The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-08
HAD A LOOK AT THE MA7Is.
SAVANNAH YACHTgMEN ga w
CHARLEsToN'S YACHTING PRIDE.

Several savanaahians Interested IA
the Approaching Races Saw the
Challenger at Anchor and fn Mo-
tion-They believe Her Fast, APP
precfate the Beauty of Her Rig
gfnS, But Think Fer Bow Has No
Great Claim to Beauty-DragOOn
VIII lie Launched Day After To-
morrow After Her OyerhauIing.
New Sails Are Coming Out for Her.
Several Savannah. yachtsmen have seen
the boat they are to pit the Dragon
against in the races of June 7, 8 and 9,
that is, if the Dragon shows clean pair
of heels to the Simeon. Mr. Julian Schley,
Mr.. Harry Strachan Mr.. James G. Har-
dee, who will be in The crew of the ORA
COON, and others went over on the excur-
sion to Charleston Sunday and saw the
got away unSer canvas.
The verdict of the Savannah yachtsmen
is that they have something swift to go
up against. One of them said yesterday
that he never saw a rre,t!er piece of wa
ter furniture than the yacht, which, in
>rigging. sails and general furnishing, is
all that could be wished. The yachtsman
didn't think much of the boats hull, how
ever, and freely criticised it's appear
ance. He said he could not, of course. tell
anything about the Maris' speed; it was
only the shape of her bow that he found
any objection to, and that was from an
aesthetic, rather than a practical, point
Of view. He simply believes that a boat
shaped like she is can lay little claim to
beauty. The hull of the Dragon, he said,
is not upheld as a shining example of the
81 eat beauty lines that can be achieved
in the shipyard, but, compared with that
of the Maris, the Dragons hull is the
prettiest that ever cut the water.
Charleston has gone almost daft about
the approaching races. There is vast in
terest and enthusiasm, and everybody is
talking about the great event. The en-
thusiasts seem divided in their opinion as
to the Maris, some contending that she
will easily defeat whatever boat the Sa-
vannah Yacht Club pits against her and
others claiming that she is not fast
enough. That is something that remains
to be seen.
Savannah yachtsmen believe they have
an advantage with the Dragon because
her sails and rigging have been tested
and found to be perfectly suited to the
boat. When she came to them she had
been sailed in Northern waters, and those
aboard her were convinced that had any
alterations been needed they would have
been made while she was held by other
owners Such is not the case with the
Maris, which is a new yacht. 1t would
be difficult to find whether some change
might help her sailing qualities, for the
time before the races is scarcely sufficient
to admit of experiments.
Across the river on Hutchinsons Island
the Dragon is being overhauled and
treated to a coat of new paint. She will
be launched day after tomorrow, and
soon her crew will be giving her trial
spins to again get the hang of working
her, and to see If she has the speed in her
that made her the victor in the races
last year. 1t is understood that there
will be ten in the crew at first, and that
probably two will be struck, leaving eight
to win new honors for the Savannah Yacht
Club.
A new mainsail and jib have been or
dered for the Dragon from Wilson and
Silsby. the famous sailmakers of Boston.
The same firm furnished the sails for the
Maris. The new sails will be tried ON the
Dragon, but, if they do not serve as we'll
as the old, the latter will be used. The
present lighter sails will be employed.