The sun., 1901-05-05
SHAMROCK II. A FAST BOAT,
SAILED IN LTGHT BREEzKs OFF cowFs
TO TRY HER GEAR.

NoAttempt 10 Speed Her Against the Old ChsI.
lenger-Mainsail Fits Poorly and 60 Bs
Recut-New Yacht Grounded while Return
ingto Her Moorinss. but Got on Uninjure ed
Special Cabs Dsspa,ea to THE SUN
SOUTHAMPTON. May 4.-Sir Thomas Lin.
tons Cup challenger Shamrock II. went
out under sail In the Solent to-day for
hsr first spin, mainly TO test her gear.
Sir Thomas Upton. Designer Watson and
MIR. Jameson. who Is to represent the owner
on the challenger. were aboard. The
challenger was towed out from Southamp.
ton Wlter in light easterly breeze BY
Sir Thomas Liptons steam yacht Erin
shortly after noon.
Shamrock |. and Shamrock II. got away
about 2. NJ, each under mainsail, lib and
forestaysail. with light northeast wind.
They were soon out OF sight In the Solent.
The new challenger gave Shamrock
q substantial lead. but soon overhauled her
and although her mainsail did not set well
she showed clean pair Of heels to the old
boat.
There will be no trial match between Sham
rock l. and Shamrock ii. until next week
shamrock while under canvas. will be kept
distance of Shamrock ii. I'LL that time
LONDON. May 4--The Central News saws
mat on her trial spin this afternoon Sham
rock III. went aground on Dean Bank,
between Nomansfort and Warner Light
ship. The Erin stood by until the Sham
rock was foated at $50 O'Clock. after which
the Erin towed her to her moorings. Yachts
men who saw the accident do not think
that any material damage was done to
the yacht.
RYDE, May 4.-The two Shamrocks will
sail on about the same water line slightly
over SO feet The new challenger for the
Americas Cup carries On enormous spread
OF canvas. rather more thln that carried
by the last Cup racer.
Shamrock l. followed in the wake OF
Shamrock H. out through SOUTHAMPTON
Water. Both were under mainsail, fore
staysal and jib. They parted company
outside Calshot Castle, where shamrock |
hosted a working topsai and hauled on the
wind, while Shamrock H. novel free to
the eastward for two miles without
change of sails Then she sent her working
topsail aoft and went spinning on all
points Of sailing. The breeze was ex-
tremely light and lluky and the sun was
burning hot
There is little chance Of guessing at the
speed Of the new boat or of testing her
gear thoroughly unless the wind improves.
Shamrock IL. later in the afternoon
healed INTO the failing hreezp in tho
middle " the S lent Off Ryle and
showed he naces On the wind she wls
slightly e0dcr, but her nove Nent was WON
d"rful. There were only ligl bow waves
and they were thrown OF ca y an without
any uss There was no evidence anywhere
of q1art ring the wave. She carried per-
feet topssil but tho great main,lil was
crnkl little under the gaN.
Ii was learned that the tota! sail area "a
i,OO0square feet greater than was previously
reported.
Judging from to-day's performance the
new challenger is tn best boat ever pro-
duced in England This opinion l. u iver-
sal among yachtsmen who witnessed to-
days exhibition
At o'clock Shamrock II was
off the forts and held on toward Warner
before coming off the wind for the
return trip. The trial was thoroughly
satisfactory and dec ted Sir Thomas
Upton. Designer Watson and all oon-
csrned
The Shamrock J. returned to her anchor
age off Hythe leaving the challenger to
return 10 Cowes to have her sails re1tted
According to present arrangements the first
formal trial will take place on Tuesday.