Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1920-07-20
500
YARDS BEHIND
Shamrock ~. Turns First
Mark of Ten Miles Four
Minutes Ahead of Defender
SHAMROCK 1ST OVER LINE
Shamrock's Sail Trouble Gave
ResoIute Lead of One Half
Mile Early in the Race.
BULLETIN

was 2:12:4O and that of the Reso-
lutte 2:16:15.
BY The Associated Press
SANDY HOOK, July 2O:-Sir
Thomas Lipton's challenger sham
rock ~ sailed over the starting
line ahead of the Resolute in to-
days race for the Americas cup
and breezed away on the first ten
mile leg of a thirty mile triangular
course that reached out to sea.
Although Resolute was second
across the line the ballooner on the
Irish sloop would not break ous.
Five minutes after the start Reso-
lutte had nearly caught Shamrock.
The starting signal was at 1918.
Shamrock crossed at 12:15:4S and
Resolute at 12:16:26, Official time.
At 1922 Resolute jumped into
the lead. passing Shamrock to lee
ward after the challenger's crew
had cleared their topsail. Before
the starting signal was sounded
both yachts circled about the light
ship.
All doubt as to who was 10 man
Shamrock was removed when Cap
tain William P. Burton was seen at
the wheel. Mrs. Burton was seated
as usual IL the CompanionwRy.
Starting on ths first ,eg OF the
triangular course which was sougn-
southeast both sioops maneuyered
for thei: places at the line. Five
minutes before the sta-t they ran
up their jib topsails in stops.
Resolute came down ana tackled
underneath Shamrock. Then both
stood along with cr:y fifty yards
between them and Shamrock to
weather.
The Shamrock had trouble with
its bailooner which would not break
out and was promptly hauled down,
the British sailors working to clear
the fou1ed sail. Nearly catching
Shamrock five minutes after the
start, Resolute passed her at 12:22.
Having cleared the fouled jib topsail
the crew of the Shamrock sent up
their spinnaker. 1t did not draw
well and Resolute sped on with her
big balloner oellyirg out and the
other handsaiis drawing we'll.
1t was evident 20 observers that
sail handlin~ on shc challenger had
n burgled. The sp.nnaker was
taken in a. 4-.-5 } tud u smaller reach
ing jib set. This also failed to fill
quickly and ten minutes after the
start Resolute was leading by ffty
yards.
At 1890 an even 200 yards sep
arated the yachts. Resolute was
slipping along smoothly and fast.
Shamrock was steadily dropping be-
hind because her headsails refused
to fill and it looked as If her skipper
was in trouble again.
At 1888 Shamrock lowered her
forestaysail and jibed and set an
English bowsprit spinnaker or bal
loon forestaysail. She still clung to
her number one reaching topsail.
BY this time Resolute was 200
yards ahead.
The triangular course reached out
to sea from the Ambrose Channel
lightship, back towards the New Jer-
sey shore to a point off Shrewsbury
Rock and then back to the light
ship.
At 1880 Resolute was sailing
along easily with her ballooner going
splendidly while Shamrock was flop
ping the wind out of her small
reaching jibtopsail and a little fore
staysail.
At 1855 the breeze began hauling
to the south. Resolute broke out
her lib and prepared to beat 10 the
first mark. Shamrock was a half
mile astern, but somewhat TO
weather.
Resolute dropped her moorings
at 1918 a. m. and took a tow for
the lightship. A screening fog lay
like a blanket over the sea obscur-
ing the starting point from the sight
of spectators on the Jersey High
lands.
II was reported but not confirmed
that Capt. Andrew j. Applegate. of
Sea Bright, q well known Jersey
skipper, had been taken aboard the
Shamrock to assist Capt. Burton
with his knowledge of local tide and
wind conditions At IL q. m. the
breeze increased to seven knots
and gave every indication of hold
ing.
Shamrock gave up the attempt
to sail TO the starting line after
rounding Sandy Hook point and took
a tow.
Dissatisfaction was reported 10
have run high among Lipton's
forces after Saturdays contest
which was called off when Resolute,
although showing her heels to the
British sloop. was unable to cross
within the limit.
With Captain Burton's handling
of the challenger under fire Sir
Thomas would not deny that he had
fCnpffUnNd on Pare Five D