The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-04-04
Believe Yacht Contest Across
Atlantic Would Be
Dangerous.
MOT GOOD SPORT"
SAYS REAR ADMIRAL
Vessels Not Constructed for Heavy
Seas Might Expect
Storms.

LONDON. April 4.-Yachtsmen Of the
United Kingdom have evidenced keen
interest in the proposition advanced by
the Atlantic Yacht Club, of New York
city, for an international yacht race
across the Atlantic next year. Opinion
as TO the desirability of such an event
has varied greatly, however. II has
been contended by some English eS-
perts that the dangers are so great as TO
be almost prohibitory.
Others have held that such race
would probably result in the bringing
out of an especially constructed sailing
craft which by its very peculiar features
Of construction would have the adj
vantage from the crack of the starting
cannon unless involved handicaps were
imposed. Just as they shallow bodied
schooner Atlantic took down with ease
the German Emperor's cup in the sail
ing race from Sandy Hook 10 the
Lizard in 1905.
ties who recently have given expression
10 their individual opinions in the mat
ter is Rear Admiral Victor Alexander
MontagH, r. y, retired, who made
formal communication to the Field,
which has evoked extensive and inter-
eSung comment.
Unfair to Seamen.
He said in part:
Much as all yachtsmen will appre-
ciate this proposed hospitality. should
Ike to suggest that the racing part Of
II should begin and end in American
waters, because. in my humble opinion,
! think it very questionable, looking
at il in a sporting sense, whether it
is fair to ask seamen to run the risks
they are now bound 10 have while cross
ing this silver streak, so called, in the
modern racing craft under their con-
ditiOuS Of construction and general
cutter rig so much in vogue
81 viii only mention. few instances
showing the risks attached. Are these
fin-Shaped keeps adapted 70 inquire
vessel being able TO lay to In heavy
weather when their abnormal weight
is concentrated on very short length
Of keel2 Are cutters with enormous
main boOmS easily handled before the
gale, during the gale, and after the gale
IS over in huge Atlantic swell2 Are
crews safe on the decks Of vessels with
absolutely no bulwarks. WHOSE decks
may be swept fore and aft. for days
together
Atlantic Weather a Gale.
Tt Is of no use contemplating a lovely
passage across. Atlantic weather. il
only Of a moderately bad sort, is virtual
" a gale of wind for racing vessels OF
modern day construction. Fancy run,
ming with a strong quartering wind and
rolling sea in a cutter with the mair
boom in the water at every roll. and
perhaps fifteen feet of the after lUrcf
trailing in the water, force Of the vino
only SIX and the barometer still falling
What then? And it may be during III,
night,
I'VE are just as good seamen as ",
ever were. and nothing can surpass th'
IA of H1p-s~ gnrrs
racing yachts but our ships are very
different from those Of former days. an,
we know perfectly well what took plac
in the da-s Of the Henrietta tn
Dauutless and in other races across
when yachts were far better adapted &
he sea bOaIs' than now.
Excitement Lacking.
And. after ALL Is there much excite
ment and interest in looking out an
scanning the distant horizon from Sand
Hook to see a speck on the water denOt
ing the first craft in sight when the mex
vessels might only follow two day
81 have no wish to throw cold waite
on this contemplated race. I only wis
10 balance the nature Of things, but
VIII end IN simply stating that the Who'll
object Of the race IS conceived in
sporting sense ana 1 do not thin
you can associate sport with
when you are running considerable T1S
10 lie In YOUR attempts 10 produce IL
The Field, summarizing the opinions
those who think as does Rear Admire
M0ntagU. has commented thus upon TN
proposed event:
IF il IS suggested that the yacht
which NAV take part iu his race shOul
be our largest racing cutters we ca
only say that all exerienCed yaChtsme
will entirely agree that the yachts al
not mt for the work, and that il -TOUl
be unfair 10 ask seamen TO run the risk
a i'm