Oct. i, 1904.] !]' 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
% B 7 
SPORT AND ADVERTISING. 
We find in our English contemporary, The Yachtsman, 
the following terse and very interesting description of the 
America's Cup situation viewed from the English stand- 
point : 
"The evident determination of Sir Thomas Lipton to 
challenge and race for the America Cup at any cost 
and at any sacrifice, compels us to adopt an attitude at 
once antagonistic both to him and to his methods. We 
do so with confidence, knowing that we speak for a large 
body of British yachtsmen — if not, indeed, for all — and 
feeling the responsibility of our duty to the public. To 
yachtsmen in a position to know the state of affairs, 
we can say nothing of which they are unaware — for them 
the America Cup was a sealed book after the contest of 
1895; to those intimate with Sir Thomas Lipton and his 
personal affairs we can still say less; but to the public, 
which has but one meaning for the word 'sport,' and 
which, we consider, has largely been imposed upon as far 
as this matter is concerned, we would address ourselves. 
"To avoid mincing matters, and to go at once to the 
root of the matter, let us say that we consider the 
America Cup, so far as Sir Thomas Lipton is concerned, 
to be from first to last a huge advertisement. Business 
men who know Sir Thomas Lipton's great capacity are 
aware that his advertising genius has raised him to his 
present position. The America Cup contest has un- 
doubtedly been his chef d'ceuvre in this particular line, 
and has, both directly and indirectly, brought him greater 
profit than any other effort he ever made. We think that 
an all too pliant press has already too long lime-lighted 
the show, and an all too simple public meekly stood by 
and watched the prostitution of its noblest sport. The 
all-devouring thirst for sport which can only find vent in 
such blossomings we cannot understand. Our home racing 
languishes for lack of support; but it is, at all events, 
the purest of our national sports, and would, therefore, 
be but a badly-placed hoarding. Sir Thomas Lipton's 
commercial field is America, so American must be the 
setting. But that concerns us little; if the Yankee is out- 
Yank'd, it is his own look out ; we hold our brief for the 
British public who may not get near enough to hear the 
ring of the metal. 
"Under such conditions it may readily be conceived 
that the result is quite immaterial, and to discuss the 
unfair conditions of the contest under any rule would be 
but a waste of words. We live by sport and we live for 
sport, and will always do our utmost to further it; but 
we will not further tolerate this now too transparent 
masquerading poster. Fortunately such sport is an exotic, 
but lest it should establish an overlap it is our sacred 
duty to luff it off the course — pass us who will. 
"To those of us who know the inner workings of the 
past three races, it is little surprising that our principal 
yacht architects have washed their hands of the affair, 
and the hunt for a designer to undertake the work may 
prove as arduous as the search which discovered the 
Royal Ulster Y. C. as a backer for the first of the chal- 
lenges^ We are personally glad of it, as the designer's 
share in the proceedings was the only one we could con- 
scientiously take an interest in. We have heard much of 
the influence of such 'sport' on the friendly relations of 
the two exeat Anglo-Saxon nations ; but one blood flows 
on both sides of the Atlantic, and we know that the 
dignity of both would be sadly hurt if they thought for 
one moment that their friendly ties were secured by such 
cheap blandishments— we look to our bonds of friendship 
to be united by truer ties. We have not the slightest de- 
sire to interfere with business methods and enterprise; 
but we cannot sit by and see dragged into them the sport 
of which we are so justly proud." 
On this side of the water we have long been very tired 
of the effort cf a grocery syndicate, with goods to sell at 
retail, to advertise itself and its wares at the expense of 
our favorite sport, and it is remarkable that this view of 
the situation has not presented itself to the British press 
before; for no man in the world holds his sport so dear 
as does the Briton. Perhaps the truth has been realized 
in England, but The Yachtsman is the first paper with 
courage to give the facts. The situation is delicate, and 
one may touch uoon it only with reluctance ; but the time 
had come for the exposure of one of the cleverest adver- 
tising schemes ever perpetrated, a scheme which has pro- 
duced results which probably could not have been secured 
through legitimate channels at anything like Sir Thomas's 
expenditures for his racing. No individual nor concern 
ever obtained so much free notice as has this aspirant 
to international honors in the realm of sport. Win or 
lose, it made no difference. Business boomed in either 
event. No man could help posing as a good sportsman 
when this very stand was the play that caught the public 
and filled the coffers. 
Something in the line of The Yachtsman's remarks has 
found its way into, print from time to time in this coun- 
try; but the position of the Americans as the challenged 
party precluded, on the part of those having the defense 
of the Cup in charge, any official criticism of the motives 
of the challenger. Whatever may have been the feeling 
of the New York Yacht Club, nevertheless, so long as the 
challenge came from a club of recognized standing, the 
dictates of good taste, not less than those of good sports- 
manship, forbade any questioning of the arctual purpose of 
the owner of the Shamrocks. No other course was open 
to the Cup defenders than to defend it. In defending it, 
no other assumption was permissible than that those who 
were competing for it were moved by the generous im- 
pulses and worthy ambitions which usually stimulate and 
give zest to the sport of yachting. 
Now, however, since the challengers themselves have 
opened the discussion, and have rendered it possible to 
make known without violation of good taste the true feel- 
ing of American yachtsmen respecting the Lipton races, 
we may look for a frank expression of disgust at the 
whole monumental advertising scheme. 
The rumored fourth challenge through an unknown or- 
ganization has all the familiar appearance of another ad- 
vertising campaign. There probably will be no fourth 
challenge from the quarter now under discussion; but no 
matter from what source a challenge may come, let the 
contests be kept absolutely free from any taint of 
commercialism. 
Gold Challenge Cup Motor Boat 
Ract s. 
Hudson River, September 22, 23, 24. 
The second series of races to be held this season for 
the American Power Boat Association Gold Challenge 
Cup, took place on the Hudson River, off the Columbia 
Y. C. house, on September 22, 23, 24. 
The first series of races for the gold trophy took place 
earlier in the season, and there were but three starters in 
the event. Standard won the series easily, but her vic- 
tory was not a great one, as the only other boat of any 
merit was Water Lily, and she was never dangerous. 
The second series of races was a great success in every 
particular, both in point of management and in the num- 
ber of starters. It may truthfully be said that these 
races are the only ones that have been given this season 
anywhere along the coast that really were of any im- 
portance. They have been the saving clause of the 
season, from the viewpoint of the racing power boat 
owner, and it is fortunate that the summer was brought 
to a close by such a gratifying series. Yachtsmen are 
now satisfied that the high speed power boat is no longer 
a myth, and with the changes and improvements that are 
bound to be made during the winter in the design and 
construction of hulls of power boats and their engines, 
some really good racing and consistent performances 
may be looked for next season. 
The following tables give the particulars of the ten 
boats that started in the races : 
Boat. Club. Owner. Engine. 
Shooting Star, Manhasset Bay, H. A. Lozier, Jr Lozier 
Marcirene II., Cape May, J. W. Allison Grant Ferris 
Challenger, Audubcn, Smith & Mabley Smith & Mabley 
Vmgt-et-Un, Chippewa, W. S. Kilmer Smith & Mabley 
M ercedes, U. S. A., Rhode Island, II. L. Bowden Mercedes 
Macaroni, Atlantic, C. L. Tangeman F. I. A. T. 
Josephine, Jamaica Bay, A. J. Buschmann Mahler & De Groot 
JV 1 ercedes VI., American, W. K. Vanderbilt, Jr Mercedes 
I lip, Hartford, C. D. Holmes , La Roach 
Speedway, Columbia, C. L. Seabury Speedway 
Measurements and Ratings. 
H. P. W. L. Rating. Allow. 
Speedway 64.45 39.3 72.84 0 19 20 
Mercedes, U. S. A ..42.02 31.11. 72.30 0 20 05 
Challenger 119.44 39.6 83.35 allows. 
Vingt-et-Un 59.72 30.10 79.55 0 10 17 
Macaroni 40.33 31.11 68.10 0 26 55 
Josephine 19. OS 29.11 53.40 0 59 17 
Mercedes VI 39.52 39.9 65.70 0 31 12 
Shooting Star ...24.07 37.08 65.55 0 3129 
Flip 38.09 34.10 65.10 0 32 17 
Marcirene II 34.40 34.50 54.25 0 56 55 
The allowance is figured for races over a 32 nautical 
mile course. 
Thursday, September 22 — First Race. 
The first race of the series took place on Thursday. 
The day was cold, and the breeze blew directly down the 
river. The water was quite smooth. The boats had a 
head wind and a head tide on the first leg up the river, 
and a fair wind on the home leg, although they bucked a 
little tide for part of the distance. 
The Race Committee was composed of Messrs. Fred 
A. Hill, Manhasset Bay Y. C. ; F. J. Stone, Columbia 
Y. C. ; and H. De B. Parsons, American Y. C. The race 
was scheduled for 2 o'clock, but the start was delayed an 
hour in order to allow the upstream mark boat to be 
placed off Piermont. As a matter of fact, the launch 
was so slow in getting to her place that she was forced 
to anchor fully a knot short as she was overtaken by the 
racing boats. 
The Race Committee adopted the admirable plan of 
sending the boats off in their handicap times, i. e., the 
starter receiving the largest allowance was first to start, 
being sent away as many minutes ahead of the scratch 
boat as that craft was forced to allow her. Thus 
Marcirene II. started 56m. 55s. in advance of Challenge, 
the scratch boat. Theoretically this would bring the 
boats pretty well together at the finish, the only time of 
interest for the spectators in a motor boat race, and as 
a matter of fact worked out fairly well. 
The preparatory signal was fired at 3 o'clock from the 
dock in front of the Columbia Y. C, where the commit- 
tee had taken up its position. 
The boat receiving the most time was Josephine, and 
she was sent away first, handicapped 17s. ' Marcirene 
was next, 23s. after her signal. The third boat to start 
v/as Flip; she was 30s. behind. Shooting Start was next 
away, getting a rather better start, for she was handi- 
capped but 7s. Mercedes VI. was 12s, after the gun, and 
Macaroni 17s.; Mercedes U. S." A., 9s.; Speedway, 20s • 
Vingt-et-Un, jqs,; and Challenger, 2m. gs. This latter 
boat was disabled, and withdrew immediately after the 
start. She dropped a pin from her thrust bearing, and 
was unable to cover the course. 
Mercedes VI. showed remarkable speed, and overtook 
the leaders very fast. She was leading long before the 
upstream mark had been reached. Mr. W. K. Vanderbilt, 
Jr., who was steering Mercedes VI., had difficulty in lo- 
cating the outer mark, and had to stop his engine and 
make inquiries, losing some two or three minutes thereby. 
The times at the upstream mark follow : 
Mercedes VI 4 16 30 Mercedes, U. S. A 4 27 05 
Josephine 4 18 38 Speedway 4 27 14 
Shooting Star 4 23 00 Vingt-et-Un 4 33 18 
Macaroni ....4 23 10 Flip Not timed 
Marcirene II 4 26 00 
Mercedes VI. continued to get away from the fleet 
on the home leg, and finished an easy winner by urn. 
over Macaroni. As the course was short, the Race Com- 
mittee adjusted the times accordingly. The summary 
follows : 
Marcirene 
Flip 
Shooting 
Mercedes, U. S. 
Start. 
Finish. 
Elapsed. 
3 05 00 
5 25 25 
2 20 25 
3 07 22 
5 31 27 
2 24 05 
3 32 00 
5 19 26 
1 47 26 
3 32 48 
5 13 07 
1 40 19 
3 33 05 
4 54 35 
1 21 30' 
3 37 22 
5 05 43 • 
1 28 21 
3 44 12 
5 08 54 
1 24 42 
3 44 57 
5 07 10 
1 22 13 
3 54 00 
5 09 57 
1 15 57 
4 04 17 
Disabled. 
The standing in points follows: Mercedes VI., io; 
Macaroni, g ; Speedway, 8 ; Mercedes, U. S. A., 7 ; Vingt- 
et-Un, 6; Shooting Star, 5; Flip, 4; Josephine, 2; Mar- 
cirene II., 1 ; Challenger disabled. 
Mercedes VI. covered the 30 nautical miles in ih. 21m. 
30s. Vingt-et-Un did better, however; her time was rh. 
T 5m. 57s. Mercedes averaged 22.85 nautical miles over 
the course, and Vingt-et-Un averaged 23.70. 
Mercedes VI. was designed and built by Mr. Robert 
Jacob at City Island. The design embodies a number of 
Mr. Vanderbilt's own ideas. Mercedes is 40ft. waterline, 
3ft. 8in. breadth, and 7in. draft of hull. She is a lap 
streak boat, and planked with }i'm. material. The 60 
horse-power Mercedes motor develops only 39.52 horse- 
power. The total weight of the boat is in the neighbor- 
hood of 1,200 pounds. The deck openings are protected 
by aluminum covers. 
Vingt-et-Un was designed by Mr. Clinton H. Crane, of 
Messrs. Tarns, Lemoine & Crane. The boat has been a 
very consistent performer as motor boats go since she 
made her appearance. The figures for the world's record 
are under dispute, a number claiming the honor. 
Whether Vingt-et-Un holds the world's record over a 
30-knct course or not is a question, but in any event she 
is very close to it. 
Friday, September 24 — Second Race. 
The starters in the second race had an opportunity to 
test their weatherly qualities, and in this respect a num- 
ber of the boats were found wanting. Vingt-et-Un dis- 
tinguished herself by not only winning the race, but by 
making fast time over the course as well. 
A strong S.E. breeze made the river lumpy, and eff 
Yonkers the water was quite rough. 
The preparatory signal was given at 2 o'clock. Jose- 
phine was the first boat to have started, but just before 
the starting gun her propeller caught in a mooring and 
was torn off. This put her out of the race, but the others 
got away in fair shape, with the exception of Challenger, 
which boat failed to materialize. Marcirene II , Flip, 
Shooting Star, Mercedes VI., Macaroni, Mercedes, U. S. 
A., Speedway, and Vingt-et-Un started in the order 
named. 
When a few miles from the starting line, the hose con 
nectmg with the water jacket of Macaroni's motor got 
adrift, and she drifted around for the better part of an 
hour while the engine was allowed to cool. 
Mercedes VI. took the lead before reaching the up- 
stream mark, but Vingt-et-Un, coming fast, was close be- 
hind. The times at the mark follow : Mercedes ■ VI. 
3:40:39; Vingt-et-Un, 3:41:14; Marcirene II., 3:41:27;, 
Speedway, 3:42:00; Flip, 3:42:25; Shooting Star, 
3:42:26; Mercedes, U. S. A., 3:50:42. 
The boats were now driving into a strong wind and 
sea, and solid water as well as spray was coming aboard 
continually. Mercedes VI. proved very wet, and she 
shipped so much water that it was necessary to stop the 
motor and bail her out to keep afloat. She was finally 
taken in tow and brought back to the club house. 
Speedway and Shooting Star both had an unpleasant 
tune of it, and it was found to be wise to stop and pump 
out. While the other boats were trying to overcome the 
difficulties of rough water, Vingt-et-Un was driving 
along, making good speed and reasonably free from 
water below. She finished a winner by a good margin 
Flip, the second boat to cross, showed up well, and was 
not bothered to any marked extent by the sea. The sum- 
mary follows : 
, ' TT Start. 
Vmgt-et-Un 2 54 00 
F'iP 2 32 00 
Marcirene II 2 07 22 
Mercedes, U. S. A 2 44 12 
Speedway • 2 44 57 
Mercedes VI 2 33 05 
Shooting Star 2 32 48 
Macaroni ...2 37 22 
The standing in points for the two days' racin°- fol- 
lows : Vmgt-et-Un II., 15; Speedway, 12; Mercedes, U. 
S. A, 11; Flip, 11; Mercedes VI., 10; Macaroni, 9; Mar- 
cirene II., 8; Shooting Star, 5; Josephine, 3; and Chal- 
lenger, o. 
Vingt-et-Un covered the 32 nautical miles in ih 27m 
3S., averaging 22.055 knots an hour. 
/-p. .^attttday,-. September 24— Third Race. 
J he thud race demonstrated that of the boats Vinet- 
et-Un was certainly the best sea boat and the' most rV 
Finish. 
4 21 03 
4 47 59 
4 59 20 
4 59 29 
5 14 38 
Did not finish. 
Did not finish. 
Did not finish. 
Elapsed. 
1 27 03 
2 15 59 
2 51 58 
2 15 17 
2 29 41 
