The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1901-05-23
CHALLENGER A WRECK
Shamrock II Suffers Severely In a
Sudden Squat.
KING EDWARDS CLOSE CALL.
He Was Aboard the New Yacht at
the Time and Had n Mirac-
uIous Escape From the
Falling Masts.

hyue, Isle OF wight, May 2Z.-Ine
cup challenger. with King Edward and
a party on board, was totally dismasted
by squall off Cowes, Isle of Wight.
The king, who was ON deck, had a mi
raculous escape. The topmast, main
mast and bowsprit were broken short
off.
The Shamrock was also dismasted,
but no one was injured aboard either
yacht.
The two yachts were just making
ready to start in race when the disas-
ter occurred.
There had been some delay in estab-
fishing starting line. The wind had
freshened considerably and was blow
ing 12 to 10 knots, with the prospect of
magnificent 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 challeng-
er accompanied by Sir Thomas Lip
ton and two ladies.
The preliminary starting signal was
given from the Erin.
Sauan Gave No Warming.
While the yachts were maneuvering
for the start sudden squat came
without the slightest warning. AMI the
howsprit of the challenger was car
ricd away short. The extra strain thus
thrown on the topmast proved too
much for the spar. It whipped. broke
and doubled off to leeward, carrying
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 over a couple
of tons and carrying Spars and gear
weighing an additional three or four
tons. swayed for a moment and then
almost by n miracle plunged over the
side and into the water, with the rip
ping, tearing sound Of breaking wire.
Tie members Of the royal party were
seated on deck close to the companions
way. The king was showing keen
pleasure. watching the fight which
Captain Sycamore was making for the
advantage nj the start. The yacht was
racing along nj a formidable angle, and
the Sloping deck. with Il mere fringe Of
rail, seemed a rather ptrilois place for
the accommodation of the visitors.
As the wIeckage swept the deck II
WAS most astonishing that no one was
injured. For II moment or two the sit.
maintained his composnre. Most of the
hcatllnpn went overheard
Shamrock I Crippled Too.
Within five seconds Of the disaster
the Shamrock | bore around to render
assistance. when she in turn was
ciught by the squat. and ner gaff top
sail sparS collapsed. leaving her help
leSSly crippled.
The press tug following the racers
ranged alongside the helpless yachts,
and torpedo boat which was in the
vicinity and the Syharita sent boats to
the scene. hui in answer TO hail can
tain Sycamore sent the rea.suring mes
sage thai all on board Ind escaped
without injury.
As quickly aS possible the king and
the royal party We're transferred to the
| Erin, ana later the king. accompanied
/ by Sir Thomas Upton. landed at South,
alnptun.
4 In tho meanwhile the crews of the
lGccrs set about clearing away the
4 wrecklge. Owing TO the unwieldy ma
turr Of the spars and gear it was fonnt
impossible to get them ON board. an,
they We're cut away and allowed I,
sink after buoys had been placed IL
mark the spots where the wrcckag,
sank
The yachts We're then towed back t,
liNtlc, there 10 await decision as t,
what should he done toward repairn,
them
Tie damage done to the challenger i
estimated NJ Slo,WW, ms nearly ever.
scrap Of her gear is gone