The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1903-08-31
ny ASSOCIATED rRrss.


New York Aug. 3I.-An autumna,
storm which had kept Reliance and Shan-
rock III for ~ hours Within the shelter
OF Sandy Hook bay had blown itself out
sufficiently this morning TO enable the two
racers To venture onse more into the open
sea for continuation OF their races for
the Americas cup.
The gale however, had left as a token
OF IT, strength 4 very heavy swell 50 that
when the two boats with Shamrock in the
lead turned the point OF Sandy Hook they
at once began 10 roll and wallow like
couple OF coal bargcs.
The day had little attraction for specta-
tors for the dark clouds which still hung
low seemed TO threaten rain at any mo-
mcnI, while the ocean had little TO invite
any except the stoutcst sailor.
Little Interest Shown.
The decision OF the yacht owners 10
start the race and terminate il possible the
series was accented on all sides that the
interest in the races had been pretty well
dnmpened by the numerous delays.
1t was not surprising therefore that the
ilcot which followed the two racers was ,
mere ghost Of that which saw the yachts
IN the previous contests.
The yachts were accompanied 10 the
starting line by scarcely half dozen tugs,
few steam yachts and two or three cx-
cursion boats, so that the revenue cutters
which arrived on the scene a little late had
very little TO do in keeping the space
about the lighiship free from interference.
The yachts hoisted their main-sails be
fore leaving for the start and were wen
ont TO the liRhtshp by 10 O'Clock. an hour
before the time set for the contest.
On reaching the lightship they found
that the wind was about cast-northcast.
with a velocity of about ten miles. Both
racers dropped their two lines and broke
out their jibs.
Ready for the Start
They stood off and on about lightship.
trying the strength Of the wind and sea.
and then began setting small club ton.
sails. While this work was going on the
tug Navigator arrived with the regatta
committee and stopped near the lighiship
while the committee tried the winds
strength and the chances for starting the
race from that point.
captain Barr Of Reliance aud Captain
WrnRc Of Shamrock III evidently be-
heyed carly IN the day the race would
be sailed, Tor the crews Of both boats
put up their jibs and top sails in stops
ahd began active preparations to go out
Sir Thomas Upton, on the Erin, smiled
as he said
"Well, guess we're all pretty bad
Judges OF the weather here. II looks
more like a calm than a breeze and heavy
sea"
Captain Barr said there would be one
objection TO the day if the breeze con-
tinued to fail, and that would be the
choppy sea which would retard the boats
and prevent their doing the course inside
the time limit.
Rain Ceases to Fall.
The rain Of the early morning had
cleared at 8Is and along the horizon
line was a streak of light that gave the
impression that there would be plenty of
bright sunshine weather before noon ar
rived.
The wind was 10 miles am hour at 8:3o
and both racers were ready to be towod
out.
During the carly morning hours the
sea grew calmer. The huge meetings OF
green foam capped waves that had sent
terror to the hearts of owners Of small
crafts had entirely disappeared, and rolls
that crested only as they reached the
beach took their place. 1t is this sea,
however, that racing yachts do not take
to kindly. 1t catches them at the stem
and if they are carrying much sail it is
apt to strain both masts and rigging and
cause break, such as occurred to Sham
rock III, two years ago when, pounding
down in a heavy sea, she broke a stay
and dropped her topmast.
Waiting for Committee.
AT o'clock both yachts raised their
mainsails and were awaiting the arrival
OF the Navigator with the committee
aboard. The wind was blowing steadily
at 10 miles at the Hook but with ndica-
tions that it would be not SO fresh out
side or near the lightshp.
At 9 ;o8 both yachts took a tow line
from their tenders and started out of the
Continued on Page Seven.)