The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-29
THE CUP CHALLENGER.
Has an Aluminium Mast-May BE
Steered by TiIIer.
From the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
Sir Thomas Upton, David Berrie, his
representative and Dr. Mackay who pre-,
fers to see spooks rather than reporters,
now realizes that the Americans are not
"bloomin' fools"
c. Oliver Iseln, the managing owner OF
the Columbia. has never been accused OF
being a seer, and cOnfesses absOlutel ig-
nOrance of occu.usm, but by some meth
Cd, probably unknown to himself, he has
in his possession, a chart of the fun meas-
urements of the Shamrock. and for the
benefit of American YaChtsmen it may be
stated that soon after the launch ug of
the Shamrock Mr. Iselin had an excellent
photograph OF the mysterious keel of the
Shamrock. and an adequate idea of it's
measurements. Mr. Iseln and those who
are associa ted with him naturally wanted
an accurate table of the measurements of
the Cup challenger. The opportunity for
securing this Information was not afford
ed until the docking plans of the Shamrock
had been presented to -- but. as Kip
ing says, that is another story"
The veteran dOckmaster and yachtsman
who informed The Tribune about the
twist and leak in the Shamrock, when
seen yesterday, said
THE public may not be aware of the
fact that every ship, no matter how large
or how small, and no matter for what
purpose she may be intended, has her set
of docking plans without which no Dock
master would undertake to haul her out
of water The plans for docking are based
upon the setting of the keel and the bllge
blocks on which the weight of the ship
rests when the water no longer supports
her. Any serious mistake in the measure
ments would cause great stra ming. and
probably, in certain circumstances, the
breaking of her back or otherwise her
keel. Under such circumstances it would
be assuming a great deal to believe that
owners would not present the best posi-
BILE plans and measurements of their ships
Now, the complete docking plnns of the
Shamrock and her fun measurements have
been presented to the proper authorities
in the yard and these plans and measure
ments are now in the possession of Mr..
Iselin and his associates, who own the
Columbia"
Were they in the possession of MIR.
Iselin before the Shamrock crossed the
ocean," was asked
He had pretty good idea of her meas
urements before she came over" was the
reply. Now he has fuller knowledge
and his latest information on every line
and point of the Shamrock Is absolutely
accurate. Sir Thomas Upton and his
friends, if they want to maintain the veil
of secrecy and mystery that envelopes
their yacht should give it coat of white
wash or shellac and even if they do so
II will be simply a repetition of the Old
story about locking the stable door after
the horse has been stolen"
Had a Model of the Columbia.
'eHave not Sir Thomas and his associ-
ates some idea about the measurements
Of the Columbian" asked the Tribune re-
porter
"Why. Of course they have. Sir Thomas
has a working model OF the Columbia,
and l know from what one of his friends
told me the other day that he had her
measurements in fun before the Here
shoffs had launched her from the yards
in Bristol. Why, it is simply nonsense 10
assume that nowadays a secret about the
dimensions of a yacht can be kept. Now,
after the yachts have been built, why In
the name of goodness shouldn't their
measurements be made public? WHAT'S
the use of all this mystery and secrecy?
The whole thing is bound 10 come out
i'm the END. anyway and it's better first
than last"
New wrinkle I'm Masts.
IT NAV surprise some yachtsmen to learn
when they read the Tribune this morn
ing that the Shamrock also has fine
aluminium mast, in addition to her other
masts. Mr. Barrie and his close mouthed
friends were careful not 10 say anything
about the mast, which has been lying in
the German-American storehouse. in Erie
Basin, carefully wrapped in canvas. 1t
had been shipped here and slowed away
I'm the warehouse with the hope that pry-
ing eyes would never discover 1t nor an
American newspaper ever hear Of it, 1t
is fine mast, too, carefully wrought, and
&c n credit to its builder. Sir Thomas
believes in quantity as well as quality OF
masts. He and Mr.. Barrie have also care
fully guarded the secret that they have
also stored away in Erie Basin a fine
mast Of oregon pine. The Shamrock has
four masts here Two are Of pine, one Is
Of steel and the fourth the aluminium
mast which until now has not only been
wrapped up IN canvas, but also in Sc
crecy and mystery
ChnIIengcr's Mast stepped.
The steel mast Of the Shamrock was
stepped Yesterday The work was done
win great care, and, fortunately, with
out accident OF any kind. The topmast.
which Was evidently Of pine, was dashed
10 the top Of the mainmast ana placed
iu position The b6wsprt and the great
boom. which were also placed in posi-
Ton. gave "a racing appearance 10 the
hone OF LiDton and Of England. The
main shrouds were also 80 %. but none
II the old rigging was put in place. nor
ne STAYS Of he hoWspr.t
IH