The Washington times., 1903-05-11
MEXICAN YACHTSNEN
ARE GROWING UNEASY
Reports of Shamrock HIS
Speed discomfort Them.
RIVALRY Is INCREASING
Owners of Reliance and Constitution at
Daggers' Points-Chances in Favor
of Latter Boat Defending Cup.

BRISTOL, r. l., May 1.-THE remark
able showing of Sir Thomas Lipton's
cup challenger, Shamrock III, is caus-
ing uneasiness among the syndicate
owners of the Reliance, and orders have
been given to expedite the work of
reftting the Defender in order that she
may be tried out and put into racing
shape as soon as possible. Admission
is openly made here that Shamrock
III must be a wonderfully fast boat to
defeat Shamrock I so handily. for it
is conceded by yachting authorities
around the Herreshoff yard that the old
boat is faster than Shamrock II. which
pressed the Columbia so closely two
years ago.
The feeling of rivalry between the
syndicate owners of the Reliance and
the Constitution is on the increase, and
there will be many bitter fight between
these boats before the preparatory races
are over. The reftting Of the Constitu
ton here last week has made her another
boat, and both she and the Reliance
will have to allow the Columbia liberal
time allowance. AS evidence of the
feeling existing between the owners of
the Reliance and the Constitution it is
only necessary to quote one of the few
American sailors on the Reliance.
VIII Obey Orders.
1--WE mates have been ordered to do
our best and lick the Constitution, and
there's prize money if we do it, but III
be keel-hauled if Columbia don't get the
most prizes. The Reliance and the Con-
stitution will get into fight and in a
bluffing match the Columbia viii steal
away the race But thems the orders.
TO whip the Constitution.
August Belmont has virtually given up
his business for a time in order to see
that everything is done to put the Con-
stitution in racing trim. He'has engaged
Captain Terry, one of the smartest rae
ing shippers, to assist Captain Rhodes.
and Captain Barr will have his hands
full when he meets them in q race
The Constitution sail spread has been
greatly enlarged, and her skipper pre-
diets that with a good fitting suit of
sails he can show the Reliance q clean
wake. 1t is said here today that the
Reliance will not be taken to Glen Cove
at once, but will be given a few days
spin in and about Newport to test her
rigging in a sea way.
In the event of an accident the yacht
can be quickly towed to the Herreshoff
yards here. Another reason for going 10
Newport, it is said, is that c. Oliver
Iselin. managing owner of the Reliance,
is convinced that neither the Constitu-
ton nor the Columbia is willing to act
as trial horse for the new boat. the
owners insisting that Iselin and his
skipper find out for themselves the
weaknesses of the Reliance.
Eager for Fray.
Mr. Iselin is eager for the coming
three cornered fight, and today gave or
ders to hurry all work on his new yacht
in order that he might get her under
sail at once The work here on the Re-
lance will greatly change her sail plan
and when she appears in the lower
sound for her races with the Columbia
and the Constitution her appearance
Will cause surprise.
Rumors of her immense sail spread
have underestimated the amount of can
vas she will carry. The new club top
sail which was kited for few minutes
Saturday is the largest ever carried by
racing yacht. Some idea OF it's i'm
mensity may be gained frcn the state
ment that the yard extends thirty-siX
feet above the topmast truck and that
the club reaches out broad from the
gafT about eighteen feet.
When this piece of canvas is carried.
the height from the foot of The mast
to the tip of the yard will be 1875 feet.
or twenty feet longer than any previous
estimate.
This canvas will be carried in races
where the wind Is about eight to ten
knots. The new gaf which is being
completed and will be fitted today is
two feet longer and this will take up all
the slack along the leech of the main
sail.
Sailors were busy today scraping the
mainmast and putting a new coat of
paint. The topmast was also scraped
and a coat of sheIlac was put on.
BUREAUS AND EASTERNS