The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-17

inquiry, In the course OF which the lead
Ing British designers were called oD 10
give their opinions at length. the old ton
mage rule which had done so mucn polh
to help and hurt yachting first In teach,
ing the value of outside ballast. ana theh
In compelling the construction OF ex-
tremely narrow craft, was finally replaced
by a length and SAN area rule very -'imi-
lar 10 that used for three years by the
Seawanhaka .Eorinthian Yacht Club ana
later generally adopted by American
clubs.
The first to avail himself OF the new
rule was c. l. Watson. of Glasgow, ana
toward the end OF the vear fhe keel OF
the Thistle vas laid. The Racial insrenc'
between the thistle and the typical BRIT
ish cutter 81 the preceding decade was
shown I'm her D. m Of 20 feet inches, a.
compared with the l5 feet OF the Galate'1'
the length and draft being the same,
while the Thistle carried some 1000 Feet
more canvas.
Although the majority n American
yachtmen were agreed that the new Ciyde
boat was a far more dangerous antago-
mist than any that had yet CHALLENGED Dy
common consent The defense OF the cup
was left to the Boston syndicate that had
previously defended IL.
In March. 1881 the challenge was form
ally accarted. and the keel Of the Noluh-
unteer laid.
PLAN OF VOLUNTEER.
The new yacht differed from the May
flower mainly I'm added depth and drait,
disbursement and sail area each sue
cesstve change from the Puritan being
I'm the direction of the cutter although
the center-board was still distinguish
ing feature She was however. or steel
~
prise. the Thistle proved far less Tor
m.dable than had been anticipated
Her very poor performance i'm the
nrsf fuiv race over the inside course
might be excused. I'm part through the
very light wind and the combination OF
bad luck and bad Judgment shortly
after the start. but tine second race.
outside the Hook. was perfectly fair and
conclusive. resulting On q victory for the
Volunteer by twelve minutes
The victory of the Volunteer was so
great that more stringent measures
were mt once adopted. and American
yaChtsmen We're not pleased. so All con-
tests for the Americas cup ceased for
am indefinite time and the feet or
large yachts created by necessity for
cup defensse disappeared almosts as rap
idly MS Il had come into existence
AT the close Of the yachting season OF
1892 the Americas cup again became an
object of interest. and 10 was with great
qualification that the news was received
that another challenger was coming
over This time 60 was the Earl of Dun
raven who made me attempt and his
boat was the Nalkyric. an S5-foot cutter
designed by Watson. TO meet the
Nalkyrie a syndicate placed an order with
the Herroshoffs for am Shooter named
the Col0nia. Another syndicate o headed
by Commodore Morgan ordered another
Of the Hereshofrs. their yacht being a
departure having two feet more beam
with a centcrboard and a draft Of 10 feet.
Another of her pecularties was the
Tobin brOnzes bottom She proved to be
the fastest boat of AN the defenders. and
met the Valkyrie in the races for the
cup. In the three contests sailed the
Nigilant clearly demonstrated her SUE
peri0rity
His Lordship came over again bring
ing another Valkyrl> I'm 1850, with the
lamcntable ending known 10 alI.