The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-18
THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
New York Yacht Club Sends an An.
sNcr to Linton.


New York Yacht Club Sends an An
swcr to Upton.
NEW YORK. Oct. 1.-THE challenge of
the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, issued on
behalf OF Sir Thomas Upton, for a race
for the Americas Cup. to be sailed next
August. was accepted by the members Of
the New York Yacht Club tonight and a
cablegram was sent to the Royal Ulster
Yacht Club. notifying that club of the ac-
ceptance. special meeting Of the club
was held. and after the challenge had
been read it was referred to a committee
appointed by the commodore.
After the adjournment OF the meeting
the committee met and in a short time
decided to accept the challenge. The con-
ditions that governed the last races are
to prevail for the next series, with some
slight changes made necessary by the
change of date. The series Is to be three
out of five races. The first. third. ard
fifth races are to be fifteen miles to wind
ward and return, and the second and
fourth races are to be over triangular
course ten miles to each leg.
Thsre is to be time limit of six hours
on each race. If there is no wind at the
time set for the start the committee may
start is to be made after that hour II
one yacht breaks down during the race
the other is to finish.
The club in accepting the challenge SO
quickly has made record. Sir Thomas
Lipton, too, has made somewhat CT rec
ord, as his challenge is the shortest ever
received. Secretary eddie read the chal-
lenge received from the Royal Ulster
Yacht Club. which is as follows:
Royal Ulster Yacht Club,
Mount Pottinger Road,
Belfast. Oct 3, 1900.
To j. v. s. oddie, Esq, Secretary New York
Yacht Club.
Dear Sir: l am requested by Sir Thomas Lip
ton to forward you this challenge for the
Americas Cup. subject as to starts and courses
and other details to the same conditions as
the occasion of the last races, which were found
SO satisfactory.
The first race to be sailed on Tuesday, August
20. 1901.
The second race to be sailed on Thursday, Au.
gust %, 1901.
The third race to be sailed on Saturday. Au-
gust q. 1901.
same days of the following weeks.
j, therefore. on behalf OF the Royal Ulster
Yacht Club and In the name Of Sir Thomas J.
Lipton. Rear Commodore OF the club, challenge
to sail series Of matches with the yacht
Shamrock II against any yacht vessel
constructed in the United States Of America for
the Americas Cup.
The following are the particulars Of the chal-
longing vessel viz:
Owner. Sir Thomas Upton. Name Of yacht.
Shamrock II. Length on load water line. s9.5
feet Rig, cutter. The custom house measure
ment will follow as the vessel can be
measured for registration.
shall be much obliged if you will cable the
receipt Of this challenge.
HUGH c. KELLY,
Honorary Secretary Royal Ulster Yacht Club
Then the secretary read this letter,
which was received from Sir Thomas Lip
ton with the challenge:
S. Y. Erin, Oct. 2, 1860
Dear Mr. eddie: have much pleasure in en-.
closing YOU challenge for a series of races for
the Americas Cup, TO take place next year.
You will see that / ask for change in the
conditions, as was perfectly satisfied with all
the arrangements made on the last occasion and
in respect of which the New York Yacht Club
was so deservedly congratulated.
l sincerely trust that last years successful
arrangements may be repeated, with the sole ex.
ception that hope the name of the boat that
lifts the Cup may this time be Shamrock II.
With kind regards, am, yours faithfully.
THOMAS J. Upton.
j. V. s. Oddie, Secretary New YORK Yacht
Club New York.
Secretary Oddie also read copy of the
letter which he had sent acknowledging
the receipt Of the letter, saying it would
be laid before the club. The action Of the
club on the challenge was not long de-
layed. and was as above outlined. There
was naturally some talk about defender.
No one has yet offered to build a yacht
to race against the challenger, but many
members Of the club think that Cornelius
Vanderbilt will offer to do so. now that
the challenge has been accepted and all
the details arranged. Mr.. Vanderbilt last
summer expressed himself as willing to
do this. and during the last few days he
has had several conferences with the Off
GERS OF the club, at which 1t is said that
the challenge and the defence of the cup
formed the topic OF conversation.