The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-14
SHAMROCK'S GAFF BREAKS.
MIsHAP TO THE YACHT WHILE SHE
rs SAILING orr SANDY HOOK.


rs SAILING orr SANDY HOOK.
Challenger Dons Her Largest Rig for n
Practice Race of Twenty Miles and tho
Long, Light Metal CAT Proves Unable to
Stand the Strain of the Brisk Wind.
The Shamrock met with mishap yesterday
that will interfere with her trials for short
time. She went out to the Scotland Lightship
under her big rig and prepared to sail over a
course ten miles to leeward and return. She
had up her new mainsail that was bent for tho
first time on Tuesday, her clubtopsail.
balloon jibtopsail and spinnaker. After
sailing for short time the gan broke
and she had to take in all her sail
and return to her anchorage inside the Horse
shoe. The accident caused disappointment to
all who are interested in the yacht They had
hoped that she would make good trial In the
fresh northwest wind that was blowing and
the conditions certainly looked favorable for
her. The broken gan will be repaired as soon
as possible and In the meantime she will use
one OF the spare spars that were brought over
some time ago.
The crew on the yacht were astir carly In the
morning getting everything In shape for a
good sail. For four days she has been at
anchor and Mr.. Fife was anxious TO get under
way and try to get the challenger in shape. 1t
being realized that the tim Q Is getting short now
and every moment Is precious. Shortly after
nine o'clock the mainsail was hoisted and 1t set
even better than 1t did on Tuesday. The gan
was the un painted metal spar. 1t looked very
light but it was thought that 1t would stand in
spite OF its being 80 long. The clubtopsail was
sent up and after some trouble. was properly
adjusted At 10 o'clock the anchor was broken
and after adding a single lib the yacht stood
out for the lightship.
Capt Hoearth stood to the northwest for q
short time In order to clear the point OF the
Hook and then tackled and headed outside.
The Erin started soon after the racing yacht
and as she got outside. tho Oceanic. the new
ocean steamship. was sighted coming In. AS
she drew near the Shamrock her passengers
crowded to the rail and cheered heartily as the
liner passed the yacht. The cheers were an
swered by the tug Lawrence and the the Erin.
and the Naval Reserve flag on the Oceanic
dipped to the yacht.
When near, the lightship the, Shamrock
came W into the wind and launch from the
Ehe STAYED Nsb s4 a pson
yacht. Mr.. File says, lie can see better
than he, can when on board the shap;
rock rock, For some time The challenger ,h sailed
getting tn" the sales Ia shape and preparing f
Tor the start. 1t having been decided to send
the yacht away Just as she would have been II
position 10 the south Of the llehtship and
then the tug Lawrence was sent OF to log the
and return r iii. 70 was to the ' soutSeas the
wind coming from the northwest
and yacht hssdsd IN
shore to get in a favorable position for tho
start. Her jib was broken out and then the
prepared to hoist the spinnaker. The balloon
libtopsntl was hoisted in stops She held
wore ship and stood for the line. Just
ss 6r ths or
Starting IS" signal was given at ii s 5a and the
yacht crossed the line a few seconds later.
fully, Every stitch, Of canvas was drawing
and i'd the yacht went through the water fast;
the Ssy but the shamrocR made mad 's good hesd
way. She travelled through the water IL way
that has attTacted so much atteption in her tor
went through It. She seemed to be trimmed
trials AZ soon as ali the sails were I trimmed m
the yacht settled down Tor her run to the outer T
She had been sailing for JUS. eight minutes
when the peak Of ths m md1s dropned sud
A fs'%ss IL a sSa e.. cas
to- .e and f cok. be odd s1 to 'tssd tSs
sail s0us and those
the Defender in the Goeet Cup race Of 1895
when she broke her steel gafr In a similar way
As soon as the acct dent happened the crew
wreckaRs. 1t was no easy task.
The sp!nnaker, was taken in and
tho pole hoistsd to its position
alongside the mast. Then the headsais we're
lowered. Men were sent aloft to clear the ga n
and then the mainsail vas lowered to the
Then line was taken from the Lawrence
and the yacht was towed into the
Horseshoe. where she was anchored
More than an hour was required to clear away
everything before a tow could be taken When
In the Horseshoe the sail was un bent and tho
broken gaff taken off.
After the Shamrock anchored 1t was learned
that the primary cause Of the accident was the
breaking OF the Jaws OF the gah. Then the gan
It to snap. After the Jaws had broken the spar
jammed the halliards and made 1t very difficult
to lnMAr AWAY thu aAila 'N