New-York tribune., 1920-05-16
Former Skipper
OF ResOlute at
Varlitiie Wheel
Rear Com. Nichols to Sail
Likely Defender in Elimi-
nation Trial This Week
By lack Lawrence

Rear Commodore George Nichols of
the New York Yacht Club will be at
the wheel of the Vanite when she sails
her first elimination trial against the
Resolute on Thursday or Friday of this
week, according to information obtained
last night from highly authoritative
source. While no official announcement
to this effect has yet been made. it
ls understood one will be Forthcoming
from the New York Yacht Club within
a few days.
There has been much speculation as to
VINO would sail the Vanitie, and it is
understood that Mr.. Nichols was the
only man who satisfied all the interests
represented in the management of the
sloop. His selection will prove popular
IN yachting circles, as he is one of the
most experienced amateur shippers in
this country. His skill in handling
racing yachts is we'll known, and it is
generally believed that if he commands
the Vantie in the coming cup trials
the chances of that boat becoming the
defender of the Americas s trophy will
be materially increased
Commodore Nichols was navigator
aboard the Resolutc when she raced
and defeated the Vanitic in the 1914
edge OF the Bristol sloop's capabilities
Vanitie OFF To-day
The Vantie is scheduled to sail to-
day for New Haven, apd the Resoute
is expected to arrive there Thursday
sailed on Thursday or Friday afternoon
II favorable weather prevails The
Vanltle will be accompanied to New
Haven by the auxiliary yacht Xarifa
which will act as her tender during
her duel with the Resolute.
j. L. Morgan, commodore of the New
York Yacht Club, said the other day
that the Americas Cup was going to
be kept in this country "if it takes
leg"
Doughty members of the Shamrock's
crew who will help slide the challenger
overheard tomorrow declare that the
famous trophy is going back to Eng
land with them if it requires any num-
ber of legs. The launching of the big
green sloop will probably take place
late in the afternoon and will be de-
void of ceremony. She is now at the
waters edge and could have been put
overheard several days ago if instruc-
tions had not been cabled from Eng
! land ordering that the launching be
delayed until the arrival here Of
Charles Nicholson. her designer.
Mr.. Nicholson arrived yesterday on
the Mauretania and went directly to
City Island to supervise the fitting out
of the challenger. 1t was said that he
will take up his residence near Jacobs
shipyard, in order to be in closer touch
with the men who are getting her
ready.
May Spring Surprise
The spirit of complete confidence be-
ing evinced by the Shamrock's crew
would indicate that the thought of de-
feat has never occurred to them. One
report, emanating from the houseboat
Killarney, headquarters of the Brit
lshers, is to the effect that the truth
concerning the Shamrocks speed was
carefully camouf1aged while she was
having her trials in England in the
early part of 1914 and that when she
hnally breaks out her huge sails off
Sandy Hook in July she will provide a
surprise for American yachtsmcn that
Will be something Of shock
One OF the most unique features of
the Shamrock's odd experiences since
becoming the challenger for the Amer
lca's Cup is that all the alterations that
nave nave been made on her hull. and they
have been rather extensive, were
thought out by Mr.. Nicholson in Eng
land and then cabled to this country.
Inc cable tolls III connection with the
ohalnrock alterations are not the small
est item in the largest bill the owner of
a cup challenger has ever had to foot
tor the privilege Of having whirl at
the classic trophy.
This is only one OF series of un-
usual incidents in the history of the
fourth Shamrock. They began when
the outbreak Of war in 1914 found her
IN mldocean and she was forced to dodge
German raiders in wild dash for Ber-
muda. Captain Turner and w. Pc Bur
ton, who will be first in command when
the boat faces the American defender
IN July, feel that the challenger has
not weathered a turbulent career to end
her days in defeat
The members of the Shamrock's crew
are so confident that her career will be
httingly ended in blaze of glory
OFT Sandy Hook that they have many
pounds sterling to wager that she does
not lose more than one heat to her
American opponent.
Inc challenger's managers expect to
have her in readiness for her first sail
stretching spin on the Sound a week
from Tomorrow. No word has been
received from the 23-meter Shamrock,
now on her way here from England to
act as a trial horse for the cup yacht,
and it is believed that she has been de-
layed by heavy weather.
There is possibility that the small
Shamrock will not get here in time
10 assist IN tuning up the challenger.
and If this should prove to be the case
1T is proable that an American Yacht
VIII be substituted, although it is known
tnat Sir Thomas Lipton's advisers will
take this step only as last resort.
Inc Shamrock ". will go off the
ways tomorrow with her heavy keel
cut down, her blunt nose sharpened and
her general appearance considerably
changed from that which caused her to
appear as something of a marine freak
when she arrived here in 1919
Pimlico Results
FIRST race Uhree- -year-olds and upward.
csi9alming: s9d six furlongs) American BOY
so9 (Rodriguez). $500. $3.50. Sa70, Won.
Jn ,fa1> ,n