The Washington times., 1903-08-19
Shamrock Ill to Receive 1
Minute and IS Seconds
From Americas Defender
as Decided by Mr.. Mower.
LARGE CROWDS WATCH
THE MEASURER AT WORK
Experts Are Not So Sanguine
Of Chances of ISelin's s
Yacht Now, and Odds in
Betting Take a Tumble

or at least q thousand persons tne Shdi-
Ienger for the Americas Cup and its de-
fender. the yachts Shamrock III and Re
lance. were measured yesterday after
noon in the big craving dock at the Erie
Basin. After a period Of preparation of
almost a year by the foremost designers
in Great Britain and the United States,
and the expenditure of something over
81, ,0OO. 600. these two giant sloops, tuned
up to concert pitch, so TO speak, met Cor
their first preliminary bout of the ma
rine battle which begins in earnest on
Sandy Hook on Thursday morning.
The result of this contest for su-
premacy between the designers came IS |
a surprise 10 them, as we'll 10 the |
yachtsmen who have been expecting that
the allowance would be a small one.
None supposed that the Reliance would
have to allow her rival one minute
forty-fve seconds, and the stock of Sir
Thomas Lipton's yacht went up at once
Many said that her chances of winning
the CUP we're excellent, while the cx
perts began to figure how it was possible
for the Reliance to defeat Shamrock III
even with such an alarming handicap, by
reason of her greater sail plan
Reliance the Larger.
As matter of fact, the figures given
out at the New York Yacht Club by its
official measurer last night show the
Reliance to be a much larger and moro
powerful yacht than Shamrock III. They
mean that she will have to allow her
rival BIG seconds and fraction for ev-
cry mile she sails in a thirty-mile race.
That sounds like severe handicap. but
when it Is considered that the Reliance,
sailing on practically the same water
line as her antagonist. is able TO carry
1892 IS square feet more canvas. where
both yachts have an equal share of the
wind. the penalty does not appear so
great The fact cannot be disguised,
however. that Fife has fashioned a won
derfulIy fine yacht in Shamrock III. and
one that has already shown some good
speed in her trials off Sandy Hook.
Outlook Serious.
That the members of the New York
Yacht Club appreciate that fact might
be seen last night, when they heard
what the allowance was. While some
spoke with the assurance that no mattel
what the allowance was the Reliance
would win. the thoughtful ones shool
their heads and many agreed that I'M
outlook was more serious than IL hat
even been before. and a few openly de
clared that they had bet on Shamrocl
III winning the Cup.
Il is thought by yachtsmen generall
that the announcement of the large tim
allowance will have the effect Of chang
ing the odds in the betting in favor 4
Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht.
The Shamroek's owner was plairl
elated when told by Designer Fife tina
the Reliance would have 10 allow hi
yacht something like two minutes. mo
1 am sure I have a better chance tha
ever" said he. "and I feel very muc
encouraged at the outlook"
1t did not take long for the news OF RI
allowance to spread. and. judging fro
the faces OF Captains wringe and BeY
and OF the crew OF Shamrock III. thI
share with Sir Thomas his confidence
the ability OF their boat to win the Gu
c. Oliver Iselin. Captain Barr and II
crew Of the Reliance betrayed not Il
slightest anxiety when they heard Il
news. They seemed, in fact, rather
feel proud OF belonging TO the bigge
Cup defender ever sailed They, bett
than any others. know what she can
in the way OF travelling. and they "
back her TO win, they say. 10 their Ia
dollar.
With the single exception of /
waterline length. the Reliance excee
Shamrock III in every dimension. 6hal
rocks waterline is Just 15-1O0ths OF
foot longer than the Reliance's. bel
1881 feet. to the defenders 1886.
Conditions Reversed.
Shamrock III IS the first OF Sir Thorn
Lipton's challengers to receive a til
allowance by the defender of the @
In 1901 Shamrock II gave the Columt
forty-three seconds.
The news OF the big time allowance
lowed Shamrock III reached the no
where the yachtmen congregate too Il
TO affect the betting. Very little betti
was done around the principal hot
anyway, Wall Street seeming TO have
monopoly OF II.
In Wall Street recently lots OF NOR
was offered on the Reliance at 70
This has changed TO 10 to Z. F.
Brooks had charge of a pool that Y
backing the Reliance. shift in
betting was noticed, however, yesterd
when Brooks placed a bet with ID
Bros. & Co, Of $3.50 on Shamrock
TO $4,000 on the Reliance. He made
other wager of $500 10 $1,000 on
Shamrock later.
The principal hotels here are crow
with westerners and SOutherners, m
of whom have come TO attend the va
races Even those who are here to
their fall buying are, apparently, 4
their inquiries about the yachts
their relative merits, at the hotel de-
combining business with pleasure.