The Yacht Accident.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3745, 28 May 1901, Page 1

The Yacht Accident.

London, May 23. Shamrock I. risked everything to get alongside her corsort, but her gall buckled and the topsail blew away, and sbo was unable to assist. Tho Sybarita’s dingy was first alongside tho Erin, and tho de stroyers then raced up. His Majesty tho King, Sir E. Liptor, Mr Watson (designer of tho yacht), tl o Marchioness of Loudondony, Mrs DorKeppel, and Mrs Jamieson were seated < :x the weather side, and had a very narri .v escape. A heavy block fell between too Marchioness and Mrs Jamieson. The King displayed groat nerve. Aft. r a reassurance that tho ladies wore safe ho lighted a cigar, entered a launch, and examined the wreckage. Tho bursting bobstay gave warning of danger. Had the accident occurred ten seconds later tho boom would have been right on board and fallen on deck instead of clear of the yacht. The King landed at Cowes and telegraphed to tho Queen Afterwards His ' Majesty dined on board the Erin, and returned to London in the evening. The canvas on tho Shaim’oek 11. was 150 feet high. Just before roundiug-to the eaptaiu proposed to shorten sail, but was overruled. Weakness in the bowsprit and rigging caused tho collapse. Surprise is expressed that the fragile hull was able to resist the px - essuro and leverage. Several of tho crew wore carried overboard amid tho cloud of canvas. Throe who were aloft shinned down at the moment of tho accident. 'Tho damage is put at JMOOU. Sir T, Lipton has asked for some week's’ postponement of the race, and much sympathy is expressed for him in America, May 24. Interviewed by a. representative ot tho Daily Mail, Sir I'. Upton stated that when the accident occurred, the boom, coming inward, fell within a few feet ol the King. Had tho accident occurred a moment Inter His Majesty would have been directly underneath the boom. Captain Sycamore was lying on one side of the deck, and only just jumped clear. Tho King’s only remark after tho accident was “IV hat a pity. A piece ot iron struck Sir Ik Lipton, stunning him for half a minute. Tho bravery of the ladies, SirT. Lipton states, was conspicuous. Tho hull was not hurt, aud within an hour renairs to to the vessel wore ordered. Tho head of every State has congratulated King Edward on his escape on board the Shamrock tho Second. Much sympathy is expressed in France. At Sir T. Lipton’s request the raco for the America Cup has been postponed for a month. Wellington, May 24. Tho Deputy-Governor has sent a cablegram to the Secretary of State for the colonies offering congratulations ou behalf of the people of Now Zealand to His Majesty tho King on his providential escape.