New-York tribune., 1921-02-13
Small Yachts
Used for Tests
In Cup Defense
9-Foot Models, Representing
Different Theories, Hold
Races in Isolated Waters

BOSTON. Feb. II BY The Associated
Press1 1.-Defense Of the Americas Gun
against the next foreign challenge has
already begun, it was announced to,
day. Forward looking yachting inter
ests affiliated with the New York Yacht
C!uo have gone farther to anticipate
smother international effort to lift the
cup than any previous known attempt
70 work out yachting strategy or de-
sign.
Two model yachts, built to a size and
IN details unequalled by any working
/ models known, were the mediums Of
research tests, the results Of which
WIZ probably be reflected in the next
races for the classic cup. The models.
representing different theories Of con
struction and rig, were matched against
each other under all kinds of wind and
@eatner IN the isolated waters Of Cape
Coo Bay on Provincetown, in a series
oi races that extended through several
months OF the fall and early winter.
The results are not now dfvulged nor
Is the source OF the large sums that
were spent on the construction and
operating OF the miniature yachts made
known, but the models have been
shipped 70 the New York Yacht Ciub
Tor safe keeping and exhibition and
the data are held BY W. Starling Bur
CESS the naval architect and builder
VINO designed the boats and supervised
i ,nelr sal!lngs. He says the lessons
aealheQ IN the tests will be helG
against the time that Americas noa-
session of the famous cur is agsi,
challenged. He would say further oniv
InaI they were extremely interesting.
Models Nine Feet Long
The models were nine feet long. the
hn tnasss STOOD ffteen feet high ard the
ooacS were built with other dimensions
proportlonate to Americas Gun sloor
specifications. IN length thew We're an
proXlmateiy one-tenth the size of the
Resolute. The models cost $4,000 each
and 300 pounds. 'e'' -V0
Inc little yachts, for the purposes Of
the tests, were made to represent on
posing ideas in sloop architecture and
were changed from time to time to trv
out new possibilities of sail plan and
, boat balance. One carried an approx
Flately normal spread and rig of sails
during most of the tests; the other
usually was a freak OF sail area and
arrangement that brought into plav
varying possibilities and theories.
ne trial races, which were held over
three-nlle course, attracted much at
tention among the fishermen of Prov
incetown.
Fishing Captain Amazed
The models were so keenIy drawn
that they sped on reaches fast enough
TO require use Of a motor boat by those
conducting the tests. Fishing can
talns who turned out as unofficial OBJ
servers to watch the racing spectacle
and to criticize the points o. sailing
marveled At the realistic manner in
winch the research work was done.
Actual operation was simulated to =
degree that made it seem human hands
were at the wheels of the miniature
yachts. Instead, q mechanism cor
trolled by clock adjustment worked
out the movements of tack and iibe.
swinging rudder and shifting sail.
Designer Burgess said that 50 far as
ne knew nothing of the kind had been
built before. He aims now to perfect
the device by installation Of rvro-
scopes While the expense of such
tests Is possible to only a few Yacht
ing enthusiasts, the designer said tina.
the interest in the Americas Cup de
1ense was such chat he felt certain Of
continued support.