The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-20

Thomas Lipton's guests on board fol-
lowed soon afterwards
Indications of a race day were not
confined 20 the outer harbor~ for at an
early hour thousands were on their way
from all parts of the city and the sub
urbs to the piers along the east and
north rivers where they boarded the
hundred or more excursion steamers and
were carried down the bay.
By reason of her early start Reliance
was able to reach the lightships ahead
of the excursion fleet The Shamrock
however, starting half an hour after
ward, was surrounded by the vanguard
of these vessels and a score of steam
yachts and tugs accompanied her nearly
all the way.
In this fleet were three or four revenue
cutters, and as soon as these boats
reached the Iightship they at once took
up positions, forming Gordon about a
mile around the floating lighthouse.
At 1915 three-quarters of an hour be-
fore the time set for the start there were
fully 80 vessels in the vicinity of the light
ship and twice as many more strung
out on the broad ocean road between
the lightship and The Narrows.
The preparatory signal was given at
10:t- A. m. as the boats We're ma
neuverinS for positt ION under the three
lower sails. a club toD sail and also iib
top sail The wind was then from the
south southwest. and the course sig
nailed was Is miles to the windward
and a run home
Promptly at II o'clock the starting
gun was fred. Reliance was running
down the line on the port tack with
Shamrock q short distance astern At
the starting signal Reliance gybed and
headed for the line. Shamrock came
about on Reliance's. weather, and also
headed for the line. Shamrock was
first 70 cross. Both boats were on the
starboard tack with fattened sheets.
Reliance little to windward of Sham
rocks wake and few hundred wards
asta-fl.
Little by little almost imperceptibly
the Reliance seemed to gain on her ad-
VeTsary IT before she is on equal terms
she must overcome the l Minute and 27
seconds time allowance. Soon after the
start the yachts ran into drenching
rain storm which when it passed. left a
calm which was only broken by faint
and wavering wind. Considering the
conditions the pace made by the big
racers was rems rkable. but it was
apparent that unless the breeze improV-
ed considerably it would not take them
round the course within the time limit
At II o'clock the yachts were about
four miles due east of Monmouth beach
Scarcely had the first shower passed
them. The wind shifted slightly and in
such way directly TO affect Re-
lance so that when eight miles of the
course had been sailed the boats were
on even terms.
Repeated shifts of the wind contin-
ued to favor the Reliance and little b<
by little she gained on her opponent.
When about II miles of the course had
been sailed Reliance led by two hundred
yards. Shamrock was to leeward ap-
parcntly footing faster. but not point
ing so high into the wind as Reliance
The rain had stopped but showers con-
tinue1 to threaten. The wind at this
time was blowing about six knots.
As the rain ceased the wind freshen-
ed a little and with its increasing force
Reliance began to prove her better
sailing qualities. While for a time
Shamrock seemed / o foot IS fast az Re
lance. the latter 5@as pointing much
higher and soon ate her way into a COM
manding windward berth, giving her a
distinct lead. Gradually she increased
her advantage and as the breeze seemed
to improve it looked at l o'clock as
though the race would be finished with
in the time limit. At that hour both
boats were on the port tack about three
miles from the mark with Reliance
slightly more than quarter of a mile
in the lead.
With Reliance ahead they beat down
to the outer mark in tackS of varying
lengths Time after time Shamrock
went about with the idea of shaking
clear and looking for fayoring slants of
wind Reliance, however, played the
game as It should be played and broke
tack with her opponent every time,
keeping constantly between her ana the
mark Progress was slow in the light
and shifty winds. Gradually the wind
fell until at Las. when the yachts were
just off Asbury Park, they were almost
becalned. with Reliance more than a
mile in the lead.
In the long tedious beat down the
Jersey shore to the outer mark Reliance
continually pulled away from the chal-
lenger. although it was confidently eX-
pected by the supporters of the latter
boat that in the light winds she would
prove winder and beat the Reliance
or at least hold her. The well known
drifting qualities of the Herreshoff boat
which she showed in the races early in
in the season stood her in good stead
and her gains was continuous. The eX-
cursion fleet obeyed orders better than
ever before and gave both boats plenty
Of sea room, in fact the space about the
boats extended more than a mile on
either side