Waterbury Democrat., 1901-09-05
COLUMBIA WON AGAIN.
Constitution Lost. Because of Poor
 Start and Splitting of Topsail.

Constitution Lost. Because of Poor
 Start and Splitting of Topsail.
 Newport, R: l., Septe5, The. Consti- tuition sailed a capital race yesterday against the Columbia over a course fifteen miles tosewindward and back in breeze whose force averaged about eight knots, its greatest power being twelve knots near the finish line- The Columbia won by seventeen seconds, corrected time, the Constitution beat ing her rival, boat for boat, over the course on elapsed time fifty-four sec onds. This does not include the han dicap of twenty-one seconds or more with which the Constitution started. Had she not been handicapped she would have won. In the windward work she gained on the Columbia thir- ty-two seconds and also twenty-two seconds on the run home before the wind.
 In a, hesvy paffN When close to the finish line her balloon iib topsail split in two and caused big tangle aloft The Columbia was compelled to haul down her ballooner at the same time, for the squan carried away the erin
  ed the halyards. But the big sail on the Constitution refused to be con trolled and fiuttered in segments aloft and all hands had to do their prettiest to muZZle it.
 On the other hand the Columbia hauled down her balloon jib topsail in seamanlike style. and smartly bending on the spinnaker ,halgards hoisted a reaching jib topsail in stops, and break ing it out quickly darted acrosstthe line a winner. In takingx in spinnakers about twenty minutes before the finish line was reached by the leader the Con- stitution's sail got tangled in the head stays and it took several minutes to get it on deck. While Tapping aloft, the balloon jib: itopsail shad no oppor- tunity to exert it's utmost drawing pow CT All this time the Co1umbia's bal looner wasedoing most effective work. To smart handling and excellent iudg- ment Columbia's victory was due
 There is no question that the old mainsail and the altered headsails of the Constitution which she carried yes :terday had much to do with the ina proved showing she made.
 The handicap at the start seemed to be due to a lack of smartness aboard the Constitution, and also to the more able sea jockeying of those in charge of the Columbia. The Constitution al- lowed herself to be forced on the fol- lowing side of the line. which com pelled her to gybe round short on her heel and then to take the other end of the line with deadly handicap. This and the splitting of her balloon jib topsal certainly lost her the race. Had it not been for these mishaps the Constitution would have beaten the Columbia by small margin beyond the one minute and eleven seconds time allowance over the thirty mile course. There will be no race for the yachts. to-day and while the challenge com mittee held meeting last evening no announcement of future races was made 1t is generally expected. how ever, that the other contests will be held here later in the week.
 w. Butler Duncan was seen aboard the Constitution after the race and asked concerning the CoIumbia's tao tics in the 1ockeying before the start. He was not disposed to complain, all though he did not think Captain Barr's action was in accordance with the rules '"I do not think Captain Barr had right to crowd us as he did be- fore we crossed the line.' he said.
 Captain Barr. of the Columbia was not much inclined to talk about the incident at the starting line, although he felt that he was clearly within the rules.
 ssWe certainly did not break any rules" he said T am quite sure that if the Constitution were inclined to make protest to the committee that the decision would be in our favor. I. would be glad if the Consultation should make such a-protest to settle the point"
 G AS W0 z H
 Bszrs sksz Tho Kind You IIala laays Bought