New-York tribune., 1903-08-19
SHAMROCK'S BIG ALLOWANCE,
THE RELIANCE MUST BE4T HER OYER ONE MIN
UTE AND FORTY-FI SECONDS TO KEEP CUP
English Designer First Meeting of the SIoops-Some
Members of Ne5c-York Yacht Club VIII Back CHALLENGER
ME4SURER WATCHED.
Throng Stands for Hours on Edge
of Dock as Tape Is Used.

Never in the history of the defence of the
Americas Cup has there been so much interest
taken in the measurement of the competing
yachts as was shown yesterday by the great
throng that stood for hours, three and four deep
along the edge of the big dock in which the F'e-
lance and Shamrock III had been warped.
So as to obtain absolutely smooth water for
measuring, the water gate was closed at 3
O'Clock when the Reliance had been made fast.
Sir Thomas Upton appeared early on the
scene. 1t was about Ii o'clock when ne ar
rived in his steam launch from the Erin, whlcn
was anchored off Red Hook. he accom-
panied by Colonel D. F. Nell, of the Royal
Clyde Yacht Club: Dr. A. G. Neale, of the
Erin. and Hugh McGn Downey. who is to rep
resent the Royal Ulster Yacht Club on board
the Reliance in the races. Admission to the
yard had been denied to no one. the owners of
both yachts having agreed that the public was
welcome 10 a clear view of them at close range
before they left the land for Sandy Hook
AS a consequence Sir Thomas and his party
had scarcely stepped shore when they found
themselves fairly hemmed in by all sorts and
conditions of men and women. all of whom
wished to shake his hand. He greeteG few
cordially and then made his escape by means
of scow to the deck of Shamrock Ill
The most interesting feature of the measure
length In a fat bottomed scow Nat" HERE
shof and William Fife. jr. the rival designers,
squatted. with their heads over the side in
specting every move. while Mr.. Mower, the
measurer, assisted by Albert G. Hunt foated
the end Of a long fat batten close up, first 10
the stem and then to the stern of the yacht
A mark was placed the batten at point
where a plumb line hung from the extreme for
ward end of the yacht touched it. When this
had been done both forward and aft. the meas
uremcnts were transferred TO points on the
deck. Immediately above the waterline, and its
length taken.
c. Oliver Iselin, Herbert c. Leeds, Woodbury.
Kane DR.. MOnahan and Newbury Thorne, who
have sailed in every in the Reliance since
she was launched. took their places on the deck
of that yacht with Captain Barr and the
and waited patiently while Shamrock III was
being measured. This took longer than was al
first expected, because the water at the upper
end OF the dock was just a trifie rougher than
at the lower end.
According to the racing rules Of the New-York
Yacht Club the length of the spinnaker boom
must not exceed the distance from the forward
side of the mast the end of the bowsprit.
which is the base line Of the fore triangle Of
the sail area When Measurer Mower applied
his tape to the Shamrocks spinnaker boom he
found it to be exactly eight inches longer than
her forward base line and at his order the excess
sawed off to make it even with the other
dimension. This alteration in the challenger is
slight. however. that 1t will necessitate
any change in the luff of her spinnaker. as the
spar will still be ample to carry the big sail.
The method of making the measurements Of
the two big yachts is the same as in former
years. and prescribed by the New-YOrk Yacht
Clubs rules. The sail area was obtained by
passing the steel tape from the end OF the main
boom to the end of the bowsprit. to get the base
line. The length of the topmast next found;
then the length of the gaff. the length Of the
mast from the under side of the sheave of the
topsail ballard block TO the upper side Of the
main boom, which gives the perpendicular and
lastly the length of the spinnaker boom. With
these dimensions the number of square feet in
the sail area was ascertained.
The measuring was completed at 40 o'clock,
and both yachts were warped out of the basins.
After the crews had their suppers the tug
Guiding Star took the Reliance in tow. while
the English tug Cruizer performed the same ser
vice for Shamrock Ill Both yachts arrived at
Sandy Hook at about sundown.
Whether they will take a spin to-day depends
entirely on the weather. Should there be fine
dry air, of not too much strength 1t is probable
that a final sail stretching spin viii be taken.
otherwise they will remain at their moorings all
day.