Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-28
CAPT. HAFF ENGAGED.
Will Sail the Lawson Cup Defender in Pre-
Iiminay Races.

Boston, Dec. 27.-The Herald, this after
noon, says: 1t can now be authoritatively
stated that Capt II. c. Half Will be the
SAILING master of the yacht winch is TO
represent Boston in the cup trial races.
Capt Han came to this city, yesterday,
IN response to kilograms from Thomas
w. Lawson and Designer CroWninshield
for the express purpose of talking over
the matter of sailing the Lawson boat.
Yesterday, Capt. Half met I. f. ADAMS,
"a, and Designer Crowninshield, ana the
three talked over the situation, DurinB
the conversation Capt. Half made ii very
clear that he would enter no contest FOR
the place. especially against Capt. Nate i,
Watson, who has been his intimate friend
Designer Crowninshield. when the matter
of the selection of a sailing master was
talked over, ending with the understand
ing that Capt. Half would be sailing mas
ter of the Boston boat.
In 1893, Capt. Half had charge of the
Defender and raced her successfully
against the Valkyrie LII. Since that
match he has been in the steady employ
OF Commodore Malcolm Forbes; Capt
Half will select the best men for his crew
that he can find. He is sure TO have APP
pilcants enough from Deer ISLE NE men
to fill all the places needed in the Law
son boat.
The entire yachting community is de-
lighted with the practical selection or
Capt. Hank Half as sailing master OF the
Lawson cup defender. The matter how
ever, is not definitely settled, as the ar
rangcment waits the approval of Mr..
Lawson, who was in New York, today.
Capt. Half will be recommended BY De-
signer Crowninshicld and the advisory
board of yachtsmen that is looking after
the boat, so that ii can be safely said
that Mr.. Lawson will undoubtedly APP
prove their decision
With Il skipper selected, the Lawson
advisory board is now turning its atten-
ton to finding a good man as Capt.
liaffs assistant and mate OF the new
boat. In This Capt. Haff's wishes Will
naturally be consulted, and, tonight. 1t
was said that his son Harry Half would
be brought over from New York to I'LL
the berth.
AS to the crew no definite action has
been taken, except that the - or more
hands will not come altogether from
Deer Isle Me. 1t is more probable that
a greater portion of the crew viii be Of
Swedish or Norwegian extraction, as
there are number in the East who have
had many years practical experience on
racing yachts and are expert sail hand
lCrs.
If a number of Deer Islanders who have
been on with the Defender or Columbia
can be obtained. il is likely that they
Will be in the crew. although the proper
ton will he small. 1t has been pointed
out that the Swedish hands on the De-
fender in 1899 under Capt Rhodes. were
considerably ahead Of the Deer Islanders
on the Columbia, in sail setting. although
the Down casters improved greatly be
fore the season WAS over ana the Column
ba met the Shamrock
II is probable. however. that every
sailor in Deer Isle who has ever trod the
deck of a yacht viii md his services in
demand before the season begins. either
on the Lawson boat, the new HcrreShon
production. or the Columbia, while If
ccnterhoard boat Is also built, the de-
mand FOR experienced yacht sailors Is
likely to exceed the supply.