Evening star., 1901-10-03

of II O'Clock. and it was apparent that the
advantage lay entirely with the British
skipper.
Just before the start he sent the Sham
rock swinging around the committee boat,
cutting in between that and the Columbia.
The latter. being under the Shamrock's lee.
apparently decided not to cross in that po-
sitiOD but wore around again. Holding
tight to his advantage when the gun was
fred. Capt. Sycamore sent the Shamrock
across the line almost before the stiff
wind could sweep the powder smoke away,
Columbia being considerably behind him.
After crossing both yachts went on a
close reach for the first mark fairly tear
ing through the water and throwing great
fountains of spray from under their bow
The official time of crossing the line was:
Shamrock II :O0.13: Columbia, II :01 AZ.
1t was a magnificent and blood-stirring
race to the first mark. Both yachts were
close reached on the port tack and smoth-
cred along through the seas, the gusty wind
continually knocking them down. The pace
was terrific, and 1t was impossible TO de-
termine when half the first leg had been
sailed whether or not the shamrock was
maintaining the lead she gained when they
crossed the line. Both were carrying the
same sails.
Every yard of the snow-white cloud of
canvas piled above the flying hulls of the
racers was as hard as a board The crews
were lined under the windward rail- while
OF to leeward the spray from under the
bows of the yachts was swept in smoky
CLOUDS Dy InS increasing WiluS.
Turning the First Stake.
They lifted the first turn as though the
stake boat itself was coming to meet them,
the Shamrock still holding her big lead.
Shamrock turned the first mark unoffi-
ciaI time 11:JO55 and gybing stretched out
for the reach to the second mark. The
Columbia followed her around one minute
and twenty-five seconds later, and based
on unofficial figures it seemed that she
had gained nine Seconds on the first leg.
Both swept away on the starboard tack,
Shamrock leading by about quarter TO
d third of a mile.
The official time of the turning the first
mark
Shamrock. IL .51 06.
Columbia, IL 30. II.
This showed that Columbia S gain was
twentythree seconds in the ten miles of
close reaching of the first leg.
The second leg of the race lost nothing
in exciting interest. The wind held strong
and true, and after rounding the mark the
racers maintained their terrific speed, MAX
ing no change in their sails. The excur-
sion fleet had fight to keep up with the
race. being compelled to crowd a full
head of steam to maintain a position which
would keep the flying yachts in view. AS
In the first leg. il was mere gueSSwork at
first whether either boat had gained or
lost When about half of the second leg
had been covered it seemed, however as
il the American boat had managed TO
slightly crawl up on her fast sailing OPP
ponent-
Race to the Second Mark.
At any rate, she was safe within her
time allowance, and as they neared the
second mark it was evident that if she
was not gaining she was easily holding
her own.
Still scudding in the strong wind the big
white racers fetched the second mark,
Shamrock rounding it first, and with fiat
tening sheets she held toward the Jersey
shore on the starboard tack for about an
eighth of mile. The Columbia however
Iuffed around the mark and stood off on
the port tack. AS soon as the Columbia
mad rounded the Shamrock also went Oh
the port tack. and in this position the
yachts stood nearly due north for more
than twenty minutes. II was the first wind
ward work of the race and the result of
the contest depended on the respective
merits OF the two boats in the thrash to
windward. at the end of which was the
finish lima
At loo both yachts went about on the
staroOard tack and stood for the Jersey
shore, the Columbia tacking first. The race
was as close as ever Both yachts had
taken in their jib topsals before reaching
the second mark. preparatory to beating up
the last leg under the three lower sails
ana lower club tOpSailS- Working in the
wind the Shamrock was apparently footing
very fast, but Columbia seemed to outpoint
her.
In the first half hour of sailing after the
second mark had been turned the Columbia
had the race in hand on time allowance
unless Shamrock did some Unexpectedly su-
perior work
1t was nip and tuck for the next twenty
minutes or more until about 1:2O pm,
when both boats went about on the port
tack. and il was seen that the defender
had eaten up on her rival and taken the
lead.
Shs-h had rrfNir, tod y tba
cured a commanding position on the lat
ter's bow. All during this tack Capt Barr
played his old game of continually pinching
into the wind The Shamrocks failure to
point as high was a surprise to the ex-
perts, in view of the good qualities she
showed in this respect on Saturday last
About half-past 1 a part of the excursion
fleet started for the lightship to witness
the finish.
OutsaiIed From the Start.
With the finish line about four miles
away at 1:40 pm. the American boat had
the race well in hand, and, barring acci-
dents. it seemed Inevitable that she would
more than make up the Shamrock's lead
over the line and get home ahead of her
But even with the Columbia's sudden squirt
and advantage the race was still an excit-
Ing one. and never for moment did in
terest flag the two superb ships thrash
ed TO windwasd, the breeze today having
days and holding true and strong. There
was no question of fayoring slants or for-
tunate fukeS. for weather conditions were
absolutely perfect from the moment the
gun Was fired. 1t blew as If made to order
for fair test of the British and American
boats, and through two legs of reaching
and the first of the windward work on the
nome stretch Columbia had shown herself
70 be the superior. In the close reach to
the first mark she had gained on the Wis
ltor' sne gained on the broader reach to
the second mark, and when they began the
exciting beat home she ate her way inio
the wind in a manner that her rival could
rot approach.
Both yachts held the port tack. heading
Almost north toward the Long Island shore,
ana II looked as il they meant to hold il
until they were sure of fetching the mark
on the next tack. As they worked up the
wind the glimmering bronze hull of the
bfil!sh boat was getting further and fur
ther 10 leeward and astern, and the Ameri-
can had lead which hardly a fast steam
boat could have cut down in the short
stretch OF water which lay between her
ana the finish. The excursion fleet at this
time were strung out in a long scattering