New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-18
REPAIRING THE SHAMROCK.
HER PORT TOPMAsT BACKsTAY HAT


SHREDDED OFT AND GIVEN WAY.
The Shamrock was lowed at once TO the Robins
ward IN Erie Basin. first going to the Horseshoe.
an The wav ND she was passed by number OF
steam craft The story Of her misfortune was
evident 10 all as the crowds lined the sides Of the
steamers
one English outward bound steamer dipped her
coors n a mournful salute.
once in the Erie Basin she was warped up 10 the
end Of a pier next 10 an Army transport ana inc
crew So, IN work The wreckage had been cleared
away before the yacht left the course. That was
about all that could be done. for the big topsaii
had been torn and the standing rigging was al
badly vrenched. The tender Winthrop had tHe
men for this work. and she arrived ABOUT j. III
with Mr. Ratscy on board. No time was 'os'' i"'
sauu,akers were set AT their labors at once on the
upper deck Of the Winthrop while the rigsers wen,
ON board ;hc yacht. Nobody seemed to know just
what the plans for the future were. All we
know" said one % the officers rs that we are -
repair things as soon as possible. We HaN' nun
too much time. and We will keep at H. me "snS
a., the tender burned we'll into the night showing
that this was being done.
Admiral Lord Charles Beresford speaking i"r :"
Thomas Linton after their inspection o! the Shdm-
rock in the Horseshoe, stated that the cause o. the
accident was the parting Of the port topmaa1 ""'A
stay lust where il entered the MP OF crotch o.
the biz spreAGcr He added that a caretul e>anlna-
ton the broken ridN -iloF'' '''''l '''
Strands COMPOSING IT had shredded out. weakening
8, So mat II snapped under the great strain 10
which it was subjected ny the pressure on the top
sail and the motion Of the boat jumping IN the
seas
~Of course. you know" he added. that when
shroud OF "a hacHsiay parts everything tAaI u oe-
pendent upon il mas got TO go.
Lord Charles vas asked II this condition OF the
backsay was not the result Of carelessness but he
replied with an emphatic negative. The break,
he said Occurred al point ~ncre even the most
rigid examination would have failed TO reveal the
probability of 10 SO one Was 10 blame and no fault
can ne found with anybody II IS one of the chances
@, vacatirg and We must accept the consequences.
When Admiral RrrcsfoId had finished ms state
meut REGARDING tho cause OF The accident Sir
Thomas anu)unced that the next race OF the series
would take place as soon az possible. ne ieped,ed
tnat he Oy no means Gishcariencd or as,
couragod and still believed that the Shamrock mad
q chance to win the cup
Captain Hosarth and every one else aboard the
Shau.l0ck h. added "Dellcyed that at the time
lead of the Columbia and tad al least faiF chahce
the race.
We viii step iopmast this afternoon and
f Will probably give Ter trial spin tomorrow"
II was then suggested TO Sir Thomas that per
hans $40 Shamrock WAS carrying too much sail,
and the accident Was the result of II, an
some one quoted an expert on board the Erin aS
saving that the Shamrock was carrying her larg
+ 81 clultousail, and that unless she took II IN
/ something would give way" In answer 70 this
Sir Thomas replied that The Shamrock was not car
rying her largest topsal. but had UP her no top
az do not believe the size o, the topsa had any
thing 20 do with IT," ne said in closing
Soon after Sir Thomas and Admiral bcresfora re-
ing the James \ Lawrence, took the Shamrock
in tow for Erie Basin.