Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-08
THE DEFENDER INSPECTED.
Her General Construction Piehses
fhe ynuderbilts.

Her General Construction Piehses
the ynnderbilts.
A Providence special says: William X.
Vanderbilt. of the cup defender syndicate
arrived in Bristol yesterday on the
514 o'clock train from New York,
ana drove TO the Herreshoff shops,
where he spent nearly an hour
inspecting the Defender. He LETT
on the $50 o'clock train again. IL
is said that Mr.. Vanderbilt was much
pleased with the lines and general con-
struction Of the Defender. He SAID that
he would like TO remain longer, but I'M
perative engagements elsewhere called
him away. II is the first time that Mr..
Vanderbilt has seen the Defender since
work was begun on her.
He was accompanied by his brother
Cornelius, and both came to this city in
their own private car
Judging from the appearance OF the
Defender II will be nearer three weeks
than one week before the yacht will be
ready for launching. Riveters are stu
at work, and no attempt has been made
at planking. To be sure. the planks are
being prepared, but to lay them down will
take fully a week. Again, there has
been no attempt made 10 polish or paint
the body OF the boat, and something
of that sort will certainly be done before
she is put overheard.
There is no relaxation OF vigilance on the
part of the builders to prevent unau-
thorized persons obtaining a view of
the craft In fact. efforts TO obtain in
formation are more barren of results
than ever before. The advantage of all
this secrecy at this time really passes
ordinary comprehension. 1t may be that
Lord Dunraven's example i'm shrouding
his boat In mystery, even after the
launching, is considered a good one, and
is to be followed to the letter.
GREAT SECRECY.
In fact, it would not surprise many
Bristol people who have kept track of the
Defenders construction If the yacht were
TO be slipped into the water secretly and
by stealth. That the Defender VIII be
launched in secret is, however, an ex-
IRENE view. and it is hardly likely that
the desired end would be achieved. While
Lord Dunrayen managed 10 get his boat
into the water on the quiet, it is not be-
lieyed that the Herreshons could do the
same thing. The work of constructing
the Defender. has been closely followed.
and IL can hardly be conceived that the
boat could be launched without know
ledge of the coming event getting TO
value.
Again. it is thought by some that Mr..
Vanderbilt timed his return to this coun-
try in order to be present at the launch
ing Of the Defender. All things considered,
therefore, il is believed that the boat
will be launched with the same formClity
that attended the putting overheard OF
the Vigilant. But the tension OF secrecy,
as stated, is up TO the top notch, and
there is no indication at present that
the time for letting down the bars is any
where near.
1t is understood that the large sails OF
the Defender are completed, and that
work is now progressing on the small
sails. 1t is to be noted that the question
OF the material being used at Bristol has
again come up. After the statement that
the Bristol sail were evidently OF upland
cotton-duck, instead OF Sea-Island duck,
ii was acknowledged that the mainsail
was up upland cotton. But MIR. lselin i'll
sisted that the cotton was long staple.
After the matter had apparently quoted
down 1t was stated that the Defenders
small sails, being made at Bristol, were
assufedly OF Sea-Island cotton. a sample
OF what purported to be a piece OF the
duck of which the small sails are being
made upon being examined, however,
proves TO be OF short staple, upland-cot-
ton, just the same.
THE SAILS.
II the sails with which the Defender
is to be- clothed are made of short staple
cotton duck, the American yacht is going
into the contest for the cup under heavy
and unnecessary handicap. This has been
said before. but 1t Will do no harm 10
repeat the statement.
Mr. 4. l.. Willard, who has charge of
the Nigilant for the season, has rented a
house at Bristol, which would Indicate
that the ex-cup defender is TO be In these
waters a good part Of the season. Ii
has been reported that new sails for the
Nigilant are being made in Bristol. but
no confirmation OF the report can be OBJ
tanned.
The alleged details of Nalkyrie III have
been read with great deal of interest in
Bristol. From what can be learned the
British boat is really nothing more nor
less than a skimming dish with a sta
tionary centreboard Those who have
seen what purported TO be Illustrations
Of the yachts underbody say that she
bears very little resemblance TO the De-
fender The deadwood Of the Defender is
cut away deal more, and there Is much
more rake 10 the lead keel. The rudder
part OF the Defender has a rake also.
10 which that Of the new Valkyrie bears
no comparison. An idea OF what a tre-
mendous rake II is can be obtained from
knowledge of the fact that the rudder
post is 22 feet 6 Inches long, and that IL
runs only from the water line 10 the end
Of the lead keel.
Everybody who Views the Defender
goes away satisfied that the cup is safe
The new yacht was designed TO beat the
Nigilant and If she does that she will
be doing very well indeed But the
Britishers are confident too. and II is be-
lieved that they viii back their opinion
this year with pot Of money. At any
rate there is every reason 10 believe
that there Is 10 be no walkover. and
when Mir lselin stated that the result
would be matter OF seconds il Is be-
lieved that he fully appreciated the extent
OF the task TO be set him by the English
yachtsmen.