The times., 1899-09-11
sHAMRocK's HEAVY COST.
Nearly 100000 the Expense o
Sir Thomas Lipton

NEW YORK. Sept. 10.-The most re-
the Americas Cup is the layishness of his
expenditure in his efforts to 'lift it." to
use his own expression, and his democracy.
Sir Thomas Upton is rapidly becoming
the most popular Briton that ever reached
these shores. 1t is necessary only to hear
him speak to know that he is an Irish
man. He has the most delicious touch of
brogue that ever made music. Sir Thomas
effort to win the cup will cost him not far
from $1,000. 600.
Offhand this seems an absurd statement
1t is not pretended that it is exact, for, as
matter of fact, it is doubtful IL Sir
Thomas accurately knows the cost. He
has said that heretofore the Americans
have spent five times as much as the
Britishers who have brought cup chal-
lengers to this county. He will not tell
certain she is the most expensive racing
machine ever constructed. 1t is known
that young Mr.. Fife, who designed her,
was given carte blanche. He had millions
to draw on and all he was asked to do was
to build the best boat that could be con-
structed in Great Britain.
The day the Shamrock starts in the
first race ii is probable her cost will be
not far from $3.50, GOO. 1t should be remem-
bered that every man who worked on her
received bonus; that every piece OF metal
in her was used after many tests and ex-
periments, and that there was never a
thought of the cost.
The best and most expensive cup chal-
lenger before this TO come to this coun-
try was the last Valkyrie 1t was esti-
mated az the time that she cost about
$50, 900. Accepting this estimate, it Will
be seen that the Shamrock has cost seven
times as much the Dunraven boat The
shellbacks who have gathered all the avail
able facts that can be obtained say that
the upper works of the Shamrock cost
more than the whole OF Valkyrie. The
many sets of sticks and suits of sails, the
finest ever seen on craft, are enormously
expensive.
Sir Thomas bought the steam yatcht
Erin because of the cup races. She is
really as large as steamship, being about
300 feet long. and one of the most magni-
ficent yachts afloat. She is a palace. She
was built for an Italian count two or three
years ago, and it is said that Sir Thomas
bought her for mere song, the same song
being about 1876, ,000.
The officers and crew of this craft were
taken from the yacht OF the late Lord
Rothschild, and their pay is much higher
than those of any yacht afioat The stew
ard was trained In the Tuilleries under the
third Napoleon and the famous Joseph,
who has enduring fame as chef
It is estimated that 1t costs about 81, 500
a day to run the Erin, and this is probably
a moderate estimate. The bringing of the
yacht to this country and keeping her here
for the cup races alone will cost not far
from $500 Sir Thomas has a fleet of
eight team craft in the lower bay tugs
and tenders, being under charter at prices
averaging possibly 500 a day. Then there
are the running expenses OF the Shamrock
herself to be considered, very large sum.
Recapitulation shows that the Erin and
Shamrock represent a first cost of $3.50, ,000
The cost of running the Erin increases the
| expense 10 $S75 900. If the cost of running
! the Shamrock, the charter of craft in these
waters and the incidental expenses fall
short of s125. 600 Sir Thomas Upton will be
| fortunate.
| II might be supposed that a man of the
great wealth of Sir Thomas might seek to
hold himself aloof. AS a matter of fact, he
/ is the most gracious, most genuinely hos
pitable and considerate stranger that ever
came to these shores. This was illustrated
on Friday last Two non commissioned
| Army officers rowed out from Sandy Hook
| to see the Erin and the Shamrock. Now.
| in England the individual soldier is treated
abominably as a rule. When Sir Thomas
saw the men In uniform he invited them
aboard the Erin. He had them showed
| over IL from end to end and then gave
| them a splendid luncheon.
Captain Patterson, of the lighthouse, was
| sailing around in his shirtsleeves. When
! Sir Thomas learned who he was Captain
| Patterson was pressed to come on board
notwithstanding his protests that he was
not properly dressed.
None are more loyal to American yachts
or prejudieed against owners of English
| challengers than the captains OF craft
hereabouts. Everyone who has come In
contact with Sir Thomas succumbed TO his
graciousness. They no longer scoff. They
compromise by saying that they would
rather see Sir Thomas win the cup thar
any foreigner living. This seems to be
pretty much the general view of those who
have met him.