New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
NEW SHAMROCK is FAST.
A MISHAP MARKS THE CHALLENGER'S
TRIAL SPIN IN THE SOLENT.
STUCK ON A sANDBANK AFTER HER
RUN-FASTEsT CRAFT EVER SEEN
ACROSS THE ATLANTIC.

ACROSS lf1E Al Ian IL
Southampton, May 4.-The trial of Shamrock
II to-day had a rather unfortunate conclusion
for she went ashore bank close to the
Warner Lightship. The trial was practically
over, and she came sharp around the lghtshlp
to return to her moorings when she GROUNDED On
the sand. The wind was very light at the tinle
and she slid upon the bank with scarcely per-
ceptible shock. There was not wind enough to
pull her off and the Erin was signalled to send
a launch, but a half hour elapsed before the
launch came, and towed her off without any
difficulty. Mr.. Jameson and Mr. Watson her
designer were both board Shamrock ii when
she went aground. and both declare they are
satisfied that the yacht sustained absolutely no
damage. There is no intention of docking her.
and there will be no interruption of her trials
FINE CONDITIONS FOR THE TRIAL.
The new challenger started on her first tria!
spin this morning under excellent conditions
The sun shone bright and warm. and a STEADY
northeasterly breeze was blowing.
An immense amount of preparatory work had
been satisfactorily carried out during the last
week and everything essential was ready when
Shamrock II left her berth. Sir Thomas Lipton
and Charles Russell arrived last evening. and
saw the last touches put to the preparations
w. G. Jameson and Mr.. Watson followed this
morning.
Keen interest shown in the trial. and
large number OF yachts and steamers, crowded
with passengers. accompanied the Erin and
Shamrock II.
While Shamrock II preparing for her first
sail the American Line steamer St Louis passed
her There number of Americans on
board who closely scanned the challenger. on
passing the yacht the steamship slowed down
and saluted. The crews Of the Erin and the
two Shamrocks. who were ranged on their re-
spective decks cheered the st. Louis heartily.
During the forenoon the breeze steadied ana
hardened until a fine. crisp northeaster was
blowing sufficient to raise the whitecaps. The
lib and staysan of the challenger were ho!sted
AT an early hour and when the word given
10 raise the mainsaiI, the speed with which 1t was
hoisted from the deck. IN American fashion,
demonstrated the hardness Of the appliances
adopted. The sail Is made OF dark Sea Island
cotton and fully justifes the expectation OF its
being the largest on record.
The challenger hoisted her mainsail at II 40
a. m and shortly afterward, slipped her moor
ings and. lying over till her lee rail was almost
awash went reaching down Southampton Water
at a pace that made the Erin drive along at fuil
speed 20 keep her in view.
RUNS AWAY FROM FIRST SHAMROCK.
Shamrock 1 started shortly afterward with
sheets well on ana sdiilHS last lHls 10
her best point of sailing; but, the
two got together and fairly started. the cup
challenger began to pull out in fine style, and
had a good lead as the boats came abreast of
Caishot Castle. The distance of the spin was
only short, but the manner In which the new
boat sailed suggested that Shamrock l has
little chance of proving a serious opponent In
the trial races. The older boat set her topsail
soon after, but by then the yachts had reached
the open water of the Solent and parted COM
pany the challenger going toward Cowes. while
Shamrock I started for the Hampshire side.
A jibtopsail set on the challenger, and she
tried her PAGES up and down the West Channel.
She carries a big mouthfu of foam under her
bow but this is due only to the manner in which
her fiat bow glides over the surface There is
very little wash under II, and her quarters
she leaves the water remarkably clean. The
challenger proved distinctly fast and handy In
a yacht sailing alone, she seemed to point well
into the wind
After spending a couple of hours slipping about
In light winds off Cowes. the challenger made q
long board toward Ryde. There a fresher wind
was met and, going along with all canvas draw
ing well; Shamrock II footed ahead in
Way little short of marvellous The sweetness
of her hull was shown by the smoOthness of her
going through the water and under to-day's
conditions Shamrock III is certainly a marvel
in this respect. The wash from her lee bow was
slight and the weather wash from her quarter
little than rippled the surface.
The conditions to-day, 1t is true. exactly
those in which tho challenger expected to
show at her best. But. even allowing this beyond
a doubt she has more than fulfilled the expecta-
tions of her most ardent admirers The wind in
which she passed Ryde such might take
her round Americas Cup course just inside
of the time limit, and In these conditions she
gave display never before equalled this
side of the Atlantic.