Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-07-21
SIR THOMAS Upton
Says He is Perfectly Salts
- fed With the Shamrock.
Also Heartily Pleased With Sportsman
like Negotiations With Americans.
Columbia ard Defender will. Today. Com.
me ce Another Series Of Races.

Southampton, July aO.-Sir Thomas
Upton. owner of the Americas cup
challenger Shamrock. was interviewed,
today, by an Associated Press corre-
spondent on board the yacht Erin. re-
gardinS the damage, If any, sustained
by the Shamrock in grounding off
S0uthsea at the conclusion of yester-
days trial race with the Britannia.
Sir Thomas said:
We are so convinced that yester-
days grounding of the Shamrock was
perfectly harmless that we are not
even going TO have the yacht examin
ed
The Shamrock will sail for the
clyde. this afternoon" Sir Thomas
continued. and will forthwith be rig
gcd for the trans Atlantic voyage. up
on which she will sail as soon as posi-
bic. | hope by the end Of the month.
After the trial races, this week, both
Mr. Fife and myself were convinced
that the Shamrock is a magnificent
vessel and the fastest ever seen on
this side Of the ocean. The way in
which she ran away from the Britain
MIA proves not merely that she is the
better boat but an exceptionally fine
racer.
You must remember She was not
seen at her best either day. Tuesday.
she did not carry as much canvas as
the Britannia, while yesterday she had
q smaller mainsail than it is intended
she shall carry. We can set much
larger maiusail in the coming contests
il 1t should he deemed advisable. We
are satisfied that If yesterdays rae
had been completed the challenger
would have won by half an hour.
The Shamrock has realized Mr..
Flies fullest anticipations. and | my
self am more than satisfied. In Tues
day's run before the wind there Was a
very poor wind to properly test her.
but even then She out-dstanccd the
Britannia. She showed marvellous
qualities in sailing to windward.
"Of course | cannot say how the
Shamrock compares with Columbia.
but we are satisfied we have a game
boat. ana calculating by the perform
ances against the Britannia and the
latter's against the Nigilant and the
Nalkyrie we expect To make at least q
good showing, and hope in any case
to know that we have had fair play.
Sir Thomas Upton added: Il would
like to rcitcrate through The ASSocia-
ted Press my heartiest appreciation OF
the manner in which the Americans
have conducted all negotiations. They
have acted throughout like sportsmcn,
AS the Prince of Wales said with
emphasis after Tuesdays contest,
which expressing his highest admira-
ton Of the Shamrock at dinner on
board the Erin, Il hope the best boat
may win, but in any case ! know, Sir
Thomas, that you will be sure of
meeting fair play from our American
friends and that the contests for the
Americas cup Will be carried out on
both sides in the true sporting spirit
and with love Of justice.
1t is reported that the New York
Yacht Club has consented to the sham
rock being toWed by the Erin in the
event of being becalned in crossing the
Atlantic. Two strong hawsers are be
ing made at Cowcs for use in this
eventuality.
CAPT Garter. who sailed the Britain
MIA. has no sympathy with the policy
of enveIoping the Shamrock in a fog of
mystery. and said that Americans had
shown they have nothing to learn from
Great Britain III the building Of racing
yachts. 1T is all the other way" said
Capt. Garter. There was no need to
wrap UP the Shamrock in pctticoats.
The Americans probably know as much
about her as they desire