The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-04-21

Weymouth, Eng. April 17.-Thomas
Lipton's new challenger for the Amer
lea Cup was ~dismantled in a squall
today, shortly after leaving this harbor
preparatory to another trial spin with
the Shamrock 1. Her mast, as it fell
outside, carried several Of the crew and
all the gear and canvas overheard.
One man was drowned and several per-
sons including Sir Thomas, who was
knocked down a hatchway, were bruis-
ed or otherwise injured.
The yachts were maneuvering in thu
rOadstead under main sails, jibs, fore
sails and gait top sails prior to the
start. a strong northeast breeze was
blowing but there was nothing in the
nature of a gale. The boats seemed to
carry their racing sails we'll as they
fetched out from the shelter of the
breakwater, the Shamrock III leading
on a tack out seaward apparently with
the intention of testing the strength Of
the wind outside. The breeze had just
weight enough to keep her lee rail tip
ping. Before the start Sir Thomas
LII AN OlAS
Colonel Sherman Crawford, vice COM
modore of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club.
boarded the challenger, which made a
magnificent picture, as under her cloud
of canvas, she drove past Nothe Head.
When nearly a mis- off shore a sud
den gust of wind, sv eeping out of Wey.
mouth bay, struck the yacht and COM
pleteIy dismantIeG her. The weather
rigging screws OF her main shrouds
gave way and Ter mast was carried
away close to the deck and with it went
her spars, sails and gearing in a con-
fused mass of wreckage. The yachts
decks were crowded with Sir Thomas
Lipton's guests, o;cers and men and
II seemed impossible that the disaster
was not attended by serious loss of life
So sudden was the calamity that the
yacht lay. wrecked helpless before the
those on board of her we'll realized what
had happened. Fortunately most of
the tremendous weight of the gear fell
clear of the deck, as otherwise the dis
aster must have been multiplied ten
fold. AS it was only one life was lost,
that Of a member of the crew named
Collier, a brother-in-laW of Captain
Wringe. Collier at the moment of the
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 ear
and knocked overheard.
The luIl which followed was broke
by a sharp order from Captain Wringe
to get away a boat. A boat was ship
ped overheard, manned and started TO
search for Collier. Boats were also
dropped from the Shamrock I and Erin.
Collier, however, never reappeared.
Several others were injured by the
falling gear, but non was seriously
hurt. Sir Thomas was knocked down
a hatchway and one of his hands was
injured but not seriously.
he Erin passed a line to the wreck
ed yacht and stool by her to give all
the aid necessary. Sir Thomas, who
was extremely distressed by the fatal
ity and the injury to the yacht. said
IL an interview that the accident oc-
CURED absolutely without warning, and
much more quickly than when the
Shamrock II was similarly dismantled
in the Solent.
The hull of the Shamrock III was not
damaged. The mast when it went over
board. went solid. There was at that
time only one break. which was about
seven feet above the deck. As the
big spar with its weight of canvas
became heavier owing to the water in
it. the mast again buckled its head go
ing down till it rested on the bottom.
1t IS believed it will be comparatively
easy TO repair the mast but a whole
suit of canvas is irretrievably ruined.
Sir Thomas had a narrow escape. He
was thrown down the hatchway with
a sailor and fell with such force as to
break the board flooring covering the
} tank.
Sir Thomas informed the co%rrespon-
dent of the Associated Press that he
expects to be ready to fulfill his en-
gagement off Sandy Hook, August Goth.
Agricultural Education.