The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-10-03
(By Associated Press.)

(By Associated Press.)
lew YORK. Oct. st looked.
Thomas Lipton's wish for a
strong oft-shore breeze and a
smooth sea had been granted, for
at o'clock, a grand 4-knot breeze was
blowing straight from the northwest and
the sea had decreased so that there was
scarcely any surf along the Jersey shore.
The coasters from the harbor ran rap
idly down the Jersey shore and some OF
the fast steamers going southerly had
the smoke from their stacks blown far
out ahead of them. One or two pilot
6oats in their stations, inside Sandy
Hook lightship were well reefed down.
and even then seemed to have consider
able heel. But the sea was beautifully
smooth, there being scarcely more than
a ripple breaking on the shore while the
vessels out to sea stood steadily along
with very little roll. The conditions of
wind and water in shore were ideal and
promised a rare days race betw cen the
two big yachts.
Sir Thomas Pleased.
Sir Thomas Upton was out early and
rubbed his hands with glee when he
came on deck of the Erin. "This is what
we want" he said. If it holds, 1t will
be great race. The Shamrock should
do we'll today. True Mr.. Morgan says
Columbia wants wind but so do we. If
the breeze keeps up, we will have fair
test Of the two boats"
At that hour it looked as if his desire
for six inches of water on the Sham
rocks lee rail-" was to bo> fulfilled. The
captains and crews of both yachts
breakfasted early and soon after
~
tive boats. Columbia's stay sail and jib
were sent up in stops. Fifteen minutes
later Shamrock's We're sent up and the
crews of both yachts got out some new
number two top sails.
1--WE shall have a good breeze all day."
said Captain Sycamore, land his will
be more like Shamrock weather.
When asked what he thought of the
weather, Captain Barr said:
This is good, 1 think we Will sail
fast race today"
Columbia took a line from her tug
at 10 minutes of 8 and started out Of the
horseshoe, Shamrock following her five
minutes later. Columbia rounded the
Hook, under tow. and started for the
line, not attempting to put up her main
sail, although it was an easy run down
before the wind. The Shamrock also
went around under tow.
In Choppy Sea.
When the tugs Luckenbach and Navi-
gator, two of the committee boats,
reached the Hook at 925, the wind was
still holding fresh, the Off cial gauge at
Sandy Hook giving the wind as nearly
20 knots. The yachts We're We'll out to
the lightship before the vanguard of
the great excursion fleet started down
through the narrOws.
When the steamer Victor arrived at
Ahe Hook, with the guests of Sir Thomas
Upton, they had an exciting time on
being transferred in small launches
from the transport to the yacht Erin The
sea was choppy and the small boats
tossed about in threatening manner.
Soon after 10 o'clock both Columbia
and Shamrock hoisted their main sails
and Columbia hoisted the club top. By
TO the north northwest and, while still
blowing steady, had apparently de-
creased in velocity though not enough
to cause any apprehension.
On both boats every sail seemed to be
set to perfection and as the wind had
slackened little both captains sent up
their largest club top sails.
At the Starting Line.
Shamrock was the first to drop her
tow. At half past ten she broke out
her jib, and swinging away on port tack.
wore around with grand heel on. The
Columbia soon followed suit and both
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