Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-04

Dumr0venB attempts
These facts bring the narrative down to
the present. Two years later. or in 1889.
Lord Dunraven appeared on the scene and
desired to challenge for the cup in the name
Of the Royal Yacht Squadron, his vessel
being the old valkyrie. and now owned by
Count lgnazio Florio of Palermo. The deed
OF gift was the stumbling block, and the
committee OF the Royal Yacht Squadron re-
fused to sanction the challenge. 1t was
ripple that did not long remain visible, but
1t showed the New York Yacht Club that
the desire to regain possession Of the cid
prize was as great as ever. though II was
desired even demanded. that there should
be concessions granted by its holders. The
New York club and Lord Dunraven terml-
mated their correspondence in the most
friendly spirit.
Meanwhile Yankee designers were not
idle. Many fast boats were built. until in
the year 1891 the Gloriana flashed across the
yachting horizon Of the world. Her canoe
bow and other marked departures from the
old beaten paths of form startled the naval
architects on both sides Of the Atlantic. The
Herreshoffs were responsible for the new
creation. Her success was phenomenal,
led. Not only did American designers gen.
orally adopt her chief characteristics. but
abroad they also caught the Gloriana fever.
and today the representative racing yachts
of both Great Britain and this country bear
the finger prints Of the original forty-six
footer that carried everything before her,
and at the end Of her maiden year was the
champion Of her class and the winner over
yachts many sizes larger. With this
triumph so clearly before them the yachts
men here forgot for the time that there
were clever imitators across the sea, but
the Herreshoffs went on working rs
chances offered. and in 1892 there was
launched for Mr.. Archibald Rogers, now
rear commodore Of the New York Yacht
Club, the forty-six footer Wasp, an ac-
knowledged improvement on the Gloriana.
hoo tha of onda6
with that shape of craft being recognized
as the speediest for pleasure boats that
ever fioated.
Lord Dunraven had many consultations
with Mr.. G. l.. Watson, the yacht designer
of Glasgow. and last year II was ascertain
ed what they all meant He had determin-
ed to try again for the Americas cup, and
this time the effort was to be made In the
most persistent manner. Through the ef-
forts of Mr. Richard Grant. secretary Of the
Royal Yacht Squadron. and with the advice
Of the Prince of Wales. the squadron's COM
modore, a line Of attack was in time agreed
upon by Lord Dunraven, and 1t was car
ried out consistently and with much peril
nacity. 1t was claimed that the New York
club had no right to exact Of the challenger
all the dimensions of the boat that he would
send across the ocean to battle for the cup.
AMI after much delay and repeated letters
and cablegrams Of an explanatory nature.
1t was intimated that the New York club
would accept a challenge from their old
friend by his simply giving the load water
line length Of his yacht That was what
had long been sought. and on November Is,
1892, the Royal Yacht Squadron sent its
challenge, naming Lord Dunraven's cutter
rugged yacht Valkyrie. with an estimated
load water line length Of eighty-five feet.
The challenge was accepted in due season,
and once more the New York club had an
international match-the eighth-on hand
and to deal with. I'VE must win again."
they said. and the country repeated the bold
and cheerful remark.
The pluck and persistency Of Lord Dun
raven were favorably commented upon. He
had left a good impression in 1885, and the
yachtsmen Of the country realized that the
club was dealing with an experienced
yachtsman and thorough sportsman. His
record was of the best at home and abroad
and so ii was pleasant to have such an op-
ponent. He Is a member Of many clubs and
also a commodore. The list OF clubs that
he belongs to are the Royal Yacht Squad
ron. at Cowes: Royal Cork Yacht Club, at
Queenstown: Royal Southern, at Southamp-
ton; Royal Victoria, at Ryde; Royal West
ern. at Plymouth; Royal Alfred. at Kings
town: Royal Clyde, at Hunters Quay; New
Thames. at Thames; Royal Southampton,
at Southampton: Royal Portsmouth Corin-
than, at Portsmouth. and the Castle Club
at Calshot Castle, OF which he is the COM
modore. OF boats he has built many, and
today Is the owner Of a small fleet. His
challenging yacht Vaikyrie, is, Of course
In first place, but recent addition, the
twentyrater Derdre, Is attracting much
attention. as she is Of type similar to the
form of the msdern racer.