The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-26
SAY PAINT RETARDS HER.
YICHTSMEN RELIEVE COLUMBIl,s
Tor SIDES SHOULD RE POLISHED.

Miles Generally Regarded as Correct.
The question whether the Columbia should
be painted or enter the races for the CUP with
TOP sides OF polished metal has suddenly be-
come an important one to yaohtsmen inter-
ested In the success OF the American boat.
The matter had been briefly mentioned
at the time tho yacht was launched,
but quickly passed out OF mind for the
reason that It was considered trivial
and hardly more than q question OF taste at
best. AS to its making any difference in her
speed did not occur to any one. But whom 80
eminent an authority as Prof r. H. Thurston
OF Cornell said that the painted top sides OF the
Columbia would retard her speed between
three and four minutes in a thirty mile race.
the supporters Of the Cup defender began to
realize that the question was really a serious
one.
The point was discussed in all its details by
yaohtsmen yesterday and II was the general
impression that a polished m etal surface would
ofer less resistance than painted one. 1t was
freely Acknowledged by q majority OF those
seen by reporter OF THE SUN that they were
ignorant OF tho merits OF the case. but
looking at 1t from sort OF common
sense point OF view they believed the
paint on the Oolum bias top sides should be
removed and q polished surface exposed to
the action OF the water. Most Of the persons
seen by the reporter were impressed by what
Prof. Thurston had to say ON the subject
They felt that he knew exactly what he was
talking about. The circumstances under
which he came to express his opinion were
these:
The Providence Journal has been advocating
hull entirely free from paint. so a few days
ago. It wrote to Prof. Thurston. explaining the
nature Of tho discussion. and asked for data
Here Is his reply:
DEAR SIR: In reply to your letter OF the 18th
inst would say that the difference in resist.
ranges all the way from 8 to SO per cent &C.
STS,Sdins to the character Of the metal and paint
as 20 per cent. and assuming that with the
psted in an ordinary race to cause the immersion
Of painted surfaces to the extent Of 80 cent OF
the wetted aren. the resistance would be increased
The los, in speed would be somewhere about q
boat would be something more than one half mile
wettod surface clean, smooth metal. with an aver.
age speed Of ton miles an hour. this would CORE.
and four minutes.
II we may judge from what is known the quail:
look extremely possible That this difference might
mean the gain or loss OF the race.
Prof. Thurston is an acknowledged author
ity on mechanical engineering and metals.
He has served a number OF scientific
flo commissions for the Government and has
frequently been called upon to testify in court
on disputed points expert
While much that has been done on the Co.
lumba has been open to the public Mr.. G.
Oliver Iselin the managing owner has re-
fused to say whether not her top sides will
be painted. The Vigilant. the Cup defender Of
1893. has an under body OF bronze. while her
top sides are OF STEEL The Defender. cham pion
OF 1885, also has an underbody OF bronze. while
her top sides are OF aluminium. Tho hull OF the
Colum bia 10 built entirely OF bronze. so that IL
desired the paint now on her top sides could
be easily removed.
When the yacht 10 sailing and one 10 near
enough. the polished surface is easily dis
cernible. 1t reflects the water like a mirror.
showing 1t to be perfectly smooth. The
painted surface extends from the water line TO
the rails. This paint does not reflect the
water and this would prove that 1t 10 not SO
smooth as the Furnished metal and therefore
offers more resistance to the water.
One OF the best-known yacht painters was
asked about the question and this is what he
said:
Most yachts are built OF wood and the object
OF painting the underbody 10 to make It
smooth and clean so that II will cause
little friction while passing through the
water. OF course We painters believe that
paint 10 the best thing for yacht.
Various kinds have been used. but
while some are better than Others all are good.
Now it has been declared that FURNISHED
bronze Is smoother than paint and yacht
with that kind OF an underbody will go through
the water with less friction than one with the
paint on That may be so. 1t was tried with
the ViRilant In 1893 and the Defender In 1895.
This year the Columbia 10 built entirely of
metal Her underbody Is FURNISHED and her
top sides are painted. The modern yacht Is built
to sail more or less on her side and when heeled.
these top sides 20 under the water. Now II 1t is
an advantage to have the underbody FURNISHED
in order to reduce the friction to minimum. I
should think 1t would also be an advantage
to have the top sides FURNISHED But II those
topsides are not painted they will attract the
suns rays and the yacht will be very uncom-
Portable. The Valkyrie. In 1905. was painted
black at first. but this attracted tho heat 30
much that the color was changed. Implanted
metal, think. would attract the heat more
than black paint"
T. Fleming Day. who has raced many yachts
in this country and In England. said he did not
think the paint on the top sides OF the Colum ba
would make any difference In her speed; he
further said the paint was very SIN ooth and the
top sides. while they went into the water whom
the yacht heeled really offered very little re-
distance.
g. Nicholson Kane. Chairman OF the Regatta
Committee OF tho New York Yacht Club. said
THE question is a little too abstruse. and
would rather not discuss 1t. Icantsay whether
paint would BIO a hindrance or help"
The opinion OF Prof Thurston. however, i'm.
pressed many yachtsmen. who firmly believe
the Columbia will enter the race with un.
painted top sides. II was argued that Messrs
Isalin and Herreshon have intended to do thiI
ever since II was determined TO use meta
throughout the surface of the hull. and that the
boat has been kept painted partly to overcome
the heat from the sun and partly to spring
~. little surprise on the Shamrock delegation.
= II