New-York tribune., 1901-08-11
IBT TELEGRAPH TO TIE rR1Buvr.l

IBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Newport r. l., Aug. l0-In a grand wind and
sss the Two rival 90-footers. the Constitution
snd the Columbia, fought out a contest TO-DAY
that was marred by one thing only. The general
result IN determining a gauge of the boats was
,sndered indecisive through a temporary acci-
6snt The Constitution finished ahead and is
technically a winner, but the committee is no
nearer decision 10 the relative merits Of the
two yachts than before. Because Of a slight
accident 10 the Columbia while leading by over
TWO minutes. and after being a continuous
eainer from the start. she had to come up in the
wind and lie for FIVE minutes with her foresaiI
backed across her. Others timed this detri-
mental period at nearer six minutes, but the
writer's timing exactly FIVE minutes. This
enabled the Constitution to come up from a
,eewa-d berth. in which she was so far a de-
seated boat. and gave her a commanding weather
berth. which was used as far as possible to dam
age the subsequent windward work Of the Co
lurbia IN spite Of the disadvantage in having
the leeward berth. and Notwithstanding that she
was practically anchored for five minutes the
Columbia, after she again got going sailed so
well that she rounded the outer mark which
was fifteen miles from the start, just two min
utes and hfty-three seconds behind the Consti-
fulton. Apart from official timing. and to sat
asfy the general inquiryfas 70 relative merits OF
20 the windward mark by about FIVE minutes
less than her recorded official time. which means
IN efec: that the Columbia beat the Constitu-
ton over the whole course without time allow
ance, and with time allowance by consider
able margin
ACCIDENT FROM CHANGING BowsPRITs.
The new bowsprit for the Columbia was re-
moved before the race. and the old one was
plseed hurriedly before she went out to the
ughtship. The shrouds Of this spar not
fully set up and after the boats had been going
some time Lem Miller, the mate on the Co
lurnbia. reported that the bowsprit was buckling
snd would 60 out Of her unless remedied. The
crew tried 10 take up the slack OF the shrouds.
but the sea was so heavy at the bows that they
could not co the work and then the yacht was
luffed up so that Il could be attended to. Ac-
cording 10 information received from the Colum-
bis since the race was finished. the steering gear
also went out Of order at this time and Captain
Barr lost control Of the boat. Whatever this de-
feet was il reched itself after the vessel start
ed sailing again.
There was but poor promise Of a race in the
morning. Mist was being blown from the sea,
which threatened a postponement OF the con-
test II II grew any worse. As IL was the start
was delayed two hours. and for a long time there
was no sign Of Official life IN Newport Harbor
The committee, consisting Of S. n Kane, New
bury D. Lawton and substitute for Chester
Griswold, were on the steam yacht Nourmahal
or which an absentee flag was flying ell day.
showing that the owner, Colonel John Jacob As
tor, was not on board. The Constitution gave
gentle hint when she hoisted her mainsail. but
n was not until she began 10 set her clubtopsal
that the NourTnahal hoisted her anchor 10 go
ovt J. P. Morgan's Corsair accompanied the
yachts out OF the harbor, and the auxiliary,
Lady Go6iva- chartered 10 Henry c. Rouse, led
the van with the steam yacht Josephine. Henry
Walters Nsrada. the houseboat Iowa, the Her