New-York tribune., 1899-07-21
THE SHAMROCK'S VOYAGE.
EXPECTED TO START FOR NEw-YoRK AT
END OF PRESENT MONTH.
MAY BE TowED IF Observation-Disclosures
AND OWNER PLEASED WITH TRIALS


AND OWNER PLEASED WITH TRIALS
THE YACHT MERE SHELL.
Southampton. July 20.-sir Thomas Upton,
owner OF the Americas Cup challenger Sham-
rock. in an interview to-day on board the yacht
Erin, regarding the damage. II any, sustained
by the Shamrock in grounding off Southsea at
the conclusion of yesterdays trial race with the
Britannia, said:
I'VE are so convinced that yesterdays ground
ing of the Shamrock perfectly harmless
that we are not even going to have the yacht
examined.
THE Shamrock will sail for the Clyde this
afternoon" Sir Thomas continued "and Will
forthwith be rigged for her transatlantic voy-
age, upon which she will sail soon as possl-
Bile. hope by the end OF this month After the
trial races this week both Mr. Fife and myself
were convinced that the Shamrock is magnif-
cent vessel and the fastest ever seen on this
side Of the ocean The way In which she ran
away from the Britannia proves not merely
that she is the better boat. but an exceptionally
fine racer. You must remember she was not
seen at her best either day. Tuesday she did not
carry as much canvas as the Britannia. While
yesterday she had smaller mainsa than II is
intended she shall carry. We can set much
larger mdinSail IN the coming cOnleSts IL IL
should be deemed advisable. We are satisfied
that IL yesterdays race had been completed tne
challenger would have won by half an hour.
The Shamrock has realized Mr.. Flies fullest an
ticpatlons. and l. myself. more than salts
fed. In Tuesdays run before the wind there
was very poor wind to test her properly. but
even then she outdistanced the Britannia She
showed marvellous qualities in sailing to wind
ward.
FAIR PLAY ASSURED.
"Of course, cannot say how the Shamrock
compares with the Columbia; the contests alone
can decide that, but we satisfied that we
have a game boat, and, calculating by her per-
formances against the Britannia and the latter's
against the vigiant and the vakyrie. we ex
pect to make at least a good showing and hope
In any case to know that we have had fair
play"
Sir Thomas Upton added: "I would like to
reiterate my heartiest appreciation of the man
ner in which the Americans have conducted all
negotiations. They have acted throughout like
sportsmen, and II had made all the arrange
ments myself 1 could not have drawn up more
satisfactory regulations. AS the Prince OF
Wales said with emphasis after Tuesdays con-
test. when expressing the highest admiration
Of the Shamrock at dinner on board the Erin.
L hope the best boat may win, but in any case
1 know, Sir Thomas that you will be sure OF
meeting fair play from our American friends,
and that the contests for the Americas Cup
will be carried out both sides in the true
sporting spirit and with love Of justice
I'm reply l assured the Prince Of Wales that
the support he had given and the keen interest
he had manifested in the challenge had been the
greatest stimulus and the greatest encourage
ment, in view OF the peculiar circumstances OF
the challenge"
The Shamrock started In tow OF Sir Thomas
Lptons steam yacht Erin for the Clyde this
afternoon.
1t appears that the Prince OF Wales expert
enced much trouble in boarding the Britannia
yesterday morning. A choppy was running
at the time. and waves surged up between the
Britannia and the launch carrying the Prince,
drenching His Royal Highness to the skin. He
persisted In his purpose, however, and finally
boarded the yacht though his attendants were
most anxious. they feared he might again
sprain his knee. which is still weak, in jumping
aboard.
MAY TOW THE YACHT IF BECALMED.
II is reported that the New York Yacht Club
has consented to the Shamrock being towed by
the Erin In the event Of being becalmed in cross
ing the Atlantic. Two strong hawsers being
made at Cowes for use In case of need.
The Shamrock is a mere shell, and almost
empty below her deck when the Prince OF
Wales boarded her and went below he found
himself in vessel destitute even of ordinary
partitions. and. looking from end to end he said
in surprised way: Why, she's like street,
perfectly empty"
The correspondent also had an interview with
Captain Carter who, besides sailing the Britain
MIA. commanded the Genesta when successful In
American waters. When told that the Sham
rock would have won by half an hour yester-
day. Captain Carter replied: YES believe she
would. She is splendid boat. With regard TO
the criticism that she did not sail well as
might have been expected before the wind. 1t
must be remembered that she carried only her
small topsail. Nobody will be more pleased than
myself to see the Shamrock win as we'll as she
did on both days this week, and the Prince OF
Wales will be equally we'll pleased He un-
doubtedly delighted to have the Shamrock
prove such flyer. want to capture the
Americas Cup II we can. Without the slightest
doubt the Shamrock is magnificent in beating
TO windward."
Captain Carter, who has no sympathy with
the policy Of enveloping the Shamrock In fog
OF mystery, said that Americans had shown they
have nothing TO learn from Great Britain in the
building Of racing yachts. 1T is all the other
way" said Captain Carter. There was no need
to wrap up the Shamrock in petticoats. The
Americans probably know much about her as
they desire"
SHAMROCK TRIALS NOT CONCLUSIVE.
SHE is FASTER THAN THE BRITANNIA TO WIND