New-York tribune., 1901-09-29
ON BOARD THE ERIN.
SIR THOMAS SAYS HE DID NOT BELIEVE
so CLOSE A RACE POSSIBLE.

Sir Thomas Lipton's guests on the Erin nearly
one hundred in number, went to Sandy Hook
from Pier A, the steamer Victor. Mr.. Bar
RE represented the Irish knight and made every
one at home the trip down the Bay. Most
Of the women wore Shamrock pins, and
and women both expressed the hope that the
green boat would win at least two out of the
five races, even if they coud not go far as to
hope that the Cup would be lifted"
The Victor's passengers were transferred to
the Erin in launches, and the big white yacht
was soon under way, headed for the starting
point off Scotland Light. When off the Hook
the Erin stopped to take on board Miss Halle
Erminie Rives. the author. and Post Wheeler.
Miss Rives composed the poem which is stamped
on the Shamrock's mascot flag, and Sir Thomas
considered her arrival good omen.
Every one knows that the owner of the Sham
rock is royal entertainer, but he certainly
added to his laurels yesterday by little story
which he told many of the women
Now if the Shamrock can lift the Cup" he
said in his coaxing tones, we'll have a race
in British waters under new conditions. We
will insist on racing with boats that are some
thing more than racing machines. Boats like
King Edwards Britannia, for instance-yachts
which have quarters on board for the owner and
some of his friends. Then racing will be some
thing worth while. and our beloved boats good
for something else than the junk pile when the
contest is decided"
And every time Sir Thomas spoke of this he
did it in such a way that the woman to whom
he was Speaking had the idea that she was in
cluded in that expression, the owner and some
of his friends"
1t is rather odd experience for good Ameri-
can to watch an international Cup race from an
English yacht. especially if one is the guest of
the English challenger. Every thought on board
seemed to be for the Shamrock, and her every
move brought forth rounds Of applause. Split
ting taCks" what the yachting experts
called the Coumba's strange tacks on the first
leg of the Now, just what splitting
tacks" meant most of the people the Erin did
not know, hut they were very that
Charlie Barr made costly errors every time
he seemed to attempt to cross the Shamrocks
bows and then gave it up as bad job
One yachtsman tried to tell the English crowd
something about the Colurnbia's being able to
ounoot the Shamrock. end that there was no
danger of the American boat being banketed.
But when the sails seemed matched at u 80,
blanket stories were told all over the Erin
Then came the agonzing run home when no
one could be sure which boat ahead and
which behind. The Shamrock got the benefit
of the doubt. of course. and there was great
happiness
English members of Parliament. who was or
board, 1T is no walkaway. 1t shows that we
can build fast boats"
Sir Thomas sat through it all doubled up on a
camp chair on the Erns bridge and he smiled
every minute of the time. When the Shamrock
seemed To gain an advantage he changed the
foot which he kept on the lower guardraiI. Once
In while he lowered his glasses to shout word
OF encouragement to the eager crowd on the
deck below or TO answer the questions of some
anxious one.
At the finish those on the Erin were sure that
the Shamrock had crossed the line first. al
though there was some doubt as to whether she
was far enough ahead to offset the Coumba's
time handicap 1t certainly looked that way
from the yachts decks but in absolute quiet
the crowd awaited the signal from the judges
boat which would decide the matter definitely.
Finally the verdict against the Irish boat
reached the owners yacht. bringing in its train
sorrow mingled with pride that the Shamrock
had done well in what. every board
called her 'unlucky weather"
II did not believe close race was posi-
BILE" said Sir Thomas, in the cabin Of the Erin
after 1t was all over and both racers We're being
towed back to the Hook. 1T a fair and