipped
up to windward of the Independence. which
crossed first to leeward the line at 12:25OS.
The Columbia crossed second at the wndward
END, and close to the lightship at 12:25:21- The
Constitution crossed little more to leeward at
12:25A3. and Immediately came in stays around
tie lightship heading toward the shore, in which
direction she was followed in less than minute
by the Columbia, and by the Independence at
1227:20
All were now heading toward Nara gansett Pier
or the port tack. The Independence came after
the others from a slightly windward position.
At this time she was going fast, but pointing
badly in comparison with the others. This bad
pointing which has previously been always
noticeable when the boat removed from
the other two, stopped when she came down near
slate colored war paint to-day. and 1t was
noticed that she carried no jibtopsail. When
she ran her previous races this sail did her harm
all day. She now left 1t below matches, and
the Improvement in her pointing was marked
All three seemed to be about abreast on this
westerly course at 12:3s the Independence to
vindward. the Columbia next to her and the
Constitution to leeward. So far the Indepen-
dence had the best position. as she had footed
last since she started, but expected to
See her hold her place. That was where those
who have been saying that the Independence
was really intended for a steam yacht received
surprise. While they were all heading up
about west-southwest, the independence was
pnched high any Of them. and to-day for
The first time she had wind enough to stand it,
While the Columbia was trying to drag out from
the lee side TO windward Of the Independence the
latter went about at 12:41 80 into the starboard
tack which was judged TO be bad move, the
racing Of the seventies last year having shown
mat shore good place to go to for slants
Tie Constitution remained down to leeward OF
tne Columbia without doing anything to work
out on her for some time, but she began to
eat out and footing faster at 12:io, at
which time the Independence went to the port
tack toward shore. The canvas on all the boats
looked to be In perfect condition. and there was
nothing to choose in the set Of the clubtopsails
BOSTON GETS ITS TURN TO SHOUT.
The Columbia left the Constitution at 1:55:1o |
NC the latter stood on for minute longer |
nearer the land. The Independence ana the |
s0unnba were now about to meet and at 1;57 |
'"e co defender. while on the starboar1 tack, |
aossed the Boston boats bows perhaps two |
*aeths ahead, and the independence went on |
" uckle the Constitution. But in this she |
.Sso Tor the new boat crossed close ahead Of |