The San Francisco call., 1899-10-03
SHAMROCK SECURES
A TIME ALLOWANCE

NEW YORK, Oct. 2.-one of the
greatest surprises for yachtsmen
since the arrival of the Shamrock in
lnese waters was the announcement
oIlclally made at the New York Yacht
Cluo tonight that the Columbia would
nave to allow the Shamrock six and
thlrty-one hundredths seconds on
thlrty-mile course.
1t was generally supposed by yachts
men who have seen both Yachts sail
ana In the drydock that the Shamrock
ny iedsohs OF her greater sail spread
ana apparently larger hull, would have
" give the Columbia something like a
minute tIne allowance over the thirty
mile courses which they are to sail. It
appears, however that Designer Fife.
while giving the Shamrock a larger sail
plan than the Columbia has. at the
same time so constructed her hull so as
TO give her greater free board. less
displacement and consequently q
shorter waterline by almost two feet.
AT O'Clock tonight two of the regu-
lation measurer's certifcations. one
showing the Columbia's measurements.
the other the Shamrock s, were posted
Yacht Clubs house. They We're signed
by the clubs official measurer John
HysIop, and read as follows:
Dimensions-Length of water line. Co.
lumbia 1856, Shamrock S769
from after end Of mail boom to forward
point OF measurement, Columbia ISL 62
feet, Shamrock 1S4.13
From foresail Of foremast to forward
point OF measurement, Columbia 70 80,
Shamrock 1916
- Extreme of spinnaker boom, Columbia
1885, Shamrock 1916.
Main gaff, Columbia 6495, Shamrock
67.64
Topmas Columbia's length G4.5o minus
one-fifth, equals 51.60 Shamrock's top
mast oS.O6. minus One-1ifth, equals 46 45
Height of upper side OF main boom TO
Shamrock 1868
lumbia 114.6l Shamrock llt. 10
Sailing length as per Iule Columbia
102 1876. Shamrock 10192
The Shamrock topmast measures $50,
one-ffth OFF, leaving 46.45 feet.
By these figures it will be seen that
all the Shamrock's spars, except the
topmast, are longer than those of the
Columbia. For instance, the Columbia S
main boom measures 10S.27; the Sham
rocks 1O9.67, making the latter spar
LAO longer than the Columbia S. Meas
urements Of the gaff show 2.69 in favor
of the Shamrock. The Shamrock S spin
maker boom is ell longer than the Co.
lunbia's, but her topmast is 644 shorter
than that of the American boat.
Judging from the stability of the
Shamrock during her recent trial spins
off Sandy Hook Designer Fife has been
able to give his boat q greater amount
of lead ballast than at first supposed by
the yachting sharps who have predicted
that the Shamrock would not be able
to carry her sail.
Those yachtsmen at the club tonight
VINO heard OF the measurements OF the
two yachts agree that the Shamrock
will really prove worthy antagonist
of the tenth defender of the Americas s
cup.
1t was half-past 1 o'clock to-day be-
fore the Shamrock was warped into
the drydock where the Columbia had
been measured and the caisscn closed,
making the water smooth for the meas
urements. Just before going on board
his yacht, Sir Thomas Upton said:
II am extremely sorry that Mr. Fife
is not present. 1t is very unfortunate
thing at this time. He is unable to
leave his hotel, but I hope he can be
with US tomorrow during the race. We
have done the best we could without
him to-day"
Sir Thomas, Vice Commander sher
man NletWlOlQ anu MC(Illl IOWneY
of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club. with
Henry F. Lippitt of the New York
Yacht Club, who will represent the lat
ter club on the Shamrock during the
race. then went ON board with Meas
urer Hyslop, his assistant and CAPTAIN
Nathaniel Herreshoff, the designer of
the Columbia.
After the measurers steel chain had
been stretched from the topmast down
the mast to the top of the main boom
and from the bowsprit end to the main
boom end all those who will sail in the
Shamrock during the race, some thirty
in all. including Sir Thomas Upton, sat
on deck on each side amidshipe while
Measurer Hyslop, Captain Hereshoff
and Harry Lippett proceeded to meas
ure the yachts waterline This work
occupied two hours and a half. The