Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-05-30

ualty.
southampton, May "a. - The most
dramatic incident in the history of the
Americas cup occurred Yesterday
when a sudden squat on the Solent
completely wrecked the new challenger
ana endangered the life of King Ed
ward and several distinguished per-
sons, including Sir Thomas Upton.
The results Of this disaster, which
could scarcely recur without great loss
or life, can best be judged by the
written statement made by Sir Thomas
Upton to representative of the AS
soc!ated Press as follows:
My deepest regret is that the acct
dent prevents me from toeing the mark
at the appointed hour, and compels me
to ask the New York Yacht club to
grant me an extension of time. If thew
Will be good enough to do that I shall
race, even if have to build a boat
between now and the time agreed upon.
1 still believe Shamrock II. a boat
worthy to be the challenger and that,
when this unfortunate chapter of acct
dents comes to an end, she will still
stand good chance of lifting the cup
have not a single complaint to make
against my boat.
For the many Telegram ms of sympa-
thy received from America I am
deeply grateful. No one is more
thankful than I am that the catastro-
phe ended without fatality, and I may
perhaps say that throughout the try
ing ordeal his majesty was as brave
as a lion. His first thought was to
inquire if any one was injured"
Circumstances have reduced the
Shamrock II. to a pitiful, sparless
wreck. She now lies off Hythe. The
story Of the catastrophe is best told by
Sir Thomas Upton himself. After see
ing his royal highness off to London
Sir Thomas gave the following inter-
view to a representative of the Associ-
ated Press:
1--WE had just begun to make for the
sprang up. King Edward, Lady Lon
Gonderry, Mrs. Jameson, Mr.. Watson,
Mr. Jameson and myself were on
deck. hanging on as best we might,
for the challenger was almost at an
started to go below. Just as he did so
CSCl lAAAS CO1ldpSS'u. "A Heavy DlOCh
fell between the two ladies and a wire
rope struck me on the head and mo-
mentarily stunned me- A sudden
squall, an unexpected strain and ev-
erything had given way. King Edward
was half-in and half-out of the COM
panion hatchway. What happened,
how all the falling spars and sweeping
sails did not kill or sweep some one
overheard, is more than I know. When
came to I saw the king clambering
over the wreckage, trying to discover
the extent of the damage, and asking:
is any one hurt?'"
When the distinguished participators
in the mishap had been safely trans
ferred to the Erin the kings first re-
mark was: "When shall we sail again,
Lipton?" and before his majesty start
ed for London his last words to Sir
Thomas were: when you next sail
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.
Mr.. Watson and Mr.. Jameson, espe-
cially the former, are very downcast
and absolutely refuse to say anything.
The question whether the New York
Yacht club should be asked to permit
the substitution of the Shamrock I.
for the Shamrock ii. was quickly rele-
gated because Sir Thomas and Mr..
Jameson, in spite of everything that
has happened, maintained that the new
boat was we'll worth the trouble she
had caused. 1t may be stated with no
little authority that the challenger's
true merits have not been displayed
with too much vigor, and that there is
more in her. according to the views of
those most interested, than meets the
eye. Sir Thomas calculates that de-
| ay of three weeks or a month in the
date of the contest in American waters
will enable him to come to the scratch.
| Il Was,". he said, terribly cast down
when [ saw what a terrible wreck that
| beautiful boat was. but now I think
things can be remedied. I have cabled
Mr.. Ledyard personally, and to-day I
expect to cable the New York Yacht
club officially. BY then 7 shall know
more than I do now"
Heartfelt expressions Of gratitude
that the king escaped are heard upon
all sides. A conference between Sir
Thomas and Mr.. Watson will be held
on board the Erin to-day to decide
upon future measures. Meanwhile
the engagements to race in the exhi-
bition contests on the Clyde have been
abandoned. The crowd which gathered
at the railway station sang God Save
the King"
Further Time VIII he Granted
New York, May 24.-Sir Thomas 7.
Upton cabled the New York Yacht
club last night that he was afraid that
he would have to ask for few weeks
grace owing to the accident to Sham
rock II. ]. v. S. Oddia secretary of
the club, was asked If further time
would be granted to Upton. He said
all that was just. right and sportsman
like would be done. While Mr.. Oddie
would not be positive as to what the