Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1901-05-25
EXPOSITION WAS DEDICATED CUP CHALLENGER D|SABI1
WAS CAUGHT IN A SQUAT
shamrock No. III. Dismnsted Win.
Getting Ready for n Trial R.
King Edward Was on Ro
Shamrock L. Was Also Crinn,.,

Southampton, May 23.-The crn
challenger, with King Edward and
party on board, was totally dismastas
by squall off Cowes, Isle of Wioht
The king, who was on deck had
miraculous escape. The TONNES.
mainmast and bowsprit were brol,oS
short off. The disaster occurred Will
arrangements were being made for
the start off Brambles buoy.
Ryde, Isle of Wight, May 23-Tba
yachts were to be sent TODAY raoino
over triangular course similar IN one
OF the America cup courses. The ON
trance into the race of the yawl sv.
Darita (about SO feet over alb added
to the interest taken in the conteSt
especially as the fresh weather and
racing course were both in favor ~
the yawl, placing the captains of the
two Shamrocks under the necessitv
OF driving the other boats at fui,
speed In order to make creditable
showing against the outsiders. and
promising King Edward, who was on
board the Shamrock H., an opportu.
nifty of witnessing what promised to
De the smartest race of the series
King Edward, desiring to take q
more active part in the proceedings
than was possible from the dec, ~
the Erin, was taken on board the chal.
lenger, accompanied by Sir Thomas
Upton and two ladies. The prelimin.
airy starting signal was given from the
Erin.
While the yachts were maneuyering
for the start squall came I'D with.
out the slightest warning and The
bowsprit of the challenger was car.
rled away short. The extra strain
thus thrown on the tompast proved too
much for the spar. 1t whipped, broke
and doubled off to leeward, carving
the whole weight of the backyard and
gear over the side in a terrible tangle
Almost as the topmast fell the great
steel mainmast, weighing more than
two tons and carrying spars and gear
weighing an additional three or four
tons, swayed for moment and then
almost by miracle, plunged over
the side and into the water with
the sound of breaking wire and tear.
ing gear in the air. The members
or the royal party were seated on
deck close to the companionway
The king was showing keen pleas,
ure, watching the fight which Cap.
tain Sycamore was making for the ad
vantage at the start. The yacht was
racing along at a formidable angle
and the sloping deck with mere
fringe of rail seemed a rather peril
GUS place for the accommodation of
the visitors. AS the wrecking swept
the deck it was most astonishing that
no one was injured. For a moment
or two the situation appeared to be
very grave. The king maintained
his composure. Most of the head
men went overheard
Within five seconds of the disaster
the Shamrock |. bore around to rem
der assistance, when she in turn was
caught by the squall and her gaff and
topsail spars collapsed, leaving her
helplessly crippled.
The press tug following the racers
ranged alongside the helpless yachts
and torpedo boat which was in the
vicinity and the Sybarita sent boats
to the scene. But in answer to a hail.
Captain Sycamore sent the reassuring
message that all on board had es.
capped without injury.
AS quickly as possible the king and
the royal party were transferred to
the Erin, and later@the king, accom-
panied by Sir Thomas Upton, landed
at Southampton, from which place
his majesty will proceed to London.
The yachts were then towed back
to Ryde, there to await a decision as
to what should be done toward re-
pairing them.
Sir Thomas Upton fears it will be
impossible to repair the Shamrock Il.
in time for the cup races. 1t looks
as if the contest was off for this
year Sir Thomas Upton will cable
to the New York Yacht club.
The kaiser is stated to have just
thn Hpi In Fraofige