Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 October 1899 — COLUMBIA WINS FIRST RACE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COLUMBIA WINS FIRST RACE.

SlwHroek I* OMtat#»cr*ted m»d Out* ••lied from fctivt t» yt»t»k. T After seven failure* the Columbia Monthe first of the aerie* of raeea with the Shamrock for ’the international »ip and the America’s cup. Sir pttm’s green-hulled challenger, pet, which has appeared so light airs and baffling breezes, i wer a sea course of thirty en on the wind and fifteen \f|fh;the wind astern. The elapsed time 1 of the victorious boat, the Columbia, was 4:33:53, or :10:14 better than that of the ShatHrock. which covered the course in 5:04:07. Deducting her time allowance of six seconds, the .Shamrock was vanquished by :10:08. There was not much enthusiasm at the end, because from

start to finish the race had been a procession, with Columbia constantly increasing a lead which she established soon after the beginning of the contest. In the weather work over the first leg the Columbia was :9:50 better than the Shamrock, and in the run home, with all kites bellying, the Yankee clipper added twenty-fonr seconds to her lead. This doubtless would have been :fj the wind had not freshened, naUjjwiily helping the yacht astern, and partlyrdosing the great gap of misty sea her bow and the Columbia's stern. ‘

The breeze, whiijh was from tfie qait, varied iu force from six to twelve knots, but was true ns to direction. The seas were somewhat lumpy, aud occasiojjayy white-crested, but they were not big enough to bother a catboat. In tbq Kinward work neither yacht w*s In the run to the finish the element oif l chance apparently was with the Fife model.

The contest, which was fairer than any ever sailed off Handy Hook, may be said to demonstrate that the Columbia is the better craft in a light or moderate breeze, knifing her way to windward through smooth seas, and that she is also superior by a minute or more in a following breeae of moderate power.

THE COLUMBIA.