New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-17
SIR THOMAS SATISFIED.
HE THINKS THE SHAMROCK DID WELL
on FRIDAY, SINCE SHE HAS NOT
BEEN CLEANED

ne challenger shamrock ala not leave her
fngs yesterday In spite OF the fact that the days
before the first cup race few Sir Thomas Lin
ton adheres 10 the plan he mentioned when he first
landed OF giving his men two holidays in the week
Messrs. Fife and Ratsey on the deck OF the
Shamrock yesterday morning. examining the gear
which had been subjected TO some strain In the
sailing OF the previous day The blocks on the
Shamrock are all. or nearly all. made Of aluminium
or metal that looks Ike aluminium They
have no wood about them. The lead blocks on the
deck and those the bride Of the backstays are
of the same composition. They may be Of some
alloy IN which aluminium is the chief ingredient
As they were evidently chosen for their lightness
and as similar blocks proved unable I'm the case OF
the yacht Defender to stand the intended strains
careful watch is now being kept the sham
rock TO discover any sign OF weakening in them.
Fife and Ratsey both give these things careful
attention. knowing from long experience how much
success In yacht races depends apparently
minor items
Partly on account Of the fact that the sham
rocks underbody has net been cleaned since she
was launched. ST. Thomas thinks that her speed
on Friday entirely satisfactory II
pointed out that the log showed how the sham
rock steered. The los showed sailing OF thirteen
and one-third knots in beating ten knots
10 wndwsrd This Is Just the windward
length and one-third Of It added 60 that
the pointing OF the boat must have averaged
at four points from the winds eye A boat sail
ing at four points sails the windward distance
from mark 10 mark. and one-third Of IT added.
When the North Atlantic Squadron passed
Sandy Hook at Il - and came IN around the
Southwest Spit Buoy. which marks the channel.
the course Of the biz vessels brought them
pretty close TO where the Shamrock and the rest
of the Upton feet were anchored. Sir Thomas
and his party were grouped on the deck Of the
steam yacht Ertn. the squadron The
crew on both yachts had lined themselves ont
along the SIDES eagerly watching the American
battleships. Tho Scotch and English lads and
men were frank in their expressions Of admira-
ton and they waved their hats Justify
The paint that formerly placed on the
metal mast Of tho Shamrock has an been scraped
off and the spar is now az bright q new
dollar II is thought that II the spar were made
81 steel It would not be thus subjected 10 rust
ing Moreover. the metal loks TOO white FOR steel.
and II is supposed be of some composition that
IS not readily susceptible TO oxidation.
A large number Of yachts and small craft that
were out for their afternoon sail gathered around
the Shamrock yesterday. and the great reach or
her spsrs called forth many comment All ihat
can he seen 81 her hun scrutinized carefully
by catboat sailers who wanted to inform them
selves for the betting field by studying out just
what she is likely to DO when she meets the CO
lumbia But I'm this search the Shamrock has
banled a good many by hiding her most interest
ing part under water. and those who were getting
IA line the challenger yesterday ala no, come
away with any fixed CONVICTIONS II Is sara that
another steamer load of old salts VINO have never
seen the Shamrock sail is about 20 be sent Gown M
order that their opinions may be made known ana
II any Of these marine oracies can now setue the
question their predictions Will be graieiuliY re-
ceived by thousands who have come away from
seeing the Shamrock without feeling much WlsGr
Next week viii be devoted 20 preparing the Eacht
for her final struggles. and her gear Will be tested
In daily trials Of Sandy Hook. 1t Is thought that
the challenger will be put INTO dry dock ana
cleaned on Of the days Of the Dewey pairade
so that the work be done when the puplic j
Interested elsewhere Fife has been asked whether
Il is his intention 10 dock the Yacht secretly or
whether the public viii be admitted 10 see heI
shape. Mi Fife replied that nothing had , az Tet
been decided this point. He said ne doubteu
Whether the docking could be done with entire
privacy and althoug he did not say so me IN
preston was CLEANED from his apparent dOubt on
The subject that perhaps no further aUeihp' ~
II Nir Fifo agrees 10 this he will please many
people. Everyone believes he has good ngl
sneed design i'm his present challenger and many
believe that lie has Constructed her as an OUT ana
out fin keel craft The Tribune has held rom the
frst that the better the shamrock Is SHOWN 10 pe;
3he greater will be the interest in the races. ana
Fife has any new ideas worked into inc snape .!
HE challenger ne may be sure Of having the Ooa'
faithfully reported according 10 the facts