The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-18
Mast and Canvass Plunge
Into the Sea.
AND ONE MAN DROWNED
Sir Thomas Lipon is Knocked Down Hatch
way but MOI Seriously Hur---The
Hull of The Yacht is Un-
injured.
(By the Associated Press.)


Weymouth, England, April 17.-Sir
Thomas Liptons new challenger for the
Americas cup was dismantled in a
squall today shortly after leaving this
harbor, preparatory to another trial spin
wit hthe Shamrock l. Her mast, as it
over the side, carried several of the crew
and all the gear and canvass overheard.
One man was drowned and several per-
sons, including Sir Thomas, who was
knocked down hatchway were bruised
or otherwise injured.
The yachts were manoeuvering in the
roadstead under mainsails, jibs, foresails
and gaff topsails prior to the start. A
strong northeast breeze was blowing but
there was nothing in the nature of gale.
The boats seemed to carry the racing
sails we'll as they fetched out from the
shelter of the breakwater, the Shamrock
III leading on track out seaward, appar-
entity with the intention of testing the
strength of the wind outside. The breeze
had just weight enough to keep her lee
rail Tipping Before the start Sir Thomas
Upton, Ratsey, the sail-maker, and Col
onel Sherman Crawford, vice commodore
of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, boarded
the challenger, which made magnificent
picture under her cloud of canvass,
she DIR = past Nothe Head
Wh>h nearly a mile off shore sud
den gust of wind sweeping out of Wey-
mouth Bay struck the yacht, completely
dismantled Der. T.t< weather riggings
crews of her main shrouds gave way and
her mast carried away close 20 the week,
and with it went her spars, sails and
gearing in a confused mass OF wreckage.
The yachts decks Were crowded with Sir
Thomas Lipton's guests, the officers and
men and it seemed impossible that the
disaster was not attended by serious loss
of life.
SO sudden was the calamity that the
yacht lay wreck, helpless before those on
board of her we'll realized what had hap
pened Fortunately.m of the weight
of the gear fell clear of the deck, as
otherwise the disaster must have been
multiplied ten fold. AS it was only one
life was lost, that of a member of the
crew named Collier, brother law of
Captain Wringe Collier at the moment
fthe accident was handing a binocular
glass to Sir Thomas Upton and still had
the glass in his hand when he was struck
by some of the tumbling gear and
knocked overheard.
The lull which followed was broken by
ship order from Captain Wringe to
get away boat A boat was showed over
board. manned and started to search for
Collier. Boats were also dropped from
q hn I ri
ever, never re-appeared number OF
Others were injured by falling gear, but
none was seriously hurt. Sir Thomas
was knocked down a hatchway and one
of his hands was injured but not Sc
riously
The Erin passed a line to the wrecked
yacht and stood by her to give all the aid
necessary. Sir Thomas, who was ex-
tremely distressed by the fatality and the
injury to the yacht said in an interview
that the accident occurred absolutely
without warning, and much more quick
ly than when the Shamrock H. was sim
ilarly dismantled in the Solent
The hull Of the Shamrock Ill was not
damaged. The mast when it went over
borad, went solid There was at the timo
only one break, which was about seven
feet above the deck. AS the big spar
with it's weight of canvass became heav-
ier, owing to the water in it, the mast
again buckled its head, doing down till
it rested on the bottom. 1t is believed
it viii be comparatively easy to repair
the mast, but whole suit of canvas is
irretrievably ruined.
Sir Thomas had a narrow escape He
was thrown down the hatchway with al
sailor and fell with such force as to
break the board of flooring covering the
tank.
Sir Thomas Upton Informed the corre-
spondent of the Associated Press that he
expects to be ready to fulfill his engage
ment off Sandy Hook August 90
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