The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-06-04
RACE ON LAKE ERIE.
Steamers Erie and Tashmoo on a
Great Dash.
FROM CLEVELAND TO ERIE
The Distance Is 100 Miles-The
Steamers Are of Different
Types.

Cleveland, June 4.-Stripped of every
thing that would unnecessarily catch the
wind, the two large, modern, side-wheel
passenger steamers, City of Erie of Cleve-
land and the Tashmoo of Detroit lined up
this morning for their great hundred-mile
dash from Cleveland to Erie to decide the
speed championship of the great lakes.
Steamboat men from many ports gathered
to see the contest Special excursion
boats from Cleveland, Toledo, Erie, Buff
falo and smaller ports took large loads Of
passengers to points along the course.
Throngs Of curious people also gathered
along the lake shore to catch a glimpse
of the racers.
The day dawned bright and clear with a
light southwesterly breeze stirring a
gentle swell. Long before starting time
Cleveland harbor was alive with crafts
and the wharves were black with people.
Thousands of whistles and bells sounded
as the two racers steamed up to the stake
boat. They apparently were evenly
matched. The Erie is 324 feet over all
and 7S feet beam, against the Tashmoo's
S2O feet length and 20 feet width. The
Erie was built to make fast schedules
between Cleveland and Buffalo under all
conditions, and has twice the power of
her rival. The Tashmoo was made for
river work, draws much less, water than
the Erie and is built like a cigar, with
sharp, tapering prov. 1t is estimated
that over 100000 will change hands as a
result of the race. The betting is at
eVens.
A Surprise.
Just before the boats started the wind
veered around to the north and the racers
had a seven mile breeze against their
quarter bows. When the starter gave the
signal, the steamers were at a dead stop
and on even terms. Much to the surprise
of the spectators the Erie was the first to
gain headway and crossed the stake boat
line fully two lengths ahead Of the
Tashmoo. The Detroit boat, however,
gradually drew up on the Erie, and as they
disappeared in the haze three or four
miles eastward the Tashmoo had over
taken the Cleveland steamer.
A carrier pigeon message from the City
of Erie off Willoughby, about eighteen
miles east, says that boat leads by a
length.
OFF Fairport, twenty eight miles east Of
the starting line, the City of Erie led by
nearly a quarter of mile. The boats
were both steaming at a terrific speed.
Off Ashtabula harbor about sixty miles
from the starting point the City Of Erie
led by about length and half
The racing steamers passed a few miles
off Conneaut harbor at 12:45 D. m. APP
parently the City Of Erie was then leading
by an eighth Of a mile. Conneaut is
about seventy miles from Cleveland.
The Tashmoo and Erie passed Fairview,
Pa, eleven miles from Erie at 1:30 D. M.
central time. The Erie still maintained
a good lead, apparently about an eighth
of a mile.
At Las p. M, Erie, Pa, reports that the
boats are within five miles of the stake
boat and that the City of Erie appears to
be slightly in the lead.
The Erie Wins.
Erie, June 4.-The City of Erie crossed
the line first. She reached the stake
boat one minute and thirty four seconds
ahead of the Tashmoo (unoffciaD.