The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-08-21
Boats Ready.


down to prevent interference by tn
excursion fleet with the big single
stickers.
Like grey hounds in leash. the big
clean Iimbed racers are mOored tonight
inside sandy Hook ready FOR the fray
their hnal spins today. Despite the big
time allowance which the defender
must cOncede to the challenger, the
friends OF the Reliance are extremely
that Sir Thomas IS again
doomed TO defeat, and the confidence
IN the American bOat is reflected on the
betting, where the odds are two to one
or the Reliance. The FRIENDS OF th-
British boat, on the other hand pro-
fess the greatest faith in the ability Of
Flies latest creation to lift the cup"
In neither of his previous attempts
TO carry off the mug did Sir Thomas
sail on a challenger Tonight he was
In doubt whether to sail in the chal-
lenger tomorrow. His friends on the
Erin urged him not TO do 81 for fear
OF an accident
The weather prediction for tomorrow
is tot aIluring. the ~forecaster promis-
ing a breeze of from three to nine
knots. \ seven knot breeze will be
necessary TO carry the boats over the
course in the allotted time.
For the first time the challenger and
oSIciIuCT IOudy SdllSu III COIllIdIy III
Sandy loo when both boats were
taken out for final trial spins. Except
when passing, going in opposite direc-
tions, the two yachts were never
nearer than three miles to each other,
so that there was no opportunity to
compare them. although some obser-
vers thought that Shamrock III. heeled
a little more and seemed to carry =
larger stern wave.
Shamrock Ill proceeded as far as
the light ship, hove to and awaited the
arrival OF the Oceanic, bound in n
then following the big liner in under
main sail and jib.
The earl and countess of Shaftesbury.
the latter of whom was sponsor for
Shamrock III. at her launching were
on board the Oceanic, and As the big
steamer passed. the crew of the Sham
rock cheered the countess Both or
the yachts returned to their moorings
at Sandy Hook after having been alb
sent an hour and a quarter. Their
crews Overhauled their sails and CO.
everything in readiness for the race.
During the afternoon n evening
the steam yachts gathered in the
horseshoe to follow the racers when
they leave for the starting line to-
morrow and late tonight there was a
good sized fleet at anchor there
Sir Thomas LiptOn's steam yacht
came up To the ndTDOT III TIE dllcI -
noon to receive the earl and countess
of Shaftesbury and other of Sir
Thomas LiptOn's guests from the
Oceanic after which she returned to
Sandy Hook with Sir Thomas n the
party on board. and lay there during
the night. c. oliver 1slin, the manas-
ing member of the Reliance syndicate
and his advisers passed the night on
board the Reliance tender Sunbeam at
anchor near the Reliance.
When asked for a prophecy Of the re-
suit of tomOrrow's race Sir ThOmaS
said:
4 am more confident of winning than
ever. and my confidence is shared by
every man on the fleet and other ad-
mirers Of the Shamrock III. Designer
Fife is thoroughly satisfied with the
tuning up that Shamrock III has re
cefved ard Captain Wiring is conf
dent.
In reply to a question whether or
not there was any basis FOR suspicion
tia the challenger had not Teen per
united to show all her speed IN her
trials with Shamrock l., Sir Thomas
said: >
There never was any jockeying. l
do not consider it an honest way OF
getting people to bet their money. ES-
cept in a few cases when Mr. Flte mas
wanted to. sail alongside of Shamrock
L. we have always done the best we
could. and nave always wanted to see
her do her best
Sir Thomas added jokingly: sham
rock III. will win the first race bE
either six or seven minutes. I'm not
quite certain which; and the second
race by four minutes and n Eaif- You
will have to ask me about the tn I'd
race later =
a flood of letters. kilograms and
cablegrams reached the Erin today
from all parts of the world. bringing
wishes for the success of Sir Thoma
and Shamrock III. One cablegram
came from Lagos. Portugal from Lord
CbarIes BeresfOrd. sayink that all the
officers and men of the channel fleet
sent hearty good wishes and hopes to
hear that Shamrock III. had won by e
length.