New-York tribune., 1920-05-13
Commodore Nichols MAY
Be at Wheel When She
COmpetesWith Resolute
By lack Lawrence

With Rear Commodore George Mich
OILS Of the New York Yacht Club at the
wheel and thirty-eight men in her crew,
the cup yacht Vanitic left City Island
sortly after l o'clock yesterday after
noon and took advantage Of the best
sailing day the early season has al
forded
Under somewhat puffy southerly
breeze that was just sporty enough to
give the cup candidate and her crew
the warming up they needed, the Vanitic
laid course to Glen Cove and then fol-
lowed the Long Island shore as far as
Oyster Bay. She then put about and
headed back for her base at City Island.
She picked up her mooring at Robert
Jacobs shipyard about 4:3O o'clock.
When Commodore Nichols came
ashore he wore a broad and significant
smile. When asked how the opponent
OF the Resolute for the honor of de-
Tending the Americas Cup against the
challenging Shamrock " had handled
his smile broadened and he replied
"Fine& Lovely"
\ Worth While Opinion
The opinion Of Commodore Nichols
as to the capabilities Of the Nanitie is
considered important, as he was navi-
gator of the Resolute in the 1914 trials
when that sloop defeated her bronze
opponent in rather decisive fashion.
He had great deal to say in the hand
ling Of the Bristol yacht in these trials,
and probably knows as much as any
body about what she can do As one
C,t r,,O
coming races against the Resolute Com
modore Nichols's advice is expected to
be invaluable.
1t was evident yesterday that those
/ IN charge of the Nanitie's grooming for
her tussle with the Resolute are conf
dent that the alterations she has under
gone at Jacobs yard in the last few
months have given her something bet
ter than an even chance of being the
American entry in the big international
classic to be sailed off Sandy Hook next
July In tact, the two Informal work
, outs the yacht has had since the COM
pletion of the alterations have started
her stock booming, and last night there
were not few wise birds in yachting
circles who were willing to cover Reso-
lutte bets at even money. A week ago
hackers OF the Gardner's sloop were de-
manding heavy odds.
Inc principal alteration to the Tobin
bronze hull of the Vanitie has been
the partial removal OF a low rail thac
ran the entire length of the yacht
from stem 10 stern. In her 1924 trla!s
against the Resolute .his rail is said
to have lnterfered seriously with her
handling and to have proved a heavy
handicap. When she was coming bacl
TO an even keel after being heeled oer
the rail would told tons of water tina
would have washed Off the flush -deceC
huh of the Resolute This interfer-
ence is said to have caused her to be
slow and heavy in handllng
To Alter Sail Plan
The only section of this rail nos
remaining on the Nanitie's hui
stretches from point a few feet abaf
her mast up to her bowsprit All tha'
part OF it running from amidsh p:
around the stern has been removed
This alteration alone is said to have
added greatly to her speed.
At her City Island base yesterday il
was said that the sail plan under whicf
the Nanltle is now working viii be
materially altered before she clashes
with the Resolute next week. The
change vii reduce slightly her sal
area, and this, ike the removal Of the
rail, is calculated TO make her more
sprlghtly in maneuvrIng.
The Gardner boat, most expensive ot
the three yachts involved in the battle
for the Americas Cup, Will have one