Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-06
READY TO LAUNCH.
Continued from page ID

ashore on bank close to the Warner
Hghtshlp. The trial was practically over
and she came sharp around the light
ship to return to her mornings, when
she grounded on the sand. The wind
was very light at the time and she slid
upon the bank with scarcely per-
ceptible shock. There was not wind
enough to pull her off and the Erin was
signaled to send a launch, but a half
hour elapsed before the launch came
and towed her off without any diff
Guilty.
Mr.. Jameson and Designer Watson
were both on board the Shamrock III
when she went aground and both de-
clare they are satisfied that the yacht
sustained absolutely no damage. There
is no intention of docking her and there
will be no interruption in her trials.
This accident occurred later in the
day of the first trial spin which began.
Saturday morning. under excellent con-
ditions. The sun shone bright and
warm and a steady northeasterly
breeze was blowing.
An immense amount OF preparatory
work has been done during the past
week and everything essential was
ready when the Shamrock left her
berth. Sir Thomas Upton and Mr..
Charles Russell arrived, Saturday
evening. and saw the last touches put
to the preparations. w. G. Jameson
and Designer Watson followed, Satur-
day morning.
Keen interest is shown in the trial.
and 4 large number of yachts and
CT
companied the Erin and the Shamrock
III.
While tn Sha mrock III was preparing
for her first trial sail the American
Line steamer st. Louis passed her.
There were number of Americans on
board who closely scanned the chal-
lenger. On pas sing the yacht the steam
ship slowed down and saluted. The
crews Of the Erin and the two sham
rocks. who we're ranged on their re-
spectiNn decks, cEeercd the st. Louis
heartily.
During the forenoon the breeze
stcadiod ana hardened until n fine.
clisp northeaster was blowing sufficient
to raises whitecaps. The iib and stay
sail Of the challenger were hoisted al
an early hour. and the word was given
to raise the mansaiI the speed with
which il was hoisted from the deck.
in American fashion. demonstrated the
hardness Of the appliances adopted.
The sail is made of dark Sea Island
cotton and fully justifles the eXpecta-
ton OF its being the largest on record.
The challenger hoistcd her mainsail a
ll.40 a. NJ, slipped her moorings and. ly
ing over until her lee rail was almos
! awash. went reaching down Southamptor
Water at n mace that made the Erin drive
along AT full speed tn keep her in view
TIE Shamrock 1. started shortly after
ward. with sheets well off and sailnt
fast This is her best point of sailing
bat when the two got together and fairi,
started the cup challenger commenced I,
pull out in fine style and had Il good leae
as the boats came abreast OF CalSno
| Castle
| The distance Of the spin was only short
hu; the manner IN which the new boa
sailed suggested that the Shamrock !. ha'
| little chance of proving serious oppo
nent in the trial races.
| The older boat SET her torsail sooi
after but by that time the Yachts ha'
| reached the open water of the Solent an'
parted company. the challenger going TO
| ward Cowes while the Shamrock |. start
| ed for the HAMPSHIRE side.
A lib topsail was set on the challenge
ana she tried her PAGES AZ and down n
West Channel She carries n big mouth
! full OF foam under her how. hut this il
due only 10 the manner in which her fla
bow glides over the surface. There i
very little wash under IL. and on ne
quarters she leaves the water remarkabl,
clean The challenger proved distinct,
fast and hand" in turning. and as well a
could ne judged from yacht sailing aloh'
she seemed 10 point well into the wind.
After spending n couple OF hours sup
ping about in light winds off CoWos. TN
challenger made a long board TOWARD
Ryde. There iresher wind was met
and going along with ali canvas DRAWN;
well. the Shamrocl. III. footed ahead in
way little short of marvellous. The sweet
ness of her huh was shown by th'
sm0othness of her going through the wa
ter. AMI under Saturdays conditions th'
Shamrock a. is certainly = marvel in TN!
respect The wash from her bow wa
slight ana that from her weather quartz
| little more than rirrled the surface.
The conditions. il is true. were exact
those in which the challenger was expect
ed to show her best But. even alioWnf
this. beyond a doubt she has more thai
fulfilled the expectations OF her most ar
dent admirers.
The wind in which she passed Ryd'
was such as might take her round al
Americas Cup course just inside of th'
time limit. and in these conditions sh'
gave n display never before equaied OF
this side of the Atlantic.