New-York tribune., 1901-07-01
THINKS KARIAD FASTER.
KENNETH NJ. CLARK WOULD RACE FOR
THE AMERICAS CUP.
BELIEVES HIS CUTTER SUPERIOR TO SHAM
ROCK II-ANXIOUS FOR A THOROUGH
TRIAL OF THE YACHTS

Rothesay, June 30.-A development as intense
ly interesting as it was entirely unexpected has
occurred concerning the challenge for the Amer
ica's Cup. This is due TO the action of Kenneth
NJ. Clark owner of the cutter Kariad. Mr..
Clark has had three opportunities of racing the
Kariad against Shamrock I, and he has wit
messed all the trials of the two Shamrocks since
the challenger refitted. His observations
have led him TO doubt seriously whether Sham
rock II is good enough to send TO American
waters in challenge for the Cup. He has belief
amounting to a conviction that the Kariad is a
better beat, length for length. than Shamrock
II, and he dssres to see this question settled be-
fore anw vac 1t goes out as a challenger.
Mr.. g rxk said to-day that he had desire
whatever 10 push himself forward in the matter.
and hefssndsleG to have az : oort1nitsL-af resolv
ing his ogrs doubts quietly in the ordinary races
in which he expected the two Shamrocks to take
part.
1T now appears. however" said Mr. Clark
that the challenger will only be tried against
Shamrock /. Even if both sailed to win the re-
suit would only show which of the two excelled
and would give no real proof as to whether either
is the best boat have available. The contest
is an international affair In the fullest sense of
the word; and, for the credit of British yachting
and the good of sport. it is desirable that the
British side of the contest should be upheld by
the best available boat. I believe the Kariad is
faster than either of the Shamrocks 1 may be
wrong, but that is my opinion and 1 consider
that 1 have excellent reasons for holding it.
desire opportunity to enter the Kariad in the
trials. If this request is not granted. I shall
challenge Sir Thomas Upton to trial races be-
tween Shamrock II and the Kariad, to be sailed
over courses similar to the course for the Amer
ica's Cup and on the American measurement, in
order to decide which should be sent as the chal-
lenger."
When asked whether the Kariad was eligible
and whether he would carry through the chal-
lenge If the Kariad should prove the faster Mr.
Clark said he had desire to go to the United
States. but if 1t should be proved that Great
Britain had better chance of success through
his boat, he was prepared to carry the challenge
through. So far the eligibility of the Kariad
was concerned. he said he understood there
would be no serious difficulty, as the Royal UI-
ster Yacht Club had lodged the challenge on be-
half Of cutter under ninety feet waterline. and
as he was member of the club and his boat
answered the description.
IF Sir Thomas Upton has the better boat. !"
Mr.. Clark concluded, Il shall be delighted to
stand aside. My only desire is to insure the
cannot be secured beyond question without a
trial" "
Mr.. Clark, who is chairman of J. p Coats lin
lted. has owned many steam yachts The Kariad
is MS hrst Dig racing cutter. She was built last
year TO watson design by the Hendersons for.
G. ID. Rose, who had the misfortune to lose tuyo
sons In the South African war and she was not
lauhcheo until purchased this year by Mr. Clark