The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1899-10-23

NEW YORK, Oct. 2S.-International
yacht racing is probably the most expen-
siye pastime devised for the entertainment
OF modern civilization. II is the sport OF
ti-milionaires, for no others could as
sumo the financial burdens involved in an
entry for the great Cup contest that stirs
two nations to a pitch Of excitement equal
TO that Of political crisis.
Public interest in other diversions may
be turned to profit by sportsmen possessing
capital, or at least the people may be al
lowed to share in the expense OF providing
amusement for themselves. The horse
shows, which have for many years con-
stituted the eliminating event of New
York's social season, have laid enormus
dividends 10 the association OF wealthy
connoisseurs Of horse1esh, who have been
successful in bringing together the ultra
fashionable class and the general public
for profit as well as pleasure. Grand opera
is another of society's never-failing d.
versions in which the public is allowed TO
share the expense in exchange for places
on the fringe OF the exclusive circle OF
seats reserved for wealthy patrons Of mu-
voices Of Europe and the most discrimi-
mating ears in America.
International yacht racing affords keen
enjoyment to an infinitely larger circle OF
people than any OF the other great popular
amusements. Europe and America wait
for bulletins on the results of the contents.
Yet the cost OF the Cup races is borne al
most entirely by half dozen wealthy en-
thusiasts moved by patriotism and love OF
sport.
For expenditures running well up into
seven figures there remain after the de-
cisive meeting a couple of boats valued al
some thousands of dollars and the Cup
with an intrinsic value OF few hundred
The remainder has been distributed large
ly for labor and in paying dividends To
vessel owners, builders, ana others N IN
dependent lines Of trade.
As TO the rae % yachts themselves from
a strictly utilitarian point of view they
are more than worthless. The proverbiaI
white elephant never burdoned his owners
hands like one of these costly marine toy s
An old mariner looking al the Shamrock
and the Columbia at anchor the other dag
remarked:
What would poor man do with boa;
like that? He couldn't use her. He could
not keep her. To turn her around would
cost money. He couldn't even burn her
Tor there's little 10 burn on her, and snt
wouldn't bring much at a sale
Constant deterioration is in progress il
the costly. metal used in the construction
of racing yachts as recent extensive re-
pairs 10 the Defender witnessed; and the
earning. capacity Of such 4 craft is nothing
The Cost to the Challenger.
On the challenger foT the Americas Guy
has always fallen a heavier burden of eX-
penditure than on the defender, by reason
Of the conditions involved. Year by year
with the introduction of more costly fea
lures of construction and !av.shness in en-
uertainmeut connected with the races, Ia
burden has grown heavier on both sides.
This. wear The clements seem TO have con
spired to aid in the process of redist-ibu
lion of wealth 10 which ecOHom-s SIS de:iga
10 point as the most satisfactory result o
such an expensive contest. In eyer!
''fiuhse'i oTsfaiiUre OF an attempt 10 ra Z
BoIeas has literally blown away mon ?!
for the owners of Jhs Columbia and the
Shamrock. for the regatta committee 81
the New York Yacht Club. and for thl
spectators. over d space OF three week
the races have been drawn OFT, While II
favorable Weather enc week might haE;
been suffrfent.
Sir Thomas Upton owner of the Sham
rock. has, without doubt, spent more IN hi:
attempt TO carry of the Americas CuI
than has any previous challenger. While
he viii not discuss the details of this, re-
Liable estimates are made by yachting mel
who have spent much time in company
with the British millionaire sportsman
One Of these says that since his arrival
here on August Is Sir Thomas has eX-
pended an average of $500 a day, and
that his total expenses for the seasons
sport are nearly a million. These figure:
may be regarded as conservative.
The incidental expenses attending the
Shamrocks part in the contest are in
creased by the cost OF fitting and rigging
the British slOop, especially for an ocean
voyage, and Of bringing her across the At
lantic. In addition, the entertainment Of
guests, as well as all other expenses con-
nected with the Columbia, is divided among
number of persons, while Sir Thoma:
defrays the challenger's expenses unaided
Most of the $500 a day which Sin
Thomas has been spending is going int
American pockets, as an examination o.
his requirements shows.
He is supporting, in the first place, no
one boat, but a whole feet of vessels
most of them having been in use contin-
ually since the Shamrock was first placed
In commission abroad for the entire sea
son of about four months. Chief among
them is his flagship, the Erin, a fine steam
yacht fitted up like an Oriental palace fol
the comfort and entertainment of the own
or and his guests, with a staff of cooks
stewards Cingalese servants, and a large
crew. II was the Erin that towed the
Shamrock part of the way across the At
lantic. The Erin is said to have cost sS75..
900. To maintain her in commission $4Gi
do he rda cd ra ac
innate.
Anchored near the Shamrock in tn
Horseshoe in the lower bay is the steam
tender Plymouth. This vessel is fioatini
boarding house for the forty three officer
and men of the Shamrock's crew and ais
accommodates Triggers, sailmakers, carpen
tiers, and machinists. who swarm over tn
challenger daily to keep her in condition
The Plymouth carries a crew of her owl
and a small cargo of extra sails, spars
ropes. bolts nuts. blocks and other part
required to make repairs and alterations
She follows close to the Shamrock in eacl
race, ready 70 steam to her aid in the even
Of disaster such as occurred recent,
when the British sioop's topmast was bro
Ken. ......-.,-,-r
The Plymouth was chartered as a ten
Ger before the Shamrock's arrival, and wa
lifted up for the purpose at large expense.
For towing purposes Sir Thomas has ha
IN constant. use since his arrival the tug
boat j. R. Lawrence This vessel also an
chors close TO the sloop, towing her to tn
starting point of Sandy Hook, also to he
anchorage after the race or to the dock TO
repairs Like the Plymouth, she has bee
In attendance on the Shamrock more thai
sixty days The smallest sum for which
tugboat could be chartered for the races
500 day. The cost of the two vessel
mentioned doubtless exceeds that sum b