Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-30
The ASTOR CUP
Fairly Won from Constitution
by Old Columbia.
Constitution Out of Trim and viii Be
OyerhauIed at Bristol.
Columbia Alone Will Meet Independence.
Thursday and Saturday.

Newport, r. l.. July 29.-The Column
bia. today, defeated the Constitution
boat for boat. in a splendid race, by
minutes and "a seconds. and won the
$1,000 cup presented by Col. John Jacob
Astor. Her victory was decisive and
convincing. The behavior of the Consti-
tuition, on the other hand, was disap-
pointing in the extreme, and, this even
ing. Mr.. Duncan announced that his
boa; would not take part in the fur
ther races until her rig had been al
tered.
He declared that the Constitution is
not doing herself Justice: that she is
not going well and that there is no use
i'll racing her further until she is put in
proper shape. The Constitution will not
participate in the Newport events of
Thursday and Saturday as a COMPETE
tor Of The independence. The Columbia.
however, will sail against the Boston
beat.
The Constitution will go to Bristol at
once for alterations. If this change in
plans does not prevent, the next races
in which she will start will take place
over the Newport course, Aug. II and
4, under the auspices Of the New York
Yacht Club. Special cups will be offer
ID for the 9O-footers. In one race the
cup offered by Sir Thomas Upton will
be sailed for.
The trial races for selecting the de
fender will be held here, Aug 81 and
Sept. and g.
1t is not expected that the Newport
Racing Association will hold any more
contests after this week. and unless
the independence should qualify to
start in the New York Yacht Club con
tests the races. next Thursday and
Saturday, Will be the last in which she
win appear. this season
The course, today, was from Bren-
tons reef lightship to a stake boat an
cnored one mile east of Block Island
buoy, thence to another stake boat two
| miles southwest by west of West Is
land. and thence back to Brentons
reef lightship. a total of 3S nautical
miles. The wind started about nine
knots and freshening gradually, at
| tanned 10 or IA knots.
The Constitution was beaten fairly
and squarely on her merits. SO long as
the wind continued light she had it all
her own way. but when there came a
stronger hand at the bellows. the Co
lumbia slowly but surely overhauled
| her.
The Constitution will probably be
hauled out at Herreshoff's by Thurs
day, and after it has been determined
that there is nothing wrong with her
plates the riggers will begin work
The Columbia's clubtopsail in eth
the windward work, today, was neither
useful nor ornamental Its after leech
Tapped like a towel on a clothes line
iii half a gale.
In the private class for sloops and
yawls in which there was an extra
prize for the yawls that sailed. given
by the single stickers, and for the
sloops presented by the owners of the
yawls, the entries were the yawl Nav
ahoe and the sloops in Glass L. Hester.
Eelin. Isolde and Senta. OF these the
Eelin was the victor
The schooners all in one class, were
represented by the flagship Corona.
the Quisetta and the Elmna The
Eimina won the $500 cup for schooners.
beating the Corona on time allowance
The independence started over the
course about a mile ahead of the
racers. She tackled them to leeward
OF the Block Island mark but showed
no great speed.
All the yachts in the starting fleet
carried clubtopsais and all had lib
topsails sent up in stops when the
signal for the start sent the yachts on
their way. The skipper Of the Column
bia knew better than to be caught first
with the wind dead aft. And thus the
Constitution passed the line first. Off
Point Judith. the Constitution led the
squadron with the Columbia second
and the yawl Navahoe third. OF the
single stickers. Hester was easily I'm
the lead with Eelin and Isolde next i'm
order. OF the schooners Corona led
with Elmina second and Quisetta
third.
First to round the Block Island
mark at 1885 LAG was the Constitutions
But close on her heels, only nine sec
onds astern, was the Columbia. the
old defender having gained 80 seconds
on the run down the wind. Both
boats had taken in light sails. gybed
over and stood for the buoy with
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