New-York tribune., 1896-09-30
"Yacht Racing AssocIation.

"trvdo p.rL I-drdor ~ Nav 81 isos
Dear sir repor was made TO ire 09uncal SacSt Hi
Niagara fitted w,h tank under the seat on
nected by pipe 50 as to make it possible, by
merely turning cock, to run water from one tank
into the other and thus them shifting water
ballast. which might be advantageous in certain
Three members OF the Council .eere IN conse-
quence requested TO inspect the tanks which they
did Immed ately after the race OF the Royal Thames
Afforded every facility by Captain Barr.
The members Of the Council do not wish to con-
vey any idea on their part that the tanks wee wee
used for the purpose indicated on the contrary
questcd to suggest. in order to place the matter
beyond suspicion that it is desirable TO make i'm
TO the other. which could readily be done by
small alteration in the pipes. ,-,.,.
! 'DlXON KEMP"
notice | had from the Yacht Racing Assoc lation
Dt never ems informed who cons8ed % the committee
who failed even to leave their names with my
June g expressing my sense Of the discourtesy
shown and implied BY such procedure Ny an
cluded in the correspondence given out 10 tho
press:
Dear Sir: beg to acknowledge the receipt OF
yours Of May o. regarding the Nagara's water
tesy Of notifca,on Of the intended visit of the
committee, as It would have afforded me much ,il
pleasure to have been present and personally
shown them over the yacht. but ! am pleased to
factory Any yoI report that the tanks were used
for shifting water ballast is absolutely false. and
carefully fail to see that they in any way con-
However. for the sake of harmony am willing
TO make any change TO meet the approval OF the
the weight to be carried As it Is. she races with
every possible pound OF weight out OF her. and
aDy 'G heaver IN order that the Uestiop Cannot
again arise. kindly let me know exactly now the
Council suggest making the change and still leave
three days water carrying caracity FOR the needs
Dr truly. yn' ere" !" '""A'"S TOWARD GoULD'"
append herewith the reply to the above:
"Yaasl %No Rafigs g, sgsAss AssOSia,,Gn carSsn,
Hyde Park. London. VI.
Dear Sir: Your letter Of June was placed be-
fore the committee of the Yacht Racing Associa-
ton ton Council yesterqay M 10 state xoe
assurances that you Will carry out their sugges.
cocks connecting the water tanks under The sofas
be removed at once. and that separate supply
change will involve about ten pounds additional
weight. When these are carried out please cause
will inspect the tanks ard make formal report
Racing Associations Council have been complied
with. I faithfully yours. DIXON KEMP"
Had been communicated with Irior to this dis
courteous ana unusual Visit ! Would s glaay nave ave
agara measured with her water tanks empty;
second that the water IN nj the tanks had never
shifting ballast. and. thirdly. that II imprac-
ticable TO make advantageous use or the tanks
for such n purpose had desired TO do So and the
report that THE tanks were connected by pipe
as 10 make II possible by merely turning "A cock
to the water from one tank into the other and
thus them shifting water ballast. which
might be advantageous in certain eases"
veyed an unjust reflection. and IL is true that
advantageous use of the tanks for such a purpose
could be made.
My obje 'tion is not the fact that the exarina-
ton OF the tanks was made. but TO the mode OF
proceeding adopted Despite this action the
part Of your committee and 10 prevent further
just suspicion and in the interest Of harmony
made certain alterations I'm seVering the pipe
nection between the tanks much to the discomfort
OF the crew. lessening thereby their water supply.
am SURPRISED that ] never received any explana-
ton Of tho course pursued in boarding the yacht
without communicating with me. although I char
act,IZed such action rs discourteOus at the time.
In the absence of such explanation disa Vowal
on the part OF the Yacht Racing AssOciat ton [
consider the course pursued not )ny discount eOus,
but personally offensive. and essentially destructive
Of the amica bic relations which lie at the very
foundation of the existence OF nterna tional con-
tests of this character. which should be founded
upon gentlemanly Intercourse. falr and opon deal
ing and high and scrupuOus honor
Certainly, sef-respecting yachtsmcn of other
countries will not hereafter voluntarily subject
themselves TO similar treatment II the course pur-
sued toward me is held and declared by the Yacht
Racing Association 10 be according it's ideas OF
what is proper fair and just. As the matter has
received so much publicity am sending COPY OF
this communication to the press. Faithfully yours.
n