The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-30
WHAT IT HAS COST
TO DEFEND THE CUP
SINCE FIRST RACE


Pierpont Morgan built the Columbia to
meet Sir Thomas Lipton's boat. In
building, in manning and in her run
ming expenses she footed up something
like $3.50 geo In addition Mr.. Morgan
also met the cost of reftting and run
ming the Defender ar u trial boat for
the Columbia, and that added $50, 900 to
the sum.
Additional Charges.
That year the clubs expenses were
greatly added to. AS both the chal-
lenger and the defender were fitted
with steel booms, and as a consequence
the compasses on board could not be
depended upon, a guide boat had to be
added to the race equipment, and with
it a general utility boat. The clubs
expenses amounted to $4,000 or more.
The second challenge of Sir Thomas,
in 1901, caused the construction OF the
Constitution and the reftting of the
Columbia as a trial boat. The Consti-
tuition cost TO build and run nearly
$500. 600. Crews increased in number
with the all-arounu bigger ships and
sail spread, and then the cost of char
tering and maintaining tenders added
materially to the amount
Commodore j. Pierpont Morgan
bills. it is said, were SIS. 600 or more,
but then came the added honor of his
boat being again selected as the cham
pion of the club, and her defeat of the
Shamrock II will always be regarded as
one Of the most striking incidents of
the Americas Cup matches. The club
expended in the neighborhood OF $40. 900
this year.
Cost OF Present Match.
The present match will cost the mem
bers of the club and the club as much
again or more than the total expendi-
lures of 1901. The Reliance on the mat
ter of construction, in fitting and in run
ming expenses, will reach nearly $500.
00o. Add TO this 100000 each for the
refitting and running of the Constitution
and the Columbia as trial boats, and
$500, 900 is in sight. Then take the cost
Of chartering expensive tenders, keep
ing them in repair and the wages and
living of their crews, and 500, 900 more
looms up.
Next place the clubs expenses for the
summer in tugs and the thousands and
one thing necessary in arranging for
the international match at about $50 900
and there is $3.50, 900 In view. This
amount is a conservative estimate of the
cost of the New York Yacht Club mem
bers and the club in defending the cup
against the Shamrock III.
So, the Puritan. the Mayhower and the
Volunteer, defenders of the cup. cost the
interested about $144 900. Compare this
amount with that expended since the
Vigilant's year for the same purpose and
the difference is starting
Over Two Million.
| In the five matches since that time
there has been expended directly for the
keeping of the old trophy a sum APP
proximating $2.242 900. 1t costs a great
deal to protect the blue ribbon of the
sea-" but then those concerned in tn,
defense would not care If the sum were
great deal larger.
/ At a dinner given by one of the Guy
Committee this year about the launching
time of the Reliance the Americas Cui
/ occupied the center of the table, anc
was properly decorated with flowers ans
the New York Yacht Club colors. After
the dinner Commodore J. Pierpont Nor
gan placed one hand on the shoulder
of club official. and pointing to the cuI
with the other, remarked:
II love that cup. Always take the
best of care Of it,"