The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1901-05-23

British Ruler MiracuIously ESCAPES
Injury, Being Seated on Deck When
the Heavy Masts Were Snapped OF
and Swept Into the Sea-Shamrock
! Also HeIpIessly Crippled While At.
tempting to Render Assistance.
Southampton. May 23-The cup
challenger, Shamrock II, with King
Edward and party on board, was to-
tally dismasted ~ sQuall off Cowes,
Isle OF Wight. The king. who was on
deck, had miraculous escape. The
topmast. mainmast and bowsprit were
broken short off.
The disaster occurred while prep
arations were being made for the start
of the Brambles buoy.
There was fine, fresh easterly
breeze driving a short. whitetipped
sea up the channel. when the yachts
set their club top sails shortly after
noon and proceeded to the starting
point. There was some delay in estab-
fishing starting line. The wind
freshened considerably and blew l2
to - knots. with the prospect Of mag
nificent racing
King Edward. desiring to take a
more active part in the proceedings
than was possible from the deck Of the
Erin. was taken on board the chal-
lenger accompanied by Sir Thomas
Upton and two ladies'.
Sudden Squall Comes Up.
The preliminary starting signal was
given from the Erin. While the
yachts were maneuvering for the
start a squall came up without
warning and the bowsprit Of the chal-
lenger was carried away short. The
extra strain thus thrown on the top
mast proved too much for the spar.
II whipped. broke and doubled off TO
leeward. carrying the whole weight OF
the backyard ana gear over the side
| in a terrible tangle Almost as the
! top mast fell. III" great steel main
mast. weighing more than '%o tons
and carrying spars and gear weighing
an additional three or four tons, sway
| ed for a moment and then. almost by
a miracle. plunged over the side into
| the water. with the ripping. tearlne
| sound OF breaking wire and tearinG
gear in the air The members OF The
| royal party Were seated on deck. close
TO the companionway. The king vi:
| showing keen pleasure. watching tht
| fight which Captain Sycamore wa!
making for the advantage at the start
The yacht was racing along at for
midable angle and the sloping decI
with mere fringe CT rail seemed {
rather ncrilous place for the accommo
dation Of the visitors.
| As the wrockage swept the deck !
was most astonishing that no one VIZ
injured. For z moment or two the si'
uation appeared to be very grave
The king maintained his composure
Most Of the headmen went overboard
Shamrock ! Also Crippled.
Within five seconds of the disaste
the Shamrock bore around TO rer
der assistance. when she in turn wa
caught by the squall and her gaT to
spars collapsed leaving her helpless
crippled. The press tug following IN
racers ranged alongside the helples
Yachts and a torpedo boat when WI,
in IN, vicinity and the Sybarita sen
boats 10 the scene. But. in answer I
n hail CAPTAIN Sycamore sent the II
| assuring message that all on poai
had escaped without injury.
As ouickly as possible the king an
royal party were transferred TO IN
Erin and later the king. accompanie
nv SIR Thomas Upton. landed {
southampton. from which place h
majesty proceeded to London.
| Meanwhile the crews OF the racer
set about clearing away the wreckas
Owing to the unweildy nature of III
snors and gear it was found imposs
blo 10 got them on board and the
were cut away and allowed to sin
after buoys had been placed to mar
tba nlacos where the wreckage san
The Yachts were then towed back
Ivthe there to await a decision as
,bat shall be done towards repairii
them
Iron. Steel and Tin Workers.
milwaukee, May 23.-President I.
1 1.r,, tod