New-York tribune., 1900-03-17
TIE COMING CUP CHALLENGE.

The welcome news concerning Sir Thomas
Lipton's intentions in making his promised chal-
lenge for the Americas Cup contains points
which are of interest to the general public as
we'll to yachtsmen. 1t is now that in
his experiences of last year Sir Thomas learned
good deal. He has been kind enough to say
that. in spite of the prolonged delays occasiOned
by the weather, he found those experiences to
be for the most part enjoyable; but perhaps the
best thing he acquired here is what we may
call the Americas Cup habit This rather pleas
ing concentration on one idea has been enjoyed
by several predecessors, and supplies the same
incentive TO repeated endeavOr the hope of
finding the North Pole or inventing the flying
machine. Notwithstanding the fact that the
search for the North Pole and the America S
Cup has always resulted in a "freeze-out for
the adventurer, the effect of failure seems
merely to whet the appetite. Many great names
have been quoted to show that men who once
try to reach the pole try again, and success
becomes the aim of q lifetime and now that
Sir Thomas Upton suggests his intention Of re-
peating his endeavors until he finally WINS we
feel the propriety of calling attention to the
Americas Cup habit, not maiady and not in
any way as warning, but merely as an inter
esting popularity in human history. Apart from
the many difficulties surrounding the search for
believing that Jason did not find It, and If Sir
Thomas finally succeeds in lifting the other an
tique relic which is so firmly screwed to the
table of the New York Yacht Club he will place
new page in the history Of human quests
which have continuously resulted In failure.
Sir Thomas has learned that he wants two
yachts here to practise with and compare before
the Cup races begin. 1t is said that he wishes to
be in exactly the same position which the last
deed gives to the defending club. AS reported
from Scotland, he wants to have two boats thor
oughly tried on this side, and to sail the match
series with the faster Of the two. To do this is
the privilege of the defence. The New-York
Yacht Club does not have to name its repre-
sentative vessel until the morning Of the first
race and up to the last moment could have
selected the Defender instead of the Coum-
bia If there had been any doubt as to the
superiority of the younger boat. The last con-
veyance says: "The challenged club shall not be
required to name its representative vessel until
"a time agreed upon for the start" But from
the challenger the deed requires a ten months
notice in writing, and 1t adds: accompanying
''the ten months notice of challenge there must
''be sent the name of the owner and a certifi-
''cate of the name rig and following dimensions
"of the challenging vessel-namely, length on
load waterline, beam at the load waterline,
'and the extreme beam, and draught of water,
(which dimensions shall not be exceeded: and
"a custom house registry of the vessel must be
''sent as soon possible"
Owing to objections to describing the chal-
longing boat with such particularly before
hand the New-York Yacht Club does not now
require all these conditions to be carried out,
and Sir Thomas Lipton's challenge for the
Shamrock as filed by the Royal Ulster commit
nfain only tha Of n
the yacht. the length of the load waterline and
a mention of the rig. This was satisfactory to
every one and the mutual agreement clause
has the effect of altering. If desired any and all
conditions specified in the deed of gift now in
use. The present endeavor Is to have both
sides satisfied and bring on matches in the
friendliest possible way