The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-22

At 1853 it looked as If the American
defender had succeeded in getting 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 1854 m both boats were still hold
ing to the south on the starboard tack
with Reliance apparently in the lead by
short distance. The yachts at that time
had sailed more than half way to the
outer mark. On the yachts sailed, both
plunging and smashing in the nasty roll
ing sea. When the wind softened Re
lance would forge ahead but when the
harder puffs came Shamrock would hold
her nicely. '-&
After getting into a good position off
Shamrock's starboard bow, Reliance at
/ 03 tackled to port and held in shore.
until trif1e to Windward off Reliance
wake, when she also went about and
headed for the Jersey coast.
Reliance Gains Fast.
The second tack off shore or the third
which the boats had made in the race
was not more than 20 minutes long. In
that time Reliance gained a commanding
position to the windward and ahead of her
opponent and the American enthusiasts
began to feel that their gallant defender,
barring accident, had the race well In
III MANU- AS SOOI1 DIS, Suo Was wen "
weather Of Shamrock, Reliance tackled In
shore again. When Shamrock, holding on
until she crossed her opponents wake,
also tackled, it looked as If Reliance was
leading by fully a quarter of a mile and
after sailing on this leg for about fifteen
minutes it appeared as If Reliance had
drawn still further away. *,
l. At 1925 the yachts were within five
miles Of the outer mark The wind still
.hoi1 md rprS no.
ing at about IL knots and there was every
prospect Of a quick run back to the finish
under spinnakers.
*sa Increases Her Lead.
It fhad taken Reliance quite a time to
overhauE and draw clear OF Shamrock but
once in the lead the American set a pace
which the challenge err was unable to equal
and slowly but continuously she length
| ened the distance between herself and Sir
| Thomas boat. -
I The, wind lightened as they beat for the
weather mark and Reliance seemed to like
the weather BETTER She increased her
advantage with every mile sailed and al
1850 it would seem that but for some &C.
cident or some great .fiuke she had the
race. won. When the wind softened il
seemed to shift more westward and the
yachts were forced to make. several short
tacks as they Unanswered to fetch the
|
Reliance. Turns Mark.
Reliance turned the mark at 1854 and
Immediately set her spinnaker; to port and
like a huge bird headed straight for the
finish, fifteen miles away. AS the wind
caught her huge expanse Of sail her quick
ened pace soon placed her another eighth
of mile in, the lead. p. - so. ~,
Shamrock turned the mark at i :58 go
setting her spinnaker to port. She tried
to- hoist balloon jib topsail, but : ii
seemed to jam. half way up and after a
futile attempt to raise it., she substituted a
balloon staysail. .,5
:: The difficulty was overcome monen
later and Shamrock succeeded in getting
up her balloon jib topsail, but after. tn,
yachts had sailed a short distance TIL
balloon jibs were taken In. FIeet-footet
Reliance gained constantly, and at 2:3
o'clock had increased her lead to mil,
and a half. In fact. the race was pro
cession, Reliance, with her greater sail
drawing further and further away from
Shamrock. The run home was very fast
before the twelve to fourteen knot breeze
and at 1885, when the boats were timet
passing a point, the Reliance seemed t.
be fully five minutes ahead and seemed
certain to win the race by from five t
eight minutes if no accident occurred.