Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-20
KEEPS UP COURAGE
Does Not Think Any POstpOnomsnt Of Cup
Races Will Be Necessary.
WRECKED RIGGING ENTIRELY USELESS
m 60 Repair the Dam
age i'm Three weeks-Hope
to Have Some More
Trial Races.

WEYMOUTH, England. April 1.-the two
shamrocks left here today at noon for
Southampton. The challenger was towed
by Erin.
Sir Thomas Upton was interviewed this
morning before the departure OF the yachts.
Describing the accident OF last week, he
said: when the challenger lost Its masts
there was certainly six feet Of water over
its lee deck. My FIRST impression when
the mast went was that the boat was sink
ing. Later, when / was able to scramble
upon deck, l found everything gone and
the boats out doing rescue work. l never
saw the seaman Collier in the water"
Sir Thomas was bewildered at the sud
denpess OF the accident and said that what
Immediately followed seemed to him like
confused remembrance OF a dream.
Questioned as to his future course, he
said he meant to work day and night to
get the yacht reftted in time for further
trials before sailing for New York. His
desire was to avoid a postponement Of the
races. Mr.. Ward, Designer Fife and Cap
tain Wringe have had q conference and
have promised to put the challenger in
racing trim again in three weeks. II will
be n big job. Designer Fife has condemned
the boom, gaff, mast and topsail spars OF
the yacht and they will all be removed.
The decision against a postponement OF the
races was reached last night after a long
consultation, and this morning Sir Thomas
sent the following cablegram to G. A. Cor
mack. secretary of the New York Yacht
club: 81
/ am pleased In inform you that the DAM
age to Shamrock III will be righted in
three or four weeks. There will be no ne
cessity of considering the question of a
postponement. Please communicate this to
your and also convey my warm
est thanks for their expressions of sym
pathy.
Sir Thomas said he saw nothing in the
recent 6ccident TO lessen the great conf
dence he felt in Shamrock III. II racing
yachts are to be built, he said, there must
be some risk. If we built a vessel as safe
as a liner we might as we'll keep 1t at home
for any chance II would have OF winning the
cup.
Designer Fife took the same view. He
has never appeared so confident as he is
now.
Mr.. Ward said be was surprised and dis
appointed at the accident The screws we're
the same as those used in Shamrock II. He
explained that every %precaution had been
taken. over 200 tests had been made Of the
fittings and he had the utmost confidence
in every detail of this part Of the equip
ment.
The body OF Collier has not been recov-
cred. Sir Thomas Upton has offered a re-
ward for its recovery and has made provis-
ion for Golfers widow and child.
The wrecked spar of the challenger was
lifted to the quay today. Many s'ghtseers
were present to view the wreckage. The
shell OF the mast is Of extraordinary thin
ness, being Of ree-sixtecnth-inch nickel
steel Tho length OF the mast was 155 feet
and it's greatest diameter twenty-seven
inches. That the metal was very tough
was evidenced by the fact that 1t lad bent
and repent in various places without break
ing.
II is believed that the next trial races
will take place on the Clyde in a months
time.
SOUTHAMPTON. April ~19.-shamrock III
has arrived here.