Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-09-15
Upton AND HIS YACHT.
Sir Thomas Talks of Shamrock S
Prospects Against Columbia.
HOPES TO WIN, BUT WILL NOT BET.


Board the Erin.
Sir Thomas Upton, owner Of the
Shamrock. who recently arrived at
New York, talked pleasantly about the
prospects OF his yacht against the Co
lumbia to q New York World reporter.
He said:
Il have been aboard the Shamrock
In the two races that she sailed against
the Britannia. | intend to be on board
Of her every day that she is under sail
and will also be there every day during
the raced How are people betting on
the reSultE" he asked, and when told
that but few wagers had been made as
yet, and those at even money, he
smiled and said 1t was probable that
the wagers could all be covered with
good English and Irish gold Not that
| have any money that | will bet on
the result" he continued. Il never
gamble, and will not wager dollar on
the result.
Il am in this for the love Of the sport
alone. would dearly like to bring
back that cup, which Engllshmen and
Scotchmen have been trying to bring
back for nearly half n century | have
not reCkoned the cost TO me the price
is nothing if can but bring that cup
over to my club, where you may be
sure that it will be appreciated at its
I n IA
to capture it. l know | have under
taken a great task, and every one APP
preciates its magnitude. recognize
the ability and talents of American de-
signers and have thrown everything
aside and devoted my entire time to
the one object that brings me to
America.
Il regard Mr.. Fife as one of the
greatest naval architects in the world
and certainly the most talented in his
line In all England. Never before has
such a boat as the Shamrock crossed
the ocean in search of the cup. | expect
! her to win. If she does not, the fault
will be that the Columbia is a better
boat and your American designer has
once again proved that Yankee skill Is
superior to anything on the other
side"
Are you afraid that excursion
steamers will bother your was asked.
Not at ALL he answered good ma
turedly Il might say that the same
trouble exists on the other side, with
| but the single exception that your
/ boats have higher decks. The interfer
ence is the same for both boats, Wheth-
/ er they are 80 miles away or only five
/ Both boats are bothered alike, and
/ will be satisfied with the provisions
made by the New York Yacht club to
keep the course clear"
"Will any visitors be permitted Oh
board the Shamrock" was asked, and
Sir Thomas replied In true British
style by a question in return, Has
anybody been permitted to so on board
the Columbia? believe that the Sham
rock is the best boat that could be pro-
duced in all England. She is the acme
of naval architecture and construc-
! ton in England. She has been built
! by the firm that stands at the top for
metallic marine work. The cost? Well,
! she has cost a great deal, but any one
who will count the cost in building
challenger for the Americas cup had
better stay at home.
Il have received a cablegran from
! the committee of the New York Yacht
club in charge of the details to the ef-
feet that If | objected to the interfer-
ence of excursion steamers the course
would be changed, to which | replied
at once that under no circumstances
would have the course changed; that
if won the cup it was to be over the
same course over which other boats
have sailed before.
II expect to entertain Lord Chief
Justice Russell. Baron Killowen; his
son, Hon. Charles Russell; Right Hon.
Arnold Morley. formerly postmaster of
England; Lord Lonsdale and the Right
Hon. W. J. Pirrie on board the Erin.
There will also he several excursions
and special parties on yachts from
Scotland that will cross the ocean to
view the races. | might say that no
boat ever crossed the ocean followed
by better wishes for success"
as there any truth In the rumor that
you will have Captain Ben Parker Of
the German emperor's yacht on the
Shamrock as an assistant to Captains
| Hogarth and Wringe? was asked. Il
have not heard of it," replied Sir
Thomas, land if it was So | believe
would know something about it, Sir
Thomas was greatly interested in the
performances Of the Columbia as COM
pared to the Defender and said final.
ly that she must be a tier. Amer
leans are my friends" he said in con
clusion. II know them and believe In
their sportsmanlke behavior. thank
hem all for the manner in which they
nave received my challenge, which
very one accepts as n friendly def
lf legitimate rivalry. | will win that
| rup If possible" The quick passage
Of the yacht was pleasant surprise
to him.. and he expressed himself as
happy that the voyage had been made
without accident
Thomas Ratsey, the noted sailmaker
whose canvas has been seen on every
cup challenger for n decade and Is con-
sidered the most perfect fitting that
has ever benM stretched on either side
of the Atlantic, said to the reporter:
1--WE have made two complete suits OF
sails for the Shamrock, the one that
she used in hpr trials against the Bri
tannM and larger suit that has never
yet been benz. Both will be tried In