The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-10-10
AMERICA AGAIN VICTORIOUS.

AmEh1CA again FiCIohoUS.
The great yacht race, which has at
tracted the lively interest of all the world,
has again resulted in victory for the
Americans. This adds another to the as
tonishing series of victories which have
now continued just 80 years. In 1851
the schooner-yacht "America"-a craft
which excited more ridicule than any
thing else when she appeared off Cowes
for the race. amazed the world by carry
ing off the Cup, in an easy victory, over
men who supposed that they We're past
masters in all that related to yachting.
The Cup has since remained this side of
the ocean, despite the utmost efforts by
Englishnen, in which they have expended
millions of dollars, to reclaim if. 1t has
become the most celebrated prize in the
world. and a trophy of the highest esri-
nation, though in itself it is n very ordi-
nary piece of silverware. of design that
no one can call artistic or pretty.
IN the caller races there was a con-
test of principles The Americans held
that 4 certain amount of water had to be
displaced to float given tonnage, but
that that on the surface was more mo-
bile than that lower down. Consequently
they built their yachts of the "Spoon-bowP'
pattern, broad of beam, elliptically-round-
ed, and shallow of draft. When they
wanted to get hold on the water in
beating they dropped center-board, which
gave them the same purchase gained by
the narrower, deeper hulls of the British
boats, which had to force their way
through the deeper water below.
The British claimed that while the Yam
kee pattern might be better for light
winds, theirs was the better model for
rough weather.
For example, the Puritan" which de-
Tended the Cup in 1885, had breadth
of 30 feet inches, and a draft of 8 feet
10 inches, to the "Genesta's" 1o-foot
beam, and IS feet 6 inches draft.
Both these types had so much to recon-
mend them that each began adapting it
self to the other, until in the recent con-
test, the models of both vessels We're so
much alike as to be indiStinguishable by
the lay eye The Columbia" had "a
feet 2 inches beam and 20 feet inches
draft, to the Shamrock IFS" "a feet .
inches beam and 20 feet 8 inches draft.
The center-board Of the Americans and
the deep hull of the British were repre-
scented in both by n thin, enormously deep
keel weighted with several tons of lead.
This last was particularly necessary when
it is remembered that each was few
inches under 80 feet on the water line,
with masts 160 feet high.
The difference in the lines was mainly
in the influence of the old British idea Of
Gods head and n mackerel's tail,
which placed the broadcast part of the yes
sci nearer the bow than in the sharper
nosed American craft.
All the rest was mere perfection Ct
workmanship and detail, ard in this the
Americans showed n superiority in finish
which has again given them the victory
in a very close contest. How finely ev-
erything has been brought down on both
sides is shown by the fact that the differ
ence in time was only few minutes in
course of 80 miles.
Both vessels are of steel, aluminium, and
aluminium bronze used with the utmost
skill to give the maximum Of strength
WIFI the InllillUuIl VI WeiSut' Ihc ouI
side of the hulls is of bronze, because of
the high polish it will take.
The late race probably cost the con-
testants about $1,OO0,000.
How slow the English are to learn the
real lessons of war is indicated by the
War Office solemnly considering a new
style of sword TO be supplied the troopers,
which they claim will be vast improve
ment on the one at present IN use. Listen
to this gravely-propounded rot:
THE edge of sword cannot be main
tained upon prolonged service, but Maj
Gen. Grant, the Inspector General Of Cav
airy, in recommending a new sword, sug-
sests the preservation of a certain degree
of sharpness by the use of leather scaD-
bards.''
The Beers carry no swords at all, and If
the British cavalry has at any time &C
tually reached their enemy with their
swords, the fact has not been reported i'll
the dispatches. In the exceedingly rare
instances where men come hand to hand,
blow or a punch with gun-barrel is
quite as effective as one with a sword.
Swords and sabers are useless and cum
bcrsome adjuncts on the modern battle
field.