The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-26
ShamrOck,S Fine Battle =.

Shamrock III. was beaten Yesterday,
but not disgraced. Those who went
down to the sea in ships saw real yacht
race. From start to finish the challenger
contested every foot Of the course with
the defender, and on the last leg of the
race Capt. BARR was still maneuvring
with sails to drive his yacht fast enough
to make victory certain. Reliance won
the race by l minute and 10 seconds,
corrected time. Shamrock I'LL was 10
seconds behind the handicap gun in
crossing the line at the start hence the
Cup defender beat her just one minute.
This count, of course, includes the
challenger's time allowance. On elapsed
time Reliance won by minutes l8 sec
onds; but it must be borne in mind that
Shamrock III. was designed to receive a
gift of l minute and 81 seconds. 1t
was the business of Reliance to take
that back from her and secure enough
more to make a victory.
The race was sailed over triangular
course of thirty miles and in precisely
the conditions which it has been pre-
dicted in this place would give Shamrock
Ill her best chance. The sea was as
smooth as the North River and the
wind, which blew nine miles an hour at
Sandy Hook at the start, averaged seven
miles during the race. There is no Ques-
ton, however, that it blew harder dozen
TeI hny "a OF hA
rose to about twelve knots an hour while
the yachts were reaching in from the
second mark for the finish.
In these conditions Shamrock made
a showing of which her owner and her
designer may well be proud, though
naturally they would both be happier
if she had won. On the beat to wind
ward the challenger made noble effort.
Capt. WRINGE purposely started her a
minute and "a seconds astern of the
defender, and she lost only 40 Sec
onds on the first leg. On the second,
owing TO the fact that part of It was
covered with spinnakers set, Reliance
drew away from her opponent by min
ute and % seconds. This, as we have
said before, was to be expected. The
great sail spread of the defender did its
work when before the wind
On the homeward reach Shamrock
was beaten by only As seconds 1t was
magnificent struggle, and anxious
yachtsmen held their watches and their
breath till they were sure that Sham
rock could not make the finish i'll time
TO win. Such minutes are what make
Cup struggle worth going many miles
and waiting days to see. There was a
wealth of honest enthusiasm in the
cheers for the victor when victory was
assured.
The yachts were well sailed. but ex-
cept for the 10 seconds handicap at the
start Capt. WRINGE had little the bet
ter of the battle The sail handling on
Shamrock was superb and more than
atoned for the unfortunate exhibition
of Saturday
In short Shamrock III. gave us Yes
terday what sportsmen call run for
our money. Nevertheless, the Cup IL
still here Furthermore, it is likely to
stay here as long as our friends the
enemy endeavor to beat us by cutting
down their sail area to get time allow
ance. They would better make it bigger
and drive their boat faster Six and u
half seconds a mile more speed instead
of SO seconds mile of time allowance
would have converted yesterdays de-
feat into victory. IL Shamrock III.
had 900 square feet more canvas, which
she could we'll carry, she would lose
about a minute of her time allowance;
but she would gain materially in speed.
In fact, she could stay so close to Re-
lance that victory would be always
uncertain. Mr.. FIFE should go home
and think about this.