The sun., 1899-07-20
SHAMROCK RUNS AGROUND.
AND BRITANNIA QUITS TO ALLOW
TILE FRINGE TO IATCH TRIM

Farcical Termina alton of the Second Race
Between England's BeHt Cutter Hachte-
some Britons Think the Challenger VIII
DO and some Think She Won't DO.
Special Cabi. Dsipsteh to the SUN
CowEs July 10.-The Shamrock had her
second trial with the Britannia to. day, There
was a nice southeast breeze and n calm sea
when the race began but the breeze shifted
and died away before the contest ended.
The Prince OF Wales who was on board the
Britannia. had arranged to 20 to London this
afternoon. and the absence OF wind prevented
the finish OF the race before the time his train
was scheduled to leave. He therefore aban-
doned the race of Portsmouth so as to catch
tho train While off Horse Foot the Shamrock
ran aground where she remained for ten min.
utes when abe was towed OF. She then re-
turned to Cowes.
The course to- day was from Cowes, around
the buoy Off Lvmington. thence around the
Nab lightship. finishing at Cowes. The wea-
thor, as was the case yesterday was hazy. Tho
Shamrock and Britannia both carried main.
sails. large jibs and backyard topsails.
The starting gun was fred at 1918 A. M.
The Shamrock crossed the line at 10:15:10.
The Britannia. to the leeward. followed &C
1O:15:15. Both broke out their spinnakers to
port. There was not more than cable length
between the boats in the run to the solsnt
buoy and tho Britannia tried to blanket the
Shamrock.
Spinnakers were taken in at Gurn ard Point.
The wind shifted westerly Off the salt meads,
and 1t was then a close haul to port. Then the
wind fell and on tho reach for the buoy was
very shitty. The Shamrock gained consider
ably, rounding the buoy at 11:17:30: the
Britannia at IL :21 :23. The boats thcn made
Q long tack TO port for Cowes.
Both boats we're becalmed TOR an hour on
Hampstead. about mile from tho solepe
buoy.
At ! 90 the Shamrock showed around Eaype
Point followed by the Britannia. Both had
set topsails. Going about to port they passed
the clubhouse. the Shamrock at :45 100 and
the Britannia at 1:4o;1O. Both then stood
for hyde. frequently tacking. The Shamrock.
leading by q few minutes. passed the Ryde
pier senaphore at 2:24 80. ThesBritannia
followed at 2:34 100. Tho boats were then
carrying mainsais. staysails and backyard
topsails There was a slight breeze east by
south. II was beat back to Noman Fort but
at this stage the Britannia quit and the Sham
rock ran aground.
Mr.. Richard Grant. late Secretary OF the
Royal Yacht Squadron. said In an interview
to-day that he liked the appearance Of the
Shamrock yesterday better than he had at first.
but he did not believe that che was capable OF
re"apturing the cup. She should have beaten
the Britannia by forty minutes. considering
that the Britannia had passed twelve months
In the mud. which doubtless had affected her
buoyancy.
Col NillerssBagot the winner OF the Dover
Boulogne race Saturday. who has seen
every lmpertant yacht race for the past twen-
ty-five years says the Shamrock is too lumpy
in the quarter" and altogether too stiff for
American waters. He does not believe thaA
she will succeed in winning the cup
rleased with the Shamrock's performance.
He says that the carrying away OF the new
yachts BACKYARD meant loss OF two minutes.
gossip OF the Royal southam pton Yacht
Club said to- day The Shamrock did better
I than l expected. 1t was very fair trial, but
not criterion OF what she will do after Cross
ing the Atlantic. That will handicap her"
member of.tne Yacht Racing Association
said OF the Shamrock she is a Rlorined Nj
agara. She is perfect racing machine while
the Britannia is a racing yacht"
The Prince OF Wales spoke hopefully OF tho
coming matches for the cup.
Capt Carter Of the Britannia says he has
received no instructions regarding further
races, At any rate. the Shamrock will not
race for a week. He expresses admiration for
the new yacht and says that she is very smart
LONDON, July ia member OF the New
York Yacht Club. and an expart in yachting,
says that. considering all phases OF the Sham.
rocks first race. her form must be disappoint-
ing to Mr.. Fife. her designer. In thirty
eight miles OF fair sailing. he says. she could
not have beaten the Britannia over ten min
utes, and 1t Is doubtful II she would be more
than six minutes faster.over the course that
will be sailed in America. Even giving her
the advantage OF tuning up to racing pitch. the
Shamrock must improve fifteen minutes to
catch the cup defender This. OF course is In
her present rig.
Ono thing seems certain" he added. and
that is that the Sham rock needs a bigger sail
spread than she now carries. | understand that
Fife " II send longer opmast:and bigger
mainsail. and decide after arriving at New
York whether to use them or not The sham
rock has plenty OF headsail. but needs longer
topmaat and a bigger mainsail. One feature
which Fife has carried to the extreme 10 the
shamrocks wonderful Quickness in stays,
This 10 due to her peculiar under water body
Her keel may almost be said to go down to q
blunt point and she turns on it like a pivot
should not be surprised il sbe draws nearly
twenty-six feet. The Shamrock seems to be
OF lighter construction than the Colum bia but
unless Sir Thomas's boat carries tho bigger
rig. this harder It blows and the more sea there
10 the more the Columbia will beat her"
Lawn Tennis.