Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1901-09-12

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tie cup tar the other side ever had
said c. a4115Iore Frederick I. Adams
of tie Larchmont Yacht club when
seen tie other day b New York
Times reporter shortly after It became
known that the Columbia would de
fend tie International cup. The races.
l believe, VIII be very close. tie closest
we have ever had. Tie chances. TO
my mind, are equal. 1t VIII be even
money in the betting: but, Of course, i
hope that Columbia viii win. I have
no criticism to make upon the action of
the committee. 1t is composed OF COM
petent men. able yachtsmen. and
know they have carefully weighed ey-
cry point before determining that Co
Iumbia is the better boat.
The Constitution IS a disappoint
ment in that she has not come up to
expectations but l consider Columbia
a much better boat than She was two
years ago. She has been improved and
has the grand advantage of a crew
that works her to a nicely l think
am stating the truth in saying that
ever since Sir Thomas Upton arrived
here lie and his friends have feared
the Columbia more than tie CoustitU-
ton.
Il consider Shamrock II. a vastly su-
perior beat 10 Shamrock /. The chal-
leuger is one Of the Landsom cst boats
Of her kind that / have ever seen. and
l think Size has Just as good a chance
as the Columbia to win, but 40 not
believe there Is any valid proof 10 base
the assumption that the new boat is
ten minutes faster than Shamrock ].
Watson. the new Shamrock's designer,
has said Shat Columbia is Il better boat
than tie Constitution. and | DO NOT
think the Upton forces Were very
much surprised at the decision. IL
practically guarantees the closest Kind
of yacht racing
Commodore Adams has been a guest
of Sir Thomas Upton recently and has
had ample opportunity 10 inspect the
challenger. and his assertion that tie
chances are even is based upon actual
knowledge Of tie good points OF both
boats When asked if he believed IIc.-
reshoff had reached tie limit Of Speedy
yacht designing, he unAesitatiugly re-
piled that lie Cid
"IIerTeshoI had every means 1T his
hand to Go his Lest and unlimited cap
ital behind him. said Commodore Al
ans, "but the Constitution has not
shown any all around superiority over
the old boat. The Columbia. therefore,
stands as the best example OF HERE
sbof's yachting ability"
Percy CLubb said: Il think the
Shamrock's chances Of winning are
considerably frightened by selecting
the Columbia. l am not yet ready to
admit that the latter is faster than the
Constitution, but under present condi-
tons She Is assuredly better fitted for
the cup race than the new yacht The
trouble with the Constitution. | believe.
has been with her sails. She never
had such 4 set Of sails as boat OF her
style should have. Herreshon has been
sick and unable 10 give much attention
TO the boat. and he has net given her
proper sails. It is a difficult matter, l
know, to lit n boat Ike the Constitu-
tion. That trouble has been her great
weakness. Tho Columbia is in fine
shape now. and expect her to win"
There was no criticism Of the com
Dittee among the yachtsmen who were
spoken TO on the selection of the Co
lumbia. Most of them had made up
their minds apparently that the Co
lumbia was the better boat. but several
lad expected that in view of the Con
stitutions better showing in the second
race. combined with her unfortunate
sail accident, another trial race would
ha hal on
scarcely any criticism, for it was ac-
knowledged that the time was getting
late.
One practical yachtsman who did not
wish TO be quoted said that it was
quite likely the committee in making
its decision before another trial had
taken into consideration the handling
Of the boats, which has been vastly su-
perior on the Columbia. Its crew has
been better than the men sailing the
Constitution, as several changes have
taken place in the crew Of the latter
boat. On the other hand. the Colum-
bias crew know their boat perfectly
ana can be depended upon to get every
inch of speed out Of her. This there
fore. made a strong point in selecting
the old boat. it was believed The
speaker was also inclined 10 believe
that Herreshof had done his best with
the Columbia and could not improve
upon her. Watson has made the
Shamrock a close copy Of the Column
bia." he added. 'and If Herreshof cam
not improve upon her I am sure Wat
son could not beat her"
That the coming races would be close
every man admitted. and there was an
unmistakabie feeling of excitement
about the outcome that had not been
so apparent previous TO the selection
OF 8 defender. The yachtsmen. how
ever. were all inclined to believe that
the Columbia would prove the winning
boat again.
a. Cary Smith, ]. Beaver Webb and
other prominent yacht designers would
express no opinion upon the technical