The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-03
WORK ON THE DEFENDER.
The HerreshoR's Preparations for
Building the American Yacht.

Building the American Yacht.
NEW YORK. Dec. Most of the work
| now under way at the Herreshoff yards
| Is in the nature of preparation for what
Is yet to come. there being little OF the
material for the new defender of the
Americas Cup now on the premises. In
| the last week new chainplates have been
forged in the blacksmith shop for the
shrouds, and the work of getting out
straps and struts has been begun. This
Is an early start for these items. but
double sets of them have to be made.
and especially of the strappings that are
to go inside the boat. More important
work Is at q standstill. because the sew
enty-footer Rainbow occupies the south
shop. and the partial rebuilding OF her is
not expected to be finished for at least
week. after which she will be launched
and taken, to winter quarters.
The work Of making the defenders sails
Is now we'll under way in the new sail
loft. and also in the old loft over the
north shop. Two Of the jibs are now
almost completed, and Foreman Hatha-
way has six men at work. the same num-
Der of extra hands being ordered for this
month. 40 81
The Herreshoffs boat shops and other
have Just received a new and Independent
electric lighting system. so that when the
rush comes to complete the defender and
the many other racers which are to be
ready before next spring the work can be
continued by. the night relays without in
Permission. At present the Rainbow is
much in the way. The temporary steel
wire stays in this boats interior and
number Of the struts placed temporarily
last 1,ox- od
Mr.. Duryea's Yankee. which has just re-
ceived the Strengthening now being put
into the Rainbow, is about to have her
mainmast stepped, preparatory to being
towed to Newport. where she will be put
In winter quarters, thought kept atloat in
stead of being hauled out.
1t has been told privately in the clubs
that each OF the members of the new cup
defence syndicate will contribute $4,000
for the building and expenses Of the boat.
This is said to be nominal sum men,
toned to start the boats construction and
because the Columbia cost, with running
and other expenses, over $2O000O. 1t is in
ferred that this separate contribution is
not the limit. With five in the syndicate
the sum of s25O.0O0 indicates that the
yacht is to have everything of the best.
The indications are that the Herreshoffs
do not intend to be as reserved about in
they have been with previous craft built
for the same task.
As to the material which is TO go into
her, the coming challenger, Shamrock II,
is wholly an unknown quality. except SO
far as known prejudices of her designer
may lead to the guess that he will keep
to his lifelong likings: hut now that the
first Shamrock is being partly rebuilt the
interest attaching to the material that is
going into her is considerable. She is not
getting aluminium plates fixed to her upper |,
body to replace those which have lately |
been removed, but this part is being re-
plated with steel. so that. although the |
same model is retained considerable |
amount OF extra weight will be added to |
her upper works. This can only have the |
effect, if any. of lessening and not Increas- !!
ing the boats speed. SO that the owner |
will hardly be in position to say that |
the craft is IN exactly the same condition |
as she vas last year, and by whatever |
time the new Shamrock may beat her |
there cannot be the same certainty of |
having good line on the Columbia.
There was nothing else to be DONE how
ever, than give her the new plates of mild
steel. as the preparation of the same
aluminium alloy which formed the first
outer skin would now cause too great a
|
she was lately examined in the ,irydock
at GEeenock supplied ample proof OF the
excellence of the manganese bronze with
which her under body was plated at first
this. being found as perfect and almost as
clean as when she raced for the cup. But
the aluminium had suffered greatly. |
Along the waterline the metallic disinte-
grafton had proceeded so far that the
lower plate of the alloy was deeply pitted,
in some PLACES almost through the plate.
The view Expressed over six weeks ago.
that Watson would rely more on fine
mo deling than on the use of any fancy
has been reproduced almost YER
batim in England, also the statement that
Watson would probably keep to his I;fe-
long prejudice in favor Of the composite
build. wooden planking and steel frames
1t is now pointed out that in his Sybarita
llghtness was sought. and
it is asserted that this experiment in the
Sybarita.s planking would not have been
made there being only the Meteor to
beaD, unless there was some good reason
behind the move.