The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-15
FINISHING TOUCHES
ON new CHALLENGER
Shamrock III Will Go on Dry
Docks To-Day for General
Inspection.
BOAT APPEARS IN FINE FORM.
Sir Thomas Upton Sailed for New
York and Will Personally Su-
%perintend the Preliminary
Work Of His Boat.
BOAT APPEARS IN FINE FORM.

New York, Aug. 1.-THE paint on the un-
derbody Of Sir Thomas Llpton's steam
yacht Erin had not dried hard enough to
enable her to leave her dry dock In the
Erie basin this evening. She. however, will
be hoated without fail early tomorrow
morning. and Shamrock II will a 4 her
place. The keel blocks for the cup chal-
lenger were placed in position this after
noon. and there will be no delay in the
practical work of docking her.
Captain Sycamore and his sturdy crew
were not idle to-day. The interior OF the
Shamrock was stripped of the wooden
struts. trusses and braces. with which she
had been strengthened for her ocean voy-
age. Judging from the number OF TIM
bers she must nave been braced quite ex-
tensively and thoroughly. 1t was learned
that not a plate was strained or . rtvet
started. ham to the generally fair
weather she encountered. and the admira-
BILE way In which she was protected against
stress and strain by the system OF bractng
employed Captain Sycamore has placed In
position the racing gan and main boom
The boom extends over the tanraii about
eighteen feet, and its extreme length *
cited the admiration Of all the yachting
"sharps' that saw it
The steel truss which strengthens the
mast In the wake OF the throat halyards
was also placed in position IN the nre sade
Of the mast and the wire stay set upon
secured by shrouds. Dolphin striker.
spreaders and lob stay. all OF great
strength and calculated to Withstand any
amount Of pounding or Stating In q ne9vy
head sea; In fact. the zig OF the cnalienSe5
commands the approval OF al precuca
yachtsmen and shipwrights.
Preparing for the Trials.
Tomorrow the yacht win be scrubbed
and painted. On Friday she Will 60 to sta
pleton, 8 l., where finishing touches VIII
b put on her, preparatory to her trials ON
the Hook.
The lender Porto Rico. which d under the
command Of David Barrie. was painted and
vanished to-day. She - well adapted for
her new calling. having ample
lions. not only for the regular crew Of the
for the supplementary sparS, sails and gear
that form part of the equipment Of a mod
ern racing machine There Is a special cabin
prepared for the eight sailmakers from
the officers Of the Shamrock. The men are
berthed in the steerage and have wen-ven-
tilated and comfortable quarters. They have
been INDUCING in watermelons. sweet corn.
cantaloupes and other Yankee fare quite
new to many Of them. and are correspond
ingly happy. There Is not one Of the crews
Of the Erin and of the Shamrock who Is
not willing to wager all his wages that Sir
Thomas will lift the cup this time
London. Aug. N.-Sir Thomas Upton
started for the United States to-day, leav-
ing a cheering crowd OF acquaintance and
well-wfshers who had at the sta
ton to bid him farewe His compartment
including a model of the Shamrock IL. tho
hull being Of manganese bronze. from the
trimmings of the plates used on the Sham
rock II. gold plated: the rigging Of gold