The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-23
Sir Thomas Hit on the Head and
ously Escaped Injury.
KING EDWARD WAS COMPOSED
AND LATER ASKED Upton, "WHEN
DO WE SAIL AGAINs-
His Majesty Congratulated by Other
Observation-Disclosures OF the
Cup Races Necessary.

SOUTHAMPTON, May 22.-The most
dramatic incident in the history Of the
Americas cup occurred to-day, when a
sudden squall on the Solent completely
wrecked the new challenger and endan-
gered the life OF King Edward and several
distinguished persons, including Sir Thomas
Upton The results OF this disaster, which
could scarcely recur without great loss Of
life, can best be judged by the written
statement made late tonight by Sir Thorn
as Upton TO a representative OF the AS.
scciated Press as follows:
MY deepest regret is that to-day's acci-
dent prevents me from toeing the mark at
the appointed hour, and compels me TO ask
the New York Yacht Club TO grant me ar
extension of time. If they will be good
enough 10 do that 1 shall race, even II I
have TO build boat between now and the
date agreed upon. L still believe Shamrock
III boat worthy to be the challenger, and
that, when this unfortunate chapter OF ac-
Cidents comes 10 an end she will still stand
a good chance of lifting the cup. / have
not single complaint to make against my
boat.
For the many kilograms of sympathy
received from America to-day 1 am deeply
grateful. No one Is more thankful than L
am that the catastrophe ended without IA
tsIt,: tslity: and | may. perhaps. say that
ty was as brave as a lion. His first thought
was to inquire If any one was injused.
1hOMAS LlFION.
Circumstances have reduced the Sham
rock III to a pitiful, sparless wreck. She
new lies off Hythe. The story OF the
catastrophe is best told by Sir Thomas
Upton himself. After seeing his royal
guest off to London Sir Thomas gave the
following interview:
I'VE had just begun TO make for the
starting line, when a fierce breeze sprang
up. King Edward, Lady Londonderry, Mrs.
jameson, AIr. Watson, Mr.. jameson and
myself were on deck, hanging on as best
We might, for the challenger was almost
al an angle of 45 degrees The King started
to go below. Just as he did so everything
collapsed. heavy block fell between the
two ladies and wire rope struck me on
the head and momentarily 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. Why the falling spars and
sweeping sails did not kill or sweep some
one overheard is more than know. When
l came to / saw the King clambering over
the wreckage. trying To discover the extent
OF the damage and asking: is any one
hurt p "
The reporter further learned that Sir
Thomass first utterance on coming TO was
this ardent adjuration to Mr.. Watson:
Telegraph for more spars. We have got
TO sail on Aug j and this boat has got
to do it,"
When the distinguished participators In
the mishap had been safely transferred TO
when shall We sail again. Llpton?" and
before his Majesty started for London his
last words to Sir Thomas was, when you
next sail i am going with you" In fact.
the ruler OF the British empire seemed
keenly to enjoy the unusual spice of danger
into which his love of sport had led him.
There are but few other details 10 relate
A few of the crew got a wetting, but other
wise nobody was hurt. King Edward calm
~ lit another cigar and continued smoking
after assuring himself that everybody was
safe. Later he steamed around the wrecked
vessel and carefully inspected the broken
bobstay.
The crowd which gathered at the railway
station. seeking TO entrain. sang God Save
the King"
Mr. Watson and Mr.. Jameson. especially
the former, are very downcast and abso-
lutely refuse 10 say anything Sir Thomas
calculates a delay OF three weeks or n
month in the date OF the contest in Ameri-
can waters will enable him TO come 70 tho
scratch. He says that he is greatly handi-
capped by the fact that he has no duplicate
masts for the Shamrock II. but by an un-
limited expenditure OF money and energy
he believes the defects can be remedied in
time TO provide for an international race.