The San Francisco call., 1899-10-09
WILL SAIL EVERY DAY
AFTER NEXT THURSDAY
An Agreement by Which the Shamrock and Colum-
bia Are to Compete Until the Question Of Inter-
national Yachting Supremacy Is Decided.

America, for he had heard much from his
father about the craft that came over
from America to England forty-eight
years ago and captured the cup that the
Shamrock has come over to lift" this
year.
When the America was on the other side
Mr.. Ratsey's father saw the craft fire.
quently and got his first idea about build
ing sails that would set flatter than the
type of the English sails, which were cut
baggy at that time. The elder Ratsey
was following the same vocation that his
fathers had followed for generations be-
fore, that of sailmaking, ana he admitted
the America so much that he had a model
made which is in the Ratsey office to this
day.
When the America came back to her
anchorage at o'clock Sir Thomas Sig
nailed for his launch and came over to
the Associated Press yacht Wanda. After
greeting those on board, Sir Thomas first
words were: isn't it singular that we
always get strong breeze after a race
day?"
The owner OF the Shamrock, when seen
later by the Associated Press representa-
tive on board his steam yacht Erin, said
he would like to have a strong breeze for
the contest on Tuesday SO that the two
boats could finish race, for If they did
no do so pretty soon he would have to
build house on Sandy Hook. He men
toned a dispatch he had erceived from st.
Johns, n. F., begging him to come down
there and sail the races, where there is
plenty of wind and lots of water
Sir Thomas said the crew Of his yacht
were as happy as larks, and they were
eager to have try at the Columbia in a
stiff breeze, for they were more confident
than ever of winning the cup, now that
they had shown how speedy the Sham
rock was in light air.
A dispatch came to Sir Thomas this af-
ternoon from Weather Forecaster Will
Jams Of the Weather Bureau IN Washing
ton, announcing that a heavy northeast
gale was moving slowly up the coast from
off North Carolina and that IT would be
dangerous for small boats
Lying under the lee of Sandy Hook the
two racing yachts were we'll protected
from the heavy sea running outside, but
still Sir Thomas deemed 1t advisable to
take precautions His first move was to
run over to the Columbia and notify Cap
tain Barr of the warning that he had re-
ceived from Washington. He also placed
a tug at Barr's disposal if he cared to
tow up the harbor out of danger, for the
Irish Knight does not want anything to
happen to the cup defender any more than
he does to his own boat. Then he came
back to the Erin and instructed Captain
Matthews to keep steam up all night in
case Of emergency. He also ordered every
thing made snug on the Shamrock for the
night
II want to say" said Sir Thomas, that
1 shall not leave Sandy Hook until either
win or lose the cup. That is what I came
here for, and 1 shall make it my only bust
ness. l hope for a good stiff breeze next
Tuesday, so that the boats can make
race of it, and may the best boat win
The Shamrock's owner then returned to
ha nd hi
party at lunch.
Admiral Dewey will not be able TO see
Tuesdays race from the Erin. He has SO
many engagements that he finds it impos-
sible TO be present, and SO telegraphed Sir
Thomas to-day.
With the Royal Ulster Yacht Clubs
pennant tapping at her masthead and the
blue ensign of that club at her stern gaff,
the challenger Shamrock pulled hard at
her mooring buoy in the Horseshoe this
afternoon, for piping northeast breeze
was whistling through her rigging and
there was promise of more wind in the
threatening clouds. Walking the deck was
a blue-uniformed sailor, whose duty it was
to keep watch over his precious charge
On board the Erin Captain Matthew'S
her commander, stated that the crew of
the Shamrock, from Shippers Hogarth
and Wringe-who have proven conclusive
ly their skill at handling the tiller and
trimming sheets-down to the youngest
sailor were in fine fettle. and more con-
fident than ever that the green sloop
which they have all learned to love and
admire, will win the Americas cup for
Sir Thomas Upton.
Barring accidents, absolutely no change
will be made in the challenger. She is
now as on Wednesday, in the pink of
condition and stands ready to win or lose
upon her merits. Her running gear has
been carefully overhauled, and it is said
cannot be improved upon, while her sails
are simply perfection. Sails alone never
won race, but where the yachts are as
evenly matched as they are in this case it
may mean the extra feather which tips
the scale IN the Shamrocks favor. Be
this as it may, the crew of the green chal-
lenger is eagerly looking forward to the
next race day, praying for a breeze that
will afford q true test of the speed of the
yachts. If such day is granted and the
Shamrock fails to win, they will be the
most surprised sailor lads that ever swung
on a halyard or reefed a sail. In the
meantime they are taking matters philo-
sophically, are in the best Of spirits, and
no one can say as yet that their conf
dence In the beautiful Irish yacht is mis-
placed.