The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-03
American Defenders Fast Work
at Finish.
Dashes' Across the Line 1 Min
ute, 20 Seconds Ahead.
BEAUTIFUL CONTEST.
English Boat in Front the First
Twenty Miles.
Had Nearly Two Minutes Advan-
tage in Start.
Committee Decides Boats Will
Race Again Friday
BEAUTIFUL CONTEST

New York, Oct st looked early
this morning as if Sir Thomas Upton
fsh for a strong off-shore breeze and
q. smooth sea had been granted, for al
O'Clock a grand "A knot breeze was
blowing straight from the northwest
and the sea had decreased so that there
was scarcely any surf along the Jersey
shore.
Coasters from the harbor ran rapidly
down the Jersey shore, and some OF the
fast steamers going southerly had the
smoke from their stacks blown far out
ahead of them. One or two pilot boats
u their stations inside Sandy Hook
lghtship were we'll reefed down and
zen then seemed to have considerable
el But the sea was beautifully
aooth. there being scarcely more than
ripple breaking on the shore, while
the vessels out to sea stood steadily
long with very little roll.
The conditions of wind and water in
short, were ideal and promised rare
days race between the two big yachts
Sir Thomas Upton was up early and
rubbed his hands with glee when he
came on deck of the Erin. This is
what we want" he said. If it holds.
we will have a good race. The Sham
rock should do we'll today. True, Mr..
Morgan says the Columbia wants wind,
but so do we. If the breeze keeps UP
we will have q fair test of the two
boats And at that hour it looked as
If his desire for six inches of water or
the Shamrock's lee rail" was to be full
filled.
The captains and crews of both yachts
breakfasted early and soon after Z
O'Clock III. - We're on board their respec-
tive boats The Columbia's stay san
and jib were sent up in stops. Fifteen
minutes later the Shamrock's were sent
up Then sail covers were taken off the
rnainsails and after Captains Barr and
Sycamore had gauged the strength of
the wind, the crews of both yachts got
out some number two club topsails-
we shall have good breeze all
day" said Capt. Sycamore, -and this
will be more like Shamrock weather -
When asked what he thought of the
weather, Capt. Barr said:
This is good. / think we will sail a
fast race today" The Columbia took 4
line from her tug at ten minutes to
nine and started out of the horseshoe,
the Shamrock following her five min
utes later. The Columbia rounded the
hook under tow and started for the
line, not attempting to put up her main
sail although it was an easy run down
before the wind The Shamrock also
went around under tow.
The committee has set a signal for a
triangular course first leg east half
south; second leg, southwest half
south; third leg north, northwest The
warning signal was fired at 10: So a. M
When the tugs Luckenbach and Navi-
gator, two of the committee boats pass
ed the Hook at 9:25. the wind was still
holding fresh and steady the official
gauge at Sandy Hook giving the veIoc-
ity as "a knots an hour. Should it hold
there was every prospect that the race
would be sailed in less than three and a
half hours.
ship before the vanguard of the great
excursion fleet started down through the
Narrows, closely followed by pic
turesque swarm of white yachts and
miscellaneous craft.
When the steamer Victor arrived al
the Hook with the guests of Sir Thornas
Upton, they had an exciting time in be-
ing transferred in small launches from
the transport to the yacht Erin
The sea was choppy and the small
boats tossed about in a threatening
manner.
Soon after 10 O'Clock both the Col,,m.
bia and Shamrock heisted their main.
sails and the Columbia set her club ton.
sail. By this time the wind had hauled
a little more to the north-northwest anc
while still blowing steady had appar.
emily decreased in velocity though no
enough to cause any apprehension
On both boats every sail seemed to be
set to perfection. and as the wind haf
slackened little both captains sen
up their largest club topsails. The
Shamrock was first to drop her tow
At half past 10 she broke out her iib
and swinging away on the port tacl
wore around with a grand heel on
The Columbia soon followed suit ant
both yachts behaved magnificentlv il
the splendid breeze. The excursion
feet had reached the line by this time
and the guard boats began to line their
UP In order to give the yachts plenty ot
room for the start. The Shamrock was
standing on and on around the light
ship. while the Columbia was nearly :
mile away. heading toward the start
ing line She came rapidly up. how
ever. and by 10:45. when the prepa ra,
tory gun was fired, was maneuverinc
back of the line On the committee
boat signals had been set for a tri.
angular course, first leg east ha1
south; second leg, southwest hall
south; third leg, northwest When the
warning gun was fired at lO:55 hotf
yachts Were headed into the wind :
little to eastward of the judges boat
killing time.
The course indicated by the commit
fee made the first leg a rather close
reach on the port tack the second a
broad reach and the third a dead bea1
10 the finish.
The starting gun was fired on the dol
of IL. and it was apparent that the ad
vantage lay entirely with the British
skipper.
Just before the start he sent tbe
Shamrock swinging around the com
n2ttee oeass cutting In between that