New-York tribune., 1901-08-29
JUST A SAIL STRETCHER.
THE SHAMROCK TAKES SPIN FOR THE
PURPOSE OF GETTING HER CAN
VAS IN TRIM.

The sailing Of the Shamrock yesterday chiefly
for the purpose Of sail stretching. Sir Thomas
Upton was entertaining guests and neither he nor
George l. Watson board the green cutter
while she sailed her thirty miles In New-York Bay.
The wind was southeastery, and during part of
the time blowing at the rate Of about ten
miles hour 1t intsnded on the previous
evening to sail the yacht over measured course
of thirty miles off Sandy Hook Lightship IN order
that the performance might be timed and COM
pared with the previous records of the first Sham
rock and other yachts built to for the Amer
ica's Cup. But this plan fell through because Sir
Thomas could not be board The cutter did not
go out into the ocean, but sailed twice from the
Southwest Spit Buoy to the Narrows and back
again
The yacht went OF under mainsan and jib the
club gafftopsail and small jibtopsafl being set for
practice while the vessel under way. The work
of getting the big topsail set and in full working
order timed at eight minutes. The wind was
light from the southeast at this time and the speed
was not great A large gathering of small craft
was present TO witness the start of the challenger
and after the breeze freshened the yacht was
luted by all the vessels. which she passing at
steamboat speed The Teutonic was seen, off Staple
ton just the Shamrock came in stays off Quaran-
tine. Captain Cameron of the Teutonic saluted,
on the steam yacht Erin the signal flags read
ing pleasant voyage were sent up. The Teutonc
replied, Success
The yacht then took three tacks which brought
her Coney Island Point. and from there she
lay her course the port tack all the way back
to the Southwest Spit. where she arrived at %
p. m. She covered the first half against a strong
ebb tide in l hour and Is minutes. and the second
half in 30 minutes
After some practice In man9uvring Captain
Sycamore sent the yacht back over the same course
5 far the Craven Shoal Buoy, after which she
returned the Spit. Here the crew lowered the
big topsad and a line was passed out to the moor
Sir Thomas said that owing to the need of slight,
" cutting the new sails where they have stretched
in the last two days OF sailing il viii be necessary
TO strip the spars and have the sailmaers work at
the canvas today Consequently ~ the Sh2roI3 WI, ~
the way she will be tried the regular Cup course
After the yacht arrived at her moorings yester-
day Sir Thomas. with his party went ashore at the
visit to the fort and TO the big shoot. The
exhibition of gunnery practice that followed was
There was nothing in the days practice sailing to
indicate any peculiar speed IN tne % SnaFGGH n,Shis
and the restitution. AS far could be seen her
1n d hot H eE'efI even zen 10 be exac n Of the
sails, and Watson will have them clipped from time
races ] Tlth @ 9et INV w'sS p ~ cb{ons Wbich was used
yesterday and the day before was puckering little
Th me ns PTt % , a bsrs H. aH rype ye IN Is to F
the stretch out OF the canvas and standing rigging
that the present sailing Is being done -.
Commodore Lewis Cass Ledyard OF the New
York Yacht club is to give dinner for Sir Thomas
3on on his Yacht me Torona sa az vstsTay I 5a
many Of the leading yaGhtsmen OF New-S - orE abd bd
MewPor6, me e HIneF' 70 ,b ovner 81 the British
challenger and his friends. Among those who it is
Oliver cdRSS''oiii isehn. FisrPoHt MarssH NsyserE
Thorne. Commodore Adams OF the Larchmont
Yacht Club and the commodores or other large
As to this IT Is NO, yet known whether Sir Thomas
invited by Commodore I-edyerd TO witness the
az Newport. which begins next saturday and ne
hoped 10 be able - get away for one cav; 5s s0nS
night after the race.