The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-01
Was Pulled Off the Ways
at 2::55 p. m.
The Operations Watched by q Large
Crowd Of Spectators.
No Indications That the New Yacht
Has Been Injured.

BRISTOL. r, l., July 1. All efforts TO TO
lease the Defender have proved futile, and
she is still fast in the same position into
which she sank during the unsuccessful
attempt to launch her.
AT intervals during Saturday night and
yesterday, when tho tide served, both tugs
and divers were at work, under the direo-
tion of the Herreshoffs, applying every
means in their power to release the yacht,
but each time as the tide receded the
work had to be abandoned.
The fears felt by the builders and others
that the yacht may become injured by the
strain Of her position have not abated,
and after thorough inspection Of the
boats position by the divers, the builders
were convinced that the bow Of the yacht
must be lightered by pontoons TO relieve
the strain as much as possible during the
further work Of getting her int deep
water.
Steel hawsers were attached to the
cradle yesterday afternoon, and tugs took
them aboard and started to pull al the OBJ
structed mechanism. The strain was too
great, and the gearing on one tug broke
and the hawser held by the other snapped
asunder. From this 1t is feared that the
work Of releasing the boat will be much
more difficult than was anticipated up to
that time
The mootcd question seems to be
whether an unlucky beginning prcsages
good luck later in the history of the craft,
or whether it is the forerunner OF = series
Of mishaps which may be the lot OF
Americas representative yacht, q status
In yachting from which the American cup
defenders for years have been singularly
FREQ.
Not Stuck In Mud.
When the boat stopped everyone tnougns
she had stuck In the mud. Others be-
lievod that the end Of the cradle had pro-
truded beyond the ways and rested on the
bottom, and oven the Herreshoffs were Of
this opinion. The tugs Adquidneck and
Bay Point hitched on, and they began
pulling steadily and strongly Their
efforts were unavailable, and 80 Cornelius
Vanderbilt's yacht Conqueror sent out u
line to the Defender and then all three
steam craft In united efforts once again
attempted to move the stationary hull.
After the strain had been applied for
half minute there was loud noise. .
swapping Of ropes and crcaking Of ma
chinery, and then y portion Of the con-
querors stern was seen to fly into the air
and fall into the water. The strain had
been too great for the wind'ass bits Of this
yacht and they were completely carried
away.
Wouldn't Budge.
Operations were resumed at tho Her
reshoff dock by Nat Herreshof and o gang
of workmen Mt 80 this morning. A IL
inch hawser from tho tug Right Arm
was made fast to the cradle. Smaller
cables were run out from the other craft,
and the word given for grand pull. The
tugs responded, straining and swapping,
but the hull did not move. For nearly an
hour this work was continued without Of.
feet, and at 2:26 q. m. Captain Her.
reshoif gave orders to cease operations.
1t was decided to try pontoons, and q
number of 40-fpot lighters have already
been ordered. With these placed In posi-
tion under the hull at low tide II Is hoped
to lift the Defender out Of her cradle SO
that she may he towed clear Of all obstruc-
tions as the tide rises this afternoon.
BRISTOL. r. July 1.-The efforts to release
the Defender from her position on the ways
at the Herreshoff yard were resumed soon
are still in the barbor and the operations were
watched by large crowd Of spectators which
thronged the docks near by.
hoff large force of workmen began at low
tide the work OF placing pontoons under the
Defender. The strain on the boat was easod
somewhat, but owing 70 the non-arrival from
Providence of some 70-foot timbers which
were TO be used with the pontoons 10 was
evident that the latter would be of but little
value and IL the boat was to he hoated at high
tide today she would have to be pulled OF.
T-inch hawser was accordingly secured,
and, with two other heavy hawsers. attached
TO the yacht and at high tide this afternoon
the tug Right Arm will make an effort to pull
the Defender from the ways There Is com
siderable excitement about the docks this
afternoon, and IL is evident that the Herres-
hoffs arc very anxious and greatly fear that
the boat may be injured before she Is foated.
IL she does not come off az high tide this
afternoon, the pontoons and timbers will be
placed in position nt low tide and an effort
will be made to float her with their aid to-
night.
Il Is now said that the reason the boat was
not successfully launched Saturday is be-
cause the ways were not properly oiled. IL IL
claimed that part Of the ways were creased In
wet weather and that the oil was washed on.
It Is expected that she will be hoated at high
tide. between and o'clock. this afternoon.
As yet, there are no indications that the De-
fender has been injured by her unfortunts