Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-17
i ~ ~ ~ Aasssonss e..


Mot only In yachting clreies but
among all classes there y rejoicing
over the prospect OF another race for
the Americas cup which has been 20
successfully defended by Yankee
yachtsmen since it was brought across
the ocean In 1851. The sportsmanlike
spirit shown by the representatives Of
the Royal Ulster Yacht Club in the
negotiations preliminary to the chal-
lenge which has been sent on behalf
of Sir Thomas ]. Upton TO the New
York Yacht Club for race for the
cup, makes 1t reasonably safe to as
sumo that there will be another con-
test for this famous trophy In the
near future. Sir Thomas Upton, who
has expressed his intention OF contest
ing for the cup,ha placed in the hands
Of Fife. the famous yacht designer.
the construction of boat, and has
announced that the name Of the chals
lenger will be the Shamrock. Most
important of all is the intlmation re-
ceived from Secretary H. C. Kelly Of
the Royal Ulster Club. that there will
be no haggling over terms and condi-
lions; that the challenger Is willing to
trust to the fairness and impartiality
of the committee of the New York
Yacht Club. and that all asked Is a
fair field and no favor.
The last contest for the cup was
marred by dispute that is still fresh
in everyone's mind. The Earl Of Dun
raven refused to sail the last of the
series of races because his boat. the
Valkyrie III, was disqualified for a
palpable foul in the second race. The
merits OF the two boats were fairly
tested in the first race, which the De-
fender won handily, and the challen-
gers acton, aside from the ill-feeling
it aroused, did not materially detract
from the credit due the American boat.
The Valkyrie III could not have won,
and, in fact, at no time since the cup
was first brought to this country. after
being won by the schooner America
in regatta at Cowes in 1851, has it
been in serious danger of going back to.
England. The only challenger awarded
a heat in the nine contests that have
taken place was the schooner Livonia.
which in 1871 was successful once
against the Columbia. the latter being
by the Columbia and the Sappho. The
other cup defenders have been, the
Magic, in 1870: the Nadine, in 1876; the
Mischief, in 1881; the Puritan, May
flower and Volunteer, in successive
years, 1SS5-S6-S7. The Vigilant dis
posed of the Earl of Dunraven's first
boat. the Valkyrie ii, winning all of
the three races sailed in 1893.
With this glorious record, extending
back over nearly half century in
which this country has held the blue
Ribbon of the Sea-" the trophy repre-
senting the sailing supremacy of the,
world. 1T is natural that every patriot
ic American should hope for success II
a race is sailed this fall. Upon the in
vention. ingenuity and mechanical
skill in boat building, which has made
such record possible. must this hope
be allowed to rest. The promise of
challenge for the cup is a cause for
general rejoicing. as another race will
not only afford an opportunity of do
ing away with the i'll feeling created
by the last one, but it will also, IL
properly conducted. tend to strength
en- the friendly feeling that has re-
Gently been growing up between the
people of the two great English speak
ing nations.