New-York tribune., 1903-08-20
BIG SLOOPS ARE READY.
Take Trial SpiHs-Both Fit for
Initial Contests TO-dav.

surprise, almost amounting 20 a sensation.
was caused at the New-Yor1 Yacht Club last
night when it was announced that owing to a
mistake in the measurements of Shamrock III
on Tuesday a remeasurement of the yachts
sail plan made while she Jay of Sandy Hook
YESTERDAY had resulted in an increase Of the al
Iowance by twelve seconds. In other words the
Reliance will now have to allow the challenger
1 minute 81 seconds in sailing over the thirty
mile course instead of l minute IL seconds as
previously supposed.
The explanation made shows that the new
measurement from the top of the main boom
to the throat halyard block makes the block
three feet lower than by the original measure
.ment. This makes the topnast three feet longer.
which decreases the racing length OF the yacht
four-tenths OF foot and makes the allowance
twelve seconds in favor Of the challenger Again.
the gaff is taxed so per cent on the new length
OF the topmast so when there is more topnnas.
there is less excess Of gar. hence again the
twelve seconds allowance.
When the members heard of TIE additional al
Iowance Shamrock III will receive from the Re-
lance there was a decided change OF opinion in
favor of the chanenger's chances, ana many
freely declared that they would not be surprised
to se4 her win the Cup
II was learned last night at the New-Yorx
Yacht Club that the remeasurement Of the
Shamrock's' spar and sail plan yesterday was
at the request of Sir Thomas Upton.
Secretary Cormack when asked if Sir Thomas
had been dissatisfied with the previous measure
ment said: Not at all; he altered the rig OF
his boat by lowering the throat hayard block
then asked for a remeasurement and got it.
That's all"
YACHTS READY FOR THE START.
The yachts Reliance and Shamrock III-ths
former owned by eight members OF the New
York Yacht Club the latter by one of Great
Britains baronets, and both designed by the
foremost naval architects of each country. are
ready 10 start IN the thirteenth race for the
Americas Cup. Both yachts. with their at
tendant conveys lay at their nOorings buOys.
just inside the point of Sandy Hook, last night.
and after daylight this morning the
hundred and twsSty men composing their off,
GERS and crews VIII begin what promises u be
the most exciting days work of their expert
ence in the racing Of yachts.
According 10 the conditions OF the deed OF
gift Of the Americas cup. modified somewhat
will be over a course fifteen miles to windward.
or leeward and return. II the wind is from
any point between north and west the yachts
viii be sent away TO leeward first II the wind
is from points between south and east. the first
fifteen miles will be windward-
All arrangements for the proper policing of
the course have been completed by the govern
ment. and the captains Of the steamers that
are going down the Bay with passengers to
for crOwding at the start. on the course after
the start or at the finish. after a warning by
the revenue officers in charge OF the patrol
fleet will be arrest and the suspension OF their
license.
Sir Thomas Upton. whose yacht is the third
Shamrock TO challenge for the Cup, has re-
peatedly declared that he has had no complaint
10 make of the racing yachts being crowded at
former races. and 1t is expected that he viii
have no reason for complaint this time.
THE OWNERS OF THE RELIANCE
The Reliance. which was selected 70 defend
the Americas cup after a series Of some twen-
ty trial races against the yachts Constitution
and Columbia was designed by Captain Nat
Herreshoff at Bristol r. l.. and built this year
bv the HerreshOn Manufacturing Company at
tha, place. She is owned by this syndicate OF
members of the New-York Yacht Club, Will
lam Rockefeller. Cornelius Vanderbilt Ebert
II. Gary william b Leeds, Norman B. Ream.
James ]. Hrl.- Clement A. Griscom and P a. B.
widener
The challenging yacht Shamrock III is owned
absolutely by Sir Thomas ]. Upton. who chal-
ienges in the name OF the ROYAL Ulster Yacht
Club. OF Belfast. Ireland. The yacht was de-
signed by William Fife. tr and was built this
year ay the Denny Brothers al Durbarton. on
the Clyde. She crossed the Atlantic in tow OF
the steam yacht Erin. and in company with
Shamrock /, with which yacht she has had
thirteen trial spins since her arrival in America
The start OF to-day's race is to be made ez~s~