AMERICA’S CUP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 23 June 1937, Page 6

AMERICA’S CUP

BRITISH CHALLENGE CONTEST NEXT MONTH HISTORY OF THE EVENT Even people whose knowledge of yachting is limited will follow with interest the next series of races for the America’s Cup, which will be sailed off Newport, Rhode Island, commencing on 31st July. The two British-owned yachts, Endeavour I. and Endeavour 11., have arrived at Bristol Harbour, Rhode Island, after voyaging across the Atlantic from Gosport, and are now preparing for the 17th attempt by Great Britain to recapture the trophy which was won by the schooner America in 1851 and which has remained in American keeping ever since. It has been estimated that more than £3,000,000 has been spent by yachtsmen on both sides of the Atlantic in challenging for and defending the America’s Cup. When the trophy was first presented, it was stated to be worth £IOO, but if it was put into the melting pot to-day its silver, at current prices, might possibly bring about £2O. It has been described as “the most valueless, but most greatly valued trophy in the world.” FAMOUS COMPETITORS Many famous names figure in the records of sailing races for the America’s Cup. There was Sir Richard Sutton, who challenged unsuccessfully with his Genesta. Then there were the three Valkyries of the Earl of Dunraven. The best of Valkyrie 11., was beaten by the towering Vigilant which, in British waters, was subsequently outsailed by the Royal yacht Britannia. After the Valkyries came the long and noble procession of Shamrocks, with which the “world’s best loser,” Sir Thomas Lipton, made valiant but vain efforts to life the cup. In 1934, Mr T. O. M. Sopwith took up Sir Thomas Lipton’s quest with Endeavour I. and this year he has a new yacht. Endeavour 11., as a prospective challenger. This year’s races will mark the first occasion in the history of the contests on which England has had two strings to her bow. Trial races will be held shortly between the two Endeavours and on their result the British challenger for the cup will be selected.

The new American yacht Ranger, owned by Mr H. Vanderbilt, has already commenced her trials at Newport, defeating both Rainbow, the winner in 1934, and Yankee, built as a possible defender in 1930. In a recent : trial, Ranger’s time over a 30 miles course was 3hrs 15min 23sec, which has been claimed as a record. It appears almost certain that Ranger will be selected to defend the cup. CHANGE IN CONDITIONS The two Endeavours have crossed the ; Atlantic under conditions which differ i materially from those imposed on pre- , vious challengers. The former British yachts have been required to cross the ocean under sail, but this year both the Endeavours made the voyage from England in tow. In earlier contests, ■ too, the rules have required the challenger to be named nine months before the races, but this year the British representative does not have to be finally selected until 30 days before the first encounter. As a result of the new conditions the two British yachts can be tried out in competition in the very waters off Rhode Island, over which the cup races will be sailed. It will be a great advantage to be able to determine under actual racing conditions which of two ships is the better to challenge for the cup. THE NEW ENDEAVOUR The new Endeavour, which was designed by Mr C. E. Nicholson, is built of steel plating for sides and deck, with steel frames and deck beams. Her extreme length from bow to counter is 132 ft, and she is 87ft on the water line, the maximum permitted under the rules for J class yachts. She has a beam af 21ft 6in and a displacement of 164 tons. She is slightly longer and narrower than Endeavour I. Her mast is 155 ft from deck to truck and is built of steel, reinforced by internal framing and supported by standing rigging made of high-tensile solid steel bars. The two Endeavours both carry the same sail area, 7550 square feet. When the latest British yacht left for Rhode Island it was stated that she carried a new type of sail, details of which were known only to Mr Sopwith, Mr Nicholson and a few trusted employees of the sailmakers. It was also stated that Mr Sopwith intended to keep these sails a secret until the start of the races. DETAILS OF THE RANGER The Ranger’s length is 135 ft on deck and 87ft waterline. She has a beam of 22ft and a draught of 15ft and her displacement is 166 tons. She was designed by Messrs W. Starling Burgess, Sparkman and Stephens, of New York, and built by the Bath Iron Works, of Maine. Her lead keel, weighing more than 100 tons, is almost circular in section at the bottom. The yacht is built of steel, with wooden decks, skylights and interior fittings. She has a mast of duralumin, 165 ft overall, with lift 3in below decks. The sail plan is nothing extreme. Of the total sail area, 4825 square feet is in the mainsail and 2725 square feet is in the fore triangle. The contert will comprise a series of seven races and the cup will be awarded to the first boat to secure four wins. The races will alternate over a windward and leeward course of 15 miles i each and a triangular course of approximately 10 miles to each leg. If possible, i all starts in the triangular races will be i made to windward and the warning sig- i nal, 10 minutes before the start, will be given at about 10.30 a.m. for each race. 1 No race will be started on any day after 1 12.30 p.m.