Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-12
DUNRAVEN'S OFFER.
If His Crew Will Win the Cup, He
Will Pension Them for Life.
Generous Offer, Blu. Did II Cause Sharp
Practices Of Monday?

New York, Sept. 1.-THE Mail and TX
press says: After dinner. Monday, night,
LORD Dunraven called the captains and
crew of Nalkyrie III together and made
the following extraordinary promise to
spur them on to do their best to win the
Americas cup:
While feel satisfied that every man
will do his duty" said Lord Dunraven,
addressing the sailors and their command
efs, L am anxious to encourage you to exert
yourselves to the utmost to win the re-
naming races of the series. With that
END In view. desire to say that if the cup
goes back to England by reason of your
seamanship, will pension every man for
lie anu pay each Of you 80 shillings a
week so long as each one of you lives "
The announcement was so unexpected
that for minute not word was spoken
Then actuated by common impulse,
the 26 men of the crew broke out into
cheers. Lord Dunraven again impressed
them with his ambition to snatch victory
from what now appears almost certain de-
feat, and then retired. The men afterward
held an informal meeting and discussed
the offer. Although they declined to talk
it was clear from their manner that they
had entered into compact to strain every
nerve to win.
1t Is doubtful whether in the history of
any sport, ancient or modern, such an in
ducement as this has been made to urge
contestants on to the goal of victory. In
the robust days of imperial Rome it was
customary to bestow generous gratuity
to the swiftest runner in the races Gladi-
ators usually had a wealthy patron on
which they drew all lib until they met the
inevitable fate In the arena.
The ancient Greeks bestowed life an
nuity upon the victors in athletic sports.
but there is no record of more than three
or four being so pensioped at one time.
In modern times the horse Jockey has been
the most prominent recipient of pecuniary
favors, often in large amounts after a
particularly brilliant victory. So far as
known, no jockey has ever been pcnsioned
either in this country or in England.
Lord Dunraven's action is without pre-
cedent, either considered by itself or from
the standpoint of generosity. 1t is the
ambition of his life to place within the
hands of his queen the trophy that passed
out of the possession of England into that
of one of her former dependencies nearly
half a,century ago.
That was the patriotic motive that
actuated the English nobleman when he
contributed such 10 large amount, two
years ago, toward building Valkyrie II,
and which now actuates him in making q
second attempt to regain the cup first
captured by the famous schooner yacht
America
He knows that if he succeeds he will be
the social lion of the day and will be
loaded down with honors If Valkyrie
wins, the captain and his crew may rest
contented for the rest of their lives.
Thirty shillings a week for life is tidy
income for a sailor in England No
soldiers in any army are paid so well. even
in active service, and the pension is less
by half than the regular pay. No govern
ment pays It's sailors such wages or pen
sion. Nalkyrie's crew will in event of
victory be provided for during their
natural lives. for making voyage of 90
miles and working actively IS hours.
The ages of the 26 men will average 30
years. They are all strong and healthy
and their expectations of life may he set
rs 20 years In that time, if the cxpccta-
tion be realized. they will have received
e3l20 sterling or S15 COO, and In the ag-
gregatc ESQ, 100 or Si00 800.
That the crew appreciated Lord Dun
ravens inducement WAS shown by their
work in Tuesdays race.