Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-18
Time ALLOWANCE
Gives the Constitution FRIDAYS
Race from the Reliance.
Light and Fluky Wind on Run from
Glen Cove to New Haven.
Both Boats Beaten Five Minutes by
Schooner EImina.

New Haven, Conn.,, July 1.-THE lat
est aspirant for cup defending honors,
the Reliance was defeated today, by the
Constitution, in the initial run of the
New York Yacht Club cruise from Glen
Cove to this port. The new boat led
almost from the start and was in her
usual position at the finish but the Bel
mont boat. after being at one time more
than mile astern, came up with rush
at the close and was only SO seconds
behind her rival at the line. AS the
Reliance allows the Constitution min
utes and II seconds in 81 miles, the
length of the run, the latter won by
minute and Is seconds. The time allow
ance, while unofficial, is believed to be
within two or three seconds of the cor
rect time.
The start, this morning, from Glen
Cove had to be considerably delayed
owing to the lack of wind and it was
after 1890 before all the racers were en-
abled to reach the line. The small class
boats We're finally sent away ae 1915
and the other classes followed atfive
minute intervals. All the fleet with the
exception of the racing nineties, We're
off by HE, and Is minutes were allow
ed the cup yachts in which tomaneuvre
The starting signal was fired at $780,
and at the time the wind was very light
from the southeast.
The Columbia swung round the COM
mite boat and was the first yacht over
the line, a few seconds after the hand
leap gun was fired. The Reliance was
80 seconds after the handicap gun and
the Constitution SO seconds. All the
boats went over on the starboard tack
with ballooners set.
During the first 10 minutes the Reli-
ance and Constitution, being nearer the
Long Island shore, pulled by the Co
lumhia very rapidly, but Is minutes af-
ter the wind fell almost flat and in the
drift the Reliance again showed her
splendid powers in light tanning airs
and at 1915 was half a mile ahead of
the Constitution and quarter of a
mile ahead of the Columbia. During
the next hour there was a fine tussle
between the Reliance and the Columbia
and at one time the latter succeeded in
getting out ahead to the extent of
about a quarter of a mile.
The wind kept shifting, however, I'M
til about 2 o'clock, when off Norwalk,
it finally came out of the southeast.
The big head sails were all taken in
an sheets fattened for a close fetch
down the sound. The Reliance, by this
time, had succeeded in pulling by the
Columbia and 20 miles from the start
the Constitution also went by the old
cup defender to the leeWard.
Ten miles from the finish the Reli-
ance was leading the Constitution by
nearly three-quarters of a mile and APP
parently had the race safe, provided
the wind held But the breeze proved
tickle and when it dropped it left the
Reliance first, so that the Constitution
was able to draw up on her. but could
not quite reach her. Then the breeze
sprang up again and once more the Re-
lance pulled away, only to be left
few minutes after with almost tapping
sails.
The yachts, however, had worked
along until they were well by Stratford
light when the wind hauled back into
the south and came up with some de-
gree of strength. Again the ballooners
were set for a broad reach of five miles
to the finish. This was made in quick
time ana as the breeze strengthened
astern the Constitution gained rapidly
on the Reliance. Two miles from the
finish she was only quarter of a mile
astern, and a mile away from the finish
she had cut down the Reliance's lead to
200 or 800 yards.
The new boat broke out her spin
maker, quickly, in the hope of pulling
|away, but the Constitution followed
suit and was almost blanketing the Re-
lance when they crossed the finish line.
The Reliance however. was not the
leading boat of the fleet, for the
schooner Elmina, by hugging the Con-
necticut shore throughout the day fin
ished about five minutes ahead of the
Reliance. The Weetamoe was the first
of the small sloops, while the Newingo-
mar led the large schooners. The fleet
will proceed, tomorrow, to New Lon
don, where it will be Joined by the
squadron of the Eastern Yacht Club.
The official times in the 90-footer class
We're as follows: