The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-22
'SCLOSE CALL
Edward Nearly Meets Death on
Lipton's Yacht.
Shamrock II Converted into
Mass of Wreckage.
STRUCK BY A SQUALL
All Her Masts and Bowsprit
Broken Off Short.
All on Board Passed Through
Danger Unhurt.

Southampton, May 22-The cup chal-
lenger. with King Edward and a party
on board, was totally dismasted today
by squal off Cowes, Isle of Wight
The king, who was on deck. had a
miraculous escape. The topmast. main
mas and bowsprit were broken short
Off
Ryde. Isle of Wight. May 22.-The
yachts were sent today reaching over
triangular course similar to one of the
Americas cup series. The entrance in
to the race of the yawl Sybarita, about
SO feet over ALL added to the interest
taken in the contest, especially as tine
fresh weather and reaching course were
both in favor of the yawl, placing the
captains of the two Shamrocks under
the necessity of driving their boats at
full speed in order to make any credit
able showing against the outsider and
promising King Edward, who was on
board the Erin an opportunity of wit
Messing what promised to be the
smartest race of the series.
There was a fine easterly breeze driv-
ing a short white tipped sea up the chan
mel, when the three yachts set their club
top sails shortly after noon and pro-
ceeded to the starting point
The wind freshened considerably and
blew II to 10 knots an hour, with the
prospect of magnificent racing.
King Edward. desiring to take a more
active part in the proceedings than was
possible from the deck of the Erin was
taken on board the challenger, accom-
panied by Sir Thomas Upton and two
ladies.
The preliminary starting signal was
given from the Erin While the yachts
were maneuvering for the start,
SquaH came without the slightest warn
ing and the bcwsprit of the challenger
was carried away short. The extra
strain thus thrown the top mast
proved too much for the spar. 1t whip
ped broke and doubled off to leeward,
carrying the whole weight Of the jack
yard and gear over the side in a terri
bic tangle- Almost as the top mast fell.
then great steel main mast, weighing
more than two tons and carrying sparS
and gear Weighing an additional three
or four tons, sWayed for moment and
then, almost by a miracle, plunged over
the side and into the water with the
sound of breaking wire and tearing gear
in the air The members of the royal
party were seated on deck, close to the
companion way.
The king was showing keen pleasure
watching the fight which Captain Syca-
more was making for the advantage at
the start. The yacht was racing along
at a formidable angle, and the slOping
deck, with a mere frame rail, seemed a
rather perilous place for the accOmmO-
dation of the visitors
AS the wreckage swept the deck it
was most astonishing that no one was
injured. For a moment or two the sit
uation appeared to be very grave. The
king maintained his composure. Most
of the head men went overheard.
Within five seconds of the disaster
the Shamrock I bore around to render
assistance, when she in turn was caught |
by the squaH and her gan and topsails /
collapsed, leaving her helplessly Grip /
pied.
The press tug following the racers
ran alongside the helpless yachts and |
a torpedo boat which was in the vi /
the scene. But in answer to a hail, |
message that all on board had escaped |
without injury.
AS quickly as possible the king and |
the royal party were transferred to the |
Erin, and later the king, accompanied !
by Sir Thomas Upton, landed at South !
an pton, from which place his majesty 4
will proceed to London.
In the meantime the crews of the !
racers set about clearing away the |
wreckage- Owing to the unwieIdly ma I
ture of the spars and gear it was found /
impossible to get them on board, and |
they were cut away and allowed to t
sink after buoys had been placed to /
mark the places where the wreckage /
sank The yachts were then toWed back
to Hythe. there to await a decision as
to what should be done towards repair |
ing them.