THE AMERICA YACHT CUP

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 11, 8 October 1919, Page 7

THE AMERICA YACHT CUP

SIR THOMAS LIPTON'S SHAMROCK IV. TO RACE. ' By Telegraph—Presn Association-Copyright Now York, October 0. Tho Ulstor Yacht Club has formally challenged tho Now York Club for a series of racosi for the America Cup in 1920, to be sailed in United States wat-ers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.' (Hoc. October 7, 7.30 p.m.) Now York, October 0. Tho challenge for the America Cup specifically names Shamrock IV. and Sir Thomas Lipton as the Ulster Club's re-presentative.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. Publicity has beon given recently to the statement that Shamrock IV., in tho ■race next year for the America Cup, will benefit by the utilisation of a new invention, which will havo the effect of making her a "streak of greased lightning" rathor than a yacht. _ It is almost needless to say there is no truth whatever in the story (says tho "Daily Mail's" yachting expert). If Sir Thomas Lipton is successful in this—his fourth attempt—to bring back the much-coveted trophy it will be the result not of the adoption of any freak methods, but of skilful handling over tho course and careful and painstaking preparations beforehand. Speaking of the last three attempts to bring back the cup, it may safely bo said—to paraphrase Sir Thomas Llptbn's favourite toast, "May the best boat win"—that thodiest boat has hitherto won.

As far-as thoroughness of preparation in the case of the present challenger poos it can confidently bo asserted that nothing has been left to chance. In choosing Mr. Charles It. Nicholson to design and build Shamrock IV., Sir Thomas Lipton has made a wise decision. If thoroughness is to be the keynote of the nest.contest, wo havo in Mr. Nicholson a worthy exponent of that virtue. He has already designed many fast vessels. His greatest success canio in 1912, when he was commissioned to build Istria for Sir Charles Allom. This vessel set tho fashion with what is now generally called the Marconi mast-that is, mast, topmast, and topsail yard all set up to look like one enormously lofty stick. Istria was" far and away the fastest of her «lass. Other orders followed, including a commission for a schooner (Marghcrita) for Mr. Q. C. Whittoket, which proved to bo'tlio fastest racing two-sticker in tire world. Istria made her appearand at tho Kiel Regatta in 1912. I was on tho committee steamer accompanying tho races, and as Istria was a bit late we gave her a tow down to tho starhngljne. On the wnv down something wanted inspecting aloft, and Mr. Nicholson was hauled up in a boatswain b chair well above tho cross-trees. I remarked at Hie time to a continental yachtsman, who was standing by me: "That is a flight you won't often see; that man aloft is the man who designed, built, and will now sail the vessel." It was typical of Mr. Nicholson's thoroughness. The selection of Mr. W.P. Burton, one of our foremost amateurs, to sail Shamrock IV., and also take charge of all tho preliminary tuning up could not be improved upon. Mr. Burton lias sai ed over a thousand races in craft 01 nis own, and has won considerably ™°J a than 600. ' Durintt his career Mr. burton has owned some fifteen craft of different tvpee and sizes, including five cuttersi m tiie 52ft. and 15-metre classes, and UCtnvin, in the 19-metre class. Shamrock IV. was launched at: t.osport in the spring of 1914. and, after a Tew preliminary spins with the 23-me.lio cutter of tho same name, left for Uio States a few days before war was declared, narrowly escaping capture on tiie way. The teste were not of a vcrj trying character, but they were sufficient to show that the n-svr boat was very fast In a turn to windward. When.she mado her first appearance she w « s , sl X S but this was soon altered to the more faired cutter rig. The greatest care has been taken of the vc&sel during hoi five veers W laying up, and the latest report state that the mil w iti exec kmt condition notwithstanding her long P?' «' of repose. She is of composite construetion with frames of steel and aluminium alloy and skin of mahogany pl«"';"■£■ | The first Shamrock raced as far back as 1839. She was d?sitrned by Fife, ami built bv Messrs. J. Thomeycroft on the Thames! The two succeeding challenger, ■which raced in 1901 and 1903 were designed bv Watson and Fife respcct.vly and built by Denny Brothers of Dumbarton. In only one instance out nt tne wfble series did 5 the British challenger succeed in crossing the winning mo ahead of her rival. That was mum., o n the dav of the last race with Shamrock 11. 'Tiie challenger actualy finish«l two seconds ahead of the American boat Columbia, but as Shamrock had to aUow « ««ond3 «™ t,ie ;l °- mllD courS ° «ho lost on time allowance.