Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-19
FLEET SHAMROCK.
The Challenger Beats Britannia
in First Trial Race.
Proves Superior in Every Way and
is Easily Winner.
Prince OF Wales Attends and Gladly Loses 10
Sir Thomas Upton.

Southampton, July 1S.-There was
much excitement on the Solent. today,
over the Britannia Shamrock race.
From early morning crowds watched
the preparations on board both yachts,
while the whole feet from Southamp-
! ton, Cowes and ether points made for
Rydc. The scene at Ryde pier was
most animated. Long before the start
crowds Of fashionable visitors arrived.
The Shamrock was towed from South
ampton, the Erin following with Sir
/ Thomas Upton and a distinguished
company. The weather was hot and
slightly hazy, with slight southeast
breeze which promised to last through
the day. The course was from the Ryde
pier-head eastward around the Nab
| lightshp, leaving it on the starboard
hand; then back past Cowes to a buoy
on the Solent bank, rounding the bouy
on the starboard and finishing at
CoWes opposite the railway station.
The Prince Of Wales arrived at
southampton at II o'clock wearing a
yachting suit and embarked on board
the admiralty yacht Fire Queen.
As the starting gun doomed the Bri-
tannia almost Immediately crossed the
line, the Shamrock following in a way
to give the impression that she had no
objection to giving the Britannia a
slight lead. The latter however, did
not long maintain the advantage.
1t was dead beat to windward and
little distance was covered before the
Shamrock. which started on the short
leg to port. overhauled her. and on the
following long leg to starboard the
Shamrock slightly forged ahead 1t
was at once noticed that she was sail
ing nearly half point nearer the wind
than the Britannia. The Shamrock
was carrying her mainsail jib headed.
topsail. jib and foresail. The Britain
MIA carried the same canvas, but in adj
dition her club topsail. The Shamrock
was half mile ahead, passing Warner.
Hograth was at the helm of the chal-
lenger. The boat held up admirably and
there was not drop of water on deck
She proved extremely quick in putting
about. taking only 1G1a seconds
on rounding the Nab Iightship both
yachts set their spinnakers for the run
thar when the Shamrock's sail began to
till the top caught in the crosstrees. The
huge canvas Topped fiat and then sud
denly burst like balloon and a big rent
became visible in the upper part where a
long strip had been torn out. leaving a
hole big enough for a man to crawl
through. The Shamrock's speed naturally
suffered somewhat from this accident.
Both boats soon set their topsails AMI
later their balloon foresails. The yachts
jbcd to port near Rydc. They were then
travelling at such a rate that the press
boat, going at a speed of IL knots an
hour, was unable to keep the pace with
the Shamrock. though the wind ightened
considerably after leaving the Nab light
ship.
The wind freshened after passing Cowes
ana both boats took in their spinnakers
and started on the broad reach to the So
lent buoy. After jibing around they
reached back. finishing with a short tack
to make the home mark.
Experts were satisfied that the Sham
rock would be able to give a good
count of herself in the contest for the
Americas cup.
The Shamrock passed Warner at L. 36.13
ana Britannia at 12.i31S.
The Shamrock rounded the Nab light
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