The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-04


looking like big ~wiftly-moving sum
mer hotel. In 20 Q inutes she was hull
down on the HORIZON.
AS the yachts approached the outer
mark, a stream Of signal flags were
set nthe revenue cutter Gresham, the
flagship of the patrol fleet, instructing
them in the international language OF
the sea, to change direction by the
right flank. The patrol boats swung
around to line of west and charged
down upon the excursion fleet. The
latter. with bells changing in the engine
rooms for more speed, turned tail and
the whole fleet rushed madly to lee
ward of the last leg of the course.
Leaving the first mark on the star
board hand, the racers gybed over
their big booms and went careening for
the second mark, the Columbia gaining
slowly but surely. They had covered
the first 10 miles in a little over so min
utes. When they swung around the
second stake they took in their baby
jibtopsails and hauled their wind for
the beat home Both yachts heeled I'M
til their underbodies were lifted high
over the water and their lee rails dip
ped a foot into the swrling pillows.
Within five minutes after rounding the
last mark it was apparent that the Co
lumbia was footing faster and pointing
higher. She went through Shamrock's
lee like 4 quarter horse.
The rush of the leviathians on the
final. tack was magnificent. The excur-
sion boats, black with people from
gunwale to pilot house, gathered about
the finish in a great horseshoe. AS
the white flyer came on with a big
bone in her teeth, well in the lead, the
patriotic shippers with their hands on
their whistle cords could hardly re-
strain themselves. AS she swept across
the finish line the din was tympanum-
destroying. Whistles split the ear and
steam sirens walled drowning the
crash of the bands and the cheers Of
the people. The concert of sound was
terrific Until after the gallant Sham
rock, beaten but not disgraced, crossed
minute and Is seconds later whistles
and sirens were kept going. When
! they died away the bands could be
heard playing columbia the Gem of
/ the Ocean Yankee Doodle" and 9TH
/ er patriotic airs.
| The steam yacht Corsair was the first
of the fleet to sigualize the American
victory by setting the starry banner at
4 her mastheads. BY this time all the
I shippers had had ample time TO ran
sack their lockers, and within a min
ute afterward every vessel in the fleet
was alive with American flags. Sir
! Thomas in the Erin did not approach
within half mile of the finish line
He had seen his high hopes blasted.
and presumably he did not care to be
in at the jubilation over the defeat of
his champion. But. like a good game
sportsman. after the Columbia went
over the line he ran the American flag
up TO the forepeak and fired a salute in
ITS honor. The rival crews cheered each
other as they were towed home behind
their tenders, escorted by the whole ex-
lcursion fleet.
Within half an hour after the con-
elusion of the race the committee boat
In accordance with the agreement to
race daily from now on. set the signal
for race tomorrow
Sir Thomas Upton, although plainly
depressed al the result of the race
stood bravely at the gangway Of the
Erin and bid cordial adieu to his
guests, He also entertained a large
party of yaehtsmen and ladies' who Wis
tied the Erin after the days guests
had departed.
When asked what he thought Of the
race. he said
Il admit frankly that l got licked By
the best boat, in a fair and square
race. and 1 maintain and believe that
there is not a better skipper afioat
than Capt. Sycamore. nor a better
crew than mine. I have as much es-
TEEN for my captain and crew as when
I came to this side. but they can't do
impossibilities. They took as much
out of the boat as could be taken.
81 am very much disappointed at the
result" continued Sir Thomas. "and