The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-25
Old Cup Defender, Therefore. Cap
tured the HonOrs Of the Tuning
Up Series of Contests.
HONORS EVENLY DIV
EACH YACHT HAS WON EIGHT OUT
OF SIXTEEN RACES.
Sir Thomas Upton, Who Witnessed
Yesterdays Contest, Says COnsti-
tuition Did the Right Thing.

OYSTER BAY, Long Island, Aug. "a
The Columbia glided across the finish line
at eight minutes past 4 o'clock this after
noon, for the eighth time a winner over the
Constitution. And the most cordial salute
that greeted the old champion came from
the steam yacht Erin, having on board SIT
Thomas Upton, who had himself been
beaten three times by the same boat. There
was no second, for the Constitution had
quit.
After sailing once around the triangular
course of the Seawanhaka Club with the
Columbia forty-seven seconds a winner,
having gained on every leg, both boats ran
into a terrific rain squat. They groped
about for some time in the downpour and
shifting breezes, hardly able to see two
length ahead. At last the weather cleared
a bit. The Columbia picked up the mark,
which was the first Of the second round,
and stood for il. The Constitution had al
ready withdrawn. Having sent down her
big topsail. she was headed for Oyster Bay.
The Columbia kept on, finished the race and
takes the cup.
To-day's race marks the finish of the pre-
liminary or tuning-up series between the
Columbia and Constitution. They now come
to the trial races off Newport, under the
auspices of the New York Yacht Club. The
boat winning two out of three of these
races, provided there has been a fair test
Of speed In average cup conditions, will un-
doubtedly be selected by the Americas cup
committee to sail i'm the international races
against Shamrock IL.
Beginning on July |, the two candidates
for the honor of defending the cup have
made nineteen starts. Out of these there
have been sixteen finishes. an unusually
/ large number The Constitution has won
eight and Columbia eight. But these fig
ures, taken alone, do not quite represent
the merits Of the two boats as shown by
the contests already sailed. \ brief re-
view Of the results shows that the Con-
s~titution has shown superiority in light
breezes and smooth seas only. The Co.
lunhia has never been beaten in anything
Ike a strong and true wind. with one eX-
/ ception, and that was on Aug. 10. off New
port, when she suffered mishap in a hard
hammer TO windward in the strongest
breeze of the whole series. When the dcci-
cent occurred she was ahead of the Con-
s~titution i'm the weather berth, and IL Is
the general opinion that she would have
beaten the new boat had. she not been
obliged TO luff into the wind for more than
five minutes. However, the performance
of the Constitution on that day was a
grand one. The wind piped up to twenty
four knots at times and she took the heavy
seas and hard puffS. even with a club top
sail alOft. in admirable style.
The first race. Oh july !. was won by CO.
lumbia in a ten-knot On July
3 the Columbia became disabled three miles
from the start when she had a lead, and
the Constitution refused to take a walk
over. On July 6 and s. in very light airs.
at no time blowing over six knots and most
o. the time under four. the Constitution
showed mp in wonderful form. and gave the
old boat two decisive beatings. On the
lcth of July the Constitution started. but
soon withdrew on account of the thick fog.
The Columbia and independence went over
the course. but were unable to finish within
the time limit. on July II and II the Co.
lCmbia won two victories, one in a nine
IA-t 80 nn1 H. H. - - F.1-T.
northeastern. Then came the races during
the cruise of the New York Yacht Club i'm
the light breezes of the sound. The Consti-
tuition took three to the Columbia's one.
On July "A the Columbia took the Astor
cup on the Newport course i'm handsome
style. and the Constitution went TO Bristol
to change her rig, her managers not being
satisfied with her performances. They next
came together on Aug. 10 in the hard race
already mentioned. On Aug: II the Column
bia won on time allowance in a very close
finish in light and fluky winds. They start
ed on Aug. Ii in a light breeze on a wind
ward and a leeward course. The wind fell
fat, and after four hours of drifting both
withdrew, being then on even terms. Then
came the light air Larchmont races in the
sound on Aug. 16 and II, which the Consti-
tuition took. one by a large margin and the
other by only fifty-eight seconds.
The two boats came TO the Seawanhaka
course Thursday. and the decisive victory
OF the Columbia is still fresh in the minds
o. the yachtsmen. To-day's race, the last
of the long preliminary series. tells its own
story.
Sir Thomas Upton when seen by an
Associated Press reporter after the race
said: The weather was bad for racing and
think the Constitution did the right
thing in stopping when she did. In that
thick weather there was no use taking
chances of an accident. either of collision
or of running aground. Our yachts on both
sides of the water have had experiences
enough of that kind"
Sir Thomas refrained from saying any
thing regarding the merits of either the
Columbia or the Constitution. on board
the Erin as guests of the Shamrock's
daughters and several other officers. Capt.
Sycamore and Navigator Hamilton also
saw the race from the Erin. The former
laughingly said to the newspaper men:
"You brought us out here to give us a
soaking What will you do with us If we
take the cuD?"
William Butler Duncan. the CONSTITUTIONS
manager, when asked why he quit. said:
"We hove to when the weather got thick.
and / supposed the Columbia had also quit.
I shall take the Constitution east tonight
If the weather clears, and there will be no
more races until the trial races
The SeaW9nhaka Club gave a dinner to-
night i'm honor of Sir Thomas Upton and
his party-Mr. Geol ge L. Watson. the de-
| signer of Shamrock III. Hon. Charles Rus
sell. Mr.. David Barrie and DR.. Mckay.
| dent Roosevelt. who is a member of the
club. and Mr.. w. Butler Duncan. jr.. man
aging owner of the Constitution. Mr.. Ed
Morgan, of the Columbia, was not able TO
attend. The affair was entirely informal.
and at the request of Sir Thomas there
were no speeches. The Erin will remain in
the harbor tonight and proceed to Sandy