The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-08-26
CLOSE AND DESPERATE
The Reliance Wins by One Minute and
Nineteen Seconds Both Yachts are
Admirably Handled---LiptOn
Admits We Have the Best
Boat---A Storm and
a Cnllisinu
Collision,
(By the Associated Press

New York Aug. 25.-In a glorious whole
sail breeze, over a triangular course, ten
miles to a leg, the feet-footed cup-de.
fender Reliance again today showed her
heels to Sir Thomas Liptons challenger,
taking the second race of the cup series
of 1903 by the narrow margin of one
minute and nineteen seconds.
1t was as pretty and as hard a fought
contest as has ever been sailed off Sandy
Hook, and had the wind not fallen during
the last ten minutes, the record for the
course, three hours, II minutes and Is
seconds, made by Columbia, two years ago
in her memorable race against Shamrock
II, would have been broken AS it was
Reliance sailed the thirty miles within
two minutes and thirty-nine seconds of
the record which speaks wonders for her
speed IN the wind that was blowing Re-
hance's victory, marrow as it was would
have been even smaller had not Captain
Wringe, the skipper of the British ship,
bungled at the start, sending his craft
over the line nineteen seconds after the
last gun and handicapping her to that ex-
tent. AT every point of sailing the defend
er's superiority was demonstrated. She
gained one minute and fifty-one seconds
IN Wlndward work, forty seconds on the
run to the second mark, and forty-fye
seconds On the close reach for home.
An assemblage of excursion vessels al
most as large as that of last Saturday,
poured down through the Narrows and
out into the broad Atlantic today to wit
ness the vanishing glory of the challenger
The early morning had held out but little
hope of race. A smoky haze hung over
the sea and the wind was very light from
the SOUTH but as the day wore on the
curtain lifted slightly and the wind blew
strong and clear out of the south
The spectators watched the jockeying
for the start with eager interest. To the
uninitiated, it was hair-raising to see
what close company the giant single stick
ers kept 1t seemed momentarily as if
their spars and hulls would clash. but
they wheeled and circled like gulls, tack
ing, gybing and putting about with wond-
erful ease and grace. At last when they
bounded across the line, close hauled, for
the thresh to windWard, it was seen that
the American skipper by his extremely
clever work had again out-generalled his
rival and secured the weather gauge. Not
only was the challenger's captain defeated
in his effort to secure the windward berth,
but he actually failed to cross in time
to save a handicap, an almost unpardona-
bic sin in a cup contest. Barr never re-
inquished his advantage after the start,
holding the challenger under his lee all
the way to the first mark.
Slowly but surely the thousands aboard
I he DI,c n
was gaining, opening a wider and wider
stretch OF water between her and the
The excursion feet did not
go to this mark in obedience to the
regulations to govern its movements. AS
soon as the Reliance rounded the patron
1otllla blew their whistles and changing
bells IN the engine rooms sent the whole
deet at full speed to leeward of the last
leg OF the course. There the vast con-
course of steam craft lay wallowing in
the trough of the sea until the yachts,
bowling along at q terrific pace turned the
second mark.
Reliance sailed this leg Of ten miles in
ffty-siX minutes and twenty seconds.
Then the fleet started for the finish line,
steaming course parallel with that of
he flying yachts. This last leg was also
covered at roaring speed, Reliance still
her lead, her wake streaming
llee a path of dancing white on the
sparkling sea. The guide boat, sent ahead
% show the course was too slow, although
aboard of her was wide open,
md Reliance passed her before the line
vas reached. All the ocean going tugs and
many of the steam yachts were lett astern
n the mad race. Just before the finish
he wind died down but Reliance went
Icross in ample time to win, having cover
ID the ten miles in 81 minutes, 40 seconds.
Then followed the usual riot OF whistles.
ningling with the wall or sirens, the clam
II of bells, the exutant shouts of patriots
nd the booming of cannon. Shamrock was
bout mile astern and crossed four min
ties and forty seconds later to repeti-
ion of the riot which had welcomed Re
iance's victory. Then the great observa-
ion fleet headed back to New York at
op speed, not waiting to follow the racers
q.
1t was a hard day for the overworked
ewspaper reporters. There are three re-
Continued on Second Page.)