THE AMERICAN CUP.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 January 1901, Page 4

THE AMERICAN CUP.

A new Process for the Defender’Sf Plates

Interest in Sir Thomas Lipton’s challenge for the American Cup was again brought to fever heat yesterday (says the New York World of 11th November) by the rumour from Bristol that Hcrrcshoff had begun to lay out the moulds for the new defender, and the work of construction would be pushed forward as rapidly as possible in order that the boat may be launched early in the season and be thoroughly tuned up against the Columbia and Defender before the new Shamrock reaches these shores.

It can be stated positively that the hull of the new boat will be built entirely of Tobin bronze, and Lieut. Tobin and Nat Herreshoff have conferences almost daily. A feature of the new boat will be the principle of her construction. The plates will not be riveted together, as was the case with the former cup defenders, but the plates will be soldered in an ingenious fashion that will make the outer skin of the yacht perfectly smooth and even.

This is done by employing a peculiar solder which was discovered by Mr. W. H. Lougcran, a silversmith employed in New York, who has been experimenting on it for some years. Heretofore no solder known would hold the plates together and rivetting was the only alternative. Lieut. Tobin had had several interviews with Mr Lougeran in regard to his discovery and has expressed himself as pleased with the results obtained. So well satisfied is the inventor of the metal that he has spoken to Mr Herreshoff in reference to it, with the result that the young silversmith’s discovery will be given a trial. The customary secrecy is being maintained regarding the lines of the new yacht, and beyond the fact that she will be of the fin keel type, nothing definite has leaked out.