New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-17
REPLY TO SIR THOMAS.
N. Y. Y. C.,S LETTER.
.EUades Measurement QueStjon-Rig
and Size Not Fired.

= una - LSC ~ ~ n ClNSS~'
! The Nezv-York Yacht Club. through its committee
ION challenge has ct last made public the coEFe-
lrpondence that passed between Sir Thomas Upton
lsnd ths club relating a challenge Tor the
Americas Cup. The clubs reply 20 the query OF
Sir Thomas as 70 whether il would consider
schalenge under the new rule OF measurement cans
his attention TO the clubs statement two years
ago that II has jurisdiction in regard 70 meas
,rennent II the Challenging club chooses 10 dispense
with time allowance and san tho race under the
literal terms Of the deed Of gift.
I Sir Thomas wishes. he may challenge through
the Royal Ulster, or any other yacht club Of which
he IS q member, with yacht OF any size or rig
within the dimensions stated in the deed. ana de-
Inand 70 san the three races on an ocean course
without time allowance the best two races TO win
which means without regard 10 racing measure
ment for l. is that which governs the time allow
snce. The New-York Yacht Club would then have
build yacht TO meet him the same terms
As 10 whether or not the New-York Yacht Club
VIII agree 10 a under the clubs new measure
Enaent rules. reply given. as ii was held that
ithe question purely a hypothetical one unth
Tchallenge was made through some CLUB
Sir Thomas's letter of inquiry read:
With reference TO the conditions governing races
l.f you would kindly inform me whether, IN Tespect
10 5ee - w % n Womb he DISPOSED 10 consider
= cbalgerFa ,IrSar the new rrIe OF measurement
iSecently adopted by the cuo: l.. -. l., -,
opinion me decision OF the club in this matter
challenges.
/ The reply OF the New-York Yacht Club. written
10y Secretary Ccrmack IN accordance with instruc-
rtons Of committee appointed December T. said
An part:
IN a letter written YOU. by Commodore LedyaTd
Royal Ulster Yacht Club the right OF cnaLens!ns
lClub TO sail q match for the Americas Cup, with
lout regard TO measurement or time allowance, and
she inability OF the club holding the cup TO 40 any
SCI or 70 impose any colcItI1hs m.-ieH pl55 at
any LesPeet impair ms rlsLt' were iter. "
As had occasion TO explain TO you when the
6@{Isage o Of shsHaroaS DEED q gin
Ecr!bes no conditions respecting the KIND OF n9sSel
(which compete. except Ia that she SnaIl ne
within certain limits Of length: 90 that no dlmen-
ilcl that restrictions shah be placed on centre
boards. and lastly that she shaI proceed ni,aSi
tghis last condition imports al that the na1srs
o F TO 9seF BY %2y actual CT and
stTated ability 10 make The passage under S4
whatever. That is left to be dealt with under the
upon any system OF measurement they please. II
ithey fail the terms Of the match are pre-
ocean courses as described subject the rules and
Sailing regulations of the challenged club
deed. but without any time allowance whatever
,lew-York Yacht Club would have no power to
20 cha enging Yacht without the consent Of The
club TO which she belongs All that the challenger
4 a hsfe DO &c h @ san SO 6s bo q
boat, without any time allowance whatever, and
measurement. Indeed. the New-York Yacht Club.
is f P to b ee GS o or any
oH me cils 5e5 gSGLlo OeETo nose
these qualifications by the deed excludes the idea
from or add to them ANY yacht properly ch5ueng-
ing through qualified club Of a water lire length
as 10 nouce and certificate. and proceeding under
Sntitled TO san for the cup on the courses desg-
mated best Two out Of tlree boat for boat without
restriction being imposed upon her. She must sail
Of the challenged club but any provisions Of these
would plainly conflict with the deed if they operated
,he tygs model san area q other factor going to
This VIII make IL plain 10 you that what you re-
fer 70 in your question as Original rules in
20 mean the rules under which the matches with
which applied 10 these contests, not because they
happened 10 be at the time. the measurement rules
tnal agreement between the two clubs provided in
each instance. that the match should be sailed
under these particular rules.
The normal match provided for by the deed of
and therefore without Teeagd to any TSie or
measurement is to determine the amount Of time
ANY other match must be the product Of an agree
nlent between the two clubs and. therefore. rule
OF measurement for purposes Of time allowance can
become taGt9r n me match only by virtue OF
The question you raise is doubtless an important
one but you VIII see that II really amounts to ask
ing the club what agreement il would be willing 70
to challenge should desire to enter into an agree
ment upon the subject. This would seem to be
sor discussion only IN connecIion with chaenge
from club qualified to challenge for the Cup.
for IL is with such cll b only that agreement
upon the subject be made
The New-York Yacht Club does not feel that II
can be asked q take position upon such ques-
tion when 10 challenge is pending, or far as II
Is Informed. contemplated. Any view which
might be expressed by the club under such cir:
cumstances would seem 70 be academic and Of
little avail and f prefers 10 wait until the subject
shall be raised IN properly calling
for its disposition. before expressing any views
upon il.
II may be proper for to add that the present
rule Of measurement has only been very recently
adopted by club. and that vessels have not vet
been built under st. that il yet be re-
garded as having passed the experimental stage.
Whether so untried a rule should be made applca-
Die 10 an international match. l think you viii
sgree. should not be decided without careful con-
sideration by both the clubs concerned IN settling
tbs details OF the match.
Sir Thomas replied, under date OF March a. that
On his return from trip abroad, he would give
the matter careful considerati on.