Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-26
The Columbia Leads,

side the Horseshoe, the English cbal.
| lenger Shamrock II. and the cup de-
fender Columbia rugged at their
anchors all night ss if eager for the fray
which promised TO be 90 close. Uoder
the official measurements, Shamrock
has to allow Columbia 43 seconds 10
thirty mile race. The contest today
which Is the first of the series of best
three In five races will be fifteen mile
beat to windwsrd aud return. II was
true racing weather this morning. All
night long, half gale swept over the
Hook from the east by northeast, show
itg no signs Of diminutioo, and when
day dswned there was good sea on.
Far of shore the horizon was yelled
slightly 10 q thin curtain of haze, which
threatened to make observation diff
ficuit, when the yachts were far away.
Compared with two years ago, the ex-
cursion fleet was not nearly 80 large.
At 1880 both yachts had set their
staysails and sailed on and of the wind
around the committee boat. The com.
mittee boat set the code figs To-
dicatiDg that the course will be north
east by east. This will give the yachts
a clean beat to windward.
At 1l:05 the preparatory gun was
fired. The yachts then began to jockey
for the start. After standing on
short port board, they came about and
stood away toward the line with Co.
lumbia somewhat astern of Shamrock.
Both yachts wore ship and headed of
shore. Columbia was now to weather
OF the Shamrock.
As they neared the line the boats came
about on the port tack. Columbia
forced Shamrock about and crossed the
line at 11:10l0 aud Shamrock at
1l:10.15. Columbia was on the weather
side. After a short hitch 10 starboard
Shamrock came about and was quickly
followed by Columbia. Both filled
sway heading out to sea and were ap.
psrently sailing very high lane with
their noses cutting along the edge OF
the wind. At 1l:22 the wind had
become little stronger off shore and
Columbia was edgiDg up into the wind
like demon. The race is go close that
unlil tho yachts tack it will be hard
matter to tell the difference between
the b)sts.
At 1l:31 Columbia came about on q
port tack and went across Shamrock
bow show that the American was 10
the lead. While the lead was not much
it showed that Columbia had done the
better work in the thrash to windward
10 the first half hour.
About 1890 Co umbia began to back
wind Shamrock as they stood along
out to sea on port tack, and the chal.
lenger began to fall behind. The wind
was very light.
At 1882 Columbia and Shamrock |
were put about on the stsrboard tack |
aud it was evident from shore that Barr
was opening up more water between
him and his rival.
At 1852 Captain Barr flung his boat |
out on starboard board and both |
yachts stood away for the Long Island |
coast. The yachts were now rackirg
as il looking for fayoring
slants OF wind.
At 1856 the wind was very light of
shore. The Columbia was berthed to
and had a good safe lead.
At lilo Shamrock was able, by fav-
bring slant OF wind, to pull up and
Wrest the lead from Columbia. First
,ne aud then the other would forereacb
he other aud Shamrock was in the
cad at 1:22. Captain Sycamore was
Icing his best to keep Colum bia back
Vinded. 1t appeared as If the race was
! drifting match and Columbia was be-
Og left slightly behind.
At 1873 both boats were flung about
~ a port tack and stood out to sea.
they were running very close race.
shamrock still leading slightly.
The wind had now hauled more TO {
he eastward. 1t looks at this time q
l:40) as If there would be no contest.
At 1:50 the yachts were holding on
heir long stsrbosrd tack to shore and
was apparent that Colum Oia had
dyed out to weather of the Shamrock =
nd Is now leading again.
Highlands, N. j., Sept. 26 AT 230 t
be yachts are laundering along on
tarbosrd tack heading to q point of d
ones Inlet. IL is spparant that Co. f
lmbia has lead of many seconds. :
|nless the wind fresheos the race will /,
robably not be fpished before the time
NIT.
Columbia went around the outer r
ark at 3:06:15. K
At 8 14:10 Shamrock rounded the /
ark.
3:45. The Columbia leads, but the
- - l
me limit. ;,