Evening journal., 1898-12-05
rHIE cuP DEFENnEIR

When Lord Dunravtn conducted
himself in such an unseemly manner in
connection with the last international
yacht race for the Americas cup, there
were those who feared that such great
racing events were to become things of
the past, and that the Britons would
remain content to permit the New
York Yacht Club to continue as the
custodian OF the greatest yachting
trophy in It's possession. Happily for
lovers OF such sport, Sir Thomas Lip
toms challenge insures future races,
and both he and the keepers OF the cup
on this side Of the waiter are making
elaborate preparations for the ap-
preaching events. We are informed by
those who are acquainted with the f.
nancial standing Of Sir Thomas Lip
ton THAT he is exceedingly rich, and
that in the matter Of building his
yacht no expense Will be spared. J.
Pierpont Morgan and the other wealthy
Americans who are 10 furnish the
sinews Of war for what they hope TO
be an effective defense, are equally
determined that no means shall be
spared. All the money needed for the
purchase OF brains for designing, con
structing and sailing the defender win
be forthcoming. News coming from
yachting circles informs us that the
discussion has led up to speculation
regarding the methl or METALS to be
used in building the new cup defender.
In view, therefore, Of past experiences
many OF those who delight to discuss
such matters are figuring that The new
yacht win be built entirely OF bronze.
II the boat is built, topsldts, bottcm
and all. OF Tobin bronze, there would
be no danger OF corroslon and conse-
Quent breakage and. in addition, the
wasehcres say the speed OF the boat
ought to be added to. If Tobin bronze
bottom plates lessen the skin friction.
sideplates ought tohavetbe same effect
The full beneft OF a minimum degree
OF Friction where the hull alone is Of
bronze is gained only when the yacht
is sailing before the wind. AS she Is
sailing either on one side or the other
during about half the race, however,
the argument as to the efficacy OF
bronze topsides woulu seem to hold
good
Steel topsides were used on Vigilant,
1t is believed. as a matter OF economy,
while the aluminium topsides OF De-
fender were in the nature OF an ex-
pertinent, the object being to save
weight above the waiter line. 1t is not
believed that the experiment was al
together a success, and hence comes
the argument for an entirely bronze
boat. 1t is not believed that expense
enters into the question at this time.
The question Of economy does not
enter into the contest in any way, and
It is safe to assume that the two
yachts will be the best that money and
brains can produce.
Reasoning on these lines points 70
the conclusion OF a bronze boat. That
bronze is the best metal this country
can produce for the purpose has been
demonstrated by the record OF the
Tooln bronze Vigiant. She has bsen
thoroughly tried in every WAY, and her
seagoing qualities are on par with
her racing abilities. She has crossed
the ocean twice. making the trips in
faster time than was ever made by any
other craft under yawl rig; she hes
been ashore twice. and twice grounded
on rocks. yet It is understood that she
is to-day as staunch as the day she
was launched. No greater test OF
strength and stability could be desired
than wbaV Vigi'ant has gone through.
Il Is altogether reasonable to suppose,
therefore. thas the new boat will be
bui1 Of the same metal as Vigilanf,
and it will pc surprising if she Is not
bronze from the top Of her lead keel to
the last stroke Of her topsides.