The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-03
THE COLUMBIA WINS
FIRST OF THE CONTESTS FOR POSITION
OF CUP DEFENDER.
An Easy Victory for the Boat of Last
stitution and Wins by Over Four
Minutes I'm a Thirty Mile Race Con-
stitution People Astounded and Un-
able TO Account for Their Boats
Poor Performance.

Newport, p l., August 31.-The Co
lumbia. spierdiGly handled beat the
Constitution today minutes. 10 sec
onds, corrected time, over a course OF
fifteen miles to windward and back. in
the first of the trial races to select the
cup defender.
The defeat was decisive. and admir-
ers of the Constitution are at their
wits ends to maF- apologies and ex-
cuses for ner bad behavior. She was
fresh from Tie Herreshoff shipyard
where her bottom was FURNISHED until
it glistened like plate glass IN the
sunlight. Har sails fitted her admir-
ably, with the exception Of the balloon
jib-topsail, which she set on the
homeward reach. Thus she had no
physical drawback to act as a detri-
ment to her speed. Moreover Nat.
Herreshoff. he- designer and builder,
was aboard. All, however, was of no
avail.
The Constitution was beaten fairly
and squarely on her merits and unless
she sails better on Monday and We'd
nesday the committee which has the
matter in charge may decide upon Sc
lecting the Columbia to meet Sham
rock II.
The only possible excuse that the
hackers of the Constitution have to
offer is that tine Constitution got the
worst OF the start, being handicapped
several seconds. This is quite true. She
got the worst Of the start, because her
skipper was out-generaled and outclass
ed: but the few seconds she lost thus
cannot by any means be distorted to
account for the signal defeat admins
tered to her by the Columbia
MORE.
The warning gun was fireld at 11:35
o'clock. The skipper Of the Columbia
planted his craft on the weather side
of his rival and hampered him in the
usual manner, keeping MIN under his
lee. The boats stood for the line and
in their effort to beat each other both
crossed the line on the starboard tack
a few seconds before the starting gun
was fired. Three short blasts # the
whistles recalled both boats. The Co.
lumbia turned round smart1y on her
heel and coming round again on the
starboard tack shot over the line well
to windward Of the Constitution whose
skipper seemed to be remarkably slow
Both yachts went about on the port
tack Immediately after crossing the
line. The Constitution was kept broad
off the breeze, her skipper hoping there
by to avoid the back wind of the Colum-
stitution gradually sag off to feeward
in weather that was supposed to be
just picked out for her.
The wind, after the yachts had been
out about three quarters Of an hour
hustled to the eastward and the Colun-
bia getting it first, being in the lead
was able to luff up to it before the
Constitution came within its influence
The force Of the wind was about nine
miles at the start and it freshened a
little as the day grew older.
After rounding the outer mark the
Columbia set her balloon jib topsail
The Constitution set her balloon jit
topsail thirty-five seconds after she
made the turn, beating the Columbia
by five seconds. This is the first time
in her history that her crew has showr
any real smartness. Next. both crafts
set balloon staysails and with the win6
on the starboard quarter. steered fol
Brenton's reef lightship-the home
mark. Little by little the Columbia
forged ahead, inch by inch increasing
the gap of the blue water between her
self and her rival. White caps crested
the waves under the influence of the
freshening breeze and the followers o1
the Constitution were disappointed tc
see her fall astern. The Columbia had
her beaten badly. When she crossed
the line a victor she was vigorously
Saluted.