New-York tribune., 1901-09-27
BRITISH HOPES WAIVER.
RELIEF OYER FACT THAT CON.
TEST WAS NO RACE.
FORMER FEELING HOPEFUL PUBLIC
INTEREST GREAT.
tBT CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
tnrl,-ri. 1901

Copyright: 1901: BY The Nevv-York TribuneD
London, Sept. 81, / a. m.-There were many
signs Of revival of public interest IN yachting
yesterday. yacht under full sail was the
emblem used by advertisers TO indicate the value
of stiff wind of publicity. The afternoon
papers contained forecasts, diagrams measure
ments and preliminary details Of the first con-
test but the difference in time prevented any,
thing more than brief announcement OF the
start in the latest editions. Talk at the clubs
was about Sir Thomas Lipton's chances of win
ming the Cup and groups began to gather about
bulletin boards little after o'clock and kept
watch there hour after hour The cable service
excellent, and there was a fresh bit of
printed tape every five or six minutes during the
earlier stages Of the race hopeful feeling
prevailed at the clubs from the outset, for while
Justification of prophecy to encourage boastful-
ness on any subject, there was a general con-
viction among the clubmen that Sir Thomas
Lpton's luck had turned, and that he would
succeed in bringing back the Cup in triumph
Whenever any. to be drawn into an ex-
preston of confidence in the result il was quail
fed with the confession that his failure would
not be followed by a challenge from any British
Irish yacht for many years
The 'tickers'' had the largest audiences at the
hotels. where Americans surrounded them with
evident signs of uneasiness and foreboding
While westward steamships will be crowded
for month at least. there few prominent
Americans remaining in London. The knots of
those watching the hotel bulletins mainly
beated tourists who could conceal their ap-
prehension that Shamrock II would lead in what
seemed to be highly favorable conditions Of
weather for her.
There Was evidence of heavy betting either
al the hotels at the clubs and both English
and Ar.ep fDla aA TO
any result with good natured tolerance.
II reported that the King had made
special arrangements for receiving constant in
formation respecting the relative positions Of
the two yachts. and was displaying keen inter
in the result of the first contest.
Crowds of people had loitered for hours in the
vicinity of the newspaper offices. patiently wait
ing for the result of the race and along the
Thames embankment. and at other places where
arrangements had been made to show the po-
sition OF the yachts by Illuminated devices there
were also vast multitudes.
About Q: ~ o'clock came the definite announce
ment that the race had been declared off. AL
most Immediately Fleet-st. was the scene OF
wonderful anima tion newsboys dashing hither
and thither on foot and bicycles with stop
press editions conveying the intelligence that
the new Shamrock's first attempt TO defeat the
Columbia had ended in the same manner the
old Shamrock's first attempt two years ago
There was, naturally, some disappointment
expressed at the abortive nature of the contest,
bat the whole. the feeling was one of relief
that Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht had been lucky
CROUCH to escape defeat.
Gnis mornings newspapers reflect the disap
polilnelt of the general public in this country
with Shamrock lis performance yesterday,
though the battle is not yet over. Dependency
has taken the place of confidence. and fears are
expressed that the famous Cup is destined to
remain. in New-York forever. Experts were
agreed in declaring that a light wind would suit
Shamrock IL best. They expected that she
would outpofnt her rival and sail more closely
the wind
The result has put prophets to confusion, and
il is freely admitted that If the challenger can
not improve yesterdays display Sir Thomas
LiIton need not expect to bring back the Cup