New-York tribune., 1901-08-15
INTO THE DRYDOCK TO-DAY
THE SHAMROCK WILL TAKE THE PLACE
OF THE ERIN AS SOON AS THE
LATTER is REMOVED.

The Shamrock VIII enter the Erie Basin dry
dock to-day. Previous TO her docking the Erin
wiu leave the blocks, after having received q
complete coat Of paint. Early this morning the
water in the dock viii be pumped out. En-
trance TO the drydock to-day VIII be even more
cificult to obtain than il yesterday. The
sleeps commander Captain Sycamore, as jolly
an English tar ever stepped upon the Long
Island shore was compelled yesterday by orders
from Sir Thomas's representative, Mr. Barrie
10 give very little satisfaction TO interested In
qurers Notwithstanding his instructions The
smiling captain volunteered enough information
10 keep the yacht racing public posted upon the
first hours Of the Shamrock's life in the land Of
the challenged.
'Nher we scrape her and paint her" said
Captain Sycamore. we shall have her put IN
the bay without much delay. I think the Erin
win be backed out Of the dock early tomorrow.
Hcr position VIII be instantly taken by the
shamrock. Eow much time these movements
will take you viii have to figure for yourself.
Perhaps you have seen with what great rapdty
the crew has rugged the yacht to-day"
With her new skyscraping u2airmast towering
above the shipping which surrounded her posi-
tion al the entrance slip of the dEydock, the
Shamrock was indeed a formidable looking rae
ing craft When a sailor hoisted TO the tip
top point Of the tapering pole. he looked like
a crumpled handkerchief. This sef-composed
bit Of humanity was dispatched 10 his eerie
post 10 help in the work OF bracing the graceful
stick
The first duty Of the morning was 70 put the
Shamrocks bowsrrt into place. This spar.
upon which work finished al $50 o'clock
yesterday, is 3s feet inches from heel 70 tip.
OF which length 1l1z feet is inboard. This bow
stick. which is Of Oregon pine vanished
about O'Clock in the afternoon. Unlike the
Constitution, the Shamrock has only one pair
or spreaders. They are made Of galvanized steel
and are secured 10 the how by heavy ring bolts
While attention being given to the bow
spirit several mem bers Of the fast working crew
OF thirtyeight were wedging the yachts main
mast into the masthoe. The jibropsail stay was
get up at ] 30 O'Clock. The backstays, which are
of steel wire, about ~ inches in diameter, were
set up al about the same time. BY o'clock,
when the Basin whistles were blowing for the
hundreds Of men not employed upon the Sham
rock TO cease their work. all but the preYenter
stay and the forestry down.
The racing boom Of the trim sloop yester-
day placed, still covered with canvas. into po-
sition II is said to have a diameter of 20 inches
and to be III feet in length This is said to
break all records for main boom. The boom s
Jacket will not be removed until the racer leaves
orydock.
The last Of the wooden struts. trusses and
braces with which the Shamrock was strength
ened for her ocean voyage have been removed
It was learned that not a plate had been
strained.
AS far as could be learned yesterday, the
Shamrocks sails win be bent before next
Wednesday. upon which day the Teutonic ar
rives with Sir Thomas Upton and his guests.
Reports were circulated bout the yard yes
terday that Mr. Watson, the designer. had pre-
pared for the painters special mixture for the
manganese bronze bottom Of the racer. II was
said that this preparation would add greatly to
the smOothness and lustre of the yacht.
Captain Matthews, Of the Erie took occasion
u praise the quick work Of his crew.
They a fast lot, that crew he said.
'and one has only TO watch them clear the deck
al this moment 10 see how swiftly and thor
ouehly they work"
An old yachting expert indorsed Captain
Matthew's expression of approval.
Il have never seen yacht placed in trim in
such remarkable time" he said" Americans
know that they build boats solidly in England.
Look al that handsome Erin 1t would take
more weather 10 crack her than il would TO
send American built yachts 10 the graveyard.
The same remark applies 10 the racers"
About $50 o'clock two attra ctive American
women (unconscioUsly perhaps put A temporary
end 10 the ambitions of the Shamrocks crew.
COncident with the arrival Of the young women
nearly every man above deck dropped his work
for a survey Of the bits Of curious eyed
feniuinity. The coming Of Sir Thomas Upton
matter in which the crew for several min
utes had absolutely no concern