The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-01

Columbia, who was still holding a COM
manding position.
At 11:34 Shamrock went around on
the starboard tack, and stood across
Co1um bias wake, but less than a
minute afterward Captain Barr swung
around on the starboard tack, still
holding her in a nice berth, to the
windward of his rival.
At this time the wind was discourag-
ingly light and it seemed an impossi-
bility that the yachts would finish
within the time limit.
The yachts held this tack for about
six minutes, when the Shamrock taxi
ing the lead in tacking again went on
the port tack Barr waited nearly two
minutes before following suit, and the
wind was so light that both yachts
We're more than 80 seconds swinging in
stays.
For nearly an hour the Columbia and
the Shamrock both held the port tack,
the wind being so light at times that
they alternately fell off with the sea
and then luffed up Shortly after u
O'Clock they were for a little time prac-
tically becalmed, but through it all
Columbia maintained the lead which
she had secured at the start. About
half past twelve there were signs down
the Jersey coast that the wind was in
creasing and both shippers evidently
catching scent of this fact at 12:41 went
about on the starboard tack.
What wind there was had hauled
around little to the south of east and
it looked as if there would be no more
windward work in the race if it held
from that quarter With the wind from
that direction, the two remaining legs
would reach.
Far out to sea there was at this time
a dark streak, showing that there at
least was some wind. InshOre toward
the mouth of the harbor a fine eight
knot breeze was blowing, sending the
small sail boats about at a lively rate.
But up off the Long Island shore, where
the big racers were, there was no wind
and they made but slow progress
toward the first mark.
1t was slow work for the next twenty
minutes, but then the tickle wind
caught them at last The Shamrock
got it first and with her canvas filling
out, darted out and rapidly cut down
the distance between her and the CO.
lumbia- Captain sycamore took every
possible advantage of the favorab BILE
slant and before it had reached the
Colum bia, he was almost on even terms.
Fortune was with the British skipper
and holding tight to the air current,
which he had caught, he slowly worked
into the windward berth and then took
the lead. 1t was not much of an ad-
vantage, but for the first time since
they had crossed the line, the Britisher
was ahead. 1t was just lis when, be-
yOnd the question of doubt. it was seen
that the boats had changed the posi-
tiOnS that they had held since the start.
The hukey, shifting wind seemed al
ways to favor the Shamrock and at
1:52 she had lead of four lengths. In
the meantime, Ine shamrock naQ taken
in her baby jib topsail and the boats
were rapidly nearing the first mark.
The Columbia set her jib topsai1 and
a few moments later the Shamrock fol-
lowed suit. Both boats were now get
ting a good slant of wind and it seemed
as if the British was making the most
of it, her sails drawing well, and ap-
parently momentarily widening the gap
between herself and her rival. The race
had become a pretty struggle for the
first mark, despite the Hghtness of the
wind.
At 1:52 the Shamrock is four lengths
ahead and to the windward. At 1.57
the Columbia took a yspuxt ana passed
the Shamrock to leeward.
The Columbia is two lengths ahead
at POI and still to leeward.
The Columbia is yet ahead at 2:08
with the wind f1ukey; first one boat get
ting it and then the other.
At 2:20 the Shamrock caught a puff
of wind and assumed a lead of several
lengths
At 2:40 o. m. the Shamrock is drawing
away from the Columbia, with a favor
ing breeze, which the latter has not
caught They are near the first mark
The unofficial time of turning the first
mark: Shamrock 2:41:40; Columbia well
astern
At 2.45 the boats have sailed three
hours and 45 minutes and have one
hour and 40 minutes in which to sail
the remaining twenty miles of the race.
1t seems improba BILE that they can fin
ish within the limit. The official time
of turning the first mark was: Sham
rock 2:41:36; Columbia 2:44:44.