Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-05-23
Further Details 81 the Accident b
Winch Shamrock was Nearly n
H Wrecked. Il
British Ruler King Edward Seated on
the Deck When Masts were Swept
I OF into Sea.
Shamrock ! Also Helplessly Crippled
While Attempting to Render +
Assistance. $@

JEdWard and party on pOard, was to
tally dismasted by a squall of Cowes,
Isle of Wight The king, who was on
deck, had a miraculous escape. The
topmast, mainmast and bowsprit were
broken short off.
The disaster occurred while prep
arations were being made for the start.
off the Brambles buoy. s%I
There was q fine, fresh easterly
breeze driving a short, white-tipped
e up the channel, when the yachts
set their club top sails shortly after
noon and proceeded to the; starting
point. There was some delay in estab-
fishing a starting line. The wind
freshened considerably and blew Il
70 is knots, with the prospect of mag
nifcent racing. # - Ia.
King Edward, desiring to take a.
more active part in the proceedings.
thanSWas possible from the deck of the
Erin, was taken on board the cha1-5
lenger, accompanied by Sir Thomas
Upton and two ladies.
Sudden squali Comes Up.
The preliminary starting signal was
given from the Erin. While the
yachts were maneuvering for the
start a squalI came up without
warning and the bowsprit of the chal-
lenger was carried away short. The
extra strain thus thrown on the top
mast proved too much for the spar.
It whipped, broke and doubled of to
leeWard, carrying the whole weight of
the backyard and a over the side
IN terrible tangle. Almost as the
mast fell, the great steel main
mast, weighing more than two tons.
and carrying spars and gear weighing
an additional three orsfour tons, sway
ed 9 a moment and then, almost by
IA miracle, plunged yer the side into
the water, with the ripping, tearing
sound OF breaking wire and tearing
gear ii the air. The members of the
royal party were seated on deck, close
to the companionway. The king was
showing keen pleasure, watching the
fight which Captain Sycamore was
making for the advantage at the start.
The yacht was racing along at a for
midable angle and the sloping deck
with mere fringe of rail seemedEa
rather peri1ous place for the accommo-
dation ofthe visitors.
AS the wreckage swept the deck 1T
was most astonishing that no one was
injured. For a moment or two the sit
Hation appeared I be very grave.
The king maintained his conposure.
Most of the headmen went overheard.
Shamrock Also Crippled.
Within five seconds Of the disaster
the Shamrock / bore around to; rem
der assistance, when she in turn was
caught by the squal and her gan top
spars collapsed, leaving her ~helplessly
crippled. The press tug following the
racers ranged alongside the helpless
yachts and a torpedo boat which was
in the vicinity and the Sybarita sent
boats TO the scene. But, in answer to
"a hail, Captain Sycamore sent the re-
assuring message that all on board
had escaped without injury
AS quickly as possible the king and
royal party were transferred to the
Erin and later the king, accompanied
By Sir Thomas Upton, landed at
Southampton, from which place his
majesty proceeded to London
ssNM Meanwhile the crews OF the racers
set about clearing away the wreckage.
Owing To the unweildy nature of the,
spars and gear it q found iimpossi-
bic to get them on board and they
were cut away and allowed to sink
after buoys had been placed To mark
the places where the Wreckage sank.
The yachts were then lowed back to
Hyythe, there To await a decision al to
what shalt be done towards repairing
them.