The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-10-12
| WAS A CLOSE VICTORY


was the case yesterday and almost at
the saom time of the day i.l2 am
other dramatic event of the race oC-
CURED.
I'm three minutes the Columbia passed
clear through the lee of the challou-
ger went on the port tack and easily
crossed her bows. The Shamrock at
once tackled under the defenders lee
and then developed a situation that
could not br explained unless by
change of wind
While the Columbia kept on pointing
very high. the Shamrock headed far
off to leeward and for several minutes
did not point anywhere near as high
as the Columbia. and rapidly fell of.
The wind had now dropped materially
and Il soon became fluky as WELL first
one boat getting 1t In puffs and then
the other At times there was a great
difference in their pointing, the Column
bia now holding well up, while the
Shamrock fell off, and then again the
reverse was true.
At 1880 the boats were standing along
on the port tack, but wide apart. The
Columbia was well to wndward, the
distance estimated by some of the
yachting sharps at nearly a mile, but
at the same time she was slightly
astern. a series of short tacks was be-
gun by both racers, and in these the
Shamrock showed evident gains, being
aided by friendly slants of wind. For
half an hour these short lacks contin-
ued. and when at 3 o'clock the boats
came together near enough to afford
comparison, It was seen that the chal-
lenger had made up a large part, If not
all her loss. The wind, meanwhile
had become more and more fiJky and
was blowing not over seven or eight
knots. Instead of being a good test of
sailing, the race now became matter
of luck in getting and good seamanship
in meeting the carrying puffs. At the
same time it became a very close affair,
and there was intense excitement in the
sightseeing fleet.
A few minutes after o'clock Barr put
the Columbia about on the starboard
tack and headed for the Jersey shore. A
minute later the Shamrock followed,
and it was then seen beyond possibility
of doubt that the American boat was
not only to windward, but was slightly
ahead. Again the two racers went into
short reaches, and again the challenger
came out with gains to her credit, so
that at 1920 she took the lead. The wind
was now fast dropping but the boats
were within five miles of the finish line
and had plenty of time in which to cross
inside the limit unless the breeze fell to
a fiat calm. 1t became anybody's race,
and the excitement increased. few
more short tacks and the British boat
added to her lead by favoring puffs
Seamanship of the highest order was
now required and in this respect it was
hats off to doughty Charlie Barr. He
nursed his craft along in the light airs
in a wonderful manner, and at every
moment had a sharp eye out for any
change of wind.
Shortly after 2:30 o'clock both boats
went on a long port tack, and when, at
3:17 o'clock the Shamrock put about to
meet the Columbia, it was evident that
she still had a slight lead for she forced
the defender about. Having done this,
the Shamrock again went about on the
port tack, with the evident hope of
fetching the line now about a mile
away. The Columbia kept on a couple
of minutes longer and then followed
her rival. She was in the windward
berth, but well astern, and the lead of
the Englshman was unmistabable.
Both boats were being sailed for all
there was in them, and they went
through the water at a speed remark
able for the light wind. 1t was apparent
that a nerve-straining finish was at
hand. Charlie Barr kept up his good
work and took advantage of every
change of air that could possibly help
him. The Columbia was perceptibly
gaining, but every soul in the fleet was
wondering if she could pull up enough
to cross the line ahead. The wind head
ed both boats a bit, ard ii became ap-
parent that neither could fetch by the
lightship.
At $3.50 o'clock the Shamrock went
about on the starbQard and headed for
the middle of the line. The Columbia
tackled under hes lee. Bars game be-
ing to back-wnd the headsails of the
challenger. On lney cam, the American
boat gaining slightly. The crowd be-
gan to cheer, for it was then a certainty
that the gallant yacht was well within
her time allowance if she could not
cross first.
The Shamrock was first to huff across,
but hardly was this perceptible before
Barr did the same thing with the CO.
lubbia, and they went over only two
seconds apart. But the two seconds
were to the credit of the Shamrock in
actual time, though she was a beaten
boat according to the rules Of the
game.