Sir Thos. Lipton Confident.

Thames Star, 24 November 1902, Page 4

Sir Thos. Lipton Confident.

■;, Sir Thomas- Liptoni said to a newspaper reporter in. London on. 11th October:—; :. ; . : ..-, ■■■,;.'•-■■■. •■■■"■:, "I feel that I.have a better chance to lift the' cup this' time than ever, before." When asked), "Has. Watson, same-, thing new up hs-sleeve to knock out Herreshoff.!' Lipton smiled , and answered, "That wi.l be for the race it-. eelf to decide." "Will the races be- sailed! early in September," he was ai-ked. - ••jWell'. I will have. to wait; to hear what the New York Yacht Club says,' he rep'ied. "The challenge is in such form that there can be controversy. Nobody else is interested in the challenge with mc. I: Waited to give everybody a chance toi challenge, but nobody: came forward. I can't say what Herre hoff will : prpduce in the new 1 defender, but I can, say if I werti offered a. choice between Sham-■rc-ck 11. and Columbia I would, take tlie Columbia sui the best all-round boat. I would not have challenged this year unless I thought I had a better than. Shamrock II." A, despatch to the "New York Journa. 1 ," from Glasgow say: — Sir Thomas Lipton's third challenge for the America's cup is purely a. formal document from, the Royal ; Ulster -Yacht Club, and contains no details. :-■:■.•-'■: : -- Thjej- chial.len.ger wil'| be a outiter with an estimated water line of 90 feet. -Fife declined tc>:diirouss the design. Intimate friends say that Shamrock TIL- is a typical Fife boat, but more powerful' than. Shamrock II and bigger' looking. Watson and Fife consulted 'together occasionally, but the' statements that they collaborated on the design are inaccurate. Their meetings were merely to exchange ideas, and obviously neither designer is likely to be influenced by the "other's views l . Active work on the construction of the challenger by the Denngs has not yet begun. The yacht's lines, however, have been, la : d down.in the loft, working drawings made;''the shed cleared, and blocks laid.' The Shamrock 11, was launched a-month late, but by the time the acceptance of the challenge arrives; the Den.nys expect to have work on the steel body of Shamrock ,111. -well forward,,.and the work subsequently-.will -be raipid. The .yacht will, be ready for trial; early next spring, ... The Hendersons, builders ,of the Thistle .and both Valkyries, assisted the Dennys to rig Shamrock 11., but Fife's own men-fronv Fa-irlie ; will rig Shamrock 111. throughout. ; Shamrock I. will probably be the trial yacht. Clyde Bevis, of (Southampton will steer the 1899 challenger, and Captain Wringe the other boat. The pick of Bristol racing sailors have already been engaged to man, the boats. Further trials may take place in New York with Shamrock 11., but Clyde yachtsmen are doubtful, as refitting of Shamrock 11. will entail a big expense. It is ai matter of money only, and Lipton is as generous as a prince.