The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-07-03
FATAL ACCIDENT
MARS YACHT RACE
Sailor on Columbia Is Washed
Into Sea and
Drowned.

NEWPORT. R. l.. July 2.-For the first
time in the history of American ninety
footers fatal accident occurred today
Carl B. Olsen, a seaman on the old cup
defender Columbia was washed from the
bowsprit just before the yacht reached
the first turn in today's race, and was
drowned. When the yacht lifted from
the big wave into which she had plunged.
Olsen was seen almost under the stem,
cilnglng to the bobstay, but before as
Sistance could be given him. the sloop
dipped into another great comber and he
was not seen afterward.
Capt. Miller, of the Columbia thinks
that Olsen was struck by the overhang
of the craft, as it came smashing down
and knocked him insensible. The Co
lumbia came into the wind instantly Two
life buoys were taken into the water and
the tender was put overheard as quickly
as possible. Two men jumped into the
tender and rowed around for twenty
minutes ready to pick Olsen up If he came
to the surface. Three sailors swarmed
up the mast and watched closely from the
spreaders for some signs of the I'M
fortunate man but without success Out
of respect to the dead man, the Column
bia withdrew from the race.
At O'Clock to night the committee
posted the following bulletin at the club
The Newport. series for 9O-footers will
not be finished"
There will be no more racing until the
yachts start on the New York Yacht
clubs cruise.
Todays race was also married by a
mishap to the Constitution. Soon after
the start she carried away the jaws of
her gaff and the great steel spar, swing
ing forward, buckled in the center.
The mainsail was ripped clear across
several times and rendered practically
worthless 1t was the best mainSail tho
boat had spread this season and was the
third that had been tried this year.
| The Reliance received the severest buff
| feting 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 a
big dent five feet long in the bronze
plating close to the water line on the
port bow. The indentation was similar
to that the Constitution sustained two
years ago.
The Reliance sailed splendidly in today's
event. The wind blew more than twenty
miles an hour and all three yachts found
that they could not even carry sIt,l
working topsails to windward so they
went off under the three lower, sails
only.
1t was the stiffest breeze and hardest
sea that the boats have been out in since
the seasons racing began, and had there
been no accidents the record for thirty
mile triangular course would have been
cut down considerably. AS it was. the Re-
lance with no craft to push her and with
only No l jib topsail hOisted in addi-
ton to the three lower sails. came to the
finish line from the second turn in At
minutes 10 seconds. the fastest ten milo
leg ever sailed. The rigging and spars
of the Reliance went through the test in
splendid style, not strand of wire be-
ing started. Summary:
Elapsed
Start Finish. Time.
Reliance ..... 1892 3:31:20 2:5920
Columbia ...'..... .12:30:46 Did not finish.
Constitution . 1872 Disabled.
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