Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-02
THE COLUMBIA
Wins First Race from New
Defender, the Constitution.
Slight Accident to Latter Is Largely
Responsible for Result.
Lip:on Challenged 10 Race Shamrock u With
Ctark's kaIiad.

Newport. r. L., July 1.-The Consti-
tuition was defeated by the Columbia.
today. by the small margin of As sec
Onds in the first real race in which the
new Herrcshoff yacht has participated.
Although the contest from start to
finish was close and at times exciting
in the opinion of majority of yachts
men, the Constitution lost through
misfortune. However. the result Of
today's contest is far from conclusive
and there is still much to be decided
as to the relative merits of the two
racers.
The nishao to the new boat came
about an hour after the start. While
the boats We're on the second long tack
to windward, the clew of the lib Of the
NV boat was carried away and for
some 10 minutes she was without the
use of that sail. This accident set the
Constitution back practically a mile,
but in spite she was able to get within
two minutes of the Columbia at the
turn and cut this lead down more than
half on the run home. Some Of this
gain. however, was undoubtedly due to
the fact that she brought up the better
wind.
Tho Columbia did not escape without
accident, too. for Immediately after
crossing the finish line. in jibing over
the big main sail. her main boom buck
led and she had to be lowed to the
city. 1t will be necessary to sling a
new spar before the Columbia can race
again but it is expected it will be in
place for a race. Wednesday.
l,. tn1o
series of special races arranged by the
New York Yacht Club for the purpose
of bringing the two yachts together.
The starting line was miles east off
Drenton's lightship and the signal sent
Columbia off at 1l.40.34. well to wind
ward and three seconds in advance. On
the starboard tack she sailed forth
valiantly. pointing up bravely with a
capital huff. The Constitution with
rare burst of speed came on with
rush and ran through the Columbias
lee. pointing for a much higher posi-
ton than was expected Of her. This
did not last long. however.
The Constitution by a large margin
footed faster than the Columbia but
while the new Bristol boat had not the
grip on the water that the old craft had
the Constitution went to leeward like
crab, while Columbia not only point
ed but was bound to fetch what she
pointed for. Along on the starboard
tack the two yachts sailed. both jog
ging at an eight-knot gait.
At 1924 p. NJ. when the Constitu-
tons helm was put down. the Column
bia also came about and both went
over on the port tack for few min
utes. Suddenly the huff of the Con-
stitutiOn's big jib began to shake. The
pennant or the sheet itself had evil
IDENTIFY carried away. Down came the
jib halyards by the run. while dozen
men climbed out on the bowsprit to
gather in the slack at the foot Of the
sail. The Constitution was without the
benefit of her jb.
Columbia all that time was pointing
higher and footing faster. At 12.4l the
Constitutions jib pennant was re-
paired. When the sail was in place
again the Constitution rapidly forged
ahead, making up much of her leeway.
1t was. however. too big gap to fill.
The Columbia got the bearings of the
outside mark and stood for it. The
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