The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-06
Sore Disappointment for the Syndi-
cate Which Spent Fortune in
Constructing Constitution.
VIEWS OF THE CUP HUNTER
SIR THOMAS Upton STILL THINKS
HE CAN WIN THE TROPHY.
Would Have Preferred to Race with
Constitution, but Is willing
to Meet Columbia Again.

NEWPORT. R. l., Sept. 5.-The yacht
Columbia, champion of 1899, has been
chosen to race against Shamrock III in de-
Tense of the Americas cup. This decision
was reached to-day after a conference
lasting two hours between the members of
the challenge committee. All members of
the committee were present. Commodore
Lewis Cass Ledyard presided. The discus
sion exhaustive. The performances of
the two boats were gone over systemati-
cally and critically compared. The con-
ciuson was that the behavior of the Co
lumhia was far more consistent than that
or Constitution and that in the circum-
stances there was no alternative but 10
name her the defender. 1t held
that while the decision might be disap-
pointing to the syndicate which owns the
Constitution the committee were compelled
to choose the Columbia whose races have
shown none of the erratic form manifested
by her rival. The formal notice announc-
ing the selection of Columbia was posted
at the Yacht Club station shortly after
noon. 1t read as follows:
AT a meeting of the committee on chaI-
lenge of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club,
held on the flagship at II 80 a. m, Colum-
bia was selected to represent the New
York Yacht Club"
w Butler Duncan. jr., manager of the
Constitution, expressed disappointment
that his boat had not been selected as the
cup defender. He said everything possible
had been done to get the best speed out
OF her, and he had no fault to find with Of
hcerS or crew. One of the graVeSt mis-
takes of the season, he said, the TAX
ing of of the old mainSail of the Constitu-
tior, under which the yacht winning
races, and trying new one which did not
suit her at all. He reiterated that he was
perfectly satisfied with Captain Rhodes and
make to their work. The Constitution
he believed to be an able boat, much faster
than the Columbia, and he only sorry
that he had not had further opportunity of
proving it.
MIR. Duncan refused to criticise the ham
ding of the Columbia, but it learned
from some of those who have been on
board the Constitution during the racing
that i'm number of instances the boat has
been kept away from the Columbia when
Captain Barr was coming down on her
rather than risk a foul or serious injury
foul actually took place just at the start
of last Mondays races. when 1t is claimed
by those the Constitution that Captain
Barr luffed the Columbia into the new
boat and hit her Ii has been the policy of
those handling the Constitution this year
not to risk too much, although every effort
has been made to bring out the good quail
ties of the boat
Z. d. Morgan the manager of the Column
bia, said he would make every effort to
place the old cup defender in as perfect
shape as possible He said she is in ex-
for a mainsail, but with a few slight
alterations to the present one it is hoped
it will carry the yacht through the cup
races successfully. An attempt will be
made to have two other old mainsails
placed in condition so that they may be
pleased with the challenge committees
selection, but refused to comment on it.
He expressed much sympathy. however, for
Mr. Tlrn nd Cnd Nnrfa orb
during the year.
The announcement of the selection of the
Columbia was received here with express
Sions of approval among yachtmen. She
has shown herself such a reliable all
around yacht that the decision of the chal-
lenge committee is held to be strictly just
and impartial AS interested yachtmen
view the situation, the Columbia has been
tuned up to the point of perfection. Her
bilities. Their drill and discipline are
beyond praise and nobody who
has watched them has any doubt
a9tnse 5aft they y the will cup make Ak the SANG gallant t
it is pointed out that Mr.. Duncan, manager
of the Constitution. has had a great deal
of his friends that if Nat Herreshoff had
not been confined TO his room by illness he
could have remedied the faults of the
Constitution and brought her out a winner.
After the challenge committees meeting
to-day II was learned that there will be
nc more racing of the ninetyfOoters at
international cup race at Sandy Hook on
Sept. p will be spent in putting the Co
lumbia in the best possible condition to
defend the cup.
An interesting feature of the affair is the
future of the Constitution. August Bel
mont endured the rejection of the boat of
which he is the principal owner with
philosophic fortitude. He will keep her in
commission so that if any accident should
befaH the Columbia she would be ready to
fill the gap Mr.. Belmont will do all in his
power TO help the Columbia keep the cup
on this side of the Atlantic. He will
lengthen her sails, spars or any other that
may be needed.
There have been some attacks on Capt
Barr of the Columbia. His crew is made
up of men of Scandinavian origin. and there
may be a little prejudice against them on
that account among certain people. The
fact T.. however. that the crew is one of
Another factor of considerable import
ance Is that ]. Pierpont Morgan. owner of
the Columbia. stands by Captain Barr in
his aggressive sailing of the yacht. He
realizes that a man. to beat such masters
OF sea jockeying as Captains Sycamore and
Wringe, must have plenty Of snap and fire
and be able TO Outmaneuver the enemy
Z. d. Morgan also sustains Captain Barr
Captain Barr made no mistake when he
sailed the Columbia against the first Sham
rock, and many expert yachtsmen in New
port to-day confident the old craft
was never so competent TO race as at the
present time.