Morris tribune., 1903-08-08
YACHT RACING EXPENSE
What It Costs to Defend the
Americas Cup.
THOUSANDS IN THE AGGREGATE.

Columbia, the Trial Yachts, Stand
For 12O,OOO-Defense of the Cup
May Cost 100000.
Occasional inquiries are made by
thoughtful citizens regarding the cost
of challenging and defending the
Americas cup, but the answers receiv-
ed are always unsatisfactory says the
New York Herald. The conclusion is
that the expense must be enormous,
but as 1t is impossible to obtain any
thing like accurate figures the subject
is generally dropped.
On the eve of the international match
Of this year it may be interesting to
refer to this important point and at
the same time to place the public in
possession Of a few facts that will give
them good idea of the amounts Of
money that are expended in trying to
capture the old yachting trophy and
in the efforts made by the New York
Yacht club to defend it.
The planning and building Of a cup
challenger or defender involve much
time and labor and necessarily the out
lay Of large sums of money. The de-
signer and his corps Of assistants are
the first that must be met. Mr.. Fife,
for the challenging parties, and Cap
tain Nat Herreshoff, for the defend
ants for instance, are men who place
a high value upon their services, and,
as the owners of the yachts are liberal
to marked degree, opening negotia-
tons with a view to the building Of
cup yacht means a fee that in some
other profession would be looked upon
as staggering in it's proportions.
With the designer at work the build
ers in time are consulted, and with ar
engagements satisfactory in this wise
materials must be considered, then the
riggers kept in mind, as we'll as the
sail makers, while finally the skip
pers and crew are secured. Money is
required by all these and much Of it,
Even after a vessel Is completed and
placed in commission alterations and
repairs are required frequently at
times, while docking the craft for
duu purposes
means large additional sums
The rather startling statement was
made by Sir Thomas Upton four years
ago that the mere cost of the Sham
rock l. was between 100000 and $780,
900, while the expense Of bringing the
vessel across the ocean and that of her
officers and crew were extra. That
seems a big lot to pay for the vessel,
but Sir Thomas should be the best
authority on the subject Of the cost Of
the yacht.
If he expended sum approaching
half million dollars four years ago
'or his challenging yacht the money
he present trip is costing him must be
ar in excess of the figures named. The
Upton fleet now ere is proof Of that !
It is easy to believe that the Shamrock
IL cost quite as much to build as the
Shamrock l., and it is quite sure the !
bringing over Of three crews, those Of /
he Shamrocks and of the tender
Jruizer, must stand him in bigger
mount than the single crew Of four
le obtained in the United States.
So, if $550,000 or more represented
he challenger's outlay the first attempt
lie made upon the Americas cup, it
an safely be estimated that something
q the neighborhood of 100000 will be
equired to foot the bills at home and
ere incidental to his third trial to
vim the old trophy.
With the amount that it costs the de-
ending side, however, the interest is
achts are called to sail the first race
or the cup the Reliance, selected to
efend it, will have cost, one way and
mother, $435, 900 or more. That is
amount to contemplate, but
7hen everything is cleared up at the
nd Of the season it may be $450,000.
In addition to this sum, there must
e considered that in placing in COM
lission the Constitution her running
expenses reached from $65,O00 to $780,
O0 while the Columbia has cost Mr.. ].
ierpont Morgan $4,000 or possibly
$1,000. These figures will therefore
how that the defense of the cup this
ear will approach the very respectable
mount of $4,000 or 100000.
The building and rigging of the Re
ance cost fortune. The yachts con-
ruction required the best Of work
len, while all the standing and run
ing rigging was expressly made, and
er canvas occupied the attention of
rye body Of sail makers for months.
he Reliance has possibly hundred
ferent sails, and $4,000 or so will
present the cost of suit In this
lrticular the Constitution and the Co
mbia have not been so expensive.
The tenders Park City and Satellite
e said to have been purchased by
r. q. D. Morgan and Mr.. August Bel
ont respectively, but they are valu-
Die assets and need not be seriously
nsidered in this financial summary.
he tender Sunbeam is chartered, and
ere can be no return from her, but
r Thomas tender Cruizer will be
Lluable after the match