The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-24
J. Pierpont Morgan in Conference Re-
garding "ReIiance."
Results Of Conference Withheld From
the Press.

| Designer Herreshon received quite 9
scare yesterday and for while the bis
mainmast of the Constitution was in dan.
I ger OF going by the board. The yacht
was moored in one OF the slips near the
shops. I'm order that a gang OF riggers
could work upon her sails and rigging. A
squall came up suddenly in the afternoon
from the southeast and set the yacht 10
rol11nS and pitching very heavily.
short time before the weather was
almost calm, and the bowsprit OF the
boat was shipped in place The riggers
had been at work on platforms. ntting
the lower ends of the shrouds, but at the
time the blow came the men we're In the
shop.
The wind blew az much as 30 miles an
hour, and the rolling OF the yacht set
the mainmast Stating in serious man
ner. The shrouds were connected with
the turnbuckles at the rail, but were not
keyed up as they would have been III the
blow had been expected. The crew, or
those already in Bristol were mustered
on board I'm short order, Designer Herre-
shon looking after the securing OF the
big spar. and planning for It's safety.
Seamen were sent aloft with extra gear,
which was soon taken to the deck, and
the mast secured from wabbling. one
man received a blow from a loose piece OF
wire at the masthead. but suffered little
injury.
The spar was secured by a shroud and
guy and part OF the haiflards, so that
there was no further trouble. The mast
escaped damage
The construction OF, the new cur, defend
er Reliance is nearly completed. The
steel workers are working on the top
sides of the boat and the gang has been
cut down.
off. as the Herreshoffs are building a
steel schooner yacht for Morton r Plant
OF the New York Yacht club. The men
are kept under full pay. and as soon as
ha "a Ia mi nf lan ch Nvnr will
be begun on the schooner( the keel hav-
ing been already laid and the frame
set up
The steering gear Of the new cup de-
fender is completed and is ready 10 be
adjusted and connected in place as soon
as the deck of the boat is laid. The wheel
is TO be hung on cylinder at the after
deck and the binnacle is TO be stationed
directly forward OF the same. At the
forward end r commencement has betn
made in the fitting OF the CANNON irons
bowsprit is not nearly ready yet. the
outer end not being taken down suffi-
ciently to allow the adjusting of the col
lars that, Will hold the bowsprit shrouds
arranged for the main boom OF the new
defender when completed. 1t is TO be
moved out of the shop and placed con-
venently near the ship. where the boat
will be moored when she is being rugged.
The sailmakers are hustling on the work
of finishing up the sails Of the Constitu-
tion 9pd are working until O'clock each
. morning! 'pr@ -r '+rv ~"'"f rtwFt
It was reported yesterday that the ofri-
GERS and crew Of the Reliance will he In
Bristol on March 20, and II is likely that
Capt. Barr may visit Bristol day or so
ahead OF his crew. Arrangements are
being made in Bristol to board the crew
for some days before the steam tender
Sunbeam arrives from New York.
Advices from New York state that the
work Of overhauling the Columbia. twice
the defender OF the Americas cup was
begun today at City Island. Capt Lem
Miller. who will sail her this season, has
taken charge of the boat. The Columbia
Will be fitted out with the best OF canvas.
Advices from Philadelphia state that a
conference was held yesterday at the
summer home Of i. A. Il. Widener. at Ell
kins, suburb. I'm which j. p. Morgan
was the chief figure. The subject under
discussion was the international yacht
race between Sir Thomas Bpton's Sham
rock III and the Americas cup defender
Reliance. None OF the parties To the
conference could be induced to say what
business was not discussed. and that
yacht racing affairs alone occupied the
attention of the conferees
In addition to Mr. Morgan and p A.
y. Widener there were present Clement
a Griscom of Philadelphia. Secretary
Carmack OF the New York Yacht club,
Commodore Bourne. Vice Commodore T..
". Gary, former Commodore Nicholas
Kane, G. X. Robinson, Charles +. Lanier
and william Thorn. all Of New \ ork and
George -. Widencr and Joseph e. Wild
ener OF Philadelphia.
The visitors left for New York