Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-20

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purpose of blowing the mist seaward. be-
gan to tighten and three hours before the
time set for the start New York harbor
was unruffled
Sailing vessels. even little clam-dredgtng
boats, lay motionless upon the water. and
the smoke from the steamers, while rising
high in the air, had but little movement.
Inside the bend of Sandy Hook, where the
two graceful yachts had ridden at their
moorings during the night. all was hustle
soon after sunrise.
Disappointment Apparent.
Disappointment over the weather outlook
was apparent. By o'clock preparations
for the contest were under way aboard
both boats, which had by that hour sent
up their jibs in stops
While the crew of Reliance breakfasted
Mr.. Iselin boarded his charge and made
critical examination of her rigging.
Both yachts began to make sail as soon
rs colors were sounded and at $50 O'Clock
both had their mainsails hoisted and their
headsails up in stops.
In addition, the Reliance sent up her
No. l club topsail. and this latter piece
of canvas lowered high above Shamrock
III. lying just ahead of her.
Only One to Three
One of Mr. Iselin's guests talked this
morning over the telephone with friend
ir New York city. asking the odds on the
Reliance.
He reported back to those aboard the de-
fender that one to three was the best that
the adherents of Sir Thomas would give
The crew cheered Justify
Reliance's sails fitted beautifully
In the mainsail there was hardly a wrin-
kle, and the topsail set down in the angle
if it had been made of wood or steel
Instead of flexible material.
The mainsail used was the new one, used
for the first time two days ago
Met With Little Trouble.
The Shamrock seemed to have a little
trouble getting her mainsail in shape but
when it finally was stretched there was not
wrinkle in it as big as mans hand.
Shamrock lay at anchor near the new
challenger. Her day had passed.
At $40 the wind shifted more to the west
and freshened little and the clouds gave
some indications of more breeze, but the
small sail craft going outside of the Hook
did not do more than creep along. while
flags at the mainmasts of the anchored
Eoats chung about the STATS
Off for Starting Point.
At $50 Reliance took line from her
the Hook and on her way to the starting
point
Immediately Shamrock III raised her club
topsail and, after getting 1t well in posi-
ton. took a line from her tender prepara-
tory to following Reliance.
At 900 she started out of Sandy Hook
bay.
The Erin. with Sir Thomas Lipton's
guests on board, followed soon afterward
Thousands on Their Way.
Indications of a race today were not con-
fined to the outer harbor. for at an early
hour thousands were on their way from all
parts Of the city and the suburbs 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 lightship ahead of the
excursion fleet.
The Shamrock. however. starting half an
hour after was soon surrounded by the
vanguard of these vessels and score of
steam yachts and tugs accompanied her
nearly all the way
Formed Gordon About Lightship.
In this fleet were three or four revenue
cutters and as soon as those boats reached
the lightship they at once took up position.
forming a Gordon about a mile around the
fioa ting lighthouse.
At 1915, three-duarters of an hour before
the time set for the start there were fully
fifty vessels in the vicinity of the Iightship
and twice as many more strung out on the
broad ocean road between the lightshp and
the Narrows.
The preparatory signal was given at 1915
as the boats were maneuvering for posi-
tions under the three lower sails. club
topsail and also jib topsail.
Wind From South Southwest.
The wind was then from the south-south-
west and the course signaled was fifteen
miles to the windward and run home.
Promptly at IL o'clock the starting gun
was fired.
Reliance was running down the line on
the port tack, with Shamrock a short dis
lance astern.
At the starting signal Reliance gybed
nd headed for the line.
Shamrock came about on Reliance's
weather and also headed for the line
Shamrock was first to cross. Both boats
were on the starboard tack with flattened
sheets.
Reliance a little to windward of Sham
rocks wake and a few hundred yards
aSte-n
Reliance Seemed to Gain.
Little by little, almost imperceptibly, Re-
lance seemed to gain on her adversary. but
before she is on equal terms she must over
come l minute and 81 seconds time allow
ance.
Soon after the start the yachts ran into
drenching rainstorm which. when passed,
left calm which was only broken by
faint and wavering wind
Considering the conditions, the pace made
by the big racers was remarkable, but 1T
was apparent that unless the breeze i'm
proved considerably it would not take them
round the course within the time limit.
At y O'Clock the yachts were about four
miles due east of Monmouth Beach.
Even Terms Eight Miles Off,
Scarcely had the first shower passed
when another heavy downpour overlook
them.
The wind shifted slightly and in such a
way as directly to affect Reliance. so that
when eight miles of the course had been
sailed the boats were on even terms.
Repeated shifts of the wind continued to
favor Reliance, and little by little she gain
ed on her opponent
When about eleven miles of the course
had been sailed Reliance led by 200 yards
Shamrock was to leeward, apparently
footing faster. but not pointing so high into
the wind as Reliance.