The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-09-06


REPUBLIC SPECIAL. -
Newport r. l.. Sept. 5.-The above notice
posted on the bulletin board of the New
York Yacht Club station shortly after noon
to-day, and since sent the world over, told
the story that the Americas Cup Will be
defended for the second time by the ninety
footer. Columbia. built two years ago. and
still owned by Mr.. J. Pierpont Morgan.
It also told the story that the Constitu-
ton. designed and built by. the Herreshohs
as was the Columbia. has been less success
full than was hoped for. and. to an extent,
has proven a failure.
The disappointment is fourfold. 1t Is a
sad blow to the five men who paid for her
construction and her maintenance during
her preparation up to the trial races: to
many of the New York Yacht Club mem
bers and to her managing owner Mr.. w.
Butler Duncan. Jr. and his officers and
crew; to thousands Of yachtsmen throughout
the country and to Captain Nat Herreshoff.
the designer of the new boat.
severe Blow to Herreshon.
To the latter the blow is quite as severe
as TO the owners Of the new yacht. These
owners are Mr.. August Belmont Mr.. Henry
Walters of Baltimore. the owner OF the
steam yacht, the Narada;. Mr.. James Still
man. Mr.. Frederick G. Bourne and Colonel
oliver H. Payne. all Of New York. Each Of
these originally subscribed $4,000, making
$3.50. 900 for the construction and the rigging
and sails of the boat, and how much has
been their respective assessments for the
yachts running expenses is not known.
These men are grievously disappointed
and in some instances disheartened. So
far as the designer. Captain NAT" HERES
hoff. is concerned, the blow Is one that will
be long felt The throwing aside OF the
Constitution means that he has made little
or no advancement In the production of
these racing machines during the last two
years. and that to-day the Columbia, now
aged. In the language OF yachting experts.
stands as his greatest triumph. She Is in
deed formidable craft. but the older and
more experienced Of our naval architects
and yachtmen are not assured that the
Herreshon triumph OF 1899 Is capable of de-
feating the Watson creation OF 1901.
Action Of the Committee.
: The meeting of the Challenge Committee
was full one. all the members being pres
ent except J. Pierpont Morgan. who has
purposely refrained from attending any of
the committee meetings. because he is the
owner of the Columbia and is an,interested
party.
Nearly two hours were required to come
to conclusion and then the vote was
unanimous. Everything relating to the two
yachts was gone over and over. and. what
ever the manner in which the points were
viewed. the result was the same-the CO.
lumbia is the better and safer boat with
which to defend the cup against the Sham
rock II.
Sir Thomas IL Satisfied.
In discussing the committees decision, Sir
Thomas Lipton said:
II am sure they have made a proper selcc-
tion' for I know. their judgment is correct.
All ] want is to sail the Shamrock against
the fastest boat in America. and IL 1t is
the Columbia. We are all ready. / am glad
the decision has been made ! !.
There seems 10 be q jubilant feeling
among the crew of the Shamrock at The
selection Of the Columbia as the cup de-
fender. They have not much to say. but it
Is plain that they feel much encouraged ut
the prospect OF meeting the old defender
OF 1889. for they do not believe she has I'M
proved enough to beat the Shamrock II IN
any kind Of weather.