Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-01
CUP RACE CALLED OFF
Yachts Waited for Wind That
Never Came.
HOPED AGAINST HOPE
INTEREST TODAY EVEN LESS
THAN YESTERDAY.
Public Has Little Doubt as to the
Final Result-To Try Again
Tomorrow.
HOPED AGAINST HOPE

NEW YORK, September 1.-Today's at
tempt to sail the third race in the interna-
tional series was another failure and at
1850 1t was called off for the day because
of lack of wind
Despite the weather conditions that made
it almost a certainty that no race could be
sailed, the yachts made for the starting
line when the wind was not over three
miles.
They lay about the light ship for more
than two hours in the hope of the wind
freshening. when the committee boat Sig
nailed the race was off. The yachts drop
ped their sails. picked up their lows and
made for their anchorages at Sandy Hook.
The committee boat started up the bay
flying the signals for a race tomorrow.
Prolongation Of Agony.
AS an event in yachting the international
races have become a prolongation of an
agony all wish to see ended, and what
interest remained after the first race be-
tween Reliance and Shamrock III has
gradually disappeared with each succeed
ing attempt to race.
The decided superiority of Reliance over
Shamrock demonstrated in the two races
that have beenssailed. has left no doubt In
the minds of the world at large to the
better boat, and the consequent unsuccess-
full attempts to sail the third, and what is
looked upon aSSuredly as the decisive race,
is but suspense to the Shamrocks sup
porters well as to the American world
of sports.
Yesterdays Flagging Interest.
In yesterdays attempt the tagging inter-
est was most evident. There were few pri-
vate yachts to follow the boats over the
course. and the excursion fleet was little
more than a small picnic party, while the
bulletin boards about the city newspaper
offices were almost deserted. The third
race must be sailed, however, to carry out
the articles of agreement or deed of gift
Of the Americas cup.
The prospects at dawn for race were
very dubious, but in few hours the wind
freshened and gave more encouragement.
AT o'clock the northeaster which died out
so suddenly was In evidence to some ex-
tent
Wind From the North.
The wind was from all quarters In the
northward. veering from north to north
west. Three hours before the time set for
the start the wind was about eight knots.
The sea was still uneasy from Sundays
storm, and the ground swell was much in
evidence.
There was every indication with the
breeze from the Nnorthward that the yachts
would be sent on a run to leeward and a
beat home About S:15. however, the wind
suddenly began to display its subtlety and
dropped out, until in less than half an hour
there was hardly four miles to its velocity.
From this time the weather conditions
changed rapidly, and with each succeeding
change the chances for a race disappeared.
Light Fog Sets In.
A light fog had now set in, and 1t was i'm
possible to see more than three miles or
shore. 1t was apparent that unless there
was a decided change and that within a
short time, a race was impossible.
A fresh but light breeze cool as in Oc-
tober, blew across the Hook this morning.
CuriouSly, 1t brought to the crews
neither yacht any particular satisfaction
other than that today they might probably
get through what has become a tiresome
routine. This is not exaggerated.
Man after man of the Shamrock's crew
who came ashore this morning expressed
sometimes more forcibly than elegantly
the hope that today would be the last.
Sir Thomas Hopelessness.
Even the hopefulness of Sir Thomas,
which is also very much qualified, does not
seem to affect his crew. They worked this
morning with listlessness that frequently
brought sharp word from Capt. Wringe.
On Reliance, too. there is less of snap
and vigor.
On both boats the usual morning prepa-
rations were begun Staysails and tibs
were put in stops covers taken from MAIN
sails, and after breakfast the mainsails on
both yachts were hoisted
At 9:25 the wind at Sandy Hook had
dropped still further. and the thermometer
recorded but two and half miles,
Upton Talks.
Sir Thomas Liptono oon the Erin said:
II don't think there can be a race today.
The very thick haze does not promise a
good wind. and there is not enough of
breeze to half help us. It's too bad. We
should get the thing over. I am needed at
home on urgent business matters, and my
present plan is to sail for England within
two or three days after the completion of
these races"
By 9 o'clock Reliance had started out Of
the Hook in tow, and few minutes later
Shamrock followed her for the starting
line.
BY this time the haze at sea had thick
ened and the breeze, shifting to northwest.
had become a mere zephyr.
Sea a Dead Calm.
The sea was a dead calm and there were
no prospects unless the wind increased.
that there could be finish race. To shore
observers the yachts soon disappeared in
the haze They held their tows until they
reached the lightship. The committee boat
reached the starting point about the same
time and made the usual preparations for
starting race.
But the wind was too soft and variable
for the committee to decide q course
or the starting Of a race. and thus the usual
starting gun at IL o'clock was postponed
until later in the day. in the hope that
there would be an Improvement in the
weather conditions. The race. according
to the rules, must be started before 1
o'clock or the race declared OF for the day.
BY WIRELESS TELEGRAPH.