The St. Louis Republic., 1901-09-01
The OLD BOAT GOT OFF WELL AND MADE GREAT RACE.

o'clock. The old defender made big gain
on the run home.
Defeat and HumiIlation.
It was a broad reach home, although the
Constitution in her anxiety TO lessen the
stretch Of wide waters that was between
her and the old champion. essayed spin
maker near the end, but it did not close the
gap and the vessel stands a disastrous
defeat and humiliation In addition.
In the windward leg the Columbia re-
quired for the distance one hour, forty-nine
minutes and thirty seconds and the Con-
stitution one hour, fifty minutes and forty
five seconds, being one minute and fifteen
seconds in favor Of the old vessel On the
leeward the Columbia occupied one hour,
thirty-one minutes and twenty-three seconds,
and the Constitution one hour. thirty-three
minutes and sixteen seconds, q matter OF one
minute and fifty-three seconds in favor OF
the Columbia. The elapsed time OF the
Columbia was three hours, twenty miutes
and ffty-eight seconds, and that Of tho
Constitution three hours. twenty-four minu-
tes and one second. The contestants were
well freighted with talent.
On the Constitution particularly were sew
eral representative men in the catching
world. and conspicuous on the quarter
deck was Captain Nat Herreshon, vino
designed the boat and only this week super
intended her preparation for the trials,
With his aid and experience to rely upon.
It looked as II her skipper. Captain Rhodes
need not do much thinking II he did not
!, want TO, as Captain NAT" is seldom de-
,feated. His latest creation, however, Is Q
tpntKls to him apparently, even as 1t Is to
the yachting world in general. and. II there
is anything that can be done to prevent the
Columbia from being selected to defend the
cup. IT should be done at once.
1t Was COAstituti0A Weather.
1t does not seem possible that the Con-
stitution can be so tuned up as to defeat
her older rival. Here It was a day that
seemingly suited the Constitution. There
| is not a yachtsman living who could have
| consistently growled at the weather. There
\ was a fine sailing breeze OF eight to ten
knots for it and smooth water. while the
| sun and sky were perfection.
| Weeks ago It would have been pronounced
| perfect Constitution weather, but now her
| friends claim that with the wind and sea
| more reckless she would do better. The
| world knows how well the Columbia does
| in blow. with the breeze piping and the
| giant swelis Of the ocean tossing the boats
/ from high to low white-capped waves shot
| with thousand different hues, she has al
ways been called the queen Of the seas
II IT Is difficult to defeat her In q steady
| breeze Of moderate strength and smooth
water, It is not likely that the Constitu-
| tion can do 80 when lee rails are awash
after all. is as invincfble as she Is beauti.
| full. We shall see.
! The challenge committee was on tn,
steam yacht Colonia. 1t is their duty Il
select the defender boat. They attended Il
business to-day and nothing more. Side IL
sues were discussed. They talked Of tn,
| defending boat only, and, while their I'm
pressions up to this period cannot be as
| certained. they will be heard from in fes
days in a most decided and positive way
Mayhap they will do what has never beel
| done before.
New Beats FirD FffesAs.
The lingering feeling stiH exists in tn,
minds Of the many experts that the Consti
| tuition Is the better boat. Captain Nat Her
reshoH thinks 80 and he is not often mis-
taken The Columbian clothes are now bst
ter and have always been much better thai
those Of the Constitution. The Columbia
crew Is thoroughly trained. Her skippe
and her representative owner have dom
wonders- Now, In the interest Of the cup
safety and In the interest Of America,
yachting. will the Challenge Committe
shift crews and see how that will work?
That would be revolutionary, but Their
are men Of decision on tho COMMITTEES VII,
would not hesitate at anything Of an un
usual character to convince them which o
J these two boats IL better sailed to NEE
the green challenger now in New Yorl
waters.