The times., 1901-05-06
THE CUP DEFENDER READY.
Launch of the Coustitution Likely 20
Take Place Tonight.

BRISTOL. r. l., May 4-The cup de-
fender Constitutions will probably be
launched about II o'clock tomorrow night
This Is the belief OF the most conservative
worknen employed in the Herreshor boat
shops. They say the tide will not serve
until that time and that Capt. Nat Here's
hoff. the yachts designer. does not pro-
pose to take any chances as the depth Of
water. even after the recent dredging
operations. is not more than sufficient
for his purposes at high tide
When the Herreshoff workmen finished
their labors last night there remained only
few hours work on the Constitution be-
fore she will be ready for launching
The first coating of paint was applied
10 the topside of the yacht Friday, and
yesterday morning. the vanishing having
been finished in short order by the nim-
ble-fingered Deer Islanders and Long
Islanders brought here by Captain Rhodes.
Another coat of paint above the water
line will be given to the Constitution after
she is launched and her big steel mast
has been stepped and bowsprit shipped.
The mast has been made. ready with its
steel-standing rigging and the bowsprit
was gotten out yesterday and taken into
the north shop to be scraped and pre-
pared for setting up.
When the yacht is put overheard there
VIII be far less work unfinished on her
than was required for the Columbia, be-
cause the work has been further adj
vanced in the south shop. The exit at
the west front of the south shop was
enlarged yesterday in order 10 permit the
free passage OF the yacht when the order
is given to lower the launching ways.
Yesterday much OF the staging about
the boat was taken away. and some of the
supports by which the yacht has been
shored up were also removed that there
may be as little delay as possible when
the launching hour arrives. The paint
on the tCpsides appears to be very thin,
and the highly polished bronze showing
through gives It a rather dull appears
ance. as seen through the south windows
of the boat shop.
Nearly half OF the deck covering has
been laid. Instead of the tarpaulin and
linoleum reported 20 have been selected,
it is stated on excellent authority that
the covering is a preparation of ground
cork and rubber. which is far lighter than
any deck covering used In cup defender
or challenger ever seen on this side of
the ocean.
The saving in weight in this item alone
is considerable. At the present rate of
progress il is believed to be improbable
yacht is launched. Work on her is to be
continued up TO a few minutes before the
word is given TO put her into the water.
The Boston rigger, Billman. arrived
yesterday with a force of five men, and
Immediately began the work of looping
the steel wire rigging prepared in the I
rigging loft to the masthead. The spruce I
bowsprit, just finished, was also attended (
to. The mast will be stepped Tuesday !
morning with the wooden telescoping top
mast in it's place. according TO present 4
plans All of the bookings are now in
hand.
The steel gan was practically finished
when the wOrkmen quit last night and
there remains less than a weeks work TO
be done on the boom. which is somewhat
longer than the mast The first suit of
sails is ready to be bent, though
they may be tinkered before the yacht
starts on her initial spin down the bay.
The event will not take place for at least
two weeks after the launching, according
to a well-infOrmed Herreshoff workman.
He thinks the trial spin has been fixed
for the last week in the
month.
Workmen have read with interest re-
ports of phenomenal speed shown by
Shamrock IT, in her trial yesterday. par
ticuiarly the statement that the steam
yacht Erin found it difficult to keep up
with her. Said one of them: That's
il will require torpedo boat de-
stroyer to catch the Constitution when
she is on a broad reach in a strong
breeze"
A special train is expected to come from
New Y Ork for the launching