The record-union., 1899-07-10

| SOUTHAMPTON, July .-YacntlnS
circles in the Solent were never more
excited than now over the prospects in
the forthcoming race for the America 8
cup between the Shamrock and Column
! bia Yachtsmen could be seen in all
directions, and in Southampton, Hythe.
! Calshot and Cowes the keenest look
out was kept for the challenger, which
| it was known would stretch her sails.
Every movement was yelled with the
| profoundest secrecy, and owing TO the
rumors in circulation that her sails
were Unsatisfactory, the interest was
| intensified. Newspapermen and pho
tographers gathered in large numbers
and would have given anything TO
know the program, but nothing was
given out
| Sir Thomas Upton, delighted with
his new treasure. and the brothers
Jameson We're on board the Iverna,
John Jameson's icutter, and Will Fife.
| the designer of the Shamrock, WAS
| much in evidence.
In Southampton waters the Sham
rock presented a magnificent sight.
The slight breeze was just enough 10
! fill her sails, but she glided speedily
and as gracefully as swan.
| 1t should be understood that yes
| terday's trip was in no sense a test
of speed, although the Iverna and Sa-
tania accompanied her. 1t was solely
for the purpose of sail stretching. Very
soon it became apparent that there
was not a shadow of foundation for
| the universal reports. No doubt few
minor alterations will be found nee
essary, but the sails were pronounced
| generally excellent. The helm trials
were even more satisfactory so far, as
she answered all demands beautifully
and without the least trouble.
After passing Calshot Castle she was
directed toward Cowes, where she was
eagerly scanned by crowds of experts
already arrived for the season. A dis
| tinguished expert and yachting au-
| thority said to the. correspondent OF
! the Associated Press that the Sham
| rock was ''the finest yacht ever seen
| in the Solent." @f7srsr7-7rTsgr
| Starting again, she went along like
| shot out of gun. heading for the
| West Channel and Yarmouth. Then
she returned toward Southampton. AS
she beat up Southampton water with
gaff topsail, mainsail and foresail, she
! developed wonderful speed, although
! not after anything regarding pace,
| finally anchoring off Hythe where she
remains until tomorrow, when she
will take another spin, accompanied by
| the Iverna
A member of the crew said to the
correspondent of the Associated Press:
"The Shamrock will do what she is
built for, and will beat the Yankee.
She sailed admirably, without hitch,
and answered her helm to perfection,
which is one of the greatest considera-
tions We are going to win, but it is
impossible yet to judge Of the yachts
full capacity OR S5a
Sir Thomas Upton expressed him.
self as satisfied with the spin.
Interest is now centered in the spins
with the Britannia, which will be ready
on Monday for at least four encoun-
ters. In yachting circles the opinion
ins general that the Shamrock must
beat the Britannia at least half an
hour, considering the speed the Column
bia developed in the races with the
Defender.
A FAST LIGHT WEATHER CRAFT
LONDON, July 10.-The Times"
describing and commenting on the spin
of the Shamrock on Saturday, says:
1T is generally conceded that she is
the fastest light weather craft in the
Solent. She went very steadily. and
seemed very easy on the helm, quite
up to expectations. Her canvas filed
well, and the trial was extremely sat
isfactory in every way"