New-York tribune., 1901-09-27
HOW THE YACHTS SAILED.
THE COLUMBIA SHOWS HER sUPE-
RIORITY IN LIGHT AIRS.


The defender Columbia did much to shatter
Sir Thomas Lipton's hopes yesterday. Although
the race was not finished within the hVe ana
half hour limit. Captain Charles Barr showed
that when he sailed the Columbia he could make
her beat the Shamrock in drifting airs. III mas
been several times suggested in these columns
that he could. But whether the unfinished test
proyided any warranty for Columbia's winning
in fresh breeze may be doubted. AS long as
the breeze remained at all fresh after the start
tbe suggestions we're the other way, because the
Shamrock went off at great pace after cross
ing the line and ran out several hundred yaros
ahead of the Columbia in the first eight MN
Ites She started to leeward and was coming up
TO Colunbia's course all the time while she was
making this fine burst of speed. Then the Co
lumbia got different slant of wind Whlch iald
her up several hundred yards to windward OF
the Shaulrocks course, that when they were
soon about 10 meet on the first cross tack the
shamrock. although still ahead, had lost nearly
all the gain she had made
This was the only chance she had of showing
what she could do in a breeze in when the
thirty-rnile Cup course could be finished IN the
time limit This went to bear out the designer
fWatson'sl calculation in which he says IN
any hreeze in which the course can be hnished
/ am not afraid of the Columbia or the Constitu-
ton . The rest of the day WAS spent in beating
rbraugh fiuky airs and in tiresomely shapeless
seas that threw the boats about when they mao
hardly steerage way. Sometimes the shamrock
was ahead and sometimes the Columbia, and the
story of the sailing is an interesting record OF
alternate hope and doubt
THE YACHTS APPEAR
The Columbia was first seen TO move out from
per n,oorings in Sandy Hook Bay about 9:2o
o'clock She was going out through Gedneys
Channel in tow of the tug Wallace B. Flint, and
was pitching heavily in the long ocean roll COM
ing in from the eastward which was the result
of yesterdays blow reported from HALIFAX Inc
Shamrock was then seen in the distance hoisuhg
her mainsa while still at her moorlngs III
Sandy Hook Bay, and she was sending up her
cuh gaftopsail as she came out. The wind was
then northeast, having hauled a couple OF points
IN the last half hour. and was blowing over ten
miles an hour None of the Columbia's canvas
was hoisted as she towed out, and in the dis-
-ance she could be seen knocking the water
heavily off both bows she went to windward
in the grip Of the tug.
The Shamrock soon appeared in the tow of the
chartered Upton tug Lawrence. Archibald
Watts large shprigged steam yacht American
preceded the Shamrock on her course to tbs
ocean and a number of schooner yachts were
working clear of the bar in the hope of getting
out in time TO see tie start Those who were
doubtful about the Shamrock's structural ability
10 stand the pounding of heavy seaway begar
10 question whether she would be able TO get
around the course without opening up her for
ward overhang. The breeze Of the morning
was now adding a choppy sea to the long dead
roll coming in from the eastward. They were
towing the Shamrock slowly and easing her
through the water much possible while
they agged her out to windward-
At 9:55 o'clock fine sight afforded 10
yachtsmen by the schooner yacht Endymion
which was just arriving from Scotland under a
cloud of canvas. The Endymion is the holder
Of the ocean record for sailing yachts and she
was carrying two working gafftopsails, her larg-
est balloon mantoDmast staysail and balloon
f0restaysail, and a balloon jibtopsai!. She had
her long whip streaming from the main truck
and she signalled her name by the code letters.
The large press tug, Walter Luckenbach
caught up to the Columbia a few minutes aftei
10 o'clock. The head sails were in stops tbs
stays and the cover was off the mainsail Sh4
very long lire from the tug, and va.
being moved easily. Lem Miller the first off
Ger was forward near the mast and Charley
Barr was at the wheel. Around him were the
Columba's manager. F. u. Morgan; Mr.. McGil
dewney who represented the Royal Ulster Yach
Club board; Herbert c. Leeds, Colonel r. T
Emmett, James Parker and A C. Tower.
HERRESHOFF NOT on BOARD.
IL was noticed that Nat Herreshoff not ol
board although ii known that he came 4
New-york yesterday The committee steame
Navigator had only few guests on board
among whom were John ]. Lovejoy. 41miliu
Jarvis and Captain Rhodes. of the Constitution
On the Navigator they putting up tn
black bulletin board which showed over tn
stern. with the names Columbia and Shamroc
the top, and the word start" between tn
two.
AS the Columbia tn
lightship she began hosting her mainsai
and at 1925 il half way up, and ther
were two men the peak halliards cearn
the end of the yard as il ascended Their
was some difficulty in getting the yard clear o
the peak halliards. and ii partly lowere
twice, but at 10:2S 1t was up in place and on
OF the masthead was lashing the feet O
rfile yard This cuhtopsail was the larges
That the Columbia carries and it 500
sheeted out so that ii seemed to sit we'll. Sh
was still in tow Of the Flint, being move
slowly into the eye Of the wind. The Shamroe
was still couple of miles from the lightshiI