New-York tribune., 1901-05-24
LIKELY TO PUT OFF RACES.
~ Y. C. WILL PROBABLY GRANT SIR
THOMAS'S REQUEST FOR SIX
WEEKS DELAY.
Opposing leaders in the

From the information given out by the secre-
tary of the New York Yacht Club last night 1t
. seems probable that the Americas Cup races
will be postponed fully six weeks from the
agreed date, August 20. This delay seems to
have been found necessary by the challenger
AS told by The Tribune yesterday, Sir Thomas
intended to consult his builders and designer
before communicating further with the New
York Yacht Club Since his cabled message to
that effect he has ascertained that about all he
present possesses of cup challenger IS the
body of the boat. and he has to begin practi-
caIIy afresh TO prepare spars, sails and rigging
for the Watson design Shamrock II.
Sir Thomas therefore sent "a message TO the
New-York Yacht Club yesterday asking for
postponement of the race series till the first
week in October. This would probably start the
boats on or about the same day, October ), as
they tried to start on in 1899. The necessity for
this is regretted ny the challenger as much as
by anybody. Sir Thomas's cabed message was
received by ]. V. s Odde, the secretary of the
club. at 5:35 p. m. yesterday afternoon 1t fol-
lows:
Southampton May %. 1901
Oddie. Secretary. New-York Yacht Club New
Regret very much most serious accident to Sham
Without spars sails rigging or blocks Might say
have now nothing but hull. Deeply regret disaster
Have therefore to ask club good enough postpone
races six weeks sailing, say. hrst week october
but II must adhere TO date nNed to avoid dlsap-
pointment would substitute shamrock l. although
this would scarcely be satisfactory The postpone
ment ask for is minimum possible; can assure
you hour lost putting in hand work or
and deplores more than do my inability TO
toe the mark as agreed THOMAS j. LlFIoN-
Yacht Erin, Southampton.
II g. ing this out last night Mr.. Odde said
that a meeting OF the challenge committee would
be held a, the clubhouse, in West Fortyfourth-
ST. to-day at O'Clock for the purpose OF consid-
ering the challengers requests. The possibility
of some such request hinted at by Sir
Thomas in his dispatch sent just after the acct
dent and Mr. Oddie was then asked what action
the challenge committee would probably take
He replied that the sympathy of the club with
Sir Thomas was sincere and universal, and that
he had no doubt that the committee would do
everything that seemed il just and sports
manlike When referring 10 the matter again
last night Mr.. Oddie said he had nothing to add
70 those remarks.
The possibility OF the first Shamrock being
sent over again to race for the cup. which is the
alternative proposal Of Sir Thomas in the
request for time be not granted. discussed
a good deal in he club last night. and the
general opinion was that no one would wish Sir
Thomas to he forced to again defeated
boat But 1t was also considered that under
her different rigging and sail plan the older
challenger might prove no mean adversary for
this years boats. Captain Wringe was quoted
as saying he considered the first Shamrock to be
at least ten minutes faster over thirty mile
course than she in 1890
No questioned that the rule against sail
ing defeated challenger inside OF two years
from the time of her defeat would be adhered
to- and in August this period will almost have
expired.
The committee which will consider the Chal-
lenger's requests to-day is composed of Commo-
dore Lewis Cass Ledyard, Nice-Commodore Au-
gust Belmont Rear Commodore G. l. F. Robin
son. J. V. S Oddie ex-CommOdOre +. NJ Brown,
s. Nicholson Kane and c. O. Iselin. Mr. Oddie
said that some of them We're out of the city.
but they would have time to attend tO-days
meeting AS soon the matter is settled to-
day a reply Mr. Oddie says. will be rushed
through Sir Thomas in order that he may not
be hindered a moment by not moving the de
cison of the club. In fact, this meeting would
have been held at the clubhouse last night
cept for the fact that some members of the
cor we