Evening journal., 1903-07-03
CUP DEFENDER
LOSES SAILOR
Seaman on Columbia Washed
Overheard and Drowned
in Heavy Sea
THE CONSTITUTION DISABLED

Newport. L. /. July s.-For the first
time in the history of American 90
footers a fatal accident occurred, Carl
b. Olsen. seaman on the old cup de-
fender Columbia and. enc Of the best
men in the crew, wagwashed from the
bowsprit just before the yachts reach
ed the first turn in the race and was
drowned. Two other men who we're
out on the bowsprit with Olsen enap-
ping the big jib topsail on the sail
were washed on board by the same sea
that swept him away. Both managed
TO get another hold upon the bowsprit
and were quickly hauled on deck by
members of the crew. When the Co
( lumbia lifted from the big wave into
which she plunged, Olsen was seen
almost under the stem, clinging to
the bobstay, but before assistance
could be given him the sloop dipped
into another great comber and he was
not seen afterward.
Captain Miller, OF the Columbia, Is
of the opinion that Olsen was struck
by the overhang of the craft as Il
came smashing down and knocked in
sensible. He was a good swimmer
and the fact that he did not reappear
after the yacht had swept over him
causes the belief that he sank imme-
diately after being hit by the bow
The Columbia came into the wind In.
stantly and the fore-staysail was low
, cred. Two life buoys were thrown
into the water near where the racing
caps from the three seamen were
floating, and the tender was put over
board as quickly as possible Two men
Jumped into II and rowed around for
20 minutes. ready to pick up Olsen If
he came to the surface. Three sail
ors swarmed up the mast and watched
closely from the spreaders for some
signs of the unfortunate man. but
without success. Mr. Morgan gave up
the search with reluctance. and, out Of
respect for the dead man, withdrew
from the race and headed back for
Newport.
The race was also marred by mis-
hap to the Constitution. Soon after
the start she carried away the jaws
of her gan. and the great steel spar.
swinging forward. buckled in the cen
ter The maiRsail was ripped clean
across several times and rendered
practically worthless.
The Reliance received the severest
buffeting she has had since being
launched. The sea was a terrific one
for racing yachts. and when the yacht
reached her moorings It was noticed
that she had big dent iR the bronco
plating close to the water-line on the
port bow.
The Reliance sailed splendldly in
the event. The wind blew more than
20 miles an hour. and all three yachts
found that they could not even carry
small working topsails to windward
so they went of under the three lower
sails oRly. It was the stiffest breeze
and hardest sea that the boats have
been out in since the seasons racing
began. and had there been no acct.
dents the record for q 3O-mile trian.
gular course would have been cut down
considerably. The Reliance. with nc
craft to push her, and with only q
| No. jib-topsail hoistod IN addition to
the three lower sails, came to the
finish line from the second turn In AZ
minutes. 10 seconds, the fastest 10
mile leg ever sailed. The rigging and
spars OF the Reliance went through
the test'in splendid style, not strand
OF wire being started.