The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-05
OUT AGAIN.
hOwed Remarkable Speed and AbiI.
ity 10 Lie Close TO the Wind.

NEW YORK, Sept. Although under
sail for only two hours to-day the Sham
rock II astOnished those who followed her
by her remarkable speed and ability TO lie
close to the wind. The yacht again demon
strated beyond question that she can sail
when reaching with the wind abeam, so
that her big jib topsail can be made to
draw, at a speed varying from fourteen to
hfteen knots, according TO the strength of
the wind.
The yacht was all ready to make a start
by IL o'clock this morning, but there was
not a breath of wind, however, at that
time. Just then the steam yacht Reverie
ranged up alongside the Shamrock. Her
owner, c. b. Thomas, hailed Sir Thomas
Upton, who was showing a party of yacht
Thomas said he, THE members of the
Irish rifle team are on board, with the
ladies of their party. They drink to your
health and wish you all success"
To this Sir Thomas replied: Il thank you
all very much. Won't you all come aboard
the Shamrock? L will send d launch for
you"
The invitation was accepted and the party
OF seventeen were soon on board the cup
challenger, shaking hands with her owner,
who took particular pains to show the Wis
itors every part of the yacht. After in
speeding the Shamrock the party was taken
on board the Erin and shown over that
vessel. AFTER the VISITORS mad returned to
their own yacht they gave three hearty
cheers for Sir Thomas as they passed on
their way hack TO the Atlanti Highlands.
shortly after noon there were indications
of a breeze coming in from seaward, so the
Shamrocks moorlng was got ready TO
slip. The start was quite a spectacular one.
All morning there had been scarcely a
Dfeatn OF Wlnd and a ScOrching hot sun.
Soon after L o'clock a cool fresh breeze
came from southwest. Suddenly a steam
launch shot out from alongside the Erin.
In n WAS Sir Thnm0G infnn Mr. oDnA
son, Mr.. Watson and Commodore Hillyard.
The party had hardly stepped on deck when
the yachts mooring was slipped and from
an ludhlnldte OBJECT the yacht was changed
IN a moment to a thing of life. Staysail,
Jb n u small Jb tOpSail were broken out
simultaneously and as her sails filled and
she gathered Roadway in the freshing
breeze she made a spirited picture.
As soon as the point of Sandy Hook was
cleared sheets were trimmed down fiat
on port tack and the yacht slipped through
the smooth water at a gait that must have
been between fourteen and fifteen knots,
for in ten minutes she was entering Ged-
ney's channel and in five minutes more
she had passed through il. In fact she had
travelled nearly four miles in fifteen min
utes. The tide was fair, but there was not
enough OF II TO cut more than a knot of
her speed.
Sailmaker Ratsey had remained on board
the Erin to obtain a good view OF the
Shamrock's sails, but the yacht had sailed
so fast on the way out that she was now
obliged 10 heaVe TO and wait for the Erin.
At 2:5S, when the steam yacht arrived,
Captain Sycamore put the Shamrock on the
starboard tack for seven minutes, then he
let her come around and stand along the
Jersey coast for ten minutes. When next
she came about she swung around from
full TO full in just twelve minutes 1t
was also seen that the yacht was lying
remarkably close to the wind. Ten min
uteS later the main sheet was manned and
rounded in smartly, and then the great
main boom swung across the deck as Cap
tain Sycamore put the helm up and gybed
her. 1t was thought that the spinnaker
would be set again, but instead the bow
spirit men We're sent out to take in the
small jib tOpSail. The sail was down and
slowed and another one out of the bowsprlt
in two minutes
In two minutes more the new sail was
snapped on its stay, hoisted in place and
broken out. There were e~XclamatiOns of
surprise and admiration from all who saw
II, Tor II was a big-reaching 1ib topsail of
White llnen, its cloths running I'D and
down from a center line dividing the sail
from clew TO huff. As soon as this new
sail filled the yacht seemed to Jump away
with renewed speed. for the light material
| caught every breath of wind going and
pulled like forty horses.
Travelling at a fOurteen-knot clip. and
leaving all steamers but the Erin in her
wake. the Shamrock entered Gednev's
channel 81 4:O5 with boom broad off TO star
board. The jib topsail came down at 4:1O.
and then sheets were trimmed down for the
| close reach 10 the point of Sandy Hook.
some to the southwark. She stood well
over towards the southwest spit, then made
a tack into the bay, where the club tODsail
was taken in. and at $50. after being towed
to her mOOriug by the Lawrence. she was
made fast for the night.