The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-27
SHAMROCK IS FAR ASTERN

| unless there was great change IN the
! weather
Shortly after o'clock the crews on
the two yachts, encouraged by the ap-
pearance of a few scattered rays of
sun, put up their staysails and jibs in
stops ard took the covers off their
mainsails The Irish boat also raised
her mainsail the same one she used
on Tuesday in the triangular race. It
set just as badly on its f1rst run up,
but as the light breeze filed it it bell
lied out and looked to be a splendid fit.
At S:15 Reliance raised her mainsail,
the same she has used throughout the
series of races. She wore the new gaff
that was measured yesterday. 1t is
| similar to the old gaff, but is consid-
cred a trife stronger in case of sti1f
! breeze.
topsail. but had quite a little trouble
getting it to set properly.
The wind had hauled a tride south.
and the clouds began to break near the
horizon, giving promise of clearer
weather and a fair breeze
AT S;45 o'clock the breeze from south
| of east was freshening, and Shamrock
was ready to go out while Reliance was
preparing to take a tow. Shamrock
two sails had been carefully set and
even better looking than on any day
yet, particularly the club tonsaiI
which set beautifully.
Mr.. Iselfn went aboard Reliance at
S:46, and a few minutes later a line
was taken by the tug Guiding Star and
the cup detender started out from the
/ hook for the lightship.
Sir Thomas, aboard the Erin, hoped
Tor more wind; but said: I'VE are 90
ing to do our best today-that is as
much as anybody can do
Stories that there was friction he
tween Captain Wringe of Shamrock III
and Mr.. Fife were rife last night
In an effort to learn the truth Sir
Thomas was approached on the subject
/ The two men, he said occupy en-
tirely distinctive positions. If they have
! been criticizing each other l do not
know it. Mr.. Fife advises about the
sails, the trim of the boat and other de-
tails OF that character. Captain Wringe
is in absolute command and /, as own
er, have not criticized him.
1t was said further on the Erin that
Sir Thomas is deluged with anonymous
letters and kilograms informing him
that members of the crew are traitors
to the interests of the boat Only a
day ago telegram signed by the cap
tain Of a cOaStwise steamer was re-
ceived by Sir Thomas, saying that the
boatswain of Shamrock II was the
cause of that boat losing that race. and
that the signer knew him as a traitor
Sir Thomas said:
Il throw such letters and kilograms
overheard. 1 am not changing my
crew.
At o'clock the prospects for race
were brighter. The wind had freshened
to five knots at Sandy Hook and the
sky was beginning to clear The tug
Cruiser passed line to the Shamrock
and at 9:O5 started out with mainsail
and club top sail set. At that hour
Reliance was about a mile out to sea
headed for the hghtship.
After his guests had boarded the Erin
Sir Thomas Upton left the Hook for
the starting line. The committee boat
Navigator and the stake boat John
Scully passed out by the hook with the
first of the excursion fleet in their wake.
] he md loH @ g
efit quarter east by south the course
will lay TO sea along the long beach
shore.
Despite the discouraging conditions
when the committee arrived at the
! starting line it was decided to make an
attempt at a race and the course sig
nailed was southeast for a windward
| and leeward race The wind at this
time was scarcely more than three or
four miles an hour. AS the course sig
nails we're broken out the yachts began
to sail about the starting line.
] The fight for position at start was
very keen and was entirely in favor of
the American boat. Four minutes be-
| fore the starting gun was fired Sham
rock. being at a further distance to the
! south OF the committed headed back
to the line Reliance held away for
about a minute and then started after
/ her. The great sail spread of Reliance
enabled Captain Barr completely to
/ blanket She mrOck, and from this posi-
]
tricate his boat. Captain Wringe, how
ever. was able to prevent Reliance get
| ting down into position on the leeward
side of the line and both boats. when
the starting gun was fired. were on the
windward side heading over toward the
| lightship. Reliance then pulled by the
! Shamrock and rounding the lightship
headed for the line on the port tack.
| In the meantime the handicap signal
had been fired and Reliance, coming
slowly for the line. finally crossed it
nearly a minute later. Shamrock was
more than a minute astern of the
| American boat and had a handicap OF
two. minutes and five seconds. 1t was
/ theN worst start an English boat has
made in American yacht contest for
many years.
At 1i:5S both yachts were headed a
| little north of east, sailing slowly on
the starboard tack Reliance was well
was blowing about five knots
The wind as the yachts sailed farther
away from the lightship seemed very
tickle. and al 11:2O Shamrock was head
ing four or five points off the course
| sailed by Reliance. In fact, the Re
! lance 20 minutes after the start had
an apparent lead of nearly half a mile
| The conditions of the start gave Re
lance a very decided advantage. for
/ though both Yachts are officially timed
| as crossing Hop, Shamrock actually
| crossed l minute seconds behind her
competitor, thereby reducing the time
| time allowance 1 minute and Z seconds
Thus Reliance in actual sailing only
has to overcome in time allowance 30
| seconds
Both yachts held to the eastward on
the starboard tack until IL :2S. Reliance
continued to pull away bit, and when
both tackled to port she had lead of
/ fully three lights of mile.
1 The Shamrock had moved so slowly
that she was scarcely a mile from the
| lightskip when she came about Neither
yacht was heeling over to any extent
The air was very light, and the excur-
sion fleet continually had TO stop so as
not to be in advance of the racers.
At noon the boats had been sailing
about an hour and covered about one
third the distance to the outer mark
Reliance's gain as the yachts worked