The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-12
BOSTON BOAT NOT SLOW
MADE A GOOD RACE YESTERDAY
WITH OTHER CRACK YACHTS.
Columbia Won, While Constitution,
the Cup Defender, Was Second,
with independence a Close Third.

NEWPORT, r. l., July n~.-Columbia
won to-day's race in fine shape with the
Constitution second and the independence
a remarkably good third. The Boston boat
sailed an exciting race with the two
Herreshcffs, and led the Constitution at
the outer mark, only TO be beaten by her a
little over two minutes on the run to the
finish before the wind. The breeze to-day
was much stronger than on previous days
and the independence sailed the fifteen
miles TO windward without her jb topsail
and seemed TO hold higher, at the same
time footing just as fast.
The result OF to-day's races leaves the
question of the supremacy of three ninety
footers uncertain. the independence being
not so slow after all. while the Constitu-
| ton has yet to prove her unquestioned
superiority to the other two yachts in any
thing except very light airs. The hopes of
the Boston contingent have. therefore, gone
upward with a bound and tonight the ex-
perts are trying to figure what the INDIE
pendence will do when 1t blows still a little
harder.
The race itself was very exciting. and es-
pecially when a little less than an hour
after the start the Independence, by keep
ing near the NarraGansett shore, forced
the Constitution about and for a few min
utes was the leading boat in the race.
From that point TO the turning buoy the
fight between the two yachts was one of
the closest contests seen here for many
years. With the mark about eight miles
dead to windward, the two flyers battled for
the lead. Three times did the Herreshoff
yacht attempt to cross the bow of the
Crowninshield boat, only 10 be beaten back
and forced about. Captain Half kept the
Constitution right under his lee and was
able TO maintain that commanding position
through the speed and pointing ability Of
the Boston boat, ever with less sail, the
Herreshof boat carrying, as usual, her
baby jib topsail.
ON and on sailed the rivals. the hull of
the independence being always on the
sunny side of the Bristol yacht. While
they battled. however. Capt. Barr, of the
Columbia. saw his chance and took advant-
age of this contest between the other two
yachts 10 slip on TO windward. and he thus
reached the mark nearly four minutes
ahead. Astern Of him were the 1ndepend-
ence and Constitution each striving for the
buoy. the Boston boat giving blow for
blow and huff for huff in every case and
finally swinging around with the Constitu-
tions's bowsprit right over her taffrail.
Two seconds afterward the Constitution
also turned.
on the run home both the Herreshoff
boats pulled away from the independence
but the gain was comparatively small and
rot at all discouraging 10 the followers of
the Boston yacht. Shrouded in a dense fog
the Columbia swept across the finish line
and 8 minutes and ~ seconds after came the
Constitution, and right astern. by less than
half a mile. sailed the independence. de-
feated but not Inundated. The three crews
cheered each other. independence tars be-
ing particularly demonstrative. Summary: