The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-25
NICHOLSON TELLS OF
SHAMROCK'S DETAILS
Cup Challenger Of Composite
Construction: Steel Frames
and Wooden Planking.
Is CENTREBOARD CRAFT
Has Hollow Masts Of Wood
viii BE Launched in April
Despite All Delays.

Shamrock ". is n centreboard craft.
The hull Is OF composite construction
steel frames and wood planking-and she
has hollow masts OF wood. The yacht Is
10 be- launched IN April. Charles Z.
Nicholson has set at rest all rumors about
TIC challenger for the Americas Cup by
Ct s;ai,mont which he gave to the repre-
sentative OF the Yachting World and is
printed in the latest number. which
reached here yesterday.
Nj Nicholson states that there has been
a little delay in the construction OF the
hull due to some difficulty in obtaining
delivery Of the aluminium alloy which en-
ters largely into its construction. There
are some points about the design Of the
yacht on which Mr. Nicholson is naturally
reueont lie naturally wishes 10 keep
secret the dimensions of the vessel, its
displacement and its sail area These, II
announced just now might have some ef-
feet on the plans OF the three defenders
now building here, as IL Is not too late
70 make radical changes. Mr.. Nicholson
does not say for what purpose the alumni
mum alloy Is needed. but It is probably
used for deck plating and to be covered
with canvas or cork This reduces the
weigh, above the water line consider
ably
zone Of the most Interesting features of
the new boat is her centreboard," says
the Yachting World, "inasmuch as she
will be the first British challenger for
the Americas Cup so fitted. The centre.
board has hitherto never found much
favor with yachtsmen in this country. at
least for big vessels, one OF the chief OBJ
iections against 1t being the Interference
with Internal accommodations. American
designers adhered to IT. so far as the cup
defenders were concerned. until the Val.
Ayrie lt-Nigilant contest in is93. All the
Herr,shof defenders since that date have
been fixed keel boats.
The return to the centreboard IL due
20 the fact that under the universal rule
OF measurement to which the contest
iHg boats are being built for the forthcom-
ing races excessive draught is penaiized,
While under the deed OF gift which gov
ems cup contests a centreboard Is not
measured. Hence We see that II has been
adopted by both Herreshoff and Nlcaol.
son.
1T has been generally known for some
tine past that Shamrock w is to be
u composite construction. Her planking
VIII be of mahogany. All the previous
Shamrocks were Of metal construction
throughout. Mr.. Nicholson states his
reason for rcNerting to the wood skin
ior Ills vessel. In the first place had
,he been built OF metal throughout there
would have been the difficulty OF riveting.
n, I.yet heads have to be countersunk
ausH oH the outside TO give perfectly
smooth surface, and with plates SO thin
5 t." necessarily would be there would
B., considerable difficulty in making the
Tt'f iuld. The loosening OF rivets
W.sa CONSTANT source Of trouble in Sham
ock Il.
10, ha - ~.
platte % take into consideration. With
he htWmegins up Of the rivets there Is
Almost bound to be some expansion OF
lie thin plates. which induces the buck
ars between the frames. Taking all these
considerations into account Nr. Nicholson
believes that The lines of his vessel will
Oe more truly preserved In n wood skin.
~ which there IS also more residence
han To- metal
The boat Is being built very similarly
% the methods adopted in the construc-
ION az small raters, moulds being set up
. insure that the frames conform ex-
4c,.y with the sections as designed.
The building Of the mast Is in itself
. most interesting operation. Two masts
S!ll be ready by the time the boat Is
.auncned. for, as Mr.. Nicholson observed
Ue almost expect the loss of mast as
'ae o. the Incidents In the tuning up OF
al Americas cup competitor. The masts
N..l Dc OF WOOD, hollow, ana Will De inc
1lsgest spars OF that description ever
QUILT"
Mr. Nicholson remarked that there was
- !Itt that Sir Thomas Upton was
'rteFng Into contest under much more
favorable conditions than those which
governed former races. He pointed out
hat American designers had had eight
ears experience with the present rule.
NJ Nicholson said he would have pre-
'".-'- 90 build a ~ footer under the old
-.'e ard II that plan had been accepted
Der" probably would have been only
a1- defender built, while now three were
l-oC's, OF construction.