New-York tribune., 1885-01-05
DEFENCE OF YHE AMERICA CUP.
WHAT TYPE OF VESSEL SHOULD BE USED
OPINIONS OF JAMES y. SMITH AND CHARLES A

OPINIONS OF JAMES y. SMITH AND CHARLES A.
MINToN-cUrTERs AND sLooPs
The defence of the America cup is now the
engrossing topic OF conversation in yachting circles
james ID. Smith. excommodore Of the New-York Yacht
Club In speaking of the subject recently to TRIBUNE
reporter said
'"There has not vet been d formal challenge
by any for the Americas cup. gentleman repre-
senting the OF two cutters who live In England
has informed the New-York Yacht Club that he is
authorized to say that challenges will be forwarded
have not heard OF any formal challenges being re-
ccycd. The challenge must come in the name OF the
owner stating the club that he represents giving tonnage
entertain TWO challenges because we lost the cup on
I'm the second challenge NV idea has been that these
gentlemen would race their cutters from Europe To
America testing them by trials on the way and then de-
NewYork Yacht Club will defend the trophy to its ut
most ability and in the hands of such competent and eX
pericnccd yachtsncn the officials OF the club are 1t
will be retained by our club against Ill comers The
and of a distinctive greyhound wedge type. We
have sQnt mastcd vessels that compare In
Size and power vii those which arc named as compei-
for the cup when you ask to name vessel that
would be likely to send against such cutter would
say that it is quite likely that like the present
Commodore he thought IL advisable would build one
We have fast soops. however The iildegard Mischief
Fanny. Gracie Arrow, BedOuin aud others, IN certnn
conditions of weather, fleet that skipper at the
helm OF comparatively new and untestcd boat would
be looking their sters and be nervous and discou-
aged in with them: TIC sioop Pocahontas has
never had "A fair trial She Is of the Arrow type,
built by kthc bu ldcr. and intended to he an
improvement that boat for speed. know OF compe
judges who believe with mo that she would prove
very when racing condition. The gentlemen who
built her to against the slOOp Atalanta all had
yacts of their to look after Hence she has been
Idle she not finished IN time to be ready for c0m
petition, ovesparred and had fair chance she
l. for sale at low price aud II would mott the most
surprising thing in the world IL she came TO the 'front.'
Could send q schooner against cutter" !" Ihere
nothing the decd of gift that would prevent our
doing so that aware OF but IL would not be con-
sIdercd the fair sporting thing TO do, and 80 far
my opinion goes. / would rather lose the cup than
take any that yachtsmcn the world over would
New Yacht club. There Is why we should
race "a against the English yacht 1t newer
type of boat here than England and the class has
gained adhrcnts FOR speed and racers IN the last year
There j. in English clubs that ccntrehOard boats
cannot compete in any Therefore, II he cup Is
lost by us OF cenre-bOard vessels cOulc chal
lcnge fOrit It,"
Charles A. Minton secretary of the New-York Yacht
Club said: II think that typical American yacht and
original object IN giving the cup TO test the relative
merits Of tho Two types OF vessels We
may have cuttcryachts. bat the cutter
can he the type OF an American
vessel. From MOntauk Point TO the Rio Grande the
harbors along shallow, with bars IN the
channels leading them. The American merchant YES
sci must be adapted to this state OF things ana must
continue be o light draught and rs she must have
sail-carrying power. she will DE bcay Now, the yacht
that chosen defend the should be not only an
American yacht, but typical American vessel Il may
be decided that II Is advisable to bul yacht 10 de
fend the cup In that case. have no doubt thal IL VIII
ne