The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-18

rock III in the SOIent-Sir ThOmas
PIucI<iIy Promises to FulhII His
Engagement on sandy Hook on
Aug. 20 Despite the UntOward In
cident.
Weymouth, Eng, April 17.-Sir
Thomas Lipton's new challenger for
the Americas cup was dismasted in a
squat to-day, shortly after leaving this
harbor preparatory to another trial
spin with the Shamrock l. Her mast.
as it fell over the side carried several
of the crew and all the gear and canvas
overheard. One man was drowned and
several persons, including Sir Thomas,
who was knocked down a hatchway,
were bruised or otherwise injured.
The yachts were maneuvering in the
roadstead under mainsails, jibs, fore
sails and gait 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 well, as they
fetched out from the shelter of the
breakwater, the Shamrock III leading
on tack out seward, apparently with
the intention of testing the strength
of the wind outside. The breeze had
just weight enough to keep her lee
rail tipping.
Before the start Sir Thomas Upton,
Mr.. Ratsey, the sailmaker, and Col.
Sharman Crawford. vice commodore of
the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, boarded
the challenger, which made a magnin-
q hnvs o1n Of
canvas, she drove past Nothe head.
Dismantled Completely.
When nearly a mile off shore, a sud-
den gust of wind. sweeping out of
Weymouth bay, struck the yacht and
completely dismantled her. The wealth
er rigging screws of her main shrouds
gave way and her mast was carried
away close to the deck, and with ii
went her spars, sails and gearing, in
a confused mass of wreckage. The
yachts decks were crowded with Sir
Thomas Lipton's guests, officers and
men, and it seems remarkable that
the disaster was not attended by Sc
rious loss of life.
So sudden was the calamity that
the yacht lay, wrecked and helpless,
before those on board of her we'll re-
allied what had happened. Forum
ately most Of the tremendous weight
otherwise the disaster must have been
multiplied ten-fold. AS it was, only
one life was lost, that of a member
of the crew, named Collier, a brother
in-law of Capt Wringe. Collier, at
the moment of the accident, was hand
ing a binocular glass to Sir Thomas
Upton and still had the glass in his
hand when he was struck by some of
the tumbling gear and knocked over
board.
The lull which followed was broken
by a sharp order from Capt. Wringe
to get away boat. A boat was shot
overheard. manned and started to
search for Collier Boats were also
dropped down from the Shamrock
and Erin. Collier, however, never re-
appeared. A number of others were
injured by falling gear, but none was
seriously hurt. Sir Thomas was knock
ed down a hatchway and one of his
hands was injured. but not seriously.
Came without Warming.
The Erin passed a line to the wreck
ed yacht and stood by her to give all
the aid necessary. Sir Thomas, who
was extremely distressed by the ia
tality and the injury to the yacht, said
in an interview that the accident oc-
Cured absolutely without warning, and
much more quickly than when the
Shamrock II was similarly disnantled
in the Solent.
The hull Of the Shamrock III was
not damaged. The mast when il went
overheard went solid. There was at
that time only one break, which was
about seven feet above the deck. AS |
the big spar with its weight of can
vass became heavier, owing to the |
water in it, the mast again buckled, |
its head going down till it rested on |
the bottom. 1t is believed II will be |
comparatively easy to repair the mast, |
but whole suit of canvas is ire |
trievably ruined.
Sir Thomas had a narrow escape. He |
was thrown down the hatchway with |
a sailor, and fell with such force as |
to break the board flooring covering |
the tank. Sir Thomas said he expects |
to fulfill his engagement off Sandy |