The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-25
AGAINST WIND AND TIDE
CONSTITUTION BEATS COLUMBIA BY
OVER A l.
Thirty-Nine-MiIe Triangular Course
Sailed over, Columbia Leading at
the Start-AImost a Collision.

NEW LONDON. July 24-In a fine south
west breeze ever the thirty-nine-mile course
from New Haven TO Sarah's
Ledge. at the mouth of New London har-
bor. the Constitution again showed what a
superb racing craft she is in light weather
and smooth water. She beat the Columbia
to-day eight minutes and twenty-three sec
onds. fairly and squarely. There were no
fukes. the wind holding true and steady,
with the exception of a shift of a couple
of points after twO-thirds of the distance
had been covered. The breeze at no time
was of sufficient strength TO raise a single
white cap on the waves.
Not a mishap occurred to any yacht,
though the Constitution and the Columbia
very narrowly escaped a disastrous col
lislon as they crossed the line. The rivalry
between Captain Rhodes, of the Constitu-
ton, and Captain Barr, of the Columbia, is
intense. AS they were maneuvering for the
weather gauge just before the start Barr
got the windward position, with the Con-
stitution close under his lee. The steam
yacht Narada, which was acting as the
committee boat, was anchored at the
weather end of the line. The Constitution
lufed up sharply, leaving a very narrow
passage between herself and the Narada,
but Barr ran his bowsprit into 1t, and, hail
ing the Constitution for room to pass, went
In In what seemed the most reckless man
ner. The Constitution is a remarkably hard
%steerer. and although Captain Rhodes put
his helm up. IL was some little time before
she paid of. When she at last swung off
the bowsprit OF the Columbia was nearly
grazing the side of The Narada.
Captain Barr. TO escape a collision with
the Constitution, put his helm up and
sybed the Columbia or else the end of her
main boom would have struck the tOpmaSt
rigging of the Constitution and the col
lapse OF her mast might have followed.
He barely cleared her and then luffing up,
overcame the boom again and. close
hauled once more on the starboard tack.
Columbia shot ahead and 10 windward
blanketinB the Constitution and luhing out
under the stern OF the Narads. where she
stood on her course, leo yards IN the lead.
Inc race between the two ninety-footers
was contested for every inch OF il. After
going along Tor two or three miles thief
INDUCED In a lufhng match. I'm which the
constitution came out . winner. bearing
away on her course nearly a quarter OF n
mile in the lead and setting her bie hal
loon Jib-topsatl. At 1870 the Constitution
had gone about fifteen miles. soon after
she set her spinaker 10 starboard. CARRYING
Y untii the Cornheld hghtship was reached.
when II was taken In again for 4 few min
utes and then reset for the run to the
finish. The Constitution kent a nnila closer
TO the Long island shore than her rival
until Bartlett's reef was reached and she
nnlsheq a good mile In the lead. having
gone the thirty-nine miles in Z hours. -
minutes, y seconds. while ii took the
Columbia. 10 go over the same dfs,arcs
4 hours. - minutes. 80 seconds
This was remarkably fast when The conn
p~arative lightness of the breeze Is taLsr
into consideration and also that the tide
was against them over the greater part ~
the course