ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 155, 2 July 1901, Page 5

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

From Our Special Correspondent.)

LONDON, May 24

THE KING'S ESCAPE

The cables have already given you a fairly full account of the yacht accident on the Solent, and the narrow escape of our King-, but I think you will tind the narrative of an eye witness appended very interesting' reading-. That the King escaped without a scratch may not be very wonderful. but the fact that nobody on board was physically one penny the worse in little short of miraculous. My correspondent, after describing the arrival of the King at Southampton, and his preliminary movements prior to embarking- on Shamrock 11., says: At two o'clock the two Shamrocks and the yawl Sybarita were ready for the start, and the conditions were as favourable as could be wished for a real trial between the three craft. In response to the preparatory gun Shamrock 11. putting1 about for the last time before cross-ing1 the line with sails close hauled. A. minute later the ten-knot wind seemed suddenly to increase to a squall, which caught the new Shamrock full on tin." brondskio with startling and disastrous direct. The topmast buckled lirst. the heel of it inside the hollow most evidently splitting later. J'Jverything1 above deck was carried away. Even the bowsprit was broken oil" short. The yacht was carrying al the time mainsail, topsail, staysail, and jib. She was heeling well over to port when the mast broke. Luckily everybody Mas on the star-! board side, so the Kino- and others on board escaped the frilling1 spars.; All were for a moment, however, in I great peril, and there was lor a time I the further and even greater danger that the dragging1 canvas might capsine her. Shamrock IT., however, righted herself, and lay upon a comparatively even keel. His Majesty by this time had retired to the cabin, where he remained while the wreckage was cleared away.

As soon as the disaster was noticed, the Erin and two torpedo boat destroyers hurried to the assistance of the disabled yacht tit racingl speed, but the first "boat to get alongside was a steamer conveying the representatives of the press. Sir Thomas Lipton, who was calmly sitting on deck with two ladies, was hailed, and in reply to anxious inquiries said that, there was not the slightest danger, and Captain Sycamore shouted that nobody was hurt and that no assistance was required. The challengers appearance at the moment decidedly belied the skipper's word, for she looked to all intents and purposes a helpless wreck. The disaster to Shamrock 11. caused general consternation on shore, as it was known that the King was on board. A considerable crowd had; gathered watching- the yachts, and they had a clear view of what occurred. Owing to the strong wind the intended course, to the eastward,; was abandoned for a more sheltered coiirse, in the Western Channel, off. the Isle of AVight. The yachts were, bearing down for the LeptJ buoy, car-| rying jaekyard topsails as well as the usual complement of canvas, when the mishap occurred. It was clear to those on shore with glasses that the bolt holding- the bobstay of the challenger gave way; the bowsprit, freedj below, snapped off, owing- to the sud-j den jerk, from the topmast stay, and the later going-, the topmast went over to leeward, followed by the mastj itself, which buckled up a few feet from the deck. The yacht drifted a long way in her wrecked condition, but was eventually taken in tow, and the King1 then went on board the Erin.

Everybody was so excited over the plight of the challenger that a minor mishap to Shamrock I. had passed almost unnoticed. She was. racing to the assistance of the challenger, when she was caught in the same squall and her gaff broke, her topsail was ripped to pieces, and her mainsail half fell. The Sybarita quickly got a small boat alongside, and all hands were soon at work clearing the wreckage. She required no immediate assistance, however, but lay with her torn sails napping half a mile off, while attention was devoted to clearing the challenger of wreckage. Both yachts were subsequently tow-

Ed to Southampton. The news of the mishap came tc London in double quick time, but the first messages announced the safety of the King, aud consequently there* was none of that excitement which accompanies suspense- in such cases. A few wild rumours were set afoot by irresponsible gossips, but they were scotched in no time. The King came back to town the same evening. At Southampton a huge crowd welcomed him with vociferouscheers and the National Anthem, and when he got to Waterloo shortly be : fore midnight a crowd of cockneys were there to make sure that he hac sitffered no damage. They eheerec the King heartily, and in response hi saluted in his "own particularly ingra Waiting fashion. Perhaps oui sentiments now on the disaster wert accurately summed up by the bechockered coster, who said "I'm sorrj for Tommy Lipton, coz he won't .lit down to them Yankees, but 'es nc business to be taking the- Prince ahi in 'is bloomin' cockle shell of a yot afore 'c .know wevver her. sticks is O.K. or. not—specially as she'is* bir proved an unlucky boat."