The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-30
STUCK In THE WAYS
Bad Luck at the Launching of
the Yacht Defender.
vALkYRIE III. UNFORTUNATE.
Beaten by the Britannia In Her First
Race-The Niagara Wins In Her
Class.

Bristol. r. T., June es-Tre launching Of
the yacht Defender this afternoon was not
the brilliant success which, had been so
confidently expected After leaving the
ways the Defender stuck fast in a conbi-
nation OF mud and timber on the shore OF
Bristol harbor. II was Just l2.s3 O'Clock
when the signal for the start was given.
and amid the cheers OF the assembled
guests and spectators the boat started
on her trip down the ways. and at that in
slant Mrs. f. Oliver Iseiin broke bottle
OF champagne across the bows. saying:
II christen thee Defender"
For three-fourths Of the distance the
yacht glided down the creased surface of
the ways easily. Then she stopped amid
the crunching OF timbers. The boat was
hanging on the verge Of the water, partly
submerged. and fast upon her cradle. The
gentlemen in charge had miscalculated the
height Of the tide, and there was not water
enough to float the craft upon which the
hopes OF so many patriotic Americans
were rested.
The tugs Acquidneck and Day Point,
which had been lying of the end OF the
pier, were hastily called into service.
Ropes were passed about the Defenders
hula and the tugs began 10 pull. Il was
useless for a time. the tide was slowly
rising, but X was not high enough, and
after few efforts the tugs desisted. AS
nearly as can be estimated at this writing
the boat has not suffered material damage.
Capt. Herrreshoff says the Defender is
the best yacht his firm has built He re-
fuses. however. 10 give the dimensions
OF the boat or any facts regarding her
sail area A gentleman who is in a po-
sfrion 10 secure correct Information gave
10 the Associated Press complete figures
as 10 dimensions as follows:
Length on water line, 50 feet 10 inches:
length over all. 123 feet 10 inches; draft,
70 feet: beam, "A feet. The mainmast and
10 ON are lu2 feet in length. The mast
Is 35 inches i'm circumference at the heel
and IS inches At the step. The topnast is
81 feet long. the gan 63 feet 10 inches, ana
bowsprit ~ feet. The spinnaker Is y feet
in length, and the club topsafl pole 81
feet
The work on the sails OF the Defender
is progressing steadily, and the riggers
who are 10 put everything in order are
here to complete the fitting out OF the
boat. II is expected that the yacht viii
be in commission in less than TWO weeks.
When the boat stopped every one
thought she had stuck in the mud. Messrs.
Herreshoff. on seeing the serious condi-
ton of things, telephoned to New Bedford
for the giant towboat Right Arm. a sub
marine diver went out 10 the end OF the
ways ana thoroughly inspected the cradle
and examined her position for fully two
hours. Then he reported to Nat HERE
shon that the boat was not In the mud.
but that the cradle had stuck fast in the
ways. Mr.. Duncan's theory was that the
piles or joints had swollen after being
placed in the water, so that when the
cradle came down the ways were so tight
they would not allow II TO pass through.
When the Right Arm arrived. shortly be-
fore midnight, preparations were at once
begun to renew the effort to get the De-
fender off at the high tide.
I-ater.-The launching has been post
poned until tomorrow. 1t is feared the
yacht is in danger.