Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-12
ALL AMAZED.
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ward end of the line with the light
ship to windward. The display of bunt-
ing when interpreted gave the course
as south southwest, Is miles to wind
ward and return. The force of the wind
at that time was no better than five
knots, but it looked as though it would
breeze up as the day grew older. The
yachts come out to the starting point
and were already looking out for the
weather berth when the flags were sent
up. Butler Duncan was steering the
Constitution with Capt. ROades close
alongside and Capt. Barr was at the
wheel of the Columbia, with Mr.. E. D.
Morgan near by.
The Independence, with every stitch
of sail set to the best advantage. was
steered by Skipper Half. the veteran
of many score of hard fought sea
tussels.
1t was apparent that the Independ-
ence had much more vitality than on
her previous exhibitions. She climbed
the heavy swell quite nimbly and be-
gan to conduct herself as prospective
cup candidate should do. She seemed
to have lost the tortoise like sluggish
ness of her past performances and to
move with the grace and ease of an
actual racing craft. She was in fact a
surprise to all hands. She had been re-
lieved OF another ton of ballast and
her turn had also been altered. The
result was that the Independence of
today was not like the slow and
clumsy craft whose movements on her
previous races have excited SO much
I 4
life. 1t was noticed that she carried
no jibtopsail during the whole of her
windward work. while on all other oc-
I, Casions she has set the sauciest of all.
The preparatory whistle was sound
Cd on the Storm King at 12.l5 and the
yachts got into shape for the strife
which was destined to be lively and
exciting. Small tOpsails We're hoisted
| in steps on the Constitution and CO.
| lCmbia and each yacht had shread to
| the breeze her largest and most allur-
ing jibtopsail.
| The second signal was sounded at
| l2.20 and five minutes later came the
| blast that sent the rivals onward to
! their goal. The Independence got il
splendid start, crossing eight seconds
| after the gun on the Starboard tack
with an excellent position on the line.
| Columbia followed at 12.25.2l in the
wake Of the Independence with the
Consultation last, but in the weather
berth at 12.1.25.4S.
| As soon as the Constitution was clear
of the line she whilled around on the
port tack. standing in toward the Mar
ragansett shore. She was Immediately
followed by her opponents. The indie
pendence stood on the port tack until
| l2.+120. when she Went about and
headed off shore. Then came a success
SIGN Of short off shore and in shore
| lacks in which there. was a large and
finr display of the art of the sea jock
ey. For some time tne Constitution and
Columbia took no interest in the work
of the independence but treated her
with naughty contempt. thinking prob
ably that she was about to repeat her
past achievements on wind, namely
to sag eff the leeward like a crab.
But in a little while they realized
| that the Independence was Il real live
| antagonist handled. with a plucky and
distinctive dash. At 12.55 Columbia
| crossed the bows of Independence but
a little while afterward the lndepend-
ence turned the tables on the Consti-
tuition by coming boldly off shore af
ter a short hitch and forcing Constitu-
ton about. This was her first victor
ious achievement since she began rae
ing and another and kindlier estimate
of her ability was formed. Captain
Half knows the Nara gansett coast we'll
| He is acquainted, with the set of the
tide and currents and he Rugged the
coast close. Every tack he made in
shore he gained by it. At a few min
utes after | o'clock he once more fore
ed Constitution about and then and
only then. he began to be recognized as
a live urgent and formidable oppo-
nent.
| The Columbia sailed with rare skill
and precision. surpassed herself. mar
vicious as that may seem. Owing to
her lesser beam she took more kindly
to the heavy Ocean roll than Consti
tutionn. Mr.. Butler Duncan. no doubt
wondering what was the matter. tried
his craft with a smaller iibtopsail but
it helped her not at all. At Point Ju-
dith the Columbia had Constitution
fairly and squarely beaten and hide
pcndence was looking as though she
would have a good chance for second
place at the windward mark. The fog
set in. There was no longer any assure
In the sky. The swell after the yachts
came out from Point Judith rolled in
with a heavier swirl. 1t set COnstitu-
ton back while Columbia enjoyed it.
Independence hammered into it with
out losing any appreciable Roadway.
She was making the fight of her life
and giving her owner (whO was alb
senD his first run for his money. Con-
stitution was in trouble with the long
and steep ocean roll. her bows splash
ing the water into fountains of foam.
Not a bucket full of green water lid
she take aboard but her cut water stir
red up the sea considerably. At
o'clock Independence took a tack in
shore and for few minutes was lost
in the fog. Presently she emerged
from the mist and again forced Con-
stitution about. This was her second
triumph.
| She had the right Of way and the
: Constitution and Independence were
: lGCing ct it hammer and tOngs. was in
a commanding windward position. at
tending strictly to business and max
ing capital point Cor the outer mark