Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-08-31
ON THE FINAL TRIALS
Constitution and Columbia Begin
Three Races That Will Name
the Cup Defender.
BOTH BOATS ARE AT THEIR BEST
With a Mighty Close Record Behind
Them-ChaIIengcr Goes Out
for Spin.

DdboIudn . OluIs Au1. Ol.-- NC
Constitution and Columbia today
started for the first of the series of trial
races to determine which shall be the
defender of the American cup against
the Shamrock. Today's course was
Is miles to the windward and leeward,
the wind being 10 knots. The Col
umbia beat the Constitution over the
starting line by Is seconds. At 1890
the first leg had been sailed and the
Colum bia appeared to be leading by
half mile.
The Columbia crossed the finish
line at 3:02:01. the Constitution at
3:O6:03 The official time of the start
was: Columb bia, IL :41:15; Constitu-
tion. 11:42:O0; Colum bia, 11:41:15;
Constitution, 11:42:00. The ColEm-
bia therefore beats the Constitution
three minutes and Il seconds elapsed
time. four minutes and % seconds
corrected time.
Newport. r. l.. Aug. 31.-The final
series of races between the COnstitu-
tion and Columbia began over the
Newport course today. OF all the con-
tests that have taken place between
the American boats this season these
are the most important: for on their
result depends the selection of the de-
fender to sail against the Shamrock
III in the great races for the Americas
cup off Sandy Hook. No challenge
committee of the New York Yacht
club has ever had so much difficulty in
selecting the American boat. Out OF
sixteen races already finished each has
now eight. and so close are the two
boats in the matter of speed that many
good yachtsmen say that. whatever
the outcome of the trials. ii Will still
be hard task to choose between them.
Both Boats Fit for the Contest.
At the finish of the trial races next
Wednesday the regatta committee. con-
sisting of eX-Commodore :. Nicholson
Kane. Chester GriswOld and Newbury
I.awton. will turn over to the chal-
lenge committee the data regarding all
the races between the Constitution and
the Columbia. Thus fhey viii take
into consideration all the previous
races. as well as the three trials and
make up their opinion. But inasmuch
as the two boats are now even. more
depends on the coming races than on
all the others. Both racers are fit for
the fray. The Constitution has been
put in the best possible trim by her
designer. Nat Herreshoff. whose illness
! has hitherto prevented him from de-
voting much time to the boat.
His inability to take part in the man.
agement of the Constitution has been
serious loss, and now that he himself
has been able to prepare her for the
trials her friends expect greatly inn
proved performances. The last MAIN
sail that was first tried in the Seawan-
haka races will be retained, as it is by
far the best of all. The boat was
given a trial spin down the bay yester-
day and the sails had a good stretch
ing. The headstays. which slackeued
when the boat was hauled out, We're
also set taut. and all the rigging was
given a thorough overhauling- The
Columbia also was given final touches,
and both boats are now ready TO show
the best speed there is in them.
Challenger Takes n Spin.
New York. Aug. 31.-The Shamrock
had most interesting trial SPIN Tor
four hours yesterday in n light breeze
from the southeast. After making
couple of tacks TO fetch out the rough
Gedney channel she stood out to sea.
The spinnaker boom was dropped to
port at ! ::53 and the sail was hoisted
and set in one minute. Those follow
ing the yacht had just time to get
good look at the sail. which it was SAID
was the handsomest piece of linen ever
: seen on q cup challenger. when it was
quickly lowered. With the wind over
the port quarter the Shamrock for an
hour travelled nine kEots easily. Com
ing in through Gedney's channel at
2:45 the wind increased. and with u
magnificent burst of speed the yacht
| Travelled from there to the point of the
Hook at a twelve knot clip: