Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-18
.DisMAsTED.
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it will only be necessary to replace the
mast and sails.
Sir Thomas Upton will remain on his
steamer Erin until he has consulted with
Designer Fife. Then he will be able to
speak more definitely as to his future
plans.
Sailmaker Ratzey says he had every
confidence in the mast. 1t stood splendidly
and it's collapse was due solely to the
breaking of the rigging screw. He is con-
hlent that the Shamrock could have stood
more than she was called upon and she
would have to stand as much or more off
Sandy Hook. There was too much weight.
he declared, in the wind for the setting
OF jackyarders.
The yachts were maneuvring in the
roadstead. under mainsails, jibS and
foresaiis and gaff topsails prior to the
start; A strong northeast breeze was
blowing but there was nothing in the
nature OF a gale. The boats seemed to
carry their racing. sails we'll as they
fetched out from the shelter of the
oreakwater, Shamrock III. leading, on
tack seq ward, apparently with the in
tertion of testing the strength of the
wind outside. The breeze had just
weight enough to keepaher lee rail tip
ping. .tt@,
Before starting Sir Thomas Upton,
Ratsey. the sailmaker Col. Sharman
Crawford, vice commodore of the Royal
Ulster Yacht Club, boarded the chal-
lenger which made a magnificent pic
ture as under her cloud of canvas she
drove past the headland. The Erin
had taken up position to send the
boats away. round a triangular course
and everything seemed to promise a
fine race The Shamrock III. then
made short board on the port tack,
lodging through a heavy sauall with
her 6ecks-awash. .'~'''. IN"
At about 1910 A. M, when nearly a
mile off shore she went about on the
starboard tack to stand up to crossing
the line. when q sudden gust of wind,
sweeping out of Weymouth bay struck
the yacht and completely dismantled
her. -, @
The yachts decks We're crowded with
Sir Thomas guests, officers and men
and it seemed impossible that the dis
aster was not attended by serious loss
of life. Tire weather rigging screws of
her main Shrouds gave way and her
mast carried away close to the deck
and with it went sails and gearing in a
confused mass of wreckage.
So sudden was the calamity that the
yacht lay wrecked and helpless before
those on board of her we'll realized what
had happened. Fortunately most of
the tremendous weight of the gear fell
clear of the deck as otherwise the dis
aster must have multiplied 10-fold. AS
it was only one life was lost, that of a
member of the d ew named Collier, a
brother-in-law ofVCapt. Wringe. Col
lier at the moment of the accident was
handing binocular glass to Sir Thorn
as Upton and still had the glass in his
hand when he was struck by some of
the tumbling gear and Rocked over
board. The rattle of blocks and wire
ropes on the metal deck of the boat
drowned all other sounds for the time.
The lull which followed was broken
by 4 sharp order from Capt. Wringe to
get away a boat. The captains self
possession spurred the crew to instant
action and boat was put overheard,
manned and started to search for Col
lier. Boats were also dropped from the
Shamrock I. and Erin and in couple
of minutes. these were all heading for
the scene of the accident. Collier, how
ever, never reappeared. A number Of
others were injured by falling gear but
none was seriously hurt. Sir Thomas
was knocked down a hatchway and one
of his hands was injured, but no seri-
ously. -e
Clearing away the wreckage was a
difficult task owing to the nature of the
spars and gear. Esssy,a
The Ellie passed a line to the in
jured boat and rendered all the aid
necessary.
Sir Thomas was greatly distressed by
the fatality and the damage to the
yacht and in an interview said that the
accident occurred absolutely without
warning and much quicker than when