Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-05-25
SHAMROCK Il WRECKED
King Edward Was on Board at
the Time.
STATEMENT MADE BY Upton.
sir Thomas says He VIII Race Even
III He Has to Build New Boat.
Asks New York Yacht Club For Ex-
tension OF Time.

III He Has to Build New Boat.
Asks New York Yacht Club For Ex-
tension OF Time.
Southampton, May %. The most
dramatic incident in the history OF
the Americas cup occurred yesterday
afternoon, when sudden squall on
the Solent completely wrecked the new
challenger and endangered the lives
Of King Edward and several distin-
guished persons, including Sir Thomas
Upton. The result of this disaster.
which could scarcely recur without
great loss of life, can best be judged
by thdAfoliowing statement made late
last night by Sir Thomas Upton:
"My deepest regret is that to-day's
accident prevents me from toeing the
mark at the appointed hour and com
peIs me to ask the New York Nacht
club to grant me an extension of time
II they will be good enough TO do that
/ shall race, even II | have to build a
boat between now and the date agreed
upon. | still believe the Shamrock IL
a boat worthy to be the challenger and
lndl With tiiiS tiAtttNi "a
accidents comes to an end She will
stand a good chance of lifting the cup.
/ have not single complaint to make
against the boat.
.sFor the many kilograms of sympa-
thy received from America today | am
deeply grateful. No one is more thank
full than | am that the catastrophe
ended without fatality, and | may per-
haps say that throughout the trying
moments his majesty was as brave as
a lion His first thought was to in
quire if any one was injured"
story of the Catastrophe.
The story of the catastrophe is best
told by Sir Thomas himself. After see
ing his royal guest off for London he
said, in answer to inquiries:
eve had just begun to make for the
starting line when fierce breeze
sprang up King Edward, Lady Lon
donderry. Mrs. Jameson. Mr.. Watson,
Mr.. Jameson and myself Were on deck,
hanging on as best we might, for the
challenger was almost at an angle of
As degrees. The king started to go be-
low. Just as he did so everything col
lapsed A heavy block fell between the
two ladies. and Il wire rope struck me
on the head and temporarily stunned
me- A sudden squall, an unexpected
strain. and everything had given way.
King Edward was half in and half out
of the companion hatchway. What
happened, how all the falling spars and
sweeping sails did not kill or sweep
some one overheard. is more than !
know When / came TO, l saw the king
clambering over the wreckage, trying
to discover the extent of the damage
and asking, is any one hurtT
1t is further learned that Sir Thomas
first utterance on coming to was this
ardent admiration to Mr.. Watson
.Telegraph for more spars. We have
got to sail on Aug. 20, and this boat has
got to do il"
The King Is Cool.
When the distinguished participators
In the mishap had been safely trans.
ferred TO the Erin, the kings first re-
mark was
"When shall we sail again, LiptonT'
and before his majesty started for Lon.
don his last words to Sir Thomas We're.
"When YOU next sail, am going with
you
In fact, his majesty seemed keenly &c
enjoy the unusual spice OF danger into
which his love of sport had led him.
After the accident and when he had as
sured himself that everybody was safe,
he calmly lighted another cigar and
continued smoking. Later he steamed
around the wrecked vessel and careful
ly inspected the broken bobstay.
The crowd which gathered at the
railway station to witness his majesty
take the train sang, God Save the
King"