Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-23
/ DAY OF MlSHAPS.
~.
All Three of the 9O-Footers
Meet With Accidents.
Reliance and Columbia Touch Bottom
Constitution Loses Topmast.
Shamrock Ill Also Breaks Calf in
Heavy, choppy Sea.

| Newport, r. l., July 22-The last run
of the New York Yacht Club cruise
back from Vineyard Haven, today, was
almost as disappointing as that of yes
terday, at least so far as the 90-footers
were concerned. Within a mile of the
start the Reliance and Columbia struck
bottom on the eastern end of the Mid
die ground in Vineyard sound, and on
ly a quick turn of the wheel saved the
Constitution. Reliance came off with
in two minutes, while Columbia. held
on the shoal by the strong tide, stuck
| there for over an hour, being finally as
sisted off apparently uninjured but of
course out of the race. The other two
BOATS kept on, but getting out beyond
lay Head, a stiff puff of wind snapped
! off the topmast of the Constitution.
| After the wreck had been cleared away
| she proceeded and crossed the finish
inc nearly three-quarters of an hour
| after the Reliance
The cruise ends with two wins to the
credit of both the Reliance and the
Constitution.
ls A diver examined the fin of the Re
lance, this afternoon, after her arriv
ii in port, but could discover no dam
age, SO that probably she will be in the
race, tomorrow. The Constitution pro-
cured new topmaSt,. this afternoon,
and will also start, but there was some
doubt about the Columbia, although
she arrived in port half an hour after
the Constitution, apparently uninjured.
The event scheduled for tomorrow is
tho annual the StOY- h1It
as neither of the cup yachts have been
measured, under the new rule they
will not compete for the trophy given
for a special cup.
Owing to the difficulty in reaching
BORT after the run of Tuesday only IA
yachts came out to the starting line,
this morning, off West Chop, ready for
The run of 81 miles back to Newport.
The wind was very light from the east
md as the first few miles out into Vine
yard sound was to leeWard, all the
'acnts crossed the line with spinnakers
7et to port. Fifteen minutes after the
our small sloops and the seven schoon-
ars had been sent away, the 90-footers
we're started. Capt Barr sent the new
oat over first with the Constitution
light behind and Columbia last. Spin
lakerS were set to port, and in the fierce
lifting match which enSued, all three
seemed to give little heed to the course.
Reliance being in the lead, struck the
shoal first, right on the tip end and the
SpinnGker came in on the run. The
boom was gybed over, and in two min
ties Capt. Barr was able to work free.
Constitution was just far enough be-
hind to be able to get in her spinnaker,
;ybe, and work out to deeper water.
But Columbia was too far inShore, and
struck about 80 seconds after Reliance.
Fortunately the wind was light and
the shoal of hard sand with no rocks
but it was over an hou" before the
Columbia was pulled off by the tug
Storm King. her tender also trying to
'cnder assistance. In the meantime
Reliance and Constitution kept on
Town the sound, the wind being so light
hat the latter was unable to take
HARDLY any advantage of the grounding
IF tie former.
Reliance soon resumed her old po-
sition in the lead, but five miles from
the start she ran into calm spot and
Constitution drew up until she was on
even terms with the new boat. Then
with exactly the same breeze, Reliance
jumped away like q race horse, and
inside of five miles was three lengths
| ahead
| AS the boats neaTed Gay Head. the
| breeze which had hauled into the south,
began to freshen and in addition they
net a long roll making into the sound.
The Reliance passed Gay Head at 11.55.
| bout a quarter of mile ahead of Con-
| stitution. Just as eight bells rang on
board the flagship a stiff puff came
off the top of the Head or around the
| orner. and the topmast Of the Con-
| 5titution snapped off just above the top
| If the mast. 1t carried down the big
| Tub topsail as well as the jb topsail
| md Constitution was hauled in the
| wind for half an hour while the wreck
iage was cleared away, After despatch
| ing her tender to Bristol. Constitution
kept on after Reliance, crossing the line
| g minutes, 23 seconds later.
In the meantime Columbia had come
qlong and followed Constitution into
Newport.
For the other boats, the Ingoma1
probably wins in the large schooner
lass the Katrinka in the small
schooner class. the Nigilant in the large
zloop class and the Aspirant in the
small sloop class.
The times of the 9O-footers We're as
follows:
Ell.
Start. Finish. Time