The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-19
SHAMROCK BUSY
IN PREPARATION
Sir Thomas Upton Gratifed at
FriendIinesS of Americans.
COLUMBIA IDLY RESTING
Owner of English Cup Challenger Sc
siously Handicapped by Illness of
His Designer Cause of Ac-
cident to the Mast

New York. October 1S.-A half hour be-
fore sunset today the Shamrock lay inside
| Sandy Hook gently Juggling at her moor
| ing buoy. An eighth of a mile away the
Columbia idly rocked on the ripple within
the Horseshoe. On board the Shamrock
there was activity. Her crew were COM
pleting the adjustment of shrouds and
stays to secure the new topmast that had
been sent up at noon to replace the one
carried away yesterday
On board the Columbia there was no ac-
tivity. All were at ease. The crew sat on
deck, where everything was ready for to-
morrow's event. Captain Barr leaned
against the side of the companieaway and
smoked. Meanwhile he gazed across the
water, watching the progress of prepara-
ton of the disabled opponent. Conditions
aboard the American craft indicated calm
anticipat ton and a serene confidence. The
stress of operation aboard the British
yacht well marked the natural anxiety
there as to the performance of the untried
spar and entire craft in tomorrow's wealth
er. At 4:3O o'clock the Erin steamed down
to her mornings within the dock. Standing
on the bridge Sir Thomas Upton observed
the last detail of her preparations and
went out for a spin AS the Erin's screw
ceased turning and she slowed down near
her mornings, Sir Thomas was peering
through his glasses towards the narrows,
where he sighted the big liner Oceanic
bearing down outward
II shall go outside with the Oceanic" he
said, ito bid goodbye to Lord Beresford
and other friends"
A little later, while Sir Thomas chatted
and leaned on the quarterback, a little
sloop sailed by within hailing distance.
Three men thereon, each held aloft mug
of beer and shouted, Here's luck to you
for tomorrow, Sir Thomas" A half-amus-
ed smile overspread the face of the Sham
rocks owner as he heard and lifted his
cap.
do you know" he CALCULATED there
have come to me many evidences of good
WILL Here, for instance" added Sir
Thomas, selecting one of the several tele-
grams that had just been delivered from
shore, there is some friend who says
Don't be disheartened; Shamrock may lose
but Sir Thomas wins the respect and good
will of millions of Americans And I can
say now through the Associated Press to
my own people and Americans thatiI have
proven what believed would be true, that
no man ever met a more cordial greeting
than have here. No man ever found more
generous hearts, more willing hands or
more honest men than I have since I came
to America. I have proven this say TO
the people of my own nation
How long before her owner may appear
here with another boat to lay siege to the
trophy" was asked.
"Ah. that brings me back" said he, ito
the greatest difficulty I have confronted
here / must be sure of a designer. L cam
not design a boat and / must be certain
on that point before I can talk OF another
attempt should the Shamrock lose. You see
l am seriously embarrassed because OF Mr.
Flies illness / have not seen my de-
siener in over three weeks. We take In
over three hundred tons of ballast, you
see Well then We suffer because Mr.. File
is unable to be about and direct the mat
tiers that no other in our party Is skliieo
in Mr. Fife Is sick and we have done the
hest We know how to remedy the ballast
problem. .
It was learned today that the cause OF
the accident to the top mast was not In
the parting of the shroud at the MP, as
was generally supposed. The mast atselt
broke first, not being able to STAND the
strain brought upon 1t by the wrenching
swing of the great club topsail spars when
the yacht plunged into the head seas.
One of the shrouds broke, 1t is said, when
the wreckage went down to leeward.
Measurer John Hyslop announced at the
New York Yacht club this evening That
the new measurement of the Shamrock
made by him this morning shows that
yachts present water line to be 1886 feet
and her racing length by club rules 1926
feet. He states that the Shamrock will now
allow the Columbia 16 seconds ON thirty
mile course. Toworrow's race will be fif-
teen miles to windward or leeward and
back the start to be made at IL o'clock.
The source of all health is rich blood.
Hoods Sarsaparilla makes pure. strength
giving blood.