New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-10
LIGHTNESS OF THE DEFENDER
QUALITIES WHICH CANNOT BE POS
sEssED BY THE CHALLENGER.
THD AMERICAN YACHT WOULD BE ABLE Tc
STAND AN OCEAN PAssAGE-vIEWs
OF AN EXPERT.

OF AN EXPERT.
II Is not be expected perhaps. that any small In
crease Of Saturdays breeze will effect change in
the result of to-day's race AS long as the De-
fender can carry her full canvas she may expect
10 win. Her superiority in the lightness of the
upper portion OF her hull has been already made
clear Her buoyancy and the alacrty she displayed
IN regaining her former hesdway after being partly
checked by sinking her bows in an oncoming sea
was manifest. In these respects she showed su
perorty over the Valkyrie which could be de-
tected in close watching Of both boats. In the
carefully calculated production OF these qualities
Herreshoff has made mistake. The use Of the
aluminium plating. which was altogether novelty
in yachtbuding contained In its Idea the best scien
tiac knowledge of yacht sailing The advantage In
having the upper works and top hamper Of the
greatest possible lighness has for many years been
apparent TO practical racing yachtsmen. And when
these qualities be acquired without mourning
danger In the matter of fragy, resulting superb
ority In the matter OF speed is not mere matter
Of supposition but scientific necessity when other
qualities equal.
The Defenders abilities In the way OF quick start
ing and immediate recovery after being checked
are far more marked than in any yacht approach
ing her size that has ever been foated This state
ment is not made lightly, nor In the overweening
confidence born OF a single victory. but after a care
full personal examination Of the racing powers OF
every great sailing yacht the world possesses.
NOT TOO LIGHT FOR STRENGTH.
1t has often limited that in the desire to gain
the above advantages the quality OF strength has
been TOO much sacrificed, but in spite Of the De-
tenders many accidents 1t will be noticed that only
a few Of them could be In any way attributed to a
too great zeal obtain lightness II Is true that
she broke her geff, split her sails. twisted some
aluminium fittings (Which were replaced with steeD
and that her first mast or It's fittings. proved I'M
satisfactory But weak spots frequently found
in the best regulated families. and these defects.
which are now removed. cannot be said TO provide
any ready made judgment as to what the Defender
will do In the succeeding races.
Tho fact remains that. as proved In the FIRST race
she has acquired beyond any doubt the superiority
In the matter Of lightness. which. her designers
intended promises continued victory as Ions
as the weather holds light And so far as can be
Judged by days competition II is on these very
qualities. and by reason OF the paramount advan-
tage which they bring. that the Defender wins
other qualities being presumably equal in both
boats.
The Defender was built for the present contests
a view 10 her subsequent sale as a cruiser but In
tended TO be possessed OF every quality that was
best calculated TO produce victory in the light winds
which almost continuously prevail in the summer
season at New-York and in the moderate seas
which accompany breezes OF this kind. With com
parative safety. therefore her construction could
be pushed to far greater extreme In the genera