New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-05
THE DECISION MAY NOT STAND

SECTION REQUIRING COURSES OF SUITABLE
DEPTH IS THOUGHT RY SOME TO HAVE AN
IMPORTANT BEARING on SEAMAN
HAKA CUP RACES.
7, Is possible that the decision OF the Royal st.
Lawrence Yacht Club giving the NTH and deciding
race for the seawanhaka Cup TO its own represen-
tetve will not be allowed to stand. Charles A
Sherman Of No s. Leonard-st., one OF the Race
COMMITTEES of the Seawanhaka Cormthian 1acht
Club was consulted yesterday about Section G OF
Article XII in the Declaration OF Trust con-
trolling the racing for the Seawanhaka Challenge
Gun This section says: "Ali courses shall be
laid out In waters OF suitable depth for the COM
netting yachts" and Mr.. Sherman was asked
whether in any Of tn, subsequent alterations OF
the terms under which the cup was to be raced for
this section had been superseded or modified
Mr. Sherman replied that he knew Of no change
and that It seemed to him. In the absence OF
further particulars. that the clause In question
ought to govern. He said he had not seen many
of the club members since the news came OF the
last race being given to Glencairn Ill., and that
none Of these members seemed to think they could
form any definite opinion until further informa-
ton arrived.
Mr. Sherman added that the club here could
not now be certain that Mr.. Post or Mr.. Crane
had not either agreed to accept the course as
finally laid out. done something tantamount to
this.
TO the course first laid out because after the wind
altered in direction the weatherly mark was not
dead to windward. The course was reset, MI
Post. the representative of the Seawanhaka CLUB,
being invited TO accompany the members OF the
Sailing Committee while this was being done. on
its being found that this second course laid out
was slightly short OF the mile and a half verbal
protest was made by the Seawaphaka representa-
tive, and another protest was intimated on ac-
| count of the shoal water around the windward
buoy. The Sailing Committee then proposed to re-
duce the from mile and a half % one
mile, which would secure deep water all around.
but protest against this was Immediately init
mated by Mr.. Post. The committee then changed
the starting line to a position nearer to Pointe
Claire, In order to be able to give the full mile
and half demanded by Mr.. Post and the course
was logged of and the boats started at 305 p. m.
The Canadian boat started. but the American
Challenger did not, and in a protest subsequently
entered At appeared that the Constance had
touched ground with her centreboard while ma
npuvring for the start.
1t owing 10 a consideration OF these points
that Mr.. Sherman said the club here would do
nothing until all the facts obtained, and I'M
Ill it could be certain that the club representatives
now in Montreal had not by their demands for
alteration in the course committed themselves to
accepting the course finally sailed by the Glen
"At the same time" continued, Mr.; Sherman.
Acceptable to the Constance ' people. ana even Il
they did say ii seemed TO look all right stu they
10
cal pilots and to know where every bowlder or
shoal lay, and | cannot believe that the Royal
st. Lawrence Yacht Club would Insist on forcing
a course upon boat which some local men
must have known to have been lacking in sufficient
According to Yachting law boats are consd 1ns
is given. In the absence OF any special agree
ment or condition in a controlling document, the
fact of boat taking the ground in the race does
not in any way affect the race itself In general
law, she has the right to kedge herself off and pro,
coed; but these provisions are Of no use in race
like this where the time consumed In freeing
race. In New York the action Of the Montreal
bear a close investigation.
In the gossip OF Montreal on THURSDAY even
ing the matter received a wholly different aspect:
II was said that the Seawanhaka people did not
intend TO start on that afternoon If they could
which had been blowing in the morning had been
gradually going down until there was little OF it
gan boat being built for light airs, certain 70
win the deciding race II start was mace. II
was said the Constance people put IN or sug-
gested a number OF protests and had the course
that the only shallow water was inside the start
ing line and that all the rest Of the course LED out
not arrested for more than moment by her cen
treboard touching the ground and that tnere was
nothing to prevent her continuing except the nope
OF being able to postpone the race III the next
time made by the Glencairn over the l2-nie
course hours % minutes is referred TO as indcat-
said that It known to every one. through the
previous races, that the Constance was certain TO
lose II she started.
may differ on the same subject, but It seems pos
sible that the question will not be decided on the
law, Which requires that races for this cup shall
be sailed courses of suitable depth for the
competing yachts"