The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-15
YACHTSMEN FEAR SHAMROCK
 MAY LIFT THAT TROPHY
Some Discussion Regarding Permissionl
 To Tow Boat Across Ocean

New York June 14.-with the three Americas cup defense yachts. Resolute. Vanitie and Defiance. en- gagged in almost daily test races and Sir Thomas Liptons challenger sham rock " preparing to sail for Ameri- ca, interest in the coming internal tiona1 races for the famous yacht tro- plly is increasing rapid ly. The status and racing ability of the three Amer but the full possibilities of the Mich olson seventy-five footer will not be known until she can be seen in prac- tfce off Sandy Hook. Her descrip- ton es cabled from EngIands points to a yacht which departs from many of the orthodox canons of sloop build- ing. Many yachtsmen believe that de- stgner Nicholson with his radical in novatious has produced a boat that will prove extremely formidable. This belief increases the interest with which Shamrock " is awaited on this side of the Atlantic and raises the questi on again as to whethe CT the cup committee will permit the challenger to be lowed at any time during the long ocean voyage which is to be soon undertaken.
 The same question is agitating Eng fish yachting circles and there is much discussion in both clubs and public prints regarding this important angle of the cup contest The inn pression prevails abroad that the New ork Yacht Club committee is op- posed to granting permissio on to tow and while the matter is under dis. scussion neither the challenging or de- fending clubs will state their official attitude in the matter. Easing their opinions on the assumption that such permi ssion will be granted reluctant ", if at all the English yachtsman and writer holds that the restriction is one that handicaps the challenger. That there are two sides to the con- troversy however, is shown in the fe1- lowing article by a well known Eng fish yachting authority:
 'sIt is very evident that consider able misconception exists in many quarters in regard to the efficacy of towing During the time that the matter was in doubt comment clearly showed that there existed "a wide spread belief that the handicap D which a vessel incurred in crossing the Atlantic would be very materially re- duced if allowed to tow. This is altogether wrong. The one advantage of towing izs that, in case of light windss and calms, the time occupied on the passage is Shortened. It is quite erroneous to suppose that the pernissi on to tow enables a vessel to be more lightly constructed. To be- gfn with, the permission only applies to calm weather and no one resp on- sible for the vessel would desire to tow when there is anything of a breeze. Under certain conditions a vessel of light construction is sub mitted to greater strain in towing than in sailing. and 1t is by no means a conf fortable means of progression excepting in fine weather.
 The reason for this is that in tow ing it is not one continuous strain. It is absolutely necessary to have a very long tow line. otherwise there would be the probability of the vessel in tow running up on the tug Pro- gress then is nothing more than se- ries of jerks. When the hawser tautens the vessel receives sudden impetus which carries her along fast CT than her tug is travelling The haw7 ser then slackens until the vessel loses her momentum, when it tautens again and another jerk gives the vessel a plunge forward again, and so the tow ing proceeds. With the slightest swell on matters are made much worse, and to attempt to tow vessel against a
 head sea is to submit her to a much more serious buffeting than she would