New-York tribune., 1903-08-19

IN the presence of at least thousand persons
the challenger for the Americas Cup and it's de-
fender the yachts Shamrock III and Reliance
wesa Measured yesterday afternoon in the big
Saving dock at the Erie Basin After period
of preparation Of almost a year by the foremost
designers in Great Britain and the United
States, and the expenditure of something over
S1.0O0O0O. these two giant sloops, tuned up 10
concert pitch, so to speak met for their first
preliminary bout of the marine battle, which be-
gins in earnest off Sandy Hook on Thursday
morning
The result of this contest for supremacy be-
tween the designers came as a surprise to them.
well to the yachtsmen who have been ex-
pecting that the allowance would he a small
one. None supposed that the Reliance would
have to allow her rival / minute ~ seconds and
the stock of Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht went up
al once. Many said that her chances Of winning
the cup were excellent. while the experts began
to figure how it was possible for the Reliance TO
defeat Shamrock H. even with such an alarm
ing handicap. by reason of her greater sail plan.
As matter of lact. the figures given out
the New-York Yacht club by its official meas
urer last night show the Reliance to be much
larger and more powerful yacht than Shamrock
III. They mean that she viii have TO allow
her rival 3.16 seconds and a fraction for every
mile she sails in thirty mile race. That
sounds like severe handicap but when IT IS
considered that the Reliance. sailing on prac-
ticaIly the same waterIlue as her antagonist Is
able to carry / $50. IS square feet more canvas
where both yachts have an equal share OF the
wind. the penalty does not appear so great
The fact cannot be disguised. however. that
Fife has fashioned a wonderfully fine yacht in
Shamrock III. and one that has already shown
some good speed IN her trials off Sandy Hook
- L.
appreciate that fact might he seen last night.
when they heard what the time allowance was
While some spoke with the assurance that no
matter what the allowance was the Reliance
would win the thoughtful ones shook their
heads and many agreed that the outlook was
more serious than it had ever been before. and
a few openly declared that they had bet on
Shamrock III winning the cup.
Ii is thought by yachtsmen generally that
the announcement; of the large time allowance
Will have the effect of changing the odds in the
betting in favor OF Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht
The Shamrocks owner was plainly e.ated
when told by Designer Fife that the Reliance
would have TO allow MS yacht something like
two minutes. Now l am sure 1 have a better
chance than ever" said he. and ! feel very
much encouraged at the outlook"
1t did not take long for the news ~ the al
lowanoe 10 spread. and judging from the faces
OF Captains Wrnge and Bevis and Of the crew of
Shamrock III. they share with SIR Thomas his
confidence In the ability Of their boat to win the
Cup.
c. oliver Iselin, Captain Barr and the crew %
the Reliance betrayed not the slightest anxiety
when they heard the news. They seemed in
fact. rather TO feel proud OF belonging 10 the
biggest cup defender ever sailed. They better
than any others, know what she can do In the
way OF travelling. and they VIII back her to win
they say 10 their last dollar.
With the single exception of her VaterlIne
length the Reliance exceeds Shamrock III I'm
every dimension. Shamrock's Wate-llue is just
1J-1Uoths Of foot longer than the Reliance's
being S9Sl feet. 10 the defenders - GG
Shamrock III is the first 81 SIR Thomas Lin.
tons chanengers 90 receive q time allowance by
the defender of the cup. Ia 1901 Shamrock IN
gave the Columbia - seconds
Tire news OF the big time allowance allowed
Shamrock III reached the hotels where the
yochtsmen congreEate too late 20 affect the bet.
ting. Very lit.le betting aas done around the
Continued second paEe.
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