The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-18
STRUCK By SQUALL
SHAMROCK HI SWEPT CLEAN OF
MAST, CANVAS AND GEAR.
Captain wringe's Brother-in-Law
Drowned and Other Members of
the Crew Bruised.
SIR THOMAS Upton INJURED
KNOCKED DOWN A HATCHwAY AND
THROUGH THE FLOOR.
Hull of the Cup Challenger Not DAM
aged, but Everything Else ina
wrecked Condition.
SIR THOMAS A GAME SPORT
WILL HASTEN REPAIRS AND At
TEMPT To LIFT THE CUP.
Message Of sympathy from King Ed
ward-Four Distinct Breaks
I'm the Steel Mast.
Hull of the Cup Challenger Not DAM
aged, but Everything Else I'm a
Wrecked Condition.
SIR THOMAS A GAME SPORT
WILL HASTEN REPAIRS AND At
TEMPT TO LIFT THE CUP.
Message Of Sympathy from King Ed
ward-Four Distinct Breaks
I'm the Steel Mast.

WEYMOUTH, April 17.-Misfortune which
seems to have pursued Shamrock III cul-
minated to-day in a gust Of wind which
dismasted the yacht and left the challenger
a helpless wreck I'm Portland harbor. The
accident will cause delay of month or
more in the challenger's sailing for Amer
ica, but Sir Thomas Upton said tonight
the accident would not be allowed to inter-
fere with the yacht reaching New York in
time for the cup races.
My INJURIES added Sir Thomas, "are
painful / was severely shaken up by the
fall. and have a smashed hand. but every
thing is insignificant compared with the
loss Of poor Collier, a brother-in-law of
Captain Wringe. who was killed in the
accident Collier has been continuously in
my service since the time of the first Sham
rock. You can rebuild a yacht. but you
can't replace a man."
The loss of the seaman, Collier, cast
gloom over those on board Sir Thomas Lip
toms steam yacht Erin. but the sentiment
of the crew was unanimous in expressing
relief that 1t was not ''the governor"
Sir Thomas Upton is the recipient OF over
two hundred kilograms of sympathy. King
Edward wired his regret at the injury to
Sir Thomas and his grief at the loss of
life. Messages were also received from the
Prince OF Wales, Baron Knollys, c. Oliver
Iselin, Lewis Cass I.edyard. Clement A.
Griscom. Commodore Bourne. Commodore
Adams, Countess of Shaftesbury, who
christened the Shamrock III. the American
Society in London, and many others. The
Prince of Wales telegraphed that he was
distressed by the news, and hoped that the
injured were doing well. The King sent a
message OF sympathy to Golfers family.
Sir Thomas said he had already wired or
ders for new sails, and they were now
under way. Everything would depend upon
Designer Fifs's verdict. II do not think"
said Sir Thomas. that there is anything
structurally wrong with the challenger or
that II will be necessary TO change any
thing. The accident was due to weakness
in the minor rigging, which wrecked every
thing"
The story of the disaster shows that
when the boats started in the morning
there was nothing to scare the most eau
tious skipper. Club topsails were accord
ingiy set on both yachts. The challenger
looked fit TO race for a mans life. Out
side the breeze was steady, while beating
inshore- il was more squally. but the chal-
lenger carried it handsomely. When max
Ing a TACK on the port nara Squall struck
the boat. Captain Wringe gave ii a few
spokes OF the wheel TO luff, but, finding it
stood the wind well. he paid off and raced
the yacht at a pace il never before had
attained The Shamrock III went half
mile at this record pace and then hove
about to come TO the startling line on the
starboard. A lighter squall took 1t as ii
paid OF. The boat filled, gathered way and
shot forward
was over before those on board realized
that there was the slightest danger. Spec
tators whose eyes had been mOmentarily
turned away looked again to find instead of
the Queenly racer helpless wreck Gen.
orally speaking the yacht and gear were
ut to stand all racing strain The whole
accident originated in an unsuspected flaw
thicker than a mans thumb Possibly the
strains were calculated too fine. In any
case, when one turn-buckle gave way all
the others followed instantaneously. de-
priving the mast of it's chief support, the
weather shrouds- No spar ever built or
grown could stand unsupported to this
press OF canvas, much less the light steel
shell to which Mr.. Fife intrusted IL. The
mast snapped of. 1t fell clear or there
might have been a heavy loss OF life The
mast is now in four pieces. 1t will be i'm
possible to repair 1t, but most of the rig
ging was duplicated beforehand. so that
1t will be necessary to replace only the
mast and the sails.