Waterbury Democrat., 1901-08-01

Columbia Seemed to Have Cinch on the Race at 2:S6-on the Sail Home at the Hour the old Racer Was About One Mile Ahead of the Boston Boat
 Bateman's Point. R. T., Aug. 1.-The yachting enthusiasts of Newport came out to old Brentoh's Reef lightship to- day to witness another battle or 9o Hooters, this time the competition be- ing between the Columbia and the Boston aspirant for cup honors, the Independence. The Constitution was at Bristol overhauling, so could not participate in to-day's events which were held under the auspices of the Newport Yacht Racing association.
 However, as the Columbia at pres ent is acknowledged on all sides, even by MT Duncan to be faster than thls years Herreshoff production, there was plenty of interest ill to-day's bat tie.
 There also were contests for smaller yachts, the two fast schOoners Quisetta and Elmina being pitted against each OIUGI 1Q tue SCuOOnCI CHESS. LnC bow and the Virginia in the TO foot class for sloops and the Hester, 1selde and Erlin in the smaller sloop class. while the yawl class was represented by the very best of the large type, the Vililant, Navahoe and Ailsa.
 The early morning showed many signs of a good racing day. The sky was clear, the air light and inyigorat- ing. While from out of the northwest a fine breeze was blowing that rippled up the water and gave some prospects of increasing before Il o'clock, the time set for the start.
 Bateman's Point, R. l., Aug 1.-The northwest breeze, as usual ill mld- summer, began to die out as the fore noon wore on, and by 9:30 o'clock it had left a half dozen coasters off shore Tapping about in long roll without a breath to stir their sails. The breeze held little longer in Shore and up in the harbOr, but two or three yachts. which came down ahead of the racers. seemed to depend more on the tide than the wind.
 Much to the relief of the observers on the point who have been strug- gling for the past month in these 
 was remarkably clear. The southeast light on Block Island. over 9 miles away could be distinctly seen through a glass of low power. and even the building about the light were visible.
 At 10 o'clock even the breeze in shore and up the harbOr had subsided, and at this time there seemed little prospect of wind enough to start the yachts at the appointed time, an hour later.
 Newport, R. l., Aug 1.-The Inde- pendence was remeaSured by MT Hys- Iop this morning and her waterline was found to be 14 inches less than it was when the boat was measured be fore. This makes her racing length 1O2 79; the former racing length was 1O3.33. It is thought now that the In dependence will have to allow the Co. lumbia 30 seconds less than she did be. fore over 30 mile course.
 The Independence was the first of the racers to make her appearance coming down in tow of a tug. She was followed by the schooner Outset ta, in tow of one of Mir Lawson's tugs while the others were not far behind The racers on getting outside found
  east but was still very light. All tht yachts had large clubtopsails set.
 The committee boat, which to-day was Colonel John Jacob Astor's Nour mahal. did not arrive until about 10:3( and for some minutes the big Stean yacht was swung round getting in the proper position off the lightship. Ac cording to the program of the racers fhe course in each was a triangular one of 30 miles. 10 miles to each leg with no time limit.
 The Independence looked very fl with a new clnbtopsail and wei setting mainsail. Both headsails wer up in stops while she Ioafed out to tn lightship.
 The Columbia did not make her ap pearance until 10:40. the Morgan boa also coming down in tow She ha, her recut .clubtopsail up and 1t seeme' to fit better than on Monday.
 The course flags were hoisted ant the warning signal given at 11:30. Tn course was as follows: Ten mile southwest by south with mark boa anchored a few miles off Point Ju dith. then due east 10 miles and til third leg northwest to the finish at tn lightshiD. The wind will have a bea to the first mark, and a reach on tn other two.
 The two big yachts started at il Al the Columbia crossing the line feN seconds ahead of the Independenc and in magnificent position right O the weather of the Boston boat. UT less the Independence shows som marvellous speed it looks now as the Columbia had her in good plac and could hold her right under her le inst as she held the Constitution whe she beat her ,on the run from Ne' London to this port last week. Tn start being one gun affair. the yacht were not timed in crossing the line but both being timed from the sigma
 At 11:4S the two ninetyfooters wer standing off shore on the starboard tao and in the last five minutes of ths lime the Columbia seemed to hay opened out considerably to the win' ward. At Il :58 the Columbia had al narenfly increased her lead to over on half a mile
 Al z.36 the Columbia turned th second mark and sailed away for fh finish with the Independence mil asffrn The wind was blowing eigi knots an hour and the Inst ten mile of fhe race win be finished in fas
 Af8.z3 the Columbia crossed the A fzE {Inr beating fhe Independence by