The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-21
SHAMROCK'S
new MAINSAIL.
Tried for the First Time OFF
Scotland Llghtship.
COURSE WAS A FIvE.MILE ONE.
Challenger Covered II In TwsIw-knct
Breeze In Twenty-Five Minutes.
ADMIRAL SAMPSON WAS ON THE ERIN
Witnessed the Trial Of Shamrock From tho Bridge
ss tho Guest Of S'r Thomas up!on- Made
No Comparison With Columbia.

New York. Sept. 21.-R ar Admiral
SAMPSON and Capt. Chadwick OF the
u. S. S. New York were the guests OF
Sir Thomas Upton on board the st am
yacht Erin yesterday. From her bridge
they witnessed the trial spin OF sham
rock. Upon his return to the flagship.
the Rear Admiral expressed admiration
for Shamrock's appearance, and said
that he thought her sails set well. He
made no comparison between that
yacht and Columbia, nor did he ven ure
any opinion about the sailing qualities
OF the yacht.
All the forenoon was spent by the
crew I'm bending a new mainsail, one
with cloths running from head to foot
i'm the regular way. The Erin steamed
up TO TOmpkinsville, where the New
York was lying, md returned with the
Admiral at p. M. to the Horse Shoe.
Shamrocks mainsail was hoiSted and
she started from her mooring at 2.40
under her own sail in a light air from
the northwest.
In Gedney's Channel at 3 p. m. sh
took a line from her tender. the Law
renee, and was towed out clear OF the
east end of the channel when her great
clubtopsail was set and she was headed
for Scotland lightshp.
Five miles Wai the extent OF the
Shamrocks sail yesterday. The start
ing time, 4.l2, was taken when she
passed Scotland lightship going on an
il nnot clip, an. with sheets trimmed
wsll down on the starboard tack. She
finished going at about the same speed,
at 4.37l5, so the trial lasted only %
minutes. 10 seconds. The close reach
occupied Il minutes four seconds, and
the reach back with sheets started
couple OF points. lasted l3 minutes, IL
seconds
The course was chosen south half
east from Scotland lightship 10 a point
off the Highlands OF Navesink. When
those lighthouses bore west, Capt
Hogarth luffed Shamrock into the wind
and putting her about headed back for
the lightship. Going out the yacht had
an ugly head swell and tide to contend
with. Coming back ii was following
her. She spashed a good deal in the
head swells. but not more than the Dig
sloops would have done under similar
conditions. Her new mainsail sets very
well for the first time. The forestay-
sail sets rather badly on the leach.
Allowing one minute seven seconds
for the time she lost in making the tack
at the turn and gathering the headwdy
again. the yacht sailed very evenly on
both reaches The wind was fairly AT
about ~ miles an hour, and from ABOUT
west -by-south during the trial.
Those who watched her closely say
that she sailed as fast as on any OF
her previous trials.
Several steam yachts with guests on
hoard went out TO see the trial.
The Shamrock carried, besides her
rnainsaM and clubtopsail. No. Jio-
topsail jlb and forestaysail. William
Fife her designer. sailmaker Ratsey
and Secretary Young, sailed on the
Yacht .
Sir Thomas Upton said. after the sail
that he regretted ii had not been
longer one. hut that he was well satis-
fed with the result.