The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-07-13

Aboard The Shamrock Off Sandy
Hook, July ia landsman undis-
mayed by a daily charge through
New York's subways. by the vagaries
of Coney Islands most boisterous
scenic railway and by the uncer-
tatnties of glare ice under dull skates
would feel perfectly at ease on the
Cup this month.
A representative of The Associated
Press. invited by Sir Thomas Upton
to experience a trip on the 23-meter
Shamrock during one of her many
trial races with the challenger off the
Jersey coast. found that, as a passen-
ger, this was all he had to do:
dodge safely down a compan-
ionway when the crew, in adjusting
sails, dashed madly from stem to
stern with a speed that would have
chagrined even with a veteran sub
way halfba ok.
2.-Get used to the feeling of one
moment clinging to the windward
gunwale many feet above the At
lantic and the next, as the s1oop
came about, finding himself to lee
ward with every chance of soon be-
ing many feet below sea level.
Crawl Gingerly on Deck.
3.-Crawl gingerly over sea-splash-
GU ueChS " ludl Spot dt lIle moment
boasting the highest altitude-com-
forting himself with the recollection
that with SO odd tons of keel I'M
derneath her, it would be a bit diff
f1cult for the yacht to capsize.
After these three requirements had
been met, he could settle down to
an impersonal study of alien sur
roundings. ~ -s-.
There was no ceremony to the
start. The meter boat, as green-hu1l-
ed as the challenger, anchored
short distance away, was riding at
anchor with her mainsail and club
topSail set when the boarding launch
came alongside.
Sir Thomas had a short chat with
Colonel Duncan F. D. Neif1 and Cap
tain. Alfred Diaper, who were hand
ling the trial horse and pushed off.
The sloop then slipped her mornings
and slowly heeled over as she ran out
for the start
At first there was no commotion
aboard. The crew-a score of wealth
er-beaten tars, looking like brownies
dressed in white-lay on the deck
Ropes were neatly coiied and every
thing seemed simple.
Gets Force of Wind.
AS the yacht worked out from be-
hind the shelter of the Hook, she he
gan to get the full force of the wind
and careened over still further, until
everyone on his feet was leaning
over toward port at an angle that
seemed perilously close to As degrees
In the cabin even a stranger sight
| met the eye. Table-tops and lamps
arranged on the gravity system listed
with the boat, yet kept level. To the
| uninitiated the first glance at the in
| terror was as much of a shock as
that in maze where concave or con-
| vex mirrors play pranks with ones
| physique.
! Suddenly the yacht came about
! Headsai1s which had been run UP
since the start tapped in the breeze.
J Indeed, the yacht seemed very much
i like a bulldog shaking a rag in his
! teeth. >S
| AS little waves slapped the sloop's
bows, sailors crouching at the bow
working on tackle were drenched. II
| was not unlike men trying to tie a
pretty bowknot under a shower.
Yachts Play Tag.
Outside the Shamrock met the
Shamrock ", which had been towed
| ing out more canvas, chased each
other about, a warning flag was
raised aboard the steam yacht Vic
toria, Sir Thomas flagship. The APP
parently afmless chase became even
more frantic as the rival shippers
manouevred for the start. 1t was
like nothing SO much as game OF
tag.
| Then the signal to start was given
/ AS the Shamrocks came about and
orders were given to break out the
| jibtopsail, the crew which had even
| before been milling around the deck
| Increased their seeming effort te
| create q scene of confusion. A man
| would give tug at one rope and
| then go galloping. forward to twitch
i another, while his mate came tearing
/ aft on the other side of the craft
| Everyone seemed to be training fol
sprfnts and the deck was a mass so1