New-York tribune., 1899-08-14
natural demand. that prices are governed ny
that demand and the cost OF materials ana not
by any corporations whatsoever.
THE COLUMBIA AND THE SHAMROCK.

THE COLUMBIA AND THE SHAMROCK.
In regard to the possibilities Of the Sham
rock the best yachting experts have admitted
that latterly they have been unable TO form
any trustworthy opinion. In fact, they are
wholly at sea and hard aground at the same
time. The successes Of the Meteor over the
Britannia have SO upset calculations that the
beating given by the Shamrock to the same
boat has lost all significance. Even II the
Shamrock had beaten the Britannia half an
hour in thirty miles it would have meant moth
ing. because the Meteor has defeated the old
champion by almost as much, and II Is certain
that the Shamrock will have to be considerably
faster than the Meteor TO carry off the cup.
When the Meteor was built the Emperor
expected to have good racing with the Val
kyrle III, the Britannia. the Ailsa and the
Satanita but after her experience In America
the Valkyrie III never appeared on n racing
course and for some reason the britannia went
ont Of commission and was put on the market
and sold. The Ailsa followed the Brltanmas
lead in leaving the course for a while. ana
afterward going TO the yawl rig: so that the
best speed Of the Meteor can only he guessed
nj through her racing with the Duo dAOruzzls
Bona. much smaller boat. which on time al
lowance had previously beaten the Meteor
about three fourths Of the time. judged by the
value Of the yearly prize winnings of both boats
and nv the records II Is In regard to the
Bona also that general surprise Is now Deing
felt The Meteor was altered, ana Is now sail
ing under the yawl rig, which is so invariably
supposed to reduce a cutters speed that yacht
clubs allow yawls to race at percentage or
their racing length. In the Newfork Yacht
Club yawls sail at % per cent of their racing
measurement as against cutters. 80 far as can
be remembered the Meteor Is the only cutter
thot has improved her speed by adopting the
yawl rig and the fact that she now beats the
Bona after giving her her full time allowance
&c not ot nresent understood. Mr.. Jameson, a
close adviser of the Prince in yachting matters
and one of the best yachtsmen In Englahu' de-
clares that the Britannia IS sailing as last as
she ever did. Captain Carter, who mas hahdied
her tllcr in every one OF her victories, ana WHO
knows "tne feel of her. better than any other
man living says the same thing Inc Meteor
performance therefore, in defeating the britan-
mia twenty-nine minutes completely scutties all
oplnIons formed from the tests between the
Shamrock and the Princes yacht.
on this side Of the water further tests OF the
Columbia have not created any additional sense
of assurance The new Herreshon boat has
not given a superabundance OF satisfaction III
her raclng with the Defender while on the
New-York Yacht Club cruise. The CoumDla
wins have been narrow, and IL mas Deeh sho"h
that under some conditions the Defender can
hold her on even terms for any length OF tiine.
II seems correct TO say that IN llgnt airs anu
IN a smooth sea the Columbia can peat the
Defender; but In October the weather or August
cannot confidently be counted on, ana the
chance of having some heavy days Is 10 De
considered In rough seas tile De1ender goes
10 the front wonderfully well, ana the 'olulh'
bia. instead Of improving her reputation as
sea boat is damaging it, as was shown III 'he
run from Point Judith in last Wednesdays
race.
When the Columbia raced with the Defender
off Sandy Hook in July she had the appear
ancc of walowlng while beating to windward
in the small sen. which proved trying Tor her'
The Defender did much better so long as the
fresh wind continued, and The Tribune salu
NJ tho time that there was nothing in the Co
lumbIas action to indicate that she would do
onv better to wlndward in a stronger wlnd
and heavier sea. She seemed to have diihcuity
in showing her extra two feet Of beam IN the
right direction. and she stopped and wallowed
and stopped in "A way that was totally dHer-
or+ from tho action of the slim Defender, when
noved with the ease and regularity OF ma
chinerv Privately. some experts dlnered from
This opinion but the last results seem to CON
firm il. On the other hand the shamrock Is
said 10 have as much as twenty-five feet OF
beam. and she may thus experience even great
or trouble than the Columbia In making good
weather of It on a heavy day. 1t Is stal prop
able that the Defender can do even better win
the Shamrock under like conditions. The De
fender was always a marvel at going to wind
ward in a seaway, and when 1t comes TO buck
ing into half gale she is probably to-day the
fastest boat in the world If the Columbia can
beat the Defender all round the compass IN
moderate weather, and can hold her fairly well
when she gets her best chance. there is no
reason TO think that the cup is in any danger.