New-York tribune., 1901-06-02
o Ieet inches. extreme beam 9 feet inches II
VIII oe manned by crew Of six men.
CONSTITUTION TAKES A SAIL.
MAKES A GOOD IMPRESSION IN VARYING
WINDS.

hrlstol' r. l.. June lin a two-hour spin late
inns afternoon the Constitution had a pretty good
test IN reaching and beating to windward with
captain Rhodes at the wheel and Captain Nat"
fierreshon beside him to scan the spars sails and
rigging as they underwent a tuning up. One thing
uetermlned by the trial that the shortening
oi the backstay ends advantage. The main
mast carried club topsail for the first time since
her launching. Mr.. Duncan went TO New-York
thursday and has not returned. so the designer
and Captain Rhodes had things their way.
putting the boat to as severe test of the top
hamper as she has yet had.
The wind blew from north-northeast at the rate
Oh eight miles an hour. The mainsail was hoisted
and the jib and foresails reused off its top At
$40 p m the anchor being off short. the sails filed
TO port with the sheets close hauled and the Con-
stitution shot ahead length the starboard
tack. coming Immediately about the opposite
tack and swinging around her heel until her
head was south Of the channel leading to Bristol
Ferry. The weather hazy throughout the
trip, but there good breeze.
With the wind off her forequarter the boat footed
along slowly at first with mainsheet fiat and head
sheets held to wndward until half the distance to
Hog Island had been reached, when she began to
go at a lively pace, although having to encounter
flood tide against her bow. Captain Rhodes stood
at the wheel. and ably handled his charge. holding
her within four points of the wind The sails
filled to the limit and more.
The Constitution turned the southeast point of
Hog Island two miles from her anchorage in the
harbor. in about fourteen minutes time The head
tide was stronger she got into the water of the
ferryway. The sheets not eased away after
the mainsail gybed over to port at the turn of
the ferryway The boat footed along. setting the
small club topsail. This is the first of the kind
seen a Herreshoff Cup defender. 1t is smaller
than ordinary club topsail. but larger than a
working topsail.
With close trimmed sheets she reached down to
Sandy Point Light, and then the wind increased to
nearly ten miles an hour. The sheets were not
started the trip leeward. in order to test the
top hamper thoroughly. The sails set neatly, and
the same may be said of everything on the boat
The New-York Yacht Club pennant waved from
staff. 1t is estimated that the boat made nine
miles hour reaching past Sandy Point Light
When within mile of the east end of Dyers
Island she wore short around at 4:2O o'clock, and
as her head began to point eastward the main
Doom was gybed to starboard and she started out
Tor the beat home. Quickly she lay over 70 the
bronze underbOdy and lifting out forward instead
OF settling. did the Columbia. 1t was lively
scene as the boat went along. the captain at the
wheel and the crew lying on deck There was
smother of foam under the lee bow.
From Sandy Point Light she had long leg
the port tack up the bay nearly far MusSel
Bed Light. The wind hauled trihe to the north
heading her off and compelling Captain Rhodes to
tack half dozen times She back at her
anchorage at $40 o'clock.
The work on the steel spars Is fast taking shape
The mainmast is already plated while several
pieces Of steel plate are being rolled some in
semicircuar form. The new hollow club topsail
just put on board is IA inches in diameter at the
centre tapering out well to both ends
The 7O-footer Mineoa. owned by Ntce-Commodore
overhauled.