The Yacht Shamrock.

Manawatu Herald, 21 April 1903, Page 2

The Yacht Shamrock.

The storm Caught Sir Thomas Lipton’s yacht Shamrock 111., challenger for the America Cup, off Weymouth, in Dorsetshire, and dismasted her. 'She was towed to port a mere hulk.

Sir Thomas Lipton was injured, but not severely. One sailor was drowned and others badly injured. The details concerning the accident to the Shamrock show that at the time a northerly breeze was blowing, and that the yacht was under ordinary working canvas, with a jackyarder. The lea rail Was burled to a Considerable depth, when a sqall occurred far more sudden than that which, wrought such damage to the Shamrock 11. while the latter was racing in the Solent in May, igoi, when the King was aboard.

The squall broke the eye of one of the screws securing the rigging, on the windward side. The others gave way, and the strain of the sails snapped the mast seven. feet above the deck everything going hy the board. Sir Thomas Lipton, who was standing holding a pair of binoculars, was thrown headlong down the companion way, with a sailor on top of him. Sir Thomas Lipton was shaken, and received braises on the shoulder, whilst his hand was lacerated by the broken binoculars.

The steward, Collier, who was standing near him at the moment the squall struck the yacht was thrown overboard, He swam clear, but the cold overcame him and he was drowned.

A duplicate steel mast is being made for the yacht and it is expected that it Will be ready in a fortnight. Sir Thomas Lipton, in the course of an interview, said that his only lasting regret over the accident was Collier’s death,'

The incident will probably result in six weeks’ delay. He hopes that the Shamrock will be repaired in time to reach Sandy Hook in August; The task of cutting away and recovering the wreckage occupied five hours.

King Edward telegraphed his deep regret at the accident, and his sorrow at Collier’s death with whose family he expressed his sympathy. The Prince of Wales sent a similar message, and made inquiries for the sufferers. Keen sympathy in consequence of the accident is expressed in America.