The times., 1901-05-23
TO RACE THE INDEPENDENCE
A Rum0rcd Agreement to Sail the
Constitution in Open Trials.


NEW YORK. May 2.-The Challenge
Committee of the New York Yacht Club
met this afternoon at the office of Com
modore Lewis Cass Ledyard. and it was
understood that the Independence matter
was discussed very fully.
What was done at the meeting no mem
Der would say, but later in the day it was
rumored in yachting circles that every
thing had been satisfactorily arranged.
and that the Independence would meet
the Constitution and the two yachts be
tried together in order to find out which
boat should defend the Americas Cup.
Just on what basis the arrangement
had been made no one could say positive
ly, but one report said that the two
yachts were to meet in a series of races,
and that the New York Yacht Club mem
bers were so confident that the Constitu-
tion would be successful that these races
would end the trouble.
The accident TO the Shamrock II was
generally regretted by all yachtsmen in
town today David Barrie, the represen-
tative of Sir Thomas Upton, as soon as
he heard of the accident, cabled to Sir
Thomas, and soon afterward received this
reply:
Southampton, May %
Regret very much bad accident to-
day. Pleased nobody hurt Afraid re-
quire delay contest few weeks. Am
very troubled at giving New York
Yacht Club inconvenience. Hope ad-
wise you definitely in day or two.
Upton"
In the afternoon Commodore Ledyard
received a cable from Sir Thomas Upton.
1t was as follows:
Southampton, May %.
Dear Ledyard: Regret had very bad
accident today with new Shamrock,
but thankful nobody injured. Fear will
render it impossible keep engagement
August 20. but hope cable club tomor-
row after consultation with designer
and builders Am afraid it Will be
necessary ask for few weeks grace.
Am very much distressed at possibili-
ty Of giving the club trouble.
THOMAS J. Upton"
Commodore Ledyard sent this reply to
Sir Thomas:
New York, May p.
"Sir Thomas ]. Upton, London:
I'VE all sincerely regret new Sham
rocks accident. Glad no one injured
and trust result TO yacht IS not seri-
Gus. VIII await further adVices from
you before any action. LEDYARD."
1t is expected at the New York Yacht
Club that message will be received to-
morrow telling just how serious the ac-
cident is.
Sir Thomas Upton will receive all the
time he requires to refit his beat and try
her out.
Among local yachtsmen deep regret was
expressed for the accident. Every man
had words of sympathy for Sir Thomas
Upton. They say, however, that evident
ly in the effort to avoid weight the yacht
has been too lightly rigged fault from
which the first Shamrock also suffered.
Newberry d. Lawton, of the Regatta
Committee of the New York Yacht Club,
said: Il am exceedingly sorry for Sir
Thomas Lipton's i'll luck with the chaI-
ienger 1t is q pity she is meeting with
so many accidents. Too light rigging
seems to be the trouble. The old Sham
rock also suffered from the same defect.
1 hope. however. everything will come out
all right, and l believe Sir Thomas has
good boat"
Frank Bovine Jones, Chairman of the
Regatta Committee of the Indian Hdrbor
Yacht Club. said: 1T is really too bad the
challenger should be so unfortunate. The
rigging is to blame. Strength was lost in
the effort after lightness."
Henry ]. Gielow the yacht designer.
said: THE rigging was too light and
could not stand ;he strain in a heavy
wind. The yacht Is constructed only for
light airs and her rigging with this in
view sacrificed strength to lightness.