New-York tribune., 1901-02-18
YACHTING.
GARDNER SAYS THE DEFENDER CAN BE
MADE READY FOR TRIALS FOR $4,000.

Much has been printed about the yacht Defender
that IS Incorrect. Mr.. Lawson. who will own the
Boston defender. issued a statement. which ap-
peared in yesterdays papers. saying that the De-
fender had been found by his agents 10 be in such
a condition that she would be Of absolutely no
USE 10 him. and that. therefore, his defender
would he obliged to do without trial horse"
representative Of The Tribune yesterday OBJ
taincd the opinion OF William Gardner. the well
known yacht designer. Mr. Gardner and the
yachting writer OF The Tribune examined the De-
fender yesterday afternoon at the Hawkins yards,
az City Island After the examination Mr.. Gardner
was asked. How much would II cost 10 put this
boat into condition 10 he used as a trial horse?''
About fifteen hundred" he replied.
After the interrogation recovered from his sur
prise the question was asked. IF this were
doubled, 80 10 include your profit would you
undertake 10 do all that is necessary FOR s3oOo?''
Yes. certainly The price named as being neces-
sary for repairs. namely. $4,000. is a long way of
There IS nothing 70 do 10 this boat except give her
some steel plates above the water line"
Am authorized to print the fact that you Will
DO the Job for 5000
IF you Ike. yes. and you may also add that
that won't drag the boat 70 Boston before
begin The work would be done her right here
where she stands"
In what time could you finish the work."
Within three weeks from the day start. The
aluminium plates 10 be removed would give the
exact pattern OF those go on and the steel plates
could be cut close by here. al the Robert Jacob
yards. where there IS the machinery do Riv
eting can be done the rate OF a rivet a minute
which is sixty rivets hour. We would work
as fast as that. but the statement shows you what
quick job could be made OF it
What about the aluminium deck beams? Would
they have 20 be changed
NO They have been protected under the deck
Ing. and can remain they are. II purchaser
wanted 10 make a cruiser Of great strength out OF
her, the aluminium beams could easily be ex-
changed or supplemented by steel ones and this
ana the interior cabin partitions could be put IN 20
nj her as a comfortable cruiser for SEQ"
How about the excessive draught OF the boatg'
she would not want IL. You would take of
that huge lead bulb and pour n IN molten or a
frames And then she would draw 1914 or Is feet
which IS all she would want, and be within the
regular draught OF keel boat OF this size"
How would that affect her speede"
Well there's lead bulb - inches Wide and
something Ike feet high. You would thus take
on an obstruction 20 speed that is over ward
wide That would count for something vouldn',
". II you were 10 try 20 shove a cabin hatch ~
thess o. dimensions through the water you would nd
What is the condition % the Defenders rrar,es7.
tIa4Naiic action has not hurt them Since the
the mast she is a better and stronger boat to-Iav
t5an When she was first launched This tor plating
IS 700 tnElI 20 De noticed IN the estimate of The
facht II looks bad and might easily give a Rad
impression, hut n Is not the boat itseif'
IL - necessary that Mr. Lawson should haya
speed companion for his Intended defender The
OF this important yacht and has al different tr,ss
IN the last few years given reports similar TO thar
Boston and this city have repeafeilv anrofncsd
that me yacht Is wholly useless.