The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-20

New York, Aug. 20.-Reliance and
Shamrock Ill, accredited representatives
of the best yachting craft In two nations
sail the first race to-day In the thir-
teenth series Of the contest for the
now world-famous Americas cup.
Wrested from the Englishmen ffty-two
years ago by the schooner yacht Amer
lea, this trophy has year after year Sc
cured frmer place in the estimation
Of yachtsmen and a stronger position
sentimentally in the hearts Of the Amer
lean people, and has become part Of
the history Of the nation.
The course over which to-days race
is sailed is the International Yacht club
course, outside Sandy Hook. Shamrock
III, has sailed it many times In her
trials, while Reliance has been over it
but once: and in light breeze. This
course Of thirty miles was covered by
the Vigilant in 1893 in three hours,
twenty-four minutes and thirty-eight
seconds, the fastest time over the wind
ward and leeward course. This was one
OF the most exciting races in any Of the
cup contests and was sailed in strong
breeze. In 1901, however, Columbia
sailed the triangular course in three
hours, twelve minutes and twenty five
seconds. Off Newport Reliance, on July
rs, sailed a thirty mile triangular course
in two hours fifty-eight minutes and
hfty-two seconds, and windward and
sleeward course Of thirty miles on July l.,
in three hours. four minutes and twenty
seven seconds. There was little wind.
Both yachts are commanded by men
that are masters Of their craft and are
recognized as the best in their respective
countries. Captain Charles Barr, who
commands ha hoe eajl
other cup defenders in international races
and is szilful. resourceful and of iron
nerve. He sailed the Columbia in 1893
and 1901, defeating Shamrock /. and
Shamrock II.
Captain Robert w. Wrineu than whom
there is said to be no better skipper In
England, is not stranger either to yacht
maneuvering or to the American waters.
He came here first on Shamrock I. as sec
ond In command to Captain Hogarth The
next season he sailed August Belmont's
Mineola, and in August, 1901, he COM
manded Shamrock I. when she was trial
boat for Shamrock II.
Little Wind for Races.
The baneful influence of the dog star
seemed to have full sway over the wealth
er at dawn to-day. The air was warm
and moist and the breeze, which was light
from the southwest, dragged up from that
quarter great masses of low-lying clouds
Showers were frequent all thru the night
and this morning everything was wet and
sticky. The change Of wind bore out the
prediction Of the weather bureau that
such shift would occur, followed by cool
er and more agreeable conditions, and
what was the desire Of every heart, suffi-
Client strength Of breeze to send the yachts
| over the course.
The sea had it's long easy roll which
| broke with some strength on the sands
| of the Jersey coast. The motion of the
sea scarcely affected several majestic
ocean liners that appeared out of the mis-
and early in the morning there seemed M
| indication that the timid but enthusiastic
followers of the racing boats would have
| ANYTHING to fear from sickness. At sun
rise there was considerable haze out a.
| sea- but as the sun rose it's rays begar
| to penetrate the fog, and at o'clock it!
work of dissipating the mist was progress
ing most satisfactorily. AS the morning
wore on the westerly wind, after seem
ingly accomplishing its purpose of blow
ing the mist seward, began to lighter
and three hours before the time set TO-
the start New York harbor was unruf
fed.
| Inside the bend Of Sandy Hook, wher
the two graceful yachts had ridden a
their moorings during the night, all wa
hustle soon after sunrise. DISAPPOINTING
over the weather outlook was apparent
BY o'clock preparations for the contes
were under way aboard both boats, which
had by that hour sent up their jibs il
stops. While the crew of the Reliance
breakfasted, Mr.. Iselin boarded his charg'
and made critical examination Of he
rigging. Both yachts began to make sal
as soon as colors were sounded, and a
$3.50 both had their mainsails hoisted an(
| boi~ hoo coi Ia n n
! the Reliance sent up her No. 1 club top
sail, and this latter piece Of canvas tow
cred high above Shamrock III, lying jus
ahead of her.
At S:45 the wind shifted more to the
| west and freshened a 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 Greer
along, while flags at the mainmasts o.
| the anchored boats chung about the stats
| At $3.50 Reliance took a line from llel
| tender, and in few minutes was out
| side the hook and on her way to the
I starting point. Immediately Shamrock
III. raised her club topsail and aftel
| getting it we'll In position took a line
from her tender preparatory to following
Reliance. At 9:o5 she started out o
Sandy Hook bay. The Erin, with ST.
| Thomas Lipton's guests on board, fol
| lowed soon afterwards.
| Indications of a race day were no
| confined to the outer harbor, for at al
| early hour thousands were on their wa,
| from all parts Of the city and suburbs tt
the piers along the East and NortI
river, where they boarded the hundre,
or more excursion steamers and wer
/ carried down the bay.
BY reason Of her early start Relianc.
/ was able to reach the lightship ahead O
the excursion feet. The Shamrock
/ however, starting half an hour after
| wards, was surrounded by the vanguard
Of these vessels. and a score of steam
yachts and tugs accompanied her nearl.
j all the way.
/ In this fleet were three or four reve
nue. cutters. and as soon as these boats
reached the lightship they at once tool
/ up positions forming Gordon around TIT
floating lighthouse