July 29, 1899,] 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
93 
pjng Company, and thence by British and Irish Steam Packet 
Company. 
From Dublin — Per British and Irish Steam Packet Company. 
Members who have not yet paid subscriptions due hy them to the 
Association are requested to send same to Geo. ITuntlcy, Hon, 
Sec. and Treas. B. C. A., Redheugrh Bridge Works, Gateshead-on- 
Tyne, from whom also badges and burgees may he obtained. 
Fixtures. 
JULY, ' 
27. Jamaica Bay, cat classes, Jamaica Bay. 
29. New Jersey-lCnickerbocker, Ellsworth cup, Bayonne, Newark 
Bay. 
29. Plymouth, club, Plymouth, Mass. 
29. Royal Nova Scotia, one-design, Halifax, N. S. 
29. Norwalk, club, Norwalk, Long Island Sound. 
29. American, club handicap, Newburyport. 
29. Winthrop, open, Winthrop, Boston Harbor. 
29. Indian Harbor, annual, open, Greenwich, Long Island Sound. 
29. Corinthian, Marblehead, 4th cham., Marblehead, Mass. Bay. 
29. Quannapowitt, club. 
30. Penataquit Cor., 15ft. class, Bayshore, Great South Bay. 
31. Wood's Holl, open, Quissett. 
31. Manchester, 3d cham., Manchester, Mass. 
30. Lake Champlain, annual cruise, rendezous Port Henry, Lake 
■ Champlain. 
AUGUST. 
July 30 to Aug. 8. Lake Champlain, annual cruise, L. Champlain. 
1, Wood's Holl, club, Wood's Holl. 
2. Royal Nova Scotia, squadron cruise, Halifax, N. S. 
2. East Gloucester, cup, Gloucester, Mass. 
3-4-6-7-8. Manchester, midsummer races, Manchester. 
5. Beverly, Cor. race.. Monument Beach, Buzzard's Bay. 
5. Burgess, Marblehead, Massachusetts Bay. 
5. East Gloucester,, club, Gloucester, Mass. 
5. Hempstead Harbor, annual, open, Glen Cove, L. I. Sound. 
5. Jamaica Bay, dory class, Jamaica Bay. 
5, Sea Cliff, annual, open. Long Island Sound. 
7, New York, annual cruise, rendezvous. 
7-S-9. Royal Canadian, Canada cup trials, Toronto, Lake Ontario. 
7. Knickerbocker, annual cruise, rendezvous College Point. 
9-10-11. Corinthian, Marblehead, midsummer series, Marblehead, 
Massachusetts Bay. 
12. Corinthian, Marblehead,, open, Marblehead, Massachusetts Bay. 
12. Horseshoe Harbor, annual, open, Larchmont, L. I. Sound. 
12. American, cruise to Squam, Newburyport. 
12. Quincy, club, Quincy, Boston Harbor. 
12. "Taunton, club, "Taunton, Mass. 
12. Wood's Holl, open, Wood's Holl, Quissett. 
12. Wollaston, open, Wdllaston, Mass. 
12. Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Lon^ Island Sound. 
12. Royal, Nova Scotia, one-design class, Halifax, N. S. 
12. Norwalk, club, Norwalk, Long Island Sound. 
12. Quannapowitt, club. J 
12. Squantum, handicap, Squantum, Mass. I 
12. Jamaica Bay, annual cruise, rendezvous. 
12-13. Winthrop, cruise to Marblehead, Winthrop. 
12. Savin Hill, club handicap, Savin Hill, Boston Harbor. 
13. Penataquit Cor., 15ft. class, Bayshore, Great South Bay. 
13. WilHamsburgh sloop classes. Bowery Bay, L. I. Sound. 
14-1516-17. Lake Y. R. A. meet, Toronto, Lake Ontario. 
14 to 19. Oshkosh, I. L. Y. A. week, Oshkosh, Wis. 
14-15-16. Erie, open, Erie, Pa., Lake Erie. 
14. American, open, Newburyport. ' " 
16. Annisquam, open, Annisquam. 
17. Newport, ladies' day, Newport, Narragansett Bay. 
17. East Gloucester, open, Gloucester, Mass, 
17. Taunton, ladies' day, Taunton, Mass. 
19. Corinthian, Marblehead, 5th cham., Marblehead, Mass. Bay. 
15. Beverly, club Cor., Monument Beach, Buzzard's Bay. 
19. Burgess, club, Marblehead, Massachusetts Bay. 
19. Jubilee, annual, open, Salem Bay. 
19. Huguenot, annual, open. New Rochelle, Long Island Sound. 
19. Morris, special club. Port Morris, Long Island Sound. 
19. New Jersey-Knickerbocker, Cor. cup, Bayonne, Newark Bay. 
19. Royal Hamilton, open,, Hamilton, Lake Ontario. 
19. Royal Nova Scotia, all classes, Halifax, N. S. 
19. Quannapowitt, club. 
IS. Philadelphia, cup, Philadelphia, Delaware River. 
20. Penataquit Cor., snipe class, Bayshore, Great South Bay. 
21. Royal Canadian, Canada cup, Toronto, Lake Ontario. 
21-22-23-24-25. Seawanhaka Cor., Cor. of Philadelphia, knockabout 
match. Oyster Bay, Long Island Sound. 
21. American, moolight sail, Newburyport, Mass. 
24. Plymouth, open, Plymouth, Mass. 
25. Kingston, open, Duxbury Bay. 
26. Royal Nova Scotia, club Halifax. N. S. 
26. Tamaica Bay, dory class, Jamaica Bay. 
26. Huntington, annual, open, Huntington Bay. 
26. Manhasset, special. Port Washington, Long Island Sound. 
26. Beverly, open. Monument Beach, Buzzard's Bay. 
26. Corinthian, Marblehead, 6th cham., Marblehead, Mass. Bay. 
26. Duxbury,, ooen. Duxbury Bay. 
26. Burgess, club, Marblehead, Massachusetts Bay. 
26. Quincy, club, Quincy, Boston Harbor. 
The new steel mast which will be stepped in Columbia 
this week is 107ft. over all and about 2iin. in diameter. 
It has one feature which, we believe, is positively new in 
yachting — the topmast will house within the lower mast. 
The former is or Oregon pine, an entirely new stick, and 
the latter is a hollow steel tube. Mr. N. G. Herreshoff 
lias devised details by which the topmast can be dropped 
down into the mast or hoisted to place and fidded securely. 
So far as strength and simplicity are concerned, the pres- 
ent arrangement can hardly be surpassed, but if suitable 
mechanism can be arranged to set and house the top- 
mast within the lower mast, making practically a pole 
mast, it will be a decided advance on the old plan. 
The news has been cabled to New York that two heavy 
hawsers are being made for the purpose of towing Sham- 
rock across the ocean astern of the steam yacht Erin. Un- 
der the Hn de siecle interpretations of the New Deed such 
a course would be proper if the New York Y. C. gives its 
consent, but the yacht will probably be safer under sail 
with a snug Xetch rig such as Valkyrie III. and Vigilant 
carried. 
On July 23 Columbia sailed from Newport to Bristol, 
and early on Monday morning she was warped on to the 
cradle of the new marine railway and hauled out as far 
as her mast would admit, all but her bulb keel being ex- 
posed at low water. The bottom was scrubbed and 
polished and a few barnacles were removed from the keel. 
The new mast was finished on Monday and the derrick 
tug Archer carne down from Providence in the afternoon 
to step the mast on Tuesday. 
Shamrock arrived on the Clyde on July 23 in tow of the 
Erin, reaching Fairlie at 11 A. M. She sailed on the same 
evening for Rothesay, and on Monday she was under sail. 
On Tuesday she was to go to Greenock to fit out for New 
York. 
The Race Committee of the Newport Y. R. A. has 
arranged two matches for Saturday, August 5, one be- 
tween Navahoe and Vigilant, and one between Syce, Kes- 
trel and Acushla, the prizes being $250 and $150 respec- 
tively. 
Shamrock. 
The trials of Shamrock with Britannia, so long talked 
of, have at last taken place, and, save jjossibly her de- 
signer, no one is any the wiser. To all appearances they 
amounted to httle, and in addition the various specially 
cabled reports are mainly utter nonsense or palpable fakes. 
For instance, it is reported that Slumirock sails closer by 
one point than Britannia; that "she is difficult to beat in 
close-hatiled tacking," and that her canvas is "volum- 
inous." One of the London papers, the Daily Mail, has 
solved what it terms the "secret of the Shamrock's con- 
struction, hitherto so carefully guarded to prevent it be- 
ing used by America," as follows: 
"The Shamrocl< is designed with swanlike lines, rounded 
in such a way as hardly to cansc a ripple in her wake. 
She displaces the smallest possible amount of water. Her 
keel is shaped almost like the thick letter T, so that she 
can turn as if on a pivot. It is claimed and proved that 
she is two seconds faster than the Columbia in stays. 
The secret was, therefore, an extension of the theory 
that a yacht should endeavor to glide over instead of cut- 
ting through the water. Those in charge of the Shamrock 
doubt whether the Columbia has proved her superiority 
to the Defender, and consider It quite on the cards that 
the Shamrock will have to meet the latter." 
The trials, such as they were, took place on July 18-19, 
on the lirst day the two yachts sailing a course of about 
forty miles in a variable breeze, Shamrock beating Bri- 
tannia by seventeen minutes. On the second day the 
breeze was again variable and fluky; the course was not 
coA'-ered, as the Prince of Wales had an engagement in 
town. The following reports of the two races are as de- 
tailed and reliable as any: 
July 18. 
The first trial race between Shamrock and Britannia 
took place to-day. The result was a victory for the Cup 
challenger, which won easily, beating Britannia by six- 
teen minutes and t went}'- five seconds. Both yachts were 
handled with admirable skill. The Prince of Wales was 
on board Britannia. 
There was much excitement on the Solent over the 
pace. From early morning crowds watched the prepara- 
tions on board both yachts, while the whole fleet from 
Southampton. Cowes, 'and other points made for Ryde. 
The scene at Ryde pier was most animated. Long before 
the start crowds of fa.shionable visitors had arrived. 
The Shamrock was towed from Southampton, the Erin 
following with Sir Thomas Lipton and a distinguished 
company. The weather was hot and slightly hazy, with a 
slight southeast breeze, which promised to last through 
the day. The course was from the Ryde pierhead east- 
ward around the Nab Lightship, leaving it on the star- 
board hand; then back past CoAves to a buoy on the So- 
lent bank, rounding the buoy on the starboard, and fin- 
ishing at Cowes opposite the Royal Yacht Squadron's 
house. The course sailed was about forty miles. 
The Prince of Wales arrived at Southampton at 11 
o'clock, wearing a yaching suit, and immediately cm- 
barked on board the Admiralty yacht Fire Queen. From 
the Fire Queen he was transferred to Britannia. 
As the starting gun boomed Britannia immediately 
crossed the line, Shamrock following in a way to give the 
impression that she had no objection to giving Britannia 
a slight lead. The latter, however, did not long maintain 
the advantage. 
It was a dead beat to windward, and little distance 
was covered before Shamrock, which started on the short 
leg to port, overhauled her, and on the following long 
leg to starboard Shamrock forged ahead rapidly. It was 
at once noticed that she was sailing nearly half a point 
nearer the wind than Britannia. Shamrock was carrying 
her niainsail, jibheadcd topsail, jib and foresail. Britannia 
carried the same canvas, but, in addition, her clubtopsail. 
Shamrock was half a mile ahead passing Warner. 
Hogarth was at the helm of the Cup challenger. The 
boat held up admirably, and there was not a drop of water 
adeck. She proved extremely quick in putting about, 
only taking ten and one-half seconds. 
On rounding the Nab Lightship both yachts set their 
spinakers for the run back. 
The only mishap of the day was that when Shamrock's 
sail began to fill the top caught in the crosstrees. The 
huge canvas flopped flat, and then suddenly burst like a 
balloon, and a big rent became visible in the upper part, 
where a long strip had been torn out, leaving a hole big 
enough for a man to crawl through. 
Shamrock's speed naturally suffered somewhat from 
this accident. 
Both boats soon set their topsails, and later the balloon 
foresails. The yachts jibed to port near Ryde. They 
were then traveling at such a rate that the press boat, 
going at a speed of eleven knots, was unable to keep the 
pace with Shamrock, though the wind lightened consid- 
erably after leaving the Nab Lightship. 
Britannia appeared to be holding her own for a short 
spell before she reached Ryde, but Shamrock again crept 
slowly ahead, widening the gap. 
The scene at this time was an inspiriting one. Both 
yachts, under a cloud of canvas, were gliding on even 
keels. 
As the Shamrock rounded Old Castle Point and came 
into full view of the crowds on the Cowes esplanade, she 
had all sails full set, showing an immense stretch of can- 
vas and affording a splendid sight, which drew hearty 
cheers from the assembled spectators. 
The wind freshened after passing Cowes, and both 
boats took in their spinakers and started on the broad 
reach to the Solent buoy. After jibing around they 
reached back, finishing with a short tack to make the 
home mark. 
The corrected times at the finish were: Shamrock, 
3:43:50: Britannia, 4:00:15. The times passing the buoy 
on the Solent bank were: Shamrock, 3:15:45; Britannia, 
3 :25 :04. 
Experts were satisfied that the Shamrock will be able 
to give a good account of herself in the contest for the 
America's Cup. 
Both yachts were admirably handled, but the Shamrock 
had a clear advantage throughout. 
July 19, 
There was beautiful weather to-day for the second trial 
of the yacht Shamrock, challenger for the America's Cup, 
against the Britannia. There were big crowds, both 
ashore and afloat, to withness the race. The course to- 
day was yesterday's course reversed, The starting point 
was off the Royal Yacht Squadron's house, around the 
Solent Ba.nk buoy, thence to the Nab Lightship, finish- 
ing at the Spit buoy, off Portsmouth. 
The Prince of Wales boarded the Britannia shortly be- 
fore the start. 
There was a good southeasterly breeze blowing all the 
morning, but it softened considerably toward the time 
for the starting of the race. Both yachts carried club- 
topsails. A good start was efi^ected at 10:12 A. M., ihe 
Shamrock crossing the line half a length ahead of her 
competitor, being very smartly handled. She had a new 
spinaker set for the run to the Solent Bank. Her sails 
seemed to set better than yesterday. The breeze almost 
died out as the yachts stood along vshore, and the boats 
housed their spinakers. The Shamrock then headed for 
the center of the channel to avoid becoming becalmed on 
the lee of the island. The Britannia followed. There was 
but little air, and the yachts practically drifted during 
the next half hour. The breeze then revived, and the 
Shamrock, which meanwhile had slightly increased her 
lead, secured a start, widening the gap that separated her 
from the Britannia, and rounded the Solent Bank buoy 
at 11:17:20. The Britannia rounded the buoy at 11:21:35. 
The boats returned close-hauled on the port tack. 
There was only the faintest breeze, and the Britannia was 
getting the best of it, slightly reducing the gap. Nearing 
Cowes, however, the breeze freshened considerably. 
The Shamrock passed Ryde, going toward th'e Nab 
Lightship ,a mile and a half ahead of the Britannia, and 
finally won easily. 
The course as originally planned was, however, not 
completed. When off Southsea the Britannia signaled that 
the Prince of Wales had an engagement in London and 
requested that the race be considered over, as he must 
return to Portsmouth. The Shamrock was immediately 
turned homeward. 
Soon afterward the new yacht grounded on a sand 
bank outside Horsefoot Fort, between Portsmouth and 
Langston Harbor. She remained fast for ten minutes, 
when she was safely and easily towed off and back to 
Southampton.. She vyas not apparently damaged in any 
way. 
As was the case yesterday, the Shamrock showed her 
superiority very soon after the start was made. Beating 
to windward, she ran away from her opponent to the 
Nab Lightship, and again put about in ten seconds, the 
Britannia occupying twelve seconds in the maneuver. 
The whole performance again showed that the challenger 
is far ahead of the Britannia, although the unfortunate 
becalming of the boats preculded the finishing of the 
course before the Prince of Wales was obliged to start 
for London. 
The report current last week that Meteor would sail 
trial races with Shamrock was of course a fake, as was 
the added detail that the Emperor of Germany would 
steer his own yacht; and no further trials will be made. 
All that could possibly be shown by such haphazard and 
desultory trials as above detailed would be defects of a 
serious nature, if any such existed. Assuming what is 
evidently the case, that they do not, and that Shamrock 
is what she should be, a very fast craft, of the latest de- 
sign and construction, there is absolutely nothing to in- 
dicate that she is either five minutes faster or five minutes 
slower than Columbia. 
Mr. Fife's skill as a designer, both in design proper 
and in construction, is beyond question, and he has put 
all that he knows into this venture; so that it is safe to 
say that up to a certain point the chances of the two 
yachts are about even. If, as now seems likely, the Cup 
remains in Tiffany's vaults next winter, it will be mainly 
through the work of each boat in the interval of three 
months between the launching and the Cup races. 
On the part of the challenger, she has had thus far one 
light weather race, half of another race, and a couple of 
trials alone under sail. Nothing has been done to fairly 
test her initial trial-trip speed, much less to develop a 
still higher speed by continued racing. On the day after 
the second trial with Britannia Shamrock was towed from 
Southampton by the steam yacht Erin, the intention be- 
ing to take her to the Clyde for a quick refit for the At- 
lantic voyage, it being expected that she will be ready for 
sea by July 31. By way of thickening the very thin veneer 
of Irish nationahty she will make brief calls at Belfast 
and possibly other Irish ports if time permits. It is prob- 
able that the ocean trip will take about four weeks, and 
with ten days added for the refit at New York she will 
be ready for further sailing in American waters by about 
the end of the first week in August, or just two months 
before the Cup races. 
While there is time enough for further working up, 
there will be no opportunity, as there will be no similar 
yacht on this side by which she may be tested. Further 
than this, if the whole policy of her managers thus far is 
considered, it is very unlikely that they will really try 
the yacht in earnest for fear of giving away something 
to the other side. 
The whole experience of yacht racing shows that the 
only way to the improvement pf a yacht's speed is by 
real racing, day in and day out; merely sailing alone is 
of no use Avhatever in showing how fast a yacht is going 
or how she may be improved, and it is of very limited 
use even for crew drill. It is difficult to see how Sham- 
rock can come to the start in the Cup races save as an un- 
tried boat, only half known to those who sail her. 
The defending yacht, on the other hand, has already had 
half a dozen formal or informal trials against a yacht of 
her own size whose performance is very well known, the 
only question being how much faster Defender is now 
than in 1893. These trials, the least of which is worth 
more than all Shamrock's racing with Britannia or sail- 
ing alone, have already disclosed many small points in 
which improvement may be made. This work of trial 
and improvem""ent has, however, hardly begun; the two 
yachts Columbia and Defender are booked to sail a large 
number of races during the next three months. No one 
who has watched the gradual development of higher speed 
in all of the Cup defenders of previous years. can doubt 
that this sort of work means anywhere from five to ten 
