New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-05
YACHTING.
pssIP REGARDING THE AMERICAS CUP
BOATS.
A RuMoR THAT THE CHALLENGER IS 10 BE
BUILT OF woOp-LIEUTENANT HoBsoN
SAYS WOODEN CHALLENGER CAN


SAYS A WOODEN CHALLENGER CAN
NEVER WIN THE CUP.
Some interesting -runncrs afoat concerning
the build Of both the boats that are 70 contest in
the Americas Cup races OF next year. None OF these
ra,orts can he traced 10 any authoritative source
but they seem 70 ne worth considering One is that
the Fife-designed challenger will have her frames
constructed Of nickel steel and will be planked with
wood Lieutenant Hobson showed that the Of
aluminium as employed IN the Defender would save
.tep .tops.of dead weight. compared with the
Ccenia- which was built 81 steel; and as compared
vsssh boat % similar size chiefly built Of wood
the steel Colonia would save tons OF dead
weight. In his opinion there was a seventeen-ton
difference Of construction weight between the
aluminium Defender and the wooden vaikyrie III.
THE second rumor among the yachtsmen is that
az American defending craft for next year will be
talit 81 manganese bronze. and as this material Is
irt-tr Sthan wood for the general makeup. the
oninion OF Lieutenant Hobson is interesting when
ne states broadly that a wooden challenger can
never win the cup"
Owing 20 the fact that Lieutenant Hobson was
detailed by the United States naval authorities 70
make a study Of the use Of aluminium in the yacht
Defender and that he printed An exhaustive report
or this subject. showing the comparative weights
Of materials used he asked about the weight
saved as between the Defender and the Vaikyrie
Ill In a private communication Mr.. Hobson replied
at is difficult 10 make comparison OF weights be-
tween the Defender and the Valkyrie III without
having the scantlings OF the latter which have
not been given out. far as have been able TO
learn There are certain considerations. however.
which bear upon the subject and which can he
uses to form an idea where data are lacking TAX
ing account OF all considerations Of inferiority OF
wood Of inferiorty OF fastenings. Of forms or
shapes mot permitting the use OF shapes adapted
for best resistance 10 bending, together with con-
siderations Of relative strengths and weights hull
construction in steel may be taken generally at
about seven-tenths Of the weight Of hull construc-
tion in wood for equal strengths.
In craft built for racing. particularly IN those
Intended for q special series Of races. for short
service. with careful handling insured when ap-
preaching docks etc. and small danger OF pene-
tration Of skin the limi; fixed in usual service
would doubtless be overstepped. and there would
be economy Of weight for the metal craft
Taking craft of the size Of the Defender and the
vakyrie III built under the conditions attending.
very considerable fraction Of the economy OF
weigh; could De realized. In view OF the impor-
tance OF saving Of weight ir hull construction per-
hitting its appearance In hn-kee, It may be SAID.
broadly, that a wooden challenger. can never WIN
the cup.
Under the limitations OF lack Of data. from IN
ference alone ! should guess that steel construc-
Zion would have realized about seven tons economy
OF weight over the Valkyrie III, while aluminium
construction realized about ten tons over steel
making a total economy OF weight Of about sew
. enieen tons
Considering It's source. this dictum is now or
peculiar importance in the consideration OF proba,
bilitles when II Is reported That another WOODEN
boat will Try for the cup. II, however, II be true
that nicko-stee frames viii be used In the chaI-
cnger instead Of wooden ones, considerable saw
inr Of weight may be made. these frames oelhs
Constructed In the way used in the latest tOrpeoo-
boat destroyers-a method which combines great
strength with apparently minimum Of weight.
In his repor; the yacht Defender. Mr. bobson
lauded the OF manganese bronze IN a number
OF places and speaking of tn" construction OF
torpedo boats in which category an America 3 up
defender may for some purposes be RANKED ne
writes. "A special bronze alloy stronger thdn Steel
though heavier than aluminium. offers, when pol
tshed pronounced advantage over all painted or
vanished surfaces according 20 the experience OF
bulcers In smoothness Of surface: II also pos
sesses decided advantages in resistance 10 de-
terioration this feature being ono or particular III
terest in naval construction, particularly IN inc
OF torpedo- boais. where such deterioration IL
most Injurious Speaking OF the DEFENDER, ne
THE water Washed portions OF the sheIl pa
Ing are OF manganese bronze from which results OF
Ultimate strength are realized about Il per cent In
purpose" ,,
The He.reshoffs assisted Mr.. Hobson In making
his report about their boat the Defender, supplying
him with many particulars as 10 her construction
as shown by his quoting their statements, ana !,
may be safely inferred that they agreed WIN al
he has printed IN favor OF manganese bronze Noln-
NE seems more probable, therefore, IMAM the u.
OF the report 10 the effect that the HerreshoHs y"
pate TIE new defender with ms aIIoy II VIE "a
Their intention. the news w.!l be well received IN
England as IL will necessarily tend TOWARD equal
iznE the weights OF both competing boats. IL j
thought. too. that Commodore Morgan. The lhlend-
ca owner OF the coming defending yacht, VIII De
oelter pleased 10 have boat tnat can oe uSen
hI,.r TIE match and may be reheu upon a.
sgmcently strong in her build 70 snpseIuen.
Cess the ocean 10 compete in EnRlsh waters
Nhiie admitting the propriety OF Utilizing some
advantages open.to the home boat. the majority OF
Pleased TO have the Americas Cup races won by a
~yecht That do the trick both sides OF the