New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-26
DELAYS ON THE SHAMROCK
AIR RARRIE DENIES THAT THE YACHTS
LINES ARE TWISTED.
HER BIG STEEL MAINMAsT NOT STEPPED
AND EXPERTS BUSY IN HER INTERIOR
-sPARs AND RIGGING READY
TO BE FITTED.

The chief topic OF discussion among yacnts-
man IN the Erie Basin yesterday was the story
IN The Tribune that the lines OF the shamrock
were twisted in the mdship section on the port
side and that there probably was leak in the
mates that were drawn through the cup chaI-
Ieneer having been towed so far across the
water in calm weather David Barrie, repre-
sentative OF Sir Thomas Upton denied the
story IN the most emphatic terms. Captain
Hosartb and DR.. Mackay expressed the same
opinion, OF course. and as for the sturdy scotch
members Of the crew. they either conlesseu
Ignorance about 1t or smoked their clay pipes
IN silence The Shamrock is being guarded as
closely as the celebrated Kohinoor' ana nopooy
IS allowed within fifty feet Of her on the iano
side. or at least twenty feet on the water s'de'
A big. stalwart. reticent Waterman WIN
policemans night stick in his hand, guaros 'he
wooden bulwark to which the shamrock Is ueu'
and brusouely informs visitors ana newspaper
men that they cannot cross the dead line tha'
he has drawn half way UP the tmoers from 'he
Yacht On the south side there is another pier
which faces the yacht. and eoatmen VINO are
turning an honest penny row VISITORS across
e. TIC Shamrock. Captain Hogarth or his as
x,s+apt are careful TO keep them away. and do
no, allow them to approach too closely
Mr. Barrie and his friends were rather In
ydienant Yesterday after they had read the story
shout the twist" in the Shamrock. They told
q renorter for The Tribune that 1t was untrue
INIT the informant Of The Tribune insisted that
the yacht was out Of gear, and In confirmation
of his views he said that as soon as Sir Thomas
Linton arrived here Mr.. Barrie would make
full explanations and tell him all about the
circumstances that had led up 10 the work
ing" OF the plates on the port side in the mid
ship section.
1T is probable" said this veteran OF the piers
and Of Yachting experience that Sir Thomas
will then order careful examination OF the
shamrock and IL she is in condition TO have a
few trial spins he will run over the course with
her and after that have her put in drydock
FOR thorough cleaning and the making OF all
necessary repairs"
Mr. Barrie Captain Hogarth, DR.. Mackay,
William Crawford superintendent of the Fair
laie yard and several experts who came across
with Mr.. Crawford were engaged yesterday in
examining the inside and outside of the plate
that are supposed to be affected the port
eide. When asked about their Investigations
they silent and uncommunicative.
THE MAINMAsT NOT STEPPED.
Contrary to general expectations the big steel
'terday. II was to have been stepped last Tues
day Mr.. Barrie then said that It would surely
he stepped on Wednesday. Then somebody said
Thursday. When Mr.. Crawford arrived it was
stated that the mast would surely be placed
yesterday. But yesterday is in the past Of
promises and the mast still lies prone on the
pier Neither Mr. Barrie any of his com
panions seems willing to explain the delay, but
the yachting experts on the piers and the wise
odd men who have been knocking around the
cranky that there is trouble in the hold OF the
yacht, and that the mast will not be stepped
until it has been remedied. They say that II
will be only temporary job, and that the es-
sentisl repairs will not be made until she has
ibeen drydocked, after the arrival Of Sir Thomas
Upton.
Several members Of the crew swung over the
,side yesterday and rubbed down the topsdes
of the yacht with pumice stone to give her a
iperfectly smooth surface. Others were busy in
Igetting the rigging out Of the warehouse &c
1nave 1t ready when it should be required. II
was evident that the shrouds and stays were
,nuch heavier than those Of the Columbia, and
would stand far greater strain.
LIFTING THE STEEL BOOM.
The Reliance. a floating derrick OF the Mer
ritt- Chapman Wrecking Company. brought VI
ithe canvas wrapped spars TO the pier abou
noon The crew Of the Shamrock first carrie
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