The state herald., 1893-12-08
YACHTING COMES HIGH.
FIGURES THAT WILL MAKE
LANDSMEN STARE.
The vigiiant Cost About 100000, the
Valkyrlc Something Less- Tho Amsri-
cas- Cup aud tho Ship That Captured
It In 1854.

ShikyrlC something IoRs-ThC Ameri-
cas- Cup aud tho Ship That Captured
II In 1854.
A half million dollars was spent In
this years contest over tho Americas
cup by the time tho yalkyrie had
reached New York. This included
the cost OF the four American cup
defenders and OF tho yalkyrie. Tho
Colonia, Pilgrim and Jubilee cost
about $So,0J0 apiece to build and
equip. The Vigilant cost about $780,
Oou This Ia moro than has over be.
fore been spent upon a yacht of her
size. The added cost OF tho vigilant
was because OF her bronze hull below
the water line. This bronze Is said
to have cost 800 for each plate, and
1t was built on the frame like the
plates Of steel put on u man Of war.
The bronze hull which Is said by this
New York World to have added q
fraction OF second to tho yachts
speed In u milo, cost $4,000. Tho
cost OF tho Valkyrie was somewhat
less than that of any OF the other
four boats Tho Volunteer cost
about $4,000. although built of
steel, and the schooners which raced
before tho days of tho big sloops
cost about the Same amount
For the tir,t tlme In recent con-
tests over this historic trophy prom
incnt members OF New York society
were actively represented. William
X. Vanderbilt and his brother Fred
are among those who put up money
to build tho Colonia and among the
owners OF the Vigilant arc Perry
Belmont. Oliver II. p. Belmont,
August Belmont. Charles Il. Flint,
w. Butler Duncan. Jr,. C. o. Iselin
and L ID. Morgan. Several other
prominent New York society men
are Interested In tho boats The so
as rule did not content Intensely es
with the simple patriotic duty OF
producing tho cash to build the
boats. In tho trial races G. Oliver
1selin and w. Butler Duncan were
aboard the Vigilant aud took an
active part In hor management Mr.
Morgan was on his steam yacht. tho
Mag. Ho is commodore OF tho New
York yacht club. position to which
no man can aspire who cannot spend
at least $l5).0)o q year on yachts.
None OF tho Vandcrbilts has put on
rubbcr-solcd shoes and an oil-skin
cap to take part in the management
OF tho Colonia or obey the orders OF
the sailing master, as any owner
would have to do. That Is said to
havo been one cause OF trouble on
the Vigilant-thora wcrc too many
men in authority on board. owners
differing In opinion from sailing
master. with consequent weakness
OF policy and the possibility of
conflict OF orders.
Lord Dunraven, II has been figur.
ed, could not send tho Valkyric over
here In tho way he did at less COS,
than $500 per week. Tbs includes
tho wages Of tho crew, provisions,
wear and tear on the yacht, with
docking charges and transportation.
She was absent from England al
together about ten weeks, and to
mako tho race at the lowest possible
estimate. cost Lord Dunrayen 5000
and probably more. leaving out tho
boats cost. Tho contest cost
great deal more than 800. O0) before
1t decided. and tho intrinsic value OF
the Americas cup at tho present
price OF silver Is about 5000
Tho Americas cup is not cup nj
ALL IL IL nm uUly iuv nj M nnusihio