New-York tribune., 1901-05-24
TIE CUP CONTEST.

The serious accident 10 the new Shamrock has
had the pleasant effect of showing how cordial
are the relations between her owner and the
representatives of the New-York Yacht Club.
There was, 10 be sure no need of proving the
fact, for il was We'll established before, but Yet
every such interchange of generous sentiments
as Wednesdays mishap prompted strengthens
international sympathes and contributes TO the
common stock of goodwill 1t was perfectly
safe TO assume in advance that the custodians
of the Americas Cup would not merely hasten
10 assure Sir Thomas Upton of their regret
for his misfortune, but at once signify their
readiness 10 help him repair il by agreeing 10
change the dates for the races in he should
feel constrained 10 ask for postponement. A
formal request of that sort not 10 be ex-
pected immediately. for it was impossible TO
determine with ut careful examination
whether or not the challenger had been struct-
urally injured. or even 10 estimate the time re-
quired 10 replace her broken spars and rigging;
but unofficial comments here left no doubt that
Sir Thomas could obtain every needed conces-
sion.
The latest news is that postponement of the
races until the first week in October has been
requested and will be ordered This at once
eXcites fear that the hull of Shamrock III was
strained or otherwise damaged for if that was
not the case SO long a delay could scarcely he
required. Ii was Sir Thomass original Sugges-
tion that the races should he sailed in August
and il is therefore considered unlikely that he
would now ask to have them deferred for six
weeks except under necessity, especially as the
weather conditions 10 be looked for in October
are supposed TO be less favorable TO the chal-
lenger than those which she might have been
expected 10 encounter in August; though on
the other hand a comparison of meteorological
records has somewhat disturbed that calcula-
ton. II is not improbable that Sir Thomass
proposal will lead TO the conjecture that he
may be considering the possibility Of substitut-
| ing the first Shamrock for the second. Of
course, with the consent of the NewYork Yacht
| Club But the deed of gift contains this pro-
vision:
No vessel which has been defeated in a match
for this cup can be again selected by any club
it's representative until after a contest for II
by some other vessel has intervened until
after the expiration Of two years from the time
OF such defeat.
1t has been suggested that a defeated vessel
would be eligible In the second year after her
defeat under the second clause of this pro-
vision. even though two full years had not ex-
pirel; but the wording is explicit and it is ex-
tremely doubtful IL the New-York Yacht Club
could waive the seeming prohibition in case
of dissatisfaction with his new boat should
wish 10 enter Shamrock | in her place. The
decisive in 1899 was sailed on October 90,
and if the terms on which the Cup is held must
be exactly complied with in every particular,
whatever the inclinations of the club might be,
il is obvious that Shamrock | cannot compete
for II during the first week in October, any
mere than she could in August. There may.
however. be two opinions in the club this
point. which is sure 10 be carefully considered,
whether ii becomes practical question or not.
In the mean time everybody will hope that. in
stead of losing all faith in Shamrock II, as
some English observers seem to have done, or
of finding the task of refitting her extremely
expensive and tedious her gallant owner will
soon have his early confidence confirmed and
be able 10 bring her To the starting line in CON
diton TO Justify, though not 10 realize his fond
est ambition.