Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-04-17
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
Acoident 70 Shamrock III.

Weymouth, Eng, April 17.-Lip-
toms luck, which is fast becoming pro-
verbal, overlook the Irish baronet's
new challenger off here this morning,
and the yacht was badly damaged. She
was practically dism antled. Sir Thomas
was aboard when the accident occurred
and sustained several bruises though his
injuries are not in any way serious.
The two yachts Shamrock |. and Sham
rock III. had started out for a trial
spin, in Weymouth bay. They were
scudding along at a good pace, with a
strong northerly wind blowing. Both
carried jib topsails, gait topsails, and
mainsails. The new challenger was
fast showing her heels to the old boat,
and had put half mile Of clear water
behind her. The new challenger had
Just gone about on port tack, when a
sudden squall swept down on her, keel
ing her over until from the shore it
looked as though she was going to
capsize, as her entire deck was visible
from Weymouth Esplanade. Before
she could right herself, another puff
caught her, and her weather rigging
and the screws of the main shrouds gave
way under the strain. Her mast top
pied over, breaking off six feet above
the deck. Several of the crew we're
working on the mast when it fell. A
report, not yet confirmed, has it that
steward on the yacht, named Collier,
was carried overheard and lost.
The steam yacht Erin, which
was following the yachts, quickly
went to the assistance of the disabled
challenger. Orders were given and the
crew began to clear away the wreckage
and divers were engaged to examine the
hull and discover if the strain on the
boat had opened any of her seams. As
soon as word could be got ashore a dis
patch was sent to Designer Fife sum-
moning him to Weymouth. Sailmaker
Ratsey is on the scene, as he was sailing
on the challenger when the accident
occurred. All haste will be made to get
the yacht in racing trim again. A pc
culiar feature of today's mishap is that
it is in most respects similar to the acct
dent which overlook Shamrock ii two
years ago. At that time with King Ed
ward and Sir Thomas Upton aboard her,
Shamrock III was out for trial spin,
with Shamrock / in the SOlent. The
challenger was caught in thunder and
wind storm, and all her upper works
we're carried overheard. No one was
hurt.
Glasgow, April Ill is officially
stated that Shamrock Ill has no dupli-
cate spars, and the disaster accordingly
means that Sir Thomas will have to ap-
ply to have the dates for the races for
the America cup put back. A new spar
will be obtained from America, probably
that of Shamrock II. Designer Watson
when interviewed today reserved his
opinion as to the result of tOday's acct
dent.
The hull of the yacht escaped injury.
Sir Thomas Upton had most narrow
escaped from the same fate as Collier.
He was standing close to the steward
when the latter was swept overheard.
Upton was probably saved by being
thrown down the hatchway by another
sailor who was thrown against him by
the falling rigging. His hand was LAGER
ated and his shoulder severely bruised.
Besides Sir Thomas three of the crew
were injured, one of them sustaining a
scalp wound. After the accident DIR.
Neil, of the Erin, promptly attended to
the injured. Sir Thomas Upton is much
grieyed over the accident, and especially
over the loss of Steward Collier, who was
drowned. Desperate efforts were made
TO save him,
The news of the accident to Shamrock
III was telegraphed to King Edward,
who is at present at Malta. He sent
Sir Thomas a message Of sympathy.
Dumbarton, Scotland, April IL
Denny Brothers, the builders of Sham
rock III, say they have an emergency
new steel mast. almost complete. The
new mast is longer than the original.
The men at the yard will work day and
night in order to get it ready as soon as
possible. The disabled challenger viii,
in all probability, be towed to the Clyde
for repairs, which will take fortnight,
The builders and Designer Fife have
gone to Weymouth to examine the yacht.
If her sails were not cut by this morn
ing's accident, she will be in sailing
trim again in three weeks,