Evening star., 1901-09-05
To Defend the Americas Cup Against
Shamrock II.
DECISION OF CHALLENGE COMMITTEE
Constitution Regarded as Too Un-
reliable for the Task
w. B. DUNCAN DISAPPOINTED

NEW YORK, September 5-The yacht
Columbia, champion Of 1899, has been
chosen to race against the Shamrock II in
defense of the Americas cup. This deci-
sion was reached today after a conference
lasting two hours between the members of
the challenge committee. All the commit
tee were present. Commodore Lewis Cass
Ledyard presided.
The discussion was exhaustive. The per-
formances of the two boats were gone over
Systematically and critically compared. The
conclusion was that the behavior Of the
Columbia was far more Consistent than
that of the Constitution, and that in the
circumstances there was no alternative but
to name her as the defender of the cup. 1t
was held that while the decision might be
disappointing to the syndicate which owns
the Constitution, the committee were COM
peIled to choose the Columbia, whose races
have shown none of the erratic form mani
tested by her rival
The formal notice announcing the selec-
ton of the Columbia was posted at the
yacht club station shortly after II o'clock.
1t read follows:
"At a meeting Of the committee on chal-
lenge of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, held
on the flagship at 1880 am, the Columbia
was selected to represent the New York
Yacht Club.
~. V. S. ODDIE. Secretary"
w. b. Duncan disappointed.
NEWPORT, r. l., September 5.-W. But
Ter Duncan, jr., manager Of the Constitu-
ton, expressed disappointment that his
boat had not been selected as the cup de-
fender. He said everything possible had
been done to get the best speed out of her.
and he had no fault to find With officers or
crew. He said that Capt Rhodes had been
both skillful and faithful. Mr.. Duncan laid
ilc af Z hal Far 1o
erratic racing. He said that It was mis-
take to change the first mainsail with
which she was doing such good work in her
early performances.
Columbia was received here with express
sions of approval among yachtsmen. She
has shown herself such reliable, all
around yacht that the decision of the chal-
lenge committee is held to be strictly just
and impartial.
AS interested yachtsmen view the situa-
tion, the Columbia has been tuned up to
the point of perfection. Her crew are en-
thusiastic believers In her capabilities.
Their drill and discipline are beyond praise,
and nobody who has watched them has any
doubt that they will make gallant defense
of the cup.
At the same time It Is pointed out that
Mr.. Duncan, manager of the Constitution,
has had great deal to contend with. It is
the opinion of many of his friends that IL
Nat -Herreshoff had not been confined to
MS room Dy Illness ne could have remedted
the faults of the Constitution and brought
her out a winner.
After the challenge committees meeting
today 1T was learned that there would be
no more racing of the ninety -footers at
Newport. The time between now and the
international cup race at Sandy Hook on
september p will be spent In putting the
Columbia In the best possible condition to
defend the cup.
Feeling Among English Yachtsmen.
LONDON, September 5.-While a section
OF the English press has been printing SEN
sat1onal New York specials lately repre-
senting that all America despairs of keep
Ing the Americas cup, and that even the
New York Yacht Club members are betting
On the Shamrock II, the stories give little
real encouragement in English yachting
circles The feeling there is reflected by
the Yachtsman, which says today:
why the fears Of our cousins should be
excited or the hopes Of Sir Thomas Lipton's
Irlends be raised by the turn of events Is
not very easy to see. OF course If the CO.
lumbia had been consistently beaten by the
Constitution all through the season we
should know that Herreshoff had improved
on his design, but the fact that this is not
proved to be the case indicates that the old
oeslgn is perfect 1t simply shows that CO.
lumpla is a very difficult boat to beat, and
any one VINO has seen her will be quite
prepared TO admit that fact OF one thing
we are quite certain, and that is that what
ever poat may be selected as the defender
the chances are altogether in her favor,
though the Shamrock may make a close
fight for the cup"