The Washington times., 1903-08-22
IDEAL CONDITIONS
FAVOR RIVAL YACHTS
Upton and ISelin Both Confident of
Victory.

/ Aug. 22.-In a smart eight-knot wind
/ from the west southwest, and ove- a
I sea as smooth as an inland lake. the
Cup contenders, Reliance and Shamrock
/ III. went TO the starting line today to
make their second effort for a race.
the first in the series for the America g
Cup. Dame Nature having cajoled old
/ Boreas to extend himself. the old gen.
/ tleman o: the cave, in a better humor
| than on Thursday. Unlashed a fine old
sou'-westsr. which boiled and whirIed
over the sea and sent the fishing fleet
! down the coast Ascending Ther,
| just the faintest bobbIe to the sea.
more perfect day for race could
not have been desired. and Sir Thom1s
Upton. when he came on deck of his
steam yacht Erin. said: 1T is a grand
day, and Shamrock VIII show her
worth. 1t will be great race"
The contest today was the resailed
race OF Thursday, which resulted in a
nuke, and the ninety-footers were sent
over course southwest by west, a beat
OF ten miles and return.
Up Betimes.
The jackies on both defender and chal-
!enger were aboard the sloops at six
bells. and from the forward matches the
headsails were brought on deck in stops
and then sent up the stays. The canvas
covers were taken of the mainsails and
the crew Strengthened on the nalyards
and the big cloths were soon edgiug
up the mainmasts. Meanwhile a small
gOU9HFnn nF ole
the racers bearing orders.
C. Oliver Iselin, who has charge of
Reliance for her syndicate owners, came
on deck of the tender Sunbeam. and
after watching the thermometer. smiled
and said: Reliance will be seen at her
best today, and 1 hope the conditions
will be favorable to the challenger"
The good sailormen believe in signs
and omens, and the crews of the Re-
| lance and Shamrock are no exception 10
the rule. Last night the northern light
shone in the heaven. and both crews
saw in them a prophecy of victory.
Fifty-two Years Ago Today.
Just ffty-two years ago TODAY the
schooner yacht America sailed against a
Cowes. England, and won the Queens
Cup, which is known today as the
Americas Cup. The yacht America Is
tied up at Chelsea Bridge near Boston.
and were she to be put in commission
would show a wake 10 many a more
modern craft.
I'VE viii celebrate the anniversary of
the taking OF the Queens Cup by win
ming today said Col. Sherman Craw-
ford, member OF the challenging com
mittee of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club.
1t seemed as if the disappointing nuke OF
Thursday had only inspired an interest
In the races, for churning their way
down the Narrows this morning came a
still larger fleet of excursion craft than
on Thursday. The steamers were crowd
ed from rail to rail with spectators. who
had taken advantage OF a perfect day
10 witness try for the blue ribbon of
the sea-
The Jersey hills were sprinkled with
groups of people and the porches OF the
Long Islsnc hotels were crowded with
visitors who wanted 10 see a race with
out enduring the discornforts which the
ocean sometimes trings.
Of for the Line.
Under three lower sails the challenger
moved speedily to the lightship and COW
cred the distance in good time She took
the seas in good style. and the smaIIness
OF her bow wave when she had a good
gait on was a surprise 20 many Of the
excursion feet. On reaching the light
ship, Captain Wringe threw his charge
up into the wind and preparations were
made on deck TO send aloft her club top
sail
After the big sheet had been hoisted
on the Shamrock Captain Wringe gave
orders TO break out the headsails. and.
dropping her mooring buoy. the English
man stood for the starting line under
three lower sails While the Reliance
was in tow Captain Barr ordered an in
termediate club topsaiI to be set aloft |
While the wind did not seem TO threaten |
danger 10 top hamper. Captain Barr
showed by setting this club topsaiI aloft |
that he did not fear the Englishman and /
at the same time he was reducing the |
chances TO a minimum OF something 4
carrying away by setting this small sail. /
Wind Holds True.
The wind still held true from the west |
southwest, and at 9 o'clock was seven |
knots IN strength. on shore the wind |
seemed 10 have a more southerly slant /
which. II IT held. would put the yachts |
down the Jersey shore. as in Thursdays |
contest. Shamrock, with the wind across |
her starboard quarter. moved along to- /
ward the starting line and there was /
some comment as 10 the large angle Of |
heels she showed In the fair breeze.
without even carrying a topsail. Work /
ing her way out to the lightship on the
starboard tack, the Reliance broke out
her lib and staysail The defender rode
the seas easily, and spilled but little
water from under her nat bow.
ETpE I'M CNATT CuEn