The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-08-29

-, LAX sS-s.asI s,-.-ls' - :
c OLIVER IsErIx AID THE RELIANCE.
race OF the cup series of 1908 by the
narrow margin OF ! minute and 10
seconds. II was as pretty and as hard
fought a contest as has ever been
sailed of Sandy Hook. and had the
wind not fallen during the last 10 min
utes the record for rhe course three
hours. u minutes and 10 seconds.
made by Columbia two years ago in
her memorable race against Sham
rock H. would have been broken. As
il was Reliance sailed the 30 miles
within two minutes and 80 seconds OF
the record, which speaks wonders for
her speed I'm the wind that was blow
ing. Reiiance's victory, narrow as il
was. would have been even smaller
had not Captain Wringe. skipper OF
the British ship bungled at the start
sending his craft over the line 70 sec
onds after the last gun and handicap
ung her 20 that extent. At every
point OF sailing the defenders super
j0rity was demonstrated She gained
one minute and 81 seconds in wind
ward work. 80 seconds on the run 10
the second mark. and 40 seconds on
the close reach for home
Based upon the magnificent show
Ing she has made In the two races al
ready sailed. IL is the belief Of many
experts that the cup is safe and that
IL will take something better than
Flies latest creation to even bulge It.
The excursion feet. Ike a floating
city built up0n the floor of the ocean.
lined up rail 70 rail in a great semi
circle TO witness the start. The course.
siat due south into the wind for 10
miles ten a broad reach or run as the
case might De of toward the Cholera
Banks. and thence home again 70 the
Old Red-hullcd lightship. had been set
Jockeyng For Start.
The spectators watched the jockey
Ing for the start with eager interest
To the uninitlated it was hair-raisng
10 see what close company the giant
single, ..cSers Kept # seemed mo-
mentari,y as their spars and hulls
would h,sh. but they wheeled and cir
cled Ike gd.ls. lacking, gybing and
putting about with wonderful ease and
grace. Al last when they bounded
across the line. closehauled for the
thresh to windward. it was seen that
the American skipper by his extremely
clever work had again ont generated
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 10 save a han
dicap. an almost objectionable sin in
cup contest. Barr never relin-
pushed his advantage after the start,
holding the challenger under his lee
all the way to the first mark. As the
Clean-limbed racers got farther out the
weight Of the wind steadily increased
and the waves began to spill froth
from their green crests. Both boats,
with every stitch of canvas set,
smashed into the seas, heeling down
in the puffs under the press Of thou,
sands Of yards of light canvas, until
their lee rails were awash in the
foaming brine Their crews were re-
peatedly deluged with the showers u
spray sent aloft by their shark-like
bows.
Slowly but surely the thousands
aboard the observation fleet saw that
the Reliance was gaining. opening a
wider and wider stretch Of water be-
tween her and the challenger. AS
soon as the Reliance rounded. the pa
troll fOtilla blew their whistles and
changing bells in the engine rooms
sent the whole fleet at full speed TO
leeward of the last leg OF the course.
There the vast concourse Of steam
craft lay wallowing in the trough OF
the sea until the yachts. bowling along
at a terrific pace turned the second
mark. Reliance sailed this leg of 10
miles in Sc minutes and 90 seconds.
helfdnCeS FaSt FINISH.
Then the feet started for the finish
line, steaming a course parallel with
that of the flying yachts. This last
leg was also covered at roaring speed,
Reliance still increasing her lead. The
guide boat. sent ahead to show the
course, was too slow. although every
thing aboard Of her was wide open.
and Reliance passed her before the
line was reached. All the Ocean-going
tugs and many Of the steam yachts
were left astern in the mad race. Just
before the finish tn. wind died down,
but Reliance went across In ample
time to win, having covered the 10
miles In 81 minutes, 40 seconds. There
.olbwed the usual riot of whistles,
mingled with the wall of sirens, the
slamor of bells, the exultant shouts OF
patriots and the booming of cannon.
Shamrock was about mile astern and
crossed four minutes and 40 seconds
later to a repetition OF the riot which
had welcomed Reliance's victory.
Upton Says Best Boat Won.
After the race Sir Thomas Upton
said: "you have all seen the results
and the only thing can say is that
we did better this time than in the
last race, which Is hopeful. figure my
defeat at little over one minute If
make as much progress in the next
race as / did in this over the last
will be good bit ahead in the finish
of the third<race. was more than
pleased with the way my own boat
was handled. 1t is hard to admit 1t,
but the best boat won. Perhaps with
more wind at the finish the result
might have been different. But ] don't
want to throw any cold water on the
victor. II is hard to win every race in
such a series, and hope our turn will
come next
Captain Barr said; That's number
For Over Sixty Years.