The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1901-05-25

Southampton, May 23.-The cup
challenger. with King Edward and a
party on board. was totally dismasted
by squall on Cowes. Isle Of Wight.
The king, who was on deck, had q
miraculous escape. The topmast.
mainmast and bowsprit were broken
short on. The disaster occurred while
arrangements were being made for
the start on BrambIes buoy.
Ryde. Isle Of Wight, May 23.-The
yachts were to be sent today racing
over a triangular course similar to one
OF the America cup courses. The en-
trance into the race OF the yawl Sy-
barita tabout 80 feet over ALI added
TO the interest taken in the contest,
especially as the fresh weather and
racing course were both in favor OF
the yawl, placing the captains Of the
two Shanrocks under the necessity
Of driving the other boats at full
speed in order TO make a credItable
showing against the outsiders, and
promising King Edward. who was on
board the Shamrock H., an opportu-
nifty Of witnessing what promised to
be the smartest race OF the series.
King Edward, desiring to take q
more active part in the proceedings
than was possible from the deck Of
the Erin, was taken on board the chal-
lenger. accompanied by Sir Thomas
Upton and two ladies. The prelimin-
AIRY starting signal was given from the
Erin
While the yachts were maneuvering
for the start a squall came up with
| out the slightest warning and the
bowsprit Of the challenger was car
ried away short The extra strain
thus thrown on the tonpast proved too
much for the spar. 1t whipped. broke
and doubled on TO Ieeward, carrying
the whole weight Of the backyard and
gear over the side in terrible tAngle.
Almost as the topmast fell the great
i steel mainmast, weighing more than
two tons and carrying spars and gear
weighing an additional three OF four
tons. swayed for a moment. and then.
almost by q miracle. plunged over
the side and into the water with
the sound OF breaking wire and tear
ing gear in the air. The members
Of the royal party were seated on
deck close to the companionway.
The king was showing keen pleas
ure. watching the fight which Cap
tain Sycamore was making for the ad-
vantage at the start The yacht was
racing along at a formidable angle.
and the sloping deck with a mere
! fringe of rail seemed a rather peril
GUS place fer the accommodation OF
] the visitors. AS the wrecking swept
!, the deck il was most astonishing that
no one was injured. For a moment
! OF two the situation appeared to be
very grave. Tie king maintained
his composure. Most OF the head
men went overheard.
! Within five seconds OF the disaster
the Shamrock l. bore around TO rem
der assistance. when she in turn was
caught by the squall and her gan and
topsail spars collapsed, leaving her
! helplessly crippled.
/ The press tug following the racers
ranged alongside the helpless yachts
and a torpedo boat which was In the
vicinity and the Sybarita sent boats
: TO the scene. But in answer to q hail.
Captain Sycamore sent the reassuring
message that all on board had es.
: capped without injury.
AS quickly as possible the king and
4 the royal party were transferred &c
s the Erin. and later the king. accom-
5 panied by Sir Thomas Upton. landed
+ at Southampton. from which place
r his majesty will proceed TO London.
The yachts were then towed bach
I to Ryde. there to await decision AZ
, to what should be done toward re
o pairing them.
Is Sir Thomas Upton fears II will b
i impossible to repair the Shamrock II
in time for the cup races. It look
as II the contest was OF for THU
year. Sir Thomas Upton will cabls