Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-28
Columbia Wins

Highlands, N. j., Sept. 2S.-Shonld
the wind hold It's present direction the
international yacht race today will be
sailed over the me course as last
Thursday. At 8 O'Clock Columbia cast
off Der moorings 10 the Horse Shoe and
taking tow from a tug started on her
cine mile journey 10 the Sandy Hook
lightship. A few minutes later the
Shamrock's tug came alongside the
green challenger, and took the English
ooat in tow for the starting line. The
pleasure feet was not nearly 80 large as
on Thursday as interest In the contest
today was no doubt killed by the first
huke. At 1890 the excursion feet be.
gan to gather around the starting line
and at 1910 the code flag was hoisted
indicating a course southeast By east
nslf east. This will give the yachts a
beat fifteen miles to eastward and run
home.
At 1915 the preparatory whistle wss
blown. Ten minutes later the warning
signal was blown and both boats stood
for the line. As the boats nesred the
starting line the Shamrock, by slick
move on Sycamore's part, wrested the
windwsrd position from Barr and they
crossed the line with Columbia TO lee
ward. They stood on a short star.
board hitch then, Shamrock turned on a
port board. Barr quickly flung his
boat about and stood after him. The
time OF starting was-Columbia,
11:10:49; Shamrock, 1l:1l:0l, The
wind was now fresbeniDg some and
both shippers were pushing their boats
Tor oil they were worth. 1t looked
from shore ss IL Columbia was slowly
out surely gaining. At Ills there
was little to favor between them,
though Columbia appeared to have q
very slight lead. The wind fsttens at
times and comes 10 streaky puffs.
10 40 minutes OF toe hottest kind OF
beating to windward, the yachts were
only few seconds apart. Twice the
American tried TO cross the challenger 8
DOW but failed. 1t is perfect Sham
rock day, the sea oeing 80 smooth that
the EngIish boat is able 10 move through
the water without being beaten of by q
lumpy sea. as she was on Thursday. The
wind was holding at about six knots
and II looks as If it would probably hold
the rest OF the day. AT 1850 the wind
of shore began 10 bretzs bit and the
winds fscked the ocean. The yachts
were running neck and neck. They
we're about five miles from the outer
mark.
Shamrock turned the outer mark at
1852 Columbia, following at 1858
1:39. The boats are running home
dead before the wind and are making
fast time. Shamrock leads by several
seconds, but may lose tae race on time
allowance.
1:54 The yachts were coming home in
fast style. II Is the closest boat race
ever seen over this course. Shamrock
is now racing to beat the 43 second:
she allows Columbia. People along
shore who are viewing the race with
their glasses are wild with excitement
1t now looks as though for the second
time 10 the America cup history as il q
race would 90 to the Engisbman.
At2o'clock Shamrock seemed to take
on a little burst of speed and began to
haul away from Columbia.
At 2:10 Shamrock still leads but Capt.
Barr appears to be gaining some. The
wind hattens at times and their spiD-
ners are Tapping 10 the wind. The
yachts are now about seven miles
from the finish.
At 2:16 Columbia is still gaining on
The Englishman though the latter is
still In the load.
Shamrock still leady at 2:22 by sew
eral seconds
2:32. The yachts are now within six
miles OF tho fioish line end while the
wind has funked out some. the racers
are making good time to the lightship.
2:40. As they approached the finish
line Shamrock still leads but it looks as
If Columbia will win the race providing
they maintain the same relative posi-
tions. on time allowance.
3:03 Shamrock still leads slightly
though she will probably lose the race
to Columbia on time allowance. The
yachts are now about three miles from
the finish.
4 D. m. Columbia crossed the finish
line at 3:31:23 and Shamrock at 3:3l:5S
1t was the closest fought finish OF
any cup race ever called 10 American
waters,