The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-23
NO CONTEST NEXT YEAR
SIR THOMAS Upton, HOWEVER,
WILL CHALLENGE IN 1901.
Time Too short to Design and Con-
struct n New Yacht-COlumbia's
Proposed Trip Abroad.

NEW YORK. Oct. 22-Sir Thomas Upton
spent to-day on board his steam yacht Erin.
During the greater part of the morning he
was busy with his secretaries, but in the
afternoon he took a rest. He saw a few
visitors, although hundreds of small boats
fioated around the big yacht. Some of the
most venturesome went up to the gangway
and sent cards on board. The owner of the
unsuccessful cup-hunter talked freely to a
reporter and chatted for more than an hour
about his plans for the future.
Il shall not challenge for the cup next
year" he said. in reply 10 a query You
see. the time is all too short TO design a
boat, build her and have her tuned up to
concert pitch to race next fall. 1 shall.
however. issue a challenge for 1901, and shall
complete the arrangements for 1t in a day
or two. The matter must be discussed fully
with the committee of the New York Yacht
Club. 1 have accepted Commodore Nor
gan's Invitation to dine tomorrow night at
the Metropolitan Club. i expect to meet
Mr.. Iselin and the members of the commit
tee there, and We shall doubtless talk the
matter over then"
"Will Fife design the new boat?"
Most assuredly he will, but in his pres
ent state / do not care to approach him
on the subject. There will be plenty of
time for that. however, after the challenge
is issued. My new boat must be between
fifteen and twenty minutes faster than the
Shamrock, and she must be an Improvement
on the which means almost a
miracle, for she Is a marvellous boat. III
any other yachtsmen want to challenge for
the cup L shall willingly step aside, but
in any event | shall stand willing TO give
every assistance in my power TO the man
who tries 10 nft the RnD. Inc shamrock
and my crew will be at his disposal, so that
he can have a trial horse whose powers are
known. IL my challenge is the one accepted
/ shall have the Shamrock i'm commission,
and will use her in tuning up the new boat =
Sir Thomas commented on the proposed
trip of the Columbia abroad, saying: IF
she were my boat L should take her across
at once, and you can take my word for 1t
she would sweep everything before her. L
sincerely hope she will cross the Atlantic
If for no other purpose than TO show them
over there what a Yankee yacht is like.
Believe me. 1T will teach them someihlng-
/ can assure commodore Morgan and Mr..
Iselin that they will be cordially welcomed.
and We shall have plenty of cups for them
to race for. If the Columbia races In En-
glish waters | shall certainly put the Sham-
The Shamroc will be fitted with her
small yawl rig at once; in fact, the work
of preparing her for sea will begin early
tomorrow morning. She will be ready by
a week from Tuesday, which time l have
fixed for her and the Erin to start on the
shall sail the next day on the American
liner ST. Louis. / want TO see the Sham
rock safely off before l start.
Il want to say again that L have been
treated with the utm Dst courtesy by every
one that / have met. Never for a moment
have the yachtsmen here made me feel 9TH
erwise than perfectly at home. l have failed
to win your cup. but i proved what / said
before 1 sailed for it, that any yachtsman
who came for the cup would have only fair
opportunity TO win II.
Il am deeply touched at the spirit shown
by you Americans in arranging for that low
ing cup for me. / shall prize Ii above all
things. 1t sho VS. that my estimate of the
American character is not wrong. / am at
liberty to say now that the Wild guesSeS
as to what Shamrock cost were all of
them far cut. The cost of the beat alone as
she Is now without considering the ex-
pense of crew or anything else is about
500. 900"
Sir Thomas has received hundreds of let
tiers from admirers all over the country ex-
pressing sympathy with him in defeat.
Thu crew OF the Columbia had a day of
complete rest to-day, the first that they
could enjoy since Oct. 3. Hundreds of per-
sons went to the shore during the day TO
get a view of the winning yacht and COM
ment upon her. She wore no sign of her
victory to-day. no flags being hoisted except
the yacht ensign. Mr.. Iselin could not be
seen to-day to ascertain what was to be
the course followed relative to the boat next
year.