New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-01
A DISPIRITING FLUkE.


day. excepting that there was a tdtHer hedNJ
easterly sweIl-a relic Of the recent gale-so
contend with Even that did not retard the
yachts much. but the breezes. while fairly steady
from east-northeast to northeast b. north. we're
of paItry strength. not sufficient 10 drive the
yachts at more than a six-knot gait at any time,
and frequently they travelled at the rate OF
barely three knots an hour.
Each yacht was equally served with what
wind there was during the windward work. and
the performance of the Reliance under these
conditions confirmed the assertions Of those who
have declared her a wonder in light breezes.
Although Captain Wringe made the best start
Of the series. gaining the coveted weather berth
for Shamrock III. and although he sailed her.
the experts say, as well as any skipper could
have DONE the yacht was match for the Her
reshoff boat at any time in that kind Of a
breeze.
Thirteen lacks were made by the Reliance
and nine by the Shamrock In going to the outer
mark fifteen miles to windvard. and the ract
that it took the Reliance hours II minutes
to go there gives good idea of the light breezes
encountered.
On every tack she made the Reliance gained
on her opponent. until she had beaten her 10
minutes - seconds when she reached the
weather mark This is said to be the largest
margin by which any challenger has been beat
en- in a race to windward- II the Reliance had
been able to finish she would probably have
beaten Shamrock III 80 minutes, including her
time allowance. or at the rate Of a minute
mile.
Under mainsails and jibs and in tow. the Re-
lance and Shamrock III left their moorings at
8 o'clock, and proceeded out TO Sandy Hook
Lightship. arriving there soon after 10 o'clock
After feeling the breeze for while Barr and
Wringe sent up intermediate clubtopsails. The
wind was light from east-northeast. and there
was a nasty roll of a sea on from the eastward.
but it was not so heavy had been expected.
As soon as the committee boat Navigator ar
rived at the lightship the regatta committee set
the code signal letter "S." meaning the start Will
be shifted from the lightship. Soon after the
letter ~ told the waiting that the start
would be postponed until later in the day.
On the way out to the southeast Captain
Wrinse sent down the Shamrock's clubtopsan.
and had larger one set in a few minutes. TIE
Reliance did not change hers. 1t noted that
the slack in the foot of the defenders nainsail
was laced down. thus taking in about foot Of
loose canvas. and making the sail set better.
Her head sails fitted we'll. and so did her club
topsail.
There was considerable slack in the leach Of
the Shamrock's mainsaiI. notwithstanding the
five battens put in TO stiffen it.
At II o'clock the Navigator anchored about
four miles southeast Of Sandy Hook Lightship
and two hundred yards east Of the tug Unique.
which had anchored TO form the other end Of the
starting line. The course signal "A Q p
meaning east-northeast. was hoisted at 11:15s
and the tug Scully started TO log the course
fifteen miles TO windward. Fifteen minutes
later the preparatory signal was given. and the
maneuvring for the start began.
Although the wind was light. this work was
very interesting CiroIing about near the two
marks Barr and Wringe played the game with
skill. Barr managing to keep the Reliance to
windward Of her rival
At the warning gun. both yachts having Just
gybed and come to the port tack TO the south
ward Of the line. they stood for the line. the
Shamrock in the lead. with the Reliance her
weather quarter. Wringe kept the Shamrock
going until there was just room 70 keep of and
clear the Navigator. then he gybed and let her
come up until closehauled on the starboard tack.
Barr followed suit but found himself placed on
the chaIIenger's lee beam. with only twenty
seconds left before the gun Wringe had the
best Of the start this time. and there was Moth
ing left for Barr to do except to trim everything
fiat and let her go for the line This he did.
and both crossed at exactly the same time
twenty-six seconds after gun fire. Both yachts
were closehauled on the starboard tack, with
Shamrock III length to vindward Of her OPP
moment. II was the best start that the chal-
lenger had made since the series began Baby
iibtopsaiIs were set on both yachts. The SHAM
rocks was the larger Of the two
The official time of the start was;
Inns
Reliance - %
Shamrock III ........'''.. '..''''' ''''--'..-'-iA
When they settled down to their courses on
this first tack the Reliance was placed couple
of lengths on the shamrock's lee beam. The
wind was so light that the crews Of both yachts
were sent TO the lee side.
Four minutes thlrty-four seconds after the
start wringe swung the Shamrock to the port
tack. Fifteen seconds later Barr put the Re-
lance about This placed the Herreshoff yacht
out on the shamrocks weather quarter. Half
her crew we're TO vindward and half to leeward
now On this tack they were going head on to
the long easterIy swe1ls. Both yachts did some
plunging. but the Shamrock seemed TO take
them easier.
When the Reliance came about the next time
10 the starboard tack at 11;5I, and the chal-
Ienger twenty-five seconds later. it was plain
that Barr has lifted her out to windward so
that she was already several lengths to the
good.
By 70 80 which was forty-fve minutes after
the start. both yachts being on the port tack,
the Reliance held a commanding position
quarter of a mile on the Shamrock's weather
beam In this light breeze. with a big jibtop
sail pulling her head OF all the while. the sham
r,ctr v-as Unable IN priur with the other and so