Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-04
OUT ON FIRST SPIN
Shamrock II Shows Fine Speed in
Today's Trial.
RAN AGROUND IN S0LENT
Soon F|oated Off and Appeared
to Be Undamaged.
HIGH PRAISE FOR YACHT

SOUTHAMPTON. May 4.-The new cup
challenger started on her first trial spin
this morning under excellent conditions.
The sun shone bright and warm and a
steady northeasterly breeze was blowing.
An immense amount of preparatory work
has been satisfactorily carried out during
the past week, and everything essential
was ready when the Shamrock II left her
berth. Sir Thomas Upton and Charles
Russell arrived last evening and saw the
last touches put to the preparation. V. G.
Jameson and Designer Watson followed
this morning.
Keen interest is shown in the trial, and
large number of yachts and steamers,
crowded with passengers, accompanied the
Erin and the Shamrock H.
While the challenger was preparing for
her first sail the American line steamer
st. Louis passed her. There We're a number
OF Americans on board who closely scanned
the challenger. On passing the yacht the
steamer slowed down and Saluted The
crews of the Erin and two Shamrocks who
We're ranged on their respective decks
cheered the St Louis heartily. During the
forenoon the breeze steadied and hardened
until fine, crisp Eortheaster was blowing
sufficient to raise the white caps.
Sails Work Easily.
The jib and staysaiI of the challenger
were hoisted at an early hour, and when
the word was given to raise the mainsail
the speed with which it was hoisted from
the deck, I'm American fashion denon-
strated the hardness of the appliances
adopted.
The sail is made Of dark, Sea Island cot
ton and fully justfies the expectation of
its being the largest on record
The challenger hoisted her. mansail at
ll:p am, and shortly afterward slipped
her moorings and lying over till her lee
ran was almost awash went reaching
down southampton water at pace that
made the Erin drive along at full speed to
keep her in view.
The Shamrock I started shortly after
ward. with sheets we'll off and sailing fast
This is her best point of sailing but so soon
as the two got together and fairly started
the cup challenger commenced to pull out
In fine style, and had a good lead as the
boats came abreast of Calshot Castle The
distance of the spin was only short but
the manner in which the new boat sailed
suggested that the Shamrock 1 has little
chance of proving series opponent in the
trial races.
The older boat set her topsail soon after.
but by then the yachts had reached the
open water of the Solent and parted COM
pany, the challenger going toward Cowes
while the Shamrock III started for the
Hampshire side.
Jib TOpsail Set.
A jib tOpSail was set on the challenger
anu Sic tIleu IeI PAGES up uoWH lHe
west channel. She carries q big mouthful
Of foam under her bow. but this is due
only to the manner in which her fiat bow
glides over the surface. There is very lit
tie wash under it, and on her quarters she
leaves the water remarkably clean. The
challenger proved distinctly fast and handy
in turning, and as well as could be judged
from yacht sailing alone, she seemed to
point well into the wind
After spending couple of hours slipping
about in light winds off Cowes, the chal-
lenger made long board toward Ryde.
There q fresher wind was met, and going
along with all canvas drawing well, the
Shamrock II footed ahead in a way little
short of marvellous The sweetness of her
hull was shown by the smoothness of her
going through the water, and under todays
conditions the Shamrock II is certainly
marvel in this respect The wash from her
lee bow was slight and the weather wash
from her quarter little more than rippled
the surface.
The conditions today, it is true, were ex-
actly those in which the challenger was ex-
pected to show at her best, but even allow
ing this, beyond doubt she has more than
fulfilled the expectations of her most ardent
admirers. The wind in which she passed
Ryde was such as might take her round an
Americas cup course just inside Of time
limit, and in these conditions she gave
display never before equaled on this side
of the Atlantic.
The Shamrock II went aground at low
water off the Warner lightship in the So
lent. The Erin is standing by her.
Later the Shamrock ii was f1oatcd An
parently she has sustained little damage.