New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-27
THE SHAMROCK LAUNCHED.
,Any RUSSELL NAMES CHALLENGES
FOR AMERICAS CUP.
COLLISION WITH BARGE. BUT DAMAGE
srJGHr-sIR THOMAS LIPToN's SPORTS
MANIIKE sPEECH-YACHT's POS
sIBLE DIMENSIONS.

1ondon June 26.-Slr Thomas Liptons cup
challenger the Shamrock was launcneo al
o'clock this afternoon at Mllwall. Wnen 'he
Yacht reached midstream she hao coiii'
with a barge but the damage. fortunately was
slight. ,,
A. Nom the Shamrock was hidden from view
{, an enormous launching cradle, under tenn
norary shed in samuda's yard. At IL O'CLOCK
zoo workmen completed the preparations ior 'he
launch and the occasion was observed as d
general holiday. On little spot among inc
forests Of masts hsiling from every quarter OF
the elobe a large tent gayly decorated with
flags. was erected opposite the yacht which
stood on the slips. ready for the water, and n.y.
tho the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack
Crowds of people who had no chance or seeing
ANYTHING out Of the ordinary assembled In the
morning in the vicinity of the yard. and detach-
nents Of police appeared TO preserve order.
From the river little could he seen except the
stern of the yacht where in bright golden let
ters. shone the name Shamrock
Previous to the launch Sir Thomas Upton
gave a luncheon at the Savoy Hotei u .he
g,Hsts Invited to the ceremony. They lhciuoeu
Admiral Lord Charles Beresford. the MARQUIS Vi
Duferin the Earl and Countess of Canwilliam,
LADY Russell. the Hon. Lillian Russell, the Hon.
schomberg Kerr Mcdonnell. principal private
secretary to the Marquis OF SALISBURY; OF
| George Faudel-Phillips former LORD Mayor Oh
London and Lady Phillips; Herbert GLADSTONE
Major sharman- Crawford, the Hon w Walsh,
and H. NJ McGilldowny. the last three repre-
senting the Royal Ulster Yacht Club
ADMIRAL BEREsFORD'S TOAST.
After the usual loyal toasts Admiral Beres-
| ford proposed the success Of the Shamrock ana
| briefly sketched the struggles OF times gone oy
| and Sir Thomas Lpton's gallant entry into the
| breech" and challenge for the cup linen 'he
| Admiral in breezy style raised his glass ana
| said:
Now we come to the last scene but one May
the Shamrock win a fair, square race and may
| she have the additional ballast ol TIE [>''e
Cup when she returns
| The guests heartily raised their glasses IN
| resnonse and the owner OF the Shamrock mod
| estly replied with few words of thanks
| After luncheon the party drove TO Samuda
ward in two coaches Admiral Beresford driving
| the first They were the object OF much atteh-
| ton while proceeding down the Thames EN-
| bankment and through the city and White
chapel.
| 1mmedIately after their arrival at the yard
| the marty inspected the yacht under the guiu-
ance OF Sir Thomas Upton. W. Fife Jr'' MT
Thornvcroft and Charles Russell They were
oil delighted. Admiral Beresford whose expert
onlnion is valuable, seeming especially pleased
with his minute inspection Of the challenger
LAZY RUSSELL NAMES THE YACHT.
LADY Russell then assembled a platform level
| with the bow, and named the yacht with the
| customary bottle OF champagne. saying:
| ct christen you Shamrock God bless you!
Good luck to you. May you bring back the
cup"
Three cheers were then given, and, on signal
frcm Lady Russell the boat and the craoie
| eIided safely into the water. AS the shamrock
reached midstream from the slips barge ran
into her striking the yachts bow above the
| water lire and making big dent There was
q great cry when the Shamrock STRUCK espe-
c,allv from several members of the Upton party
| who witnessed the launch from the river but
| II was soon ascertained that the damage oohe
was slight and as a tug towed the yacht toward
| the Southwest India Dock hundreds or Whistles
| and horns made tremendous din
whom the Shamrock was launched her entire
| crs,v and n large number OF workmen we're on
board.
| After the ceremony the guests repaired 10 the
marquee. which was tastefully lined with emer-
| ia oraer and decorated with flowers. the Ulster
Yacht Club flags and the new gold and green
Shamrock racing flag.
PRAISE FOR THE BOATS OWNER.
Herbert Gladstone, standing in the centre OF
the marquee and holding up champagne
glass proposed the health Of Sir Thomas LIP
ton He said In part:
IL feel sure there is not man or woman IN
tho country who fails to admire Sir Thomas s
generosity, pluck and determination IN MS
sportsmanlike endeavor to win back the cup
tha
our cousins across the water. and agree with
our host in his hope that the better boat may
win II only remains for me to say that sim
cerely hope the Shamrock will prove to be tha'
boat and TO ask you all TO drink to her sue
cess and to the health of her owner
Sir Thomas Upton, In acknowledging the
| toast said he was deeply grateful to Lady Rus
sell for her kindness in conserving to launcr
| and name the yacht, and he was sure they
| could not have better augury or success thar
was furnished by her gracious presence he
Felt hound also to thank Mr.. Fife. the de
siener NJ the Shamrock Mr.. Thornycroft. the
builder. and all the workmen who have beer
engaged on the yacht. They had spared neither
pains nor time to bring the work to sue
, cess. and the splendid launch that had just beer
witnessed was a testimony to their skill anc
care.
He said he rejoiced to see the commodore o
the Ulster Yacht Club, the Marquis or Duiterli
, and Ava, present. AS to competition for I'M
. cup. he felt certain that, whether the Shamroci
{ won or lost, the yachtsmen Of America would
, give to them a hearty and fraternal greeting. l
: the American yacht won and retained the cup
the people OF Great Britain. without a grain o
envy or Ill feeling, would sincerely congratulate
! the Americans on the possession OF bette
boat and the consequent right to retain tn
prize.
HOPES FOR SUCCESS.
II hope however. that the coveted trophy,
he continued. may be brought back TO the oil