New-York tribune., 1901-09-05
FOUPTEEN-KNOT CLIP.
THE SHAMROCK TRAVELS FAST AND SAILS
CLOSE TO THE WIND.

Although under sail for only two hours yester
day the Shamrock astonished those who followed
her by her remarkable speed and her ability TO lie
close the wind. The yacht again demonstrated
that she can sail. when reaching with the wind
abeam so that her big jibtopsail can be made TO
draw. at a speed varying from fourteen to fifteen
knots The great mansai was hoisted by 10
o'clock and Immediately after II was swayed up
to the limit a perfectly fitting clubtopsail was
mastheaded and sheeted in place. The stay
sail. jib and a No. jbtopsail were sent up in
stops, and the yacht ready 10 make start
by II O'Clock There not breath of wind
however. Just then the steam yacht Reverie
ranged up alongside the Shamrock Her owner
C. B. Thomas hailed Sir Thomas Upton.
Sir Thomas" said he. THE members OF the
Irish rifle team are on board. with the ladies of
their party. They drink your health. and wish
you all success"
To this Sir Thomas replied: "I thank you very
much Won't you all come aboard the Shamrock?
I will send launch for you"
The invitation was accepted and the party or
seventeen went on board the challenger. After in
specting the Shamrock the party taken on
board the Erin. and shown over the vessel.
Shortly after noon there indications OF a
breeze. and the Shamrock got ready to slip her
mooring Soon after ! o'clock a fresh breeze came
from the southeast. and the yacht changed in
a moment to a thing OF life. Staysai, jib and
small iibtopsail broken out simultaneously
and as her sails hed and she gathered headway
picture
When the point OF Sandy Hook cleared
sheets trimmed down fat the port tack,
and the yacht slipped rapidly through the smooth
water. In minutes she entering Gcdney's
Channel and in five minutes more she had passed
through it-nearly four miles IN Hfteen minutes
At 25s o'clock Captain Sycamore put the Sham
rock the starboard tack for seven minutes. then
she came around. and stood along the Jersey Coast
for minutes. When next she came about. at
e..Tr
in twelve seconds. The yacht lying remark
ably close 10 tho wind. AS matter OF fact she
headed southwest one-quaTter south one tack
and southeast one-half south on the other. show
ing that she works I'm "a points. She must there
fore lie within 3%4 points OF the wind when close
hauled
At 3;3s o'clock the main sheet was manned and
rounded in smartly, and moment later the great
main boom swung across the deck Captain
Sycamore put the helm up and gyhed her The jib-
topsail was down and slowed and another one out
on the bowsprit I'm two minutes. In two minutes
more the new sail was snapped its stay. hoisted
in place and broken out.
Travelling At fourteen knot clip the Shamrock
entered Gcdney's Channel at ! o. O'Clock with boom
broad on To starboard The jhtopsail same down
At $40 O'Clock, and then sheets trimmed down
for the close reach 10 the point OF Sandy Hook.
for the wind had freshened and shifted some 10 tho
west Spit. then made tack into the bay. where
the clubtopsatl taken in. and $50 o'clock
after being towed TO her nOoTinE by the Lawrence
she made fast for the night.
Sir Thomas well satisfied with the spin. Tho
yacht viii go out to-day at IL O'Clock.