The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-13
SHAMROCK'S CLOSE CALL.
THE CHtLLhNGRR NEARLY RTN
DOHN DURING MONDAYS STOkM.


night. The barge Ulster, on which are the
Yachts spars dragged her anchor and
was blown down on the challenger. BY
hard work tho crew Of the Erin man
aged to get the yacht out OF the way
Just in time to save disaster which
would have meant an indefinite post
ponement OF the International races.
1t had been storming all ay. but shortly before
shutdown the wind blew with almost hurricane
force. It was so strong that the waves were
swept across the Hook and the water in the
Horseshoe. In which the Shamrock squadron
is anchored. was lashed into fury. Capt
Matthews said the storm broke so suddenly
and 80 flercely that It took every ono by sur
prise. The sea ran high and the spndrift was
so thick that It was i'm possible to see more
than few feet In front OF one.
The Shamrock was at her mooring and the
barge Ulster was broad on her weather. There
was one man on the barge and two OF the crew
on the Shamrock. Tho others were on the
tender Plymouth. The barge was moored with
a mushroom anchor and when the storm struck
this broke ground and the barge was blown
out toward the Shamrock The man on board
at once signalledior help and the two men on
the Shamrock signallod to the Erin to notify
those ON board OF the peril the yacht was In.
The crew Of the Erin were pped to quarters
and 1t was hurredy decided 10 try and put
q line on the Shamrock and pull her out OF
harms way Two steam launches we're low
cred and hawscrs put on board but the sea was
running so high that the launches could make
no headway. One was blown up the harbor
and as there was danger Of her being swnmped
the other launch had to go to her assistance.
In tho meantime the barge was drifting
toward the Shamrock and there seemed to be
no chance OF faving her. William Fife. the
designer. was thoroughly alarmed. so were
Sir Thomas Upton. Thomas Ratsey and all on
the Erin. who had gathered on the bridge OF
the yacht to watch the men in the
launches. The two =, men on the Sham
rock were helpless. They could not slip
the moofngs and there seemed to be no way
OF saving the yacht. Slowly but surely the
barge was reaching the Shamrock. and il she
got to her the yacht would soon have been
sunk. The searchlight on the Erin was got
into rlay and held steadily on the racing yacht
The watchers on the bridge had almost given
herup.
The men In the launches were battling with
the wind and waves. One OF them seemed
better able to weather the storm than the
other and inch by inch she crawled up to-
ward the Shamrock. 1t was race between
her and the barge and the barge seemed to be
winning The mon on the launch were
working Ike demons. and finally. after q
desperate struggle. they got on the lee
side OF the challenger. The spectators on the
Erin gave cheer but the Shamrock was
not yet saved A hawser was passed aboard
and the two men quickly passed It around the
mast and made It fast. There was yet a chance.
but slim one, as the Shamrock WAS held fast
by her mornings Steam was up on the Erin
and as soon as the hawscr was fast and the
signal had been given to that effect the steam
yacht started ahead. The barge was then less
than 100 feet away and she was increasing her
speed as the storm swept on.
The Erin tugged. and for moment that
seemed like an age to those who watched. the
Shamrock held fast to the buoy that was laid
down by the Lighthouse Board and refused to
bulge. Mr.. Fife thought It was all over and
on Of Ss Pet The Erin
SSS' hard pulls the yacht began to move:
the Shamrock and mQoring buoy out OF harm I.
way just In time to allow the barge TO go by
after the wind had subsidized, the barge was
towei back and anchored safely in the Horse
+. NJ. Hoyt's sloop Yacht syce was a'so
anchored in The Ho Sc shoe ami shortly ali er
the trouble with the barge she. too. began q
launches were sent over to her to sec what
could be done. The Syce had two anchors down
bur they we're nor holding Sir Thomas had a
apt. Matthews OF the Erin said yesterday
and deep water vessels called In all parts OF the
word he never say storm break so suddenly
mSnnGy ban
The seas broke over the Hook and there was
no lee shore The spindrIit was 50 thick that
have never seen anything quite so heavy IL
| took peary four hours to get the Shamrock
Hf spt The
,mrock and Syce all night long.
Shamrock now hns on her gig rig. and
c~s. Nothing like it has been seen '' on any
in these ws;erH and 1T she can earry /,
se has
siderrd., The new, BIO ON and gaff were slune
on board and rlgsed and shortly after o'clock
, began. This was lone task and it was after
no. noon before It Vas ready for h9istiinE Then
lie sail was stretched for the first
! time The new boom is much longer than
the s si here and
| were lying together on the deck OF the yacht II
easy f. get IL" size q
exceeds that, figure . lite. These I'VE
E9 made asa Of st se S boo to Be as
ana appear. rather cdd comPHrsq with ths
|
the length probably makes 1t appear rather
The mainsni is another fine specimen o.
| Ratsey's art. When 1t was hoSted there were
| n few wrinkles at the clew and tack. hut after
the wind had blown into the canvas for :
| short time these wrinkles disappeared and
the sail set perfectly. 1t is, cross :cu
that is. the cloths run at, right angles to the
leach. BY placing the cloths this way it is sup
posed that the, seams offer less resistance ant
there is less friction. 1t is made OF Sea 1slant
| cotton duck Of close weave and Is stiff
and strong, " stands vol and has
| sail OF the Columbia has. After the sail hal
| heen hosted Ratsey and Captains Hogarth nnC
| Wrlngo went of In small boat and criticised
the set OF the canvas from the dis ance. The!
seemed to ba well pleased with the sail anC
| soon returned 10 tho yacht
Then the club ,opsall was bent on the club
set over the new gaff. 1t covered tho space
meant for 1t perfectly md looked rs well al
| II did the first day 1t was hoisted. Tn,
| club tonsail was bent on the wooden spar
l but there were two metal spars on the deck o
| the Shamrock which will be tried this week
| Tho mainsail was up al the afternoon to 10
the wind stretch It out. Tho yacht Remained
| at anchor all day but will go out for n trial to
day. and her performance under her new riI
will be watched with interest.
| William Gardner had a good look Mt tn
| he. r,la,. feoF, he Gu IIa, L,t n