New-York tribune., 1898-10-30
ENGLISH YACHTSMEN LIKE LARK.
MUCH GOOD SPORT LOST THROUGH MlsAPPREHEN-

MUCH GOOD SPORT LOST THROUGH MISAPPREHEN-
SION OF AMERICAN CONDITIONS
a member Of the Royal London Yacht Club who
has been staying during the last week in New
York. mentioned matters at a private dinner last
Friday night that are worth quoting. He said:
Much good international sport has been missed
through English yachtsmen not knowing what was
offered them in America. They have not known
that the late Ogden Goelet made a special provi-
sion in favor Of foreign yachts and that for ff-
years his splendid prizes have been open TO
the competition OF English yachts. Very few Eng
lishmen read the American papers. and our own
Field and other sportsmen's papers have not
mentioned these matters, so far as know. The
only trophy that known is the Americas Cup.
which most Englshmen call the American Cup. and
in many cases is thought to be trophy put up by
the American nation to be sailed for This lack Of
information may peculiar. but these are the
facts Would 1t not therefore be possible to have
a circular to all the chief clubs in Great
Britain announcing the prizes that Colonel Astor
and Commodore Morgan may see fit to put up?
Commodore Morgan gave 5000 in prizes last year
and Colonel Astor's valuable trophies not
challenge cups that have to be protected by rae
ing in subsequent years. They may be kept forever
hcirlooms and memorials of pleasing interna-
tional successes. Many years ago a similar cir
cular was sent abroad by the New-York Yacht
club. announcing the Americas Cup, and there
seems 10 he no reason why like procedure should
vately for Colonel Astor and Commodore Morgan,
or by any other person or club willing to put up
good prizes and appreca,ng the desrability OF
creating worldwide interest in international yacht
racing.
Another hndrance to frequent interchange Of
contests has resulted from so much talk about boats
representing the yachting supremacy among ma
tions.' and no EBglshman has Of late years cared
TO risk his country's reputation by challenging for
boat already built or for any craft that did not
represent the last. best and most expensive out
come Of the designers art But the truth IS that
for the last fifteen years there have been numer-
yachtsmen in England who would have been
glad OF the opportunity of racing their boats. al
ready tested on their own home courses. with the
yachts at the time sailing In United
States waters These men have not wanted TO be
considered to be representing England a whole
but only their clubs. their boats and them
selves. They have wanted what call a lark
20 come over and have some good sport and do
their best. and get licked II necessary. but still
without any unnecessary cry about National repu-
tatons, and merely for the purpose of friendly
test This quiet liking for good sport is good
thing. and | understand that the Yacht Racing
Union OF North America is aiding its development
but there seems to be. why individual
clubs should not assist II still more surely and
rapidly In the way have mentioned
This yachtsman was also asked how the news Of
the Americans adopting the grth rule was received
In England.
1 was not IN England Wntn tndt news arrived
he said. and | cannot tell about that. but !
read Of the alteration while in this country and Il
seems TO to be Il fine sll-round arrangement.
because matter what the defects. ~ any. of the
girth rule may be. both countries restricted I'm
the same way More frequent international racing
is sure TO follow from this. II seems a pity that
the America CUP races are not governed by the
same rules for measurement. because the great
depth allowed In these contests puts boat out Of
tho racing with her own class. The Valkyrie Ill
has been out of the running In England beca use
her nearly twenty feet of depth called for time
allowance that left reasonable hope OF success
and your Defender would have been afflicted in
the same way II she had come to courses. In
fuTure. she and the defender to be built for
Commodore Morgan end probably also the Sham
rock, will be useful for only one series Of races
that for the Americas CUP. II the Shamrock 9
depth Is great the Nakyries she Will be in the
same prCdicament. and the TWO defenders this
side only take the races OF their own club with
hope OF success The whole yachting world is now
united under rule. and. as | understand II, the
New-York Yacht Club II the only yachting insti-
tuition OF either country that st clings 10 an anti
quated rule. Sixty thousand pounds on each side
for only race IL simply wasting money, and AS
the world wants these great boats TO appear on
other course Il seems pity not TO conform 10 the
row universal rule for measurement, which would
open all the racing courses Of the world 10 them