New-York tribune., 1903-04-01
SHAMROCK. III FAST.
TRIAL OF CHALLENGER.
The Nezo Boat Quick an Stays-Test
IN Light Bree2e.

Gourock March 31.-Shamrock III had a
trial spin to-day and showed herself superior
to Shamrock i on all the points of sailing
on which she was tested. The yachts were out
FIVE hours, and experts expressed the opinion
that the new boat demonstrated that in fine
weather she is by far the fastest challenger
yet sent out The trial was entirely in light
winds and smooth water, but under these con-
dtions the challenger beat Shamrock l as
the latter never before was beaten on either
side of the Atlantic
No time was lost in getting the two boats
off. Though the breeze was light it de-
cided not to risk anything, and the Cup chal-
lenger's working topsatl was accordingly set
Shamrock i followed suit. The challenger
was the first TO leave her moorings, and looked
the picture of a racer she headed off shore
Out in Gourock Bay the wind was so light
that the motion was rather drifting than sail
ing. Shamrock III slipped through the
water without leaving a ripple and carrying
her head well Up. The first time the challenger
broke tack it was apparent that by shortening
her fin Mr. Fife had produced a boat which
was fast on her heel, even compared with Cup
racers. She carried her way right through
turning, and was off on her new course while
the older boats would have been still looking
at it, thus showing herself free of the greatest
weakness of Shamrock II.
There was no attempt at a set pace. Sham
rock / went off over a mile ahead, and then
the sheets trimmed both boats and a
course was laid down channel. The two yachts
close hauled while crossing the mouths of
Holy Loeb and Loeb Long, and the wind was
squally and uncertain. The challenger proved
herself to be trihe tender in squalls Her lee
rail was just clear of the water. She travelled
fast and closed steadily upon Shamrock l. Un-
der the Cowal peninsula the land breeze came
true and fairly fresh. and the yachts went fetch
ing down channel what looked like a real
racing test in which Shamrock IITs greater
speed was demonstrated. Under the same con-
ditions the challenger pulled rapidly up on her
rival as the boats fetched down channel until
off Wemyss Bay. In this eight miles she had
closed on Shamrock I by fully mile. and at
the same time had edged a quarter Of a mile
further to windward Experts consider this
performance alone sufficient to stamp Sham
rock III being, under the conditions prevail
ing to-day, by far the fastest racer built on this
side of the Atlantic to compete for the Americas
Cup.
yachts reached out of Rothesay Bay and along
the Butte shore. Shamrock ], at that time was
nearer holding the challenger than on any other
point of sailing. Shamrock III, however, sun
proved the better boat, and gained a little.
The yachts then squared away, and ran across
the firth for the Cambrae shore. with little
difference in their relative positions. off Cam
brae the boats. by arrangement, rejotned one
another and started afresh on a long turn to
windward and back toward the Rothesay shore
This was considered crucial test, and 1t. would
have been more satisfactory if there had been
more wind, but. as it was. Shamrock III be
haved excelently going faster and pointing
higher than the older boat
On the conclusion OF the windward work a
turn was made south. to Rothesay Bay Sham
rock / again allowed TO go ahead half a
dozen lengths. after which the challenger started
in pursuit and, with the boats reaching free
in the same water and with the wind practically
affording them level conditions, she not only
rapidly overhauled her opponent on this board,
but passed wide to windward, and in an easy
reach Of about five miles gained a lead of a
Quarter of a mile OF Cloch Point the chal-
lenger dropped her staysaf!. thus finishing the
S-s.l