The New York herald., 1922-12-31
Yachts for Ocean Race Differ in Sail Plan;
Duke of Leinster Intends to Handle the Ketch
by ARTHUR f. ALDRIDGE.

ny
The Duke of Leinster and Commo-
dore William Washburn NuttSng, J.. r:
G. S., have practically decided OH the
type of yachts they will sail across the
Western ocean next summer and al
ready they are getting bids from build
ers for the construction of the hulls.
They have agreed that the hulls shall
be Of the same design and have accepted
the plans drawn by William Atkin.
These call for boats 40 feet long over
ALL 32 feet inches long on the water
line, IL feet breadth and the dsplace-
ment Is Is tons. The vessels have been
very carefully worked out and the Duke
and Commodore Nutting have made
many suggestions of details that their
experiences have taught them make for
seaworthiness, ease of handling under
all conditions and comfort.
Each yacht will spread $50 square feet
of canvas but the rigs will be different.
The Duke will have his boat rugged as
ketch and the Commodore will rig his
as schooner. Commodore Nutting
freely admits that the ketch has many
attractive features for a venture of this
kind, but he crossed the Atlantic twice
with a ketch rugged yacht and now
wishes to study the schooner rig. Each
type his its good points. The schooner
will be at her best when the wind Is
over her quarter. She should reach very
fast The ketch will be at her best
turning TO winwind and will also be good
when dead before the wind. In heavy
weather this rig is regarded as ideal
and the vessel can be made quite snug
under lib and mizzen with the mainsail
lowered.
Designer Atkin has drawn two pic
lures of the yachts to scale, which are
given herewith. They show the differ
ences in the rig and also what sturdy,
stanch little hulls will be built, The
pole mast with jib headed sails was
discussed. and. while each adventurer
freely admitted that such rig would
be advantageous in many ways, there
was an objection because the masts
would be so high. SO they Will be
rigged with gaff headed fore and main
sails, except that the mizzen on the
ketch, which Is a small sail. will be
triangular in shape with no gaff. or
course, all the plans made are really
only tentative and it is quite possible
that some changes may be made before
they are finally accepted.
To End Race mt Cowes.
II has, however, been definitely
York to Cowes This is about $500
miles. II has also been agreed that two
men shall be on each yacht. the captain
and one other. The Duke at first
wished that he and the Commodore
should be alone on their respective
yachts, but this perhaps would be court
ing disaster, and he has agreed to one
man in eack crew. 1T is possible that
this may be changed before the time for
the race and each boat be handled by
three men. This, however, is small
detail.
For auxiliary purposes small gaso-
line engine will be installed on each
yacht Commodore Nutting Will use an
American buiH engine OF about ten
horsepower and the Duke one or SINH
lar power but English built The
amount OF fuel to be carried on board
will be limited. perhaps sufficient to
run the engine for about twelve hours.
Engines of this size would give speed
of only about four miles an hour, SO
that should the wind be of any fair
strength it would be much better to
sail rather than use the engines. The
idea of the engines Is to give the navi-
gators something that they can use
should they be drifting aimlessly at
sea or when near land find themselves
drifting ashore. These details are yet
to be discussed.
ocean racing. whether with large or
small yachts, always has been regarded
by vachtsmen as the peak of their sport
Sailing over fixed courres well within
sight of the land Is often fuu OF excite.
ment, through sharp squalls or hard
blows. These races. however, are short
and IL is the contest over long dis
tance. one that will take the yachts out
OF sight of land and perhaps keep them at
sea for several days, that really proves
the seaworthness of the vessels and the
ability of those who are in charge. Sucf
contests call for able vessels we'll built
well SPARED and rugged, furnished witt
supplies for days many more than thu
trim is expected TO take and handled by
men who are capable and expert navi
gators and sailors and who fear nothing
Such racing has really been fos,ere'
by American yachtsmen. il Is yer,
probable that yacht races over Ions
courses were sailed In the early histor,
OF the sport, but It was three American
yschtsmen who first raced across th'
Atlantic. and they raced, too, in thu
worst season OF the year, starting II
| December.
Yachting had practically been droppe,
| during the civil war and when peace
was made several large sehooners wer'
built. The owners Of these yachts race'
often over different courses between IN
Delaware Capes and Newport, and tir
Ing Of this sport. George and FRANKLIN
osgood. owners OF the schooner Fleet
wing, and Pierre I.orillard, Jr.. owner -
the schooner yesta. arranged race 10
q big stake fleet wing vas a vessel o
| 2O6 tons. modelled by J. u. Van Deusen
vesta was Of 20i tons and was modele'
and built by David CARL. The summe
racing In twq seasons had failed t.
satisfy The owners Of these two yacht
and just at the beginning OF winter j
| 1856 they made matclfthe agreement o
| which was as follows:
George and Franklin Osgood be
Pierre Loriliard. Jr.. and others s30,o0'