The San Francisco call., 1901-10-05

the Shamrock. The two boats held along to-
gether on the same tack for five or six min
crossed the Columbia's bows and tackled we'll
on the American boats weather. Then. ex-
&C attly X as was A the case yesterday and almost
matte event of the race occurred.
In three minutes the Columbia passed clean
through the lee of the challenger. went on the
shamrock at once tackled under the defenders
not be explained unless by change of wind.
While the Columbia kept on pointing very
high the Shamrock headed far OFF to leeward
where near as high the Columbia and rap
idly fell off. The wind had now dropped ma
terially and It soon became auky as we'll. first
one boat getting it in puffs and then the other.
at times there was a great difference in their
pointing, the Columbia now holding well up,
while the Shamrock fell off, and then again
the reverse true.
AT 1:S0 the boats were standing along on the
port tack. but wide apart. The Columbia was
we'll to windward, the distance estimated by
some of the yachting sharps at nearly mile
but at the same time she was slightly astern
series of short tacks was begun by both
racers and In these the Shamrock showed evil
dent gains, being aided by friendly sants of
wind, For half an hour these short tacks con-
tinued and when at o'clock the boats came
together near enough to afford comparison it
large part IL not all. of her loss. The wind
meanwhile, had become more and more fiuky
and was blowing not over seven or eight knots
Instead OF being good test of sailing the race
now became a matter of luck in getting. and
SoOu SedHlaHSnlp IN meeting, the varying punS
AT the same time it became d very close affair
and there was intense excitement in the sight
seeing feet.
Nerve-Straining Finish.
A few minutes before 2 o'clock Barr put the
Columbia about on the starboard tack and
headed for the Jersey shore, minute later
the Shamrock followed, and it was then seen
beyond possibility Of doubt that the American
slightly ahead. Again the two racers went
into short reaches and again the challenger
came out with gains to her credit so that at
fast dropping. but the boats were within five
miles OF the finish line and had plenty OF time
In which to cross the limit unless the breeze
fell to fiat calm. 1t became anybody's race
short tacks and the British boat added to her
lead by favoring puffs Seamanship CT the
highest order was now required and in this
respect il was hats off to doughty Charlie
Barr. He nursed his craft along in the light
airs in wonderful manner and at every mo-
ment had sharp eye out for any change of
wind
Shortly after 2:3O both boats went on long
port tack and when at 3:17 the Shamrock put
about to meet the Columbia it was evident that
she still had slight lead. for she forced the
defender about. Having done this the Sham
rock again went about on the port tack with
the evident hope of fetching the line now
about mile away. The Columbia kept on
couple Of minutes longer and then followed her
well astern and the lead of the Englishman
was unmstakable. Both boats were beng
sailed for all there was in them and they went
through the water at speed remarkable for
parent that a nerve-strainng 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 wondering if she could pull up enough
to cross the line ahsad. The wind headed both