Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-19

IRISH BOAT HAVE DOUBTS
WHETHER THE COLUMBIA HAS
PROVED HER SUPERIORITY
OVER THE DEFENDER AND
THEY EXPECT THE SHAMROCK
TO MEET THE LATTER-THE
SHAMROCK WON A RACE FROM
THE BRITANNIA BY THIRTEEN
MINUTES YESTERDAY.
LONC0N, July 1S.-Tne Daily Mail,
which gives what it calls the secret
of the Shamrock's construction, hith-
erto carefully guarded to prevent it
being utilized by America" says:
~TheThe Shamrock is designed with
swan-like lines, rounded in such way
as hardly to cause ripple in her
wake She displaces the smallest pos
sible amount of water. Her keel is
shaped almost like a thick letter I
so that she can turn as if on a pivot.
1t is claimed and proved that she is
two seconds faster than the Columbia
in stays.
THE secret was, therefore, an extern
sion OF the theory that the yacht
should endeavor to slide over, instead
of cutting through the water. Those
in charge of the Shamrock doubt
whether the Columbia has proved her
superiority to the Defender, and con-
siders it quite on the cards that the
Shamrock will have to meet the lat
ter.
1.-The Erin will accompany the Sham
rock in crossing the Atlantic. Sir
Thomas Upton will not sail in the
Erin, but will leave for the United
States on August 26.
There was excitement on the Solent
to-day over the Shamrock
race. Long before the start crowds OF
fashionable visitors arrived.
The course is from the Ryde pierhead
eastward around the Nab lightship,
leaving it on the starboard hand; then
back past the Cowes to a buoy on the
Solent bank, rounding the buoy on the
starboard and finishing at Cowes.
The Prince Of Wales embarked on
board the admiralty yacht Fire Queen
The yachts started puctually at Il
o'clock with fresh southeast breeze
blowing.
AS the starting gun doomed the Brit
ANNA Immediately crossed the line, the
Shamrock following in a way to give
the impression that she had no objec-
ton to giving the Britannia a slight
lead. The latter, however, did not
long maintain the advantage. 1t was
a dead heat to windward and little dis
lance was covered before the Shan
rock, which started in short leg to port,
overhauled her and ON the following
long leg to starboard, the Shamrock
forged ahead rapidly. 1t was at once
noticed that she was sailing nearly half
a point nearer the wind than the Brit
annia The shamrock was carrying her
main sail jib headed, top sail jib and
fore sail. The Britannia carried the
same canvas, but in addition her club
top sail The Shamrock was half
mile ahead passing Warner. Hogarth
was at the helm of the challenger. The
boat held up admirably and there was
not a drop of water on deck. She prov
ed extremely quick in putting about,
taking on 1912 seconds.
On rounding the Nab lightship both
yachts set their spinnakers for the run
back.
The only mishap of the day was when
the Shamrocks sail began to fill, the top
caught in the cross trees. The huge can
vas Topped fiat and then suddenly burst
like a balloon and a big rent became Wis
ible in the upper part whore long strip
had to be torn out, leaving hole big
enough for man to crawl through. The
Shamrock's speed naturally suffered some
what from this accident. Both boats soon
set their top sails and later their ballon
foresails The yachts jibed to port near
Ryde. They were then travelling at such a
rate that the press boat, going at a pace
of Il knots. was unable 10 keep pace with
the Shamrock, though the wind lightened
considerably after lesving the Nab light
ship. The Britannia appeared to be hold
ling her own for short spell before she
reached Ryde, but the Shamrock again
erept slowly ahead widening the gap. The
scene at this time was inspiring. Both
yachts. under a cloud of canvas, were
gliding or even keels. The wind freshened
after passing Cowes and both boats took
in their spinnakers and started on the
broad reach to the Solent buoy. After
jibbing around they reached back, finish
ing with short tack to make the home
mark.
Experts were satisfied that the Shamrock
viii be able to give a good account Of her
self in the contest for the Americas cup.
Both yachts were admirably handled but
the Shamrock had a clear advantage
throughout she gained on every tack to
windward
The corrected times at the finish were:
Shamrock. 3:41:55; Britannia, 4:0010
The times passing the solent buoy on the
solent bank were: Shamrock, 3:15:45: Brit
ANNA. 3:25:4
The Britannia finished the course thir-
teen minutes behind the challenger for