The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-20
ACCIDENT TO CONSTITUTION.
YACHT SLIPS FROM CRADLE
WHILE BEING HAULED OFT.
Thin Bronze Plating Badly Dented BY
BiiEe RIocks-Repairs 10 Underbody
win Probably Take Neek-NO
Chance of the 10 chit Racing Tomorrow

The Constitution while being hauled out
at Jacobs yard at City Island yesterday
afternoon was so seriously injured that she
will not be able to take part in the races
that have been arranged TO be sailed on
the Sound beginning tomorrow. The
yacht will be locked at the Morse Iron,
Works this morning and it is probable
that she will be on the ways for at least a
week but the length of time that the re-
pairs will take cannot be stated until
thorough examination has been made OF
the yacht.
The Constitution arrived of Jacobs
yard at City Island on Monday and she
was to have been hauled out on the ways
to clean as soon as the Reliance was
launched The Reliance was put over
board on the early morning tide, and then
preparations were made to haul the Con-
stitution. These could not be completed
in time to take advantage of the morning
tide, and the yacht had to wait at anchor
until the afternoon.
1t was shortly after o'clock when the
cradle had been made ready and was
lowered into the water on the railway
The Constitution was then warped into
position and the necessary blocks and
shores placed under the biges to steady
the boat. When everything had been ar
ranged satisfactorily to all the work OF
hauling the cradle up began and the yacht
began to leave the water. She had not gone
far when some of the blocks on the cradle
slipped and the Constitution fell heavily
to one side.
1t looked for moment as though she
would fall over on her side, but she righted
a moment later and then heeled TO the other
side, and finally slipped of the cradle int
the mud, where she stuck. Fortunately,
she had not been hauled far. or the accident
would have been much more serious.
A line was got from the yacht tender
Satellite at once, and with few hard pulls
the Constitution was out in deep water
again and floating on an even keel
An examination of the yacht was made
at once, and it was said that she " as not in
iured and that she would be hauled out at
some other yard and if possible made ready
for the race. but Capt, Rhodes doubted
if this was possible
Although Capt Rhodes and those at
Jacobs yard made light Of the accident
and said that the yacht was uninjured it
was learned later that some Of the bilge
blocks Of the cradle had seriously injured
the bronze plating of the yacht.
This plating is only about quarter OF
an inch thick and it was said that the blocks
had almost gone through and that in several
places the plating was badly denied.
Arrangements were made late in the
evening with the Morse Iron Works to haul
the yacht out early this morning. and the
dock was engaged for q week. This will
indicate to some extent the injury done to
the hull The yacht was towed down late
last night.
The Constitution has been q very I'M
lucky boat ever since she was launched in
May, 1901. Whils sailing of Newport be-
fore any race had been sailed she lost her
mast and had to 60 back to Bristol for
repairs Various other minor accidents
happened during her racing career. and
while sailing in the cruise Of the New York
Yacht Club from New London to Newport
she struck a sunken barge, tearing on
some of her plating and injuring her keel.
This damage was repaired. but the yacht
never seemed to do as well after the
| accident.
The Constitution went to New London
| to haul out there, but the chain TO draw the
| cradle broke just when it was wanted. and
| the yacht had to come west again to find
another hauling place.