HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11562, 20 April 1903, Page 5

HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

THE DEATH OF THE STEWARD. A MESSAGE FROM THE KING. (Received April 19th, 4.51 p.m.) LONDON, April 18. Details of the accident to the Shamrock show that a northerly breeze was blowing. Tho yacht was under ordinary working canvas, with a jaokyarder. The challengers lee-rail was buried to a considerable depth by a squall far more sudden than that which wrought, such damage to Shamrock 11. while Taring in the Solent in May, 1901, when the King was aboard. It broke the eye of one of tho screws securing the rigging on the windward side; others gave way, and the strain of tho sails snapped the mast seven feet above the deck, everything going by the board.

Sir Thomas Lipton, who was standing holding a pair of binoculars, was thrown headlong down the companionway, with a sailor on top of him. Sir Thomas Lipton was shaken, and received bruises on the shoulder, while his 'hand was lacerated by the broken binoculars. , The steward, Collier, was standing near him at the moment tho squall struck the yacht, and was thrown overboard. He swam clear, but the cold overcoming him, he was-drowned. A duplicate steel mast is being made, and ia expected to be ready in a fortnight. Sir Thomas Lipton, in the course of an interview, said hie only lasting regret over the accident was Collier's death. The damage done to the yacht would probably result in six weeks' delay. He hopes the Shamrock will be repaired in time to reach Sandy 'Hook in August. Cutting away and recovering the wreckage occupied five hours. King Edward telegraphed his deep regret at the accident, and sorrow for the death of Collier, with whose family his Majesty expressed sympathy. The Prince of Wales sent a similar message, and made inquiries regarding the sufferers. Keen sympathy is also expressed in America.