New-York tribune., 1900-11-25

then England wifi cry out that we won with
boat that could not cross the ocean. and If /
over with regular machine and dust the floor
with me. That was Iselin's dilemma at the
time. but he decided on the regular yacht and so
90 we But II by any chance we should lose to
the Shamrock II. then the builders OF the sail
ing machines will have all the chance they want.
Apart from the question that the shallpwer
underbody, 1atter floor and smaller displace-
ment which may be expected the chief ques-
tion is as to the amount OF beam. and this as
perhaps proved by the Shamrock. is a most i'm
portant item The Herreshoffs gave the CoIonia
"a feet beam. the vigilant 20. the Defender
%, the Columbia "a. and there is good reason TO
suppose that In regard to this difficult dImen-
sion the Columbia's width was nearly right for
the given waterline. The New-York Yacht Club
yearbook gives the Shamrock's beam at "a feet
61s inches, but perhaps no stranger who the
two boats in drydock did not conclude that the
shamrock was much wider than this and nearer
~ feet than "a. The experience OF the beamy
Vigilant when she met the Vakyrie II In the
hard seaway beat of the third race will not
probably be risked again. The lean Valkyrfe II
at 22 feet inches. too clean boat for the
Vigilant when 1t came to a seaway, and so was
the Britannia, at % feet beam Indeed 1t is stiu
a question whether the Defenders beam is not
nearer right than the Columbia's for all round
old In Cup defence. feels quite sure that in the
heavy work OF the third race between the CO.
lumbia and the Shamrock the Defender could
have dished up the two of them He denies that
the Columbia is the fastest craft in heavy dead
TO windWard work, and certainly the proof was
weak on this point though for all round per-
formance in ordinary weather the Columbia was
rnquestonably the more valuable boat.
The next general question is as to what Wat
son Will do. and here it is widely admitted that
he has good chance, If he could be induced to
build something freaky. On this point the mem
ber of the syndicate may be quoted again
There is much greater certainty about Watson
T3t I3t pulIuIns freak than there was about Fife
Little was known of Fife in these parts ami
S9etorenano there was no saying what he might
40, put II is certain that Watson will never
pulid freak for this work. He has the English
preJuolces in favor of fine yacht clinched right
through him. With him she must always be a
ship. and be bonnie Therefore we are safe in
puldlng a real yacht to meet him, though / am
Iar from suggesting that we have any certainty
OF beating him. Watson stands in q better posi-
tion than Fife. because he has been supplied
with all the measurements of the Columbia and
his friend McGildowney. formerly the chief de-
signer and head man In the great yards of Har-
Ian & Wolff. at Belfast. has seen the Columbia
In the drydock. and has Connell and Fife
himself. and Sycamore. Moreover, he has full
opportunity to study the Shamrock's model and
detect her faults. IL her faults in her hull;
so that there cannot be any doubt but that he
slippery. In effect you may say this that It is
or 1T ought to be. just easy for Watson to
improve on the Columbia as 1t is for Herreshofr
They are both working on the refinement of the
same boat while they produce their new racers
and II II were not for our great faith that Her
reshoff will again be able to do the trick then
the outlook would be less comfortable. 1t will
not be walkover for either boat
Mr.. JAMESON's OFFICE ON SHAMROCK IL
Sir Thomas Upton has explained the position
which Mr. Jameson will have on board the
Shamrock II.
II count myself fortunate" says Sir Thomas
"in having secured the cooperation of William
Jameson in the management of the boat.
Through some Of the statements published there
has been a mistake this point. and 1 would
like to make IL clear that the assistance which
he will give will be to take my place on
board the boat. Captain Sycamore will have
full and absolute charge so far as the actual
sailing of the boat is concerned. but Mr.. Jane
son will be by to decide on any point on which
the owner might be called upon to say the final
word. His great skill may enable him to be of
service to the skipper any occasion on which
the latter may wish to consult him. but the
chief service he will render me in the aid he has
so kindly promised is to relieve of deciding
points on which his skill and experience will
enable him to speak with greater freedom and
certainty"
In answer to the question as to what he in
tends 10 do with the first Shamrock, Sir Thomas
replies:
That is a matter that falls a little awkwardly
since we changed the dates Of the races. In the
first plaCe the boat Will be thoroughly refitted
and put in proper trim under the directions OF
William. Fife, jr. and after this work Is done
we shall see about drafting programme to
corrv her through the season. / partly
nI.dged TO enter her in the International race
nronosed to be held in connection with the Glas-
yoyI exhibition That pledge was conditional
on nv being able to carry 1t out, and though 1