The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-22
ERELIANCE A HUMMER.
CONTINUED from First Page,


racers and the excursion feet soon
reached the same point and awaited the
preparatory gun.
Owing to the direction of the wind the
committee had some difficulty in decid-
ing on the starting point. as it was ap-
parent that a beat to windward of Is
miles from the lightship was imprac-
ticable. 1t was finally concluded to
make the start several miles to the
eastward This change necessitated a
DELAY from the hour set
The committee hoisted signal show
ing the course to be beat of Is miles
marking the turn set off in the direction
of Long Branch where the turning point
should be, about six miles off shore.
At IL 80 the preparatory gun was fired
and immediat ely the two yachts began
maneuvering for positions AS they
sailed back and forth in this preliminary
struggle both boats showed a good deal
of weather side as they laid
down, dipping the lee rail. Reli-
ance made long board to eastward fol-
lowed by Shamrock quite a distance
astern. After standing about a mile
from the mark Reliance came about,
Shamrock soon following. At IL 40 the
warning gun was fired, Both boats stood
quarter of a mile to the westward of
the8iine then started and ran down the
wind for Is seconds when Shamrock
gybed, Reliance following with same
maneuvers. Both boats were on the
StdTDOdTQ TACK, meaning lot the line ana
crossed 1t holding about south, Sham
rock about two lengths ahead of Reli-
ance which went over the line at the
weather end Some minutes after cross
ing both yachts broke out baby jib top
sails. 1t looked as if Reliance had pur-
posely held back from crossing the line
in order to cut down whatever time al
lowance there might be in case she fin
ished first.
Ten minutes after the start the yachts
the starboard tack and from shore ii
looked as if the Reliance was gaining
trif1e. The wind which early was
from the southwest, seemed to be get
ting more to the southwark and the
boats had every opportunity to show
what they could do in a beat to wind
ward in a comparatively smooth sea
and Is knots.
The contest Immediately developed in
to a close and exciting one, for while
Reliance seemed to pick up and to be to
windward of Shamrock she was unable
to get by. At 1911 p. m, the American
boat swung around on the port tack and
headed for the Jersey shore. Shamrock
kept on two minutes longer before tack
ing to port.
This tack developed into a long run in
shore and as the time passed it was evil
dent that the Shamrock was doing bet
ter on the port tack than on the star
board. As the yachts worked down
toward the outer mark they began to
feel the full force of the flood tide COM
ing up the coast.
In the first so minutes of racing the
contest was SO close as to create the
most intense excitement among the
thousands of spectators on boat and
shore. At 1895 p. m. the yachts were
still holding the port tack standing tow
ard Sea Bright but fully eight miles
off shore. The wind held strong and the
yachts had all they wanted for the sail
they were carrying.
There was no break in this long tack
until 1910 when Reliance went about.
Shamrock, however. continued four min
utes longer. From shore 1t looked as IT
Reliance has forced Shamrock about. IL
had looked as if the challenger might
squeeze by and get the windward berth.
Reliance, however. had too much speed
for Shamrock was compelled to tack in
order not to be blanketed by her oppon-
ent. Reliance succeeded in holding FAR
enough to windward to draw up until
she was Just to the weather of the chal-
lenger and at 1882 it looked as if the
American defender had succeeded in get |
ting the upper hand of the challenger
She was on the starboard tack some
distance to the weather of Shamrock !
and slowly but surely outfooting the
latter.
At 12:45 p. m. both boats were stu
pulling to the south on the starboard |
tack with Reliance apparently in the
lead by a short distance. The yachts at
that time had sailed more than half
way to the outer mark
After getting into good position on
Shamrock's starboard bow Reliance at
l 03 tackled to port and headed in shore
Shamrock continued on the starboard |
tack until trif1e to windward OF Rei- |
ance'S wake when she also went ABOUT
and headed for the Jersey coast.
The second tack off Short. or the third
which the boats had made in the race
was not more than 20 minutes long. In
that time Reliance gained command
ing position to the windward and ahead
of her opponent and the American en-
thusiasts began to feel that their gal
liant defender, barring accidents. had the
race we'll in hand AS soon as she was |
well to weather of Shamrock, Reliance !
tackled in shore again and when
crossed her opponents wake, also |
tackled, it looked as if Reliance was
leading by fully a quarter of mile and |
after sailing on her leg for about 10 |
minutes it appeared as II Reliance hao
drawn still further away.
At 1:25 the yachts were within five
miles of the outer mark. The wind still |
held strong and from the southwest, |
blowing about twelve knots and there |
was every prospect of quick run back |
to the finish under spinnakers.
1t had taken Reliance quite time 10 |
overhaul and draw clear of Shamrock, |
but once in the lead the American set
a pace which the challenger was un-
able to equal and slowly but contin- |
uously she heightened the distance be-
tween herself and Sir Thomas boat.
The wind lightened as they beat for
the weather mark and Reliance seemed
to like the weather better. She in |
creased her advantage with every mile |
sailed, and at 1:50 it would seem that
but for some accident or fuke she had |
the race won. When the wind softened |
it seemed to shift more westward. and |
the yachts were forced to make several
short taclxs as they Unanswered to /
fetch the mark. which was now about |
a mile awav.
Reliance turned the mark at 1:55:14 |
and Immediately set her spinnaker to |
port and like a huge bird headed |
straight for the finish Is miles away. |
and as the wind caught her huge ex- |
L.