The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-22
need or Rep AIRS
Extensive Alterations Necessary to
Get Defender In Racing Trim.
vALKYaIE VIEWED IN ORYbocK
Makes Up In Power What She
Iacks In Beauty.

NEW YORK, Aug. p2.--Ths mishaps to
Defender in Tuesdays trial race were
more serious than had been thought.
A careful examination of tho yacht
showed that the hound-band to which the
shrouds are attached had for some reason
slipped down the mast, allowing tho
shrouds to sag three-quarters OF an inch.
Further than this, under the strain OF the
heavy breeze, the mast had "buckled"
about 20 feet below the topmast, which
made II unsafe.
1t was concluded 10 take the yacht mt onco
to Bristol for repairs. AS. soon as she ar
rives there n large force of men will be put
at work day and night getting her ready
for the next trial. A new and larger
mast, which Is all ready, will DO stepped,
and the necessary alterations In sails will
be made. 1t Is hoped that the Defender
will be ready TO race by Tuesday Of next
week.
valkyris III Is Safely Drydocked
In the Rrie basin. The vessels appear
ance below the water line only goes 10
confirm the judgment that had been
formed on seeing her afoat--that she is q
very large and powerful boat. There was
some surprise that she Is so very bulky
ehA ohoNS oO itW slKilS vi tnt Dthuty Was
one would look for in racing yacht
In spite OF Valkyrie's great size, she has
certain lines that easily bespeak the
Watson model. This resemblance was
chiefly discernible In the angle from the
bow end downward. From the extreme
forward end OF this stretch down to the
aftermost part of the keel, there is not
straight line in her. IL is continuous
bend all tho way through. Valkyrie's keel
Is built at on angle that may be called a
rake. Her bow is very full, and In this
suggests Vig.lant.
In the matter Of overhang. both forward
and aft, she exceeds Defender while in
her spars the difference is further en-
HANGED. In fact, as one old sailor re-
marked, after he had looked the ship over:
There Is only one thing about her like
Defender, and that Is the rake of her rud-
der post" 1t is At the foot OF this post
that the vessel has her greatest depth.
The Mast and Boom.
The boats mast attracted much atten-
tion and comment, because OF its height
and tremendous diameter. The steel boom
also came In for large share yscomment.
1t is very long spar, and men with ex-
perienced eyes said that those who had esti-
exaggerative in the guess.
There was every evidence to confirm the
reports from the other side that the Val
kyrie would spread record breaking area
Of canvas, and the old salts who noticed
this added, in their remarks on the SUBJ
ject that the ship would be well able to
stand up under all that could be crowded
on her, up to "a good, smart breeze Of
wind" Beyond that, they were rather
doubtful.
The longer the yachtsmen studied the
lines Of the foreigner the more convinced
did they become Of two things. One was
that her lead waterllne length was not
nearly SO great as her bulky size indicated
at first glance, and the other that the
challenger has more depth of keel in it,
deepest part than Defender Their con.
clusions necessitated deep surmises, and
In both the result was favorable TO Val
kyrie. II the length on the waterline is
less than Defenders, IL will shorten the
time allowance which everybody says
Valkyrie will have TO give to her opponent
II her keel is deeper, IL will, in all proba.
bility, assist her the moro in beating C.
windward.
Among the most interested Of the spec
tators on the docs was Il. A. Willard.
commander of the vigilant. 1t could b.
seen from the expression on his face that
he thought she was a pretty good article.
He would not, however, express more OF
an opinion than to say that he believed
her to be "a pretty good boat" He did
add that there was NO sign of her having
been strained on the rough voyage across
the Atlantic, but anybody could see that.
To Have New Topmast.
BRISTOL, II. l.. Aug. 22.--N g. Herreshoff
has given orders for new topmast for the
Defender. IL will be thicker and taller