Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
BELIEVES SHE WILL WIN THE,
GREAT OCEAN RACE
NO CHANCE FOR SUNBEAM
Famous British Yaehtsman, Before
Vessels Started, Talked Of Pros
poets for Victory Of the
Various Entries
Epecial 70 The Herald.


most interesting characters to have
visited this city in many days is Lord
Thomas Brassey, owner of the auxil-
iary yacht Sunbeam, in which vessel
he came here to enter in the ocean race
for the kaiser's cup.
A patron of the Lafayette-Brevoo
since his arrival here, Lord Brassey
has been seldom found at that hostelry
by those who have called there to see
him. this by reason of the fact that
this distinguished authority on naval,
yachting, merchant marine affairs and
sociological questions has had almost
every moment of his time occupied by
the numerous engagements which he
has been called upon to fill.
Conspicuous as a writer on economic
questions and on fiscal matters and
trade relations, those interested in
these subjects here have still further
taken up his time, and what with visits
to Ellis island, the chamber of COM
merce and such other places the ven-
cradle lord has had but little time to
himself.
Just word Of description before pro-
ceeding further. Lord Brassey, who is
now in his sixty-ninth year, has the
ruddy complexion and fine healthy
color which go with sea life. His firm,
clean-cut mouth is unmarried by mus
tache. His forehead is broad and lofty,
and in his manner there is a curious
mingling Of old world grace and court
1iness, with the breeziness which makes
one warm to him at once-magnetism,
for want of better word.
Shortly before the great race started,
Lord Brassey was asked his opinion
of their relative capabilities.
No Chance for Sunbeam
''My own yacht" he said with engag-
ing frankness, has no chance at all.
1 entered her more for the honor of the
flag than from any belief of mine that
she could win the trophy. AS for the
others, if the race We're to be run in
the Roaring Forties, with a good
strong gale of wind astern or on the
quarter, 1 should choose the Valhalla
as having the best chance. But if, on
the contrary, the wind is extremely
light, L should say that the Utowana
would have as good a chance as any.
but for all round work and the
conditions which are likely to prevail
on the Atlantic during the days of the
test 1 am inclined to think that the
Apache has the best chance of ALL
She is of handy rig, has fine bulwarks
WHICH protect her from the seas, is good
in running before strong winds, and
good also in light air and moderate
seas. L believe the Apache is about
as perfect thing as there is in the
yacht line ahoat.
There is, too, the Hamburg, the
German entry. She is the old Rainbow,
and the finest schooner yacht ever built
for England's yachting fleet. Her
owner found her too costly to main
tain and sold her to the syndicate
which has entered her in this contest
She is certainly very fine and able
sea craft and I had much rather be
at sea in her in heavy weather than
On board the Atlantic"
Continuing, Lord Brassey said that
he had not been made sufficiently
familiar with the other entries to
venture an opinion. Asked what he
thought of the long retention of the
Americas cup on this side of the
Atlantic and the probability of it's
being retrieved by England, Lord
Brassey said that while he was familiar
with yachts Of the ocean going type he
had never closely followed those of a
purely racing class, and therefore was
not competent to speak on this subject.
Lord Brasseys Yacht
Almost as well known as her owner
is the yacht Sunbeam, whose gold and
white fgurehead, emblematic Of sun
beams, has been reflected over more
than 100000 miles OF sea. Built at
Seacombe in 1874, she has visited
nearly every part of the world where
a yacht could venture. She is pre-
eminently a cruising yacht and, ac-
cording to her owner, very comfort
able one.
- AlSl lhll ~ -OilS years OI cruising
must have come many adventures, and
Lord Brassey was asked to tell them.
The face of the venerable lord clouded
at once.
'T think it was very cruel" he said.
"for one of your papers to have stated
that Lady Brassey was drowned. She
died of malaria-wait q moment,
please"
The interview was in the reception
room Of the Lafayette -Brevoort. Lord
Brassey went to his apartment, to re-
turn few moments later with book.
"The Last Voyage" by Lady Brassey.
Turning to a page near the end he
turned down leaf. 1.-The last words
she wrote" he said. pointing to the
paragraph. "Brave, gentle spirit the
pen fell from her hand, and the task
which she had struggled SO hard to
complete had to be completed by one
who did not possess her gifts"
No one needs to be reminded that