The times., 1899-06-27
THE SHAMROCK LAUNCHED.
The New Cup Challenger Leaves the
Ways mt AIiIlwalI.

London, June 26.-Sir Thomas Lipton's
cup challenger, Shamrock, was launched
from Samudas yards at Millwall at $40
o'clock this afternoon. The weather was
clear and bright The affair was conduct
ed with the utmost privacy, only few of
Sir Thomas Liptons friends having been
invited to be present. The party assem-
bled at the Hotel Savoy, where they par
took of luncheon. Lord Charles Beresford
then drove the guests to the launching in
his own coach.
The guests included the Marquis of Duff
ferin. the Commodore of the Royal Ulster
Yacht Club. the Earl and Countess of Clan
William, Lord Charles Beresford, Lady
Russell of Killowen, the Hon. Lillian Rus
sell, the Hon. Schomberg Mcdonnell, Sir
G. F. Phillips, Mr.. Herbert Gladstone, Mr.
w. A. Macarthur, NJ. p, w. H. Sharman-
Crawford, Mr. H. NJ. McGildowney, Hon.
w. Walsh, Commoner Gibson, and DR..
Armstrong.
The party was welcomed at the wharf by
Sir Thomas Upton, viii Fife, the design
er of the Shamrock; Hon. Charles Russell,
and Mr.. Thorneycroft and shown over the
boat, after which Lady Russell of Kill
lowen ascended a platform which had been
erected on level with the vessels bow.
Then Mr.. Thorneycroft presented her la
dyship with a bottle of champagne, which
she broke on the Shamrock's side, saying:
God bless you, and good luck TO you;
may you bring back the cup"
Three cheers were then given, and upon
signal from Lady Russell the boat and
her cradle glided into the water. After
launching the party assembled in tent
in the yard for tea. Guests drank toast
to the Shamrock and congratulatory
speeches were made.
The work of launching the yacht was be-
gun by knocking the blocks away at 3:30
p. m. When this was done there was some
delay in tearing down the sides of the
house which covered her, SO that she could
pass freely. At $40 p. m. the Shamrock
slid into the water in her cradle. which she
cleared about thirty yards from the shore.
The tug Excelsior. in going up to take the
Shamrock's tow line, ran into the yacht,
making a deep dent in her port side about
a foot abaft the bow post.
The new boat is painted a light shade of
green and her bottom is of bright bronze.
She flew Sir Thomas Lipton's flag, green
with gold square, bearing a green sham
rock in the centre at her bow, and the
royal ensign floated aft. sheet of can
vas hanging from her stern prevented the
people on the river from getting any idea
of her shape. When this was taken off,
after the launching, it was seen that the
boat had tremendous overhang. The
Shamrock was towed across the river TO
the south dock, where she will ship her
steel mast
There was great cheering as the boat
slid into the water. AS the boat was
launched a small pleasure boat in the
river capsized. but its occupants were ali
picked up and landed safely.
The Shamrock was launched without te-
ing pettieoated. Sir Thomas Upton came
TO the yard on board tug which was gay
with bunting and streamers. The boats
which were in the vicinity were mostly oc-
cupied by journalists and photographers.
with a few public spectators.
The slight accident to the Shamrock
showed how soft is the material of which
she is constructed. The tug bumped into
her lightly, but made a saucer-like dent
in her two inches deep and the whole plate
must be replaced. The material of the
plate is described as aluminium silver The
Shamrock's draft is nineteen feet eight
inches and her mast will be 116 feet high.