Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-20
RACE DECLARED OFF.

Sir Thomas Upton to win the America
cup. No man could have been in a more
hopeful frame of mind than he TINS
morning, as his most roseate dream for
smooth sea and light wind, in order 10
show Shamrock Ill. at her best was
realized. A four knot wind blew fIom
the southwest, at eight O'Clock, aud
there was only the gentlest kind of roll
to the sea.
The wheel of the Reliance will be IN
the hands of Charlie Barr Scothman,
who had adopted America rs has home.
CAPTAIN Bob Wringe will be at the
wheel of Shamrock H. 1t is sufficient
to say that they are two Of the eraitlest
yacht shippers in the world.
A few minutes before O'Clock both
yachts were towed to the starting line.
The wind had been hauling slowly dur
ing the morning and at $3.50 came in in
termittent puns from the west though It
was predicted that by afternoon the wind
would be strong from the northwest
New York, Aug. 20.-One Of the
largest crowds that has ever witnessed
an international yacht race is atoat to-
day in vessels of every description. The
New York Yacht Clubs steamer Mon
mouth left her dock in the North river
at 9:l5. On board were one thousand
enthusiastic rooters for the cup defender.
She was followed by vessels OF every de-
scripton from the small launch to the
big ocean going excursion steamers, their
decks black with people. Preceding
them came the feet of revenue cutters,
which were to act as police boats OF the
course.
The hills along the Highland Beach
shore were covered with little knots oil
spectators armed with telescopes and
opera glasses.
Shortly before 10 O'Clock a sprink-
ling of the approaching storm sent the
shore spectators scurryiug for cover
The yachts at this time were still in tow
headed for the light'hip.
As the Reliance passed Sandy Hook
lightship, Captain Darr gave orders to
drop the tow and ordered jib and stay
sails to be broken out Shamrock drop
ped her tow before reaching the light
ship and she also quickly broke out her
head sails and began to lazily beat about
in the light breeze. The wind was
almost dead fat II was indeed Upton
weather, and it seem As though the usual
postponement flag would have to be
flown unless the wind picked up.
At 1910 a. NJ, the regatta committee
decided to send the yachts south by east,
for long beat to windward. At 1915,
the preparatory gun was fired. As seen
from the shore, the yachts crossed the
starting line as follows: Shamrock
ll:06l0; Reliance, ll;06:l6.
The Reliance picked up a breath of
air and closed up little Of the gap be-
tween her and the Englishman. 1t was
only a few seconds, however belore
Captain Wringe picked up the same
breeze and the two went along without
much difference for some time. A ire
mendous downfall of rain at l:20 O. clock
almost completely obscured the racers.
Shamrock was still leading with Reliance
on her weather The wind could not
have been more than or knots, TO
Judge by the speed the boats were max
ing.
II :4b a. m. Observation-Disclosures
rain and mist, but as the wind has died
out almost completely, they are making
nothing more Of the race than drifting
match. Unless the wind picks mp, it
will be impossible for the yachts to finish
within the time limit.
u. ma heavy blanket of mist has
settled over the cup course, and vision is
completely obscured from shore. There
is lazy ground swell on aud the yachts
are pushing on without making much
Roadway.
1913 p. m.-The two racers can be
seen in misty outline heading in toward
Seabright. They are so close together
that it looks as though there has been
comparatively little difference in their
relative positions. One boat is slight
ly to weather Of the other.
1924 p. m. While it is impossible
to state the exact difference between the
boats. it is evident that both yachts are
displaying equal drifting ability There
is hardly enough wind of shore to fill
a bucket.
12:40 p. MT looks as if the Re-
lance has worked out some to weather
of the Shamrock and was leading prob
ably about minute. 1t is still in
tensely hazy off shore and with cur
tain Of mist intervening, accurate obser-
walton is impossible.
! 12:45 p. m. Shamrock went about to
starboard and was followed a minute
later By Reliance. 1t can be definitely
stated at this time that Reliance is
leading.
LII p. m. The yachts are stilling
hanging on a port board in shore and
Reliance has worked few yards still
farther to the weather Of the challenger.
In weather like today, though, any iav-
voring slant of wind may turn the tables,
but so far as can be seen whenever condi-
tons favored both alike. the American
showed to best advantage in both point
ing and footing. Once around the outer
mark, the Reliance, on account of her
enormous sail plan, should be able to
scoot rapidly away from Shamrock. De
signer Fife built Shamrock to 90 to wind
ward very fast in light airs, and he had
this idea in view when the challenger
was built; but if today's race proves any
thing, it demonstrates that Herreshoif
beat the Englishman at his own game.
The greatest fears expressed by the ad-
mirers of Reliance, were based on the
doubt that she might not go well in light