Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-03
FATAL END TO RACE
Seaman Olsen of the Colum-
 bia Is Drowned.
KNOCKED INSENSIBLE BY OVERHlNG
Yacht Tar Was a Good Swimmer, but 1t Is Believed He Sank Immedi- ate1y Because of the Blow
 He Received.

NEWPORT, R. l., July 3.-For the first time in the history of American ninety footers a fatal accident has oc- cured. Carl B. Olsen, seaman on the old cup defender Columbia and one of the best men in the crew, was wash ed from the bowsprit just before the yacht reached the first turn in the race and was drowned. Two other men who were out on the bowsprit with Ol- sen snapping the big jibtopsail on the sail were washed inboard by the same sea that swept him away. Both man. aged to get another hold upon the bow, spirit and were quickly hauled on deck by members of the crew. When the Columbia lifted from the big wave into which she had plunged Olsen was seen almost under the stem clinging to the bobstay, but before assistance could be given him the sloop dipped into another great comber, and he was not seen afterward.
 Captain Miller of the Columbia is of opinion that Olsen was struck by the overhang of the craft as it came smash ing down and knocked insensible. He was good swimmer, and the fact that he did not reappear after the yacht had swept over him causes the belief that he sank immediately after being hit by the bow. The Columbia came into the wind instantly, and the forestaysail was lowered. Two life buoys were thrown into the water near where the three racing caps from the three sea- men were floating, and the tender was put overheard as quickly as possible. Two men jumped into it 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 spread CTS for some signs of the unfortunate man, but without success.
 Noticing that something had happen ed on the Columbia, the committee boat Riviera, the big steam yacht Del aware, with Commodore Bourne of the New York Yacht club on board; the tender Park City and several other yachts and tugs steamed quickly to the vicinity and aided in the search for Olsen. MT. Morgan gave up the search with reluctance and out of respect to the dead man withdrew from the race and headed back for Newport.
 Captain Miller came ashore and sent a cable dispatch to the customs off cials at Honefoss, Norway, asking them to hunt up Olsen's relatives and notify them of his death. So far as is known he had no relatives in this country. He was about forty two years old and was under Captain Miller on the Navahoe last season.
 The regatta committee posted the fol- lowing bulletin at the club station:
 .'The Newport series for ninety foot CTS will not be f1nished.''
 The Reliance received the severest buffeting she has had since being launched. The sea was terrific one for racing yachts, and when the yacht reached her moorings it was noticed that she had big dent in the bronze plating close to the water line on the port bow. When Mr. Iselin was asked what caused the dent he replied that the waves had hammered the metal in as the craft beat to windward. He ex- pressed the opinion that the injury could easily be remedied at Bristol.
 The indentation was about five feet long as nearly as could be judged and half the width of plate. The rivets had apparently been started. in which case the craft must have leaked some on the second leg of the course. The indentation was similar to that the Constitution sustained two years ago.
 There will be no more racing for the three big sloops until they start on the New York Yacht clubs cruise. MT. Ise- lin told the regatta committee that he would not race the Reliance any more in the present series, and MT. Morgan said that he would do no more racing until the club cruise