THE AMERICA CUP.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 7, 18 October 1919, Page 14

THE AMERICA CUP.

Sir T. Lipton's Challenger

The Shamrock. PUBLICITY has been given recently to the statement that Shamrock IV., in the race next year for the America Cup, will benefit by the utilisation of a new invention, which will have the effect of making her a "streak of greased rather than a yacht. * * * It is almost needless to say there is no truth whatever in the story. If Sir Thomas Lipton is successful in this—his fourth attempt—to bring back the much-coveted trophy it will be the result not of, the adoption of any freak methods, but of skilful handling over the course and careful and painstaking preparations beforehand. * * » The Winner Won. Speaking of the last three attempts to bring back the cup, it may safely be said—to. paraphrase Sir Thomas Lipton's favourite toast, "May the best boat win"—that the best boat has hitherto won. As far as thoroughness of preparation in the case of the present challenger goes, it can confidently be asserted that nothing has. been left to chance. lii choosing Mr. Charles R. Nicholson to design and build Shamrock IV., Sir Thomas had made a wise decision. If thoroughness is to be the keynote of the next contest, we have in Mr. Nicholson a worthy exponent of that virtue. He has already designed many fast vessels. * * * A Great Success. His greatest success came in 1912, when he was commissioned to build Istria for Sir Charles Allom. This vessel s.et the fashion with what is now generally called the Marconi mast —that is, mast, topmast, and top-sail yard all set x\p to look like one enormously lofty stick. Istria was far and away the fastest of her class. Other orders followed, including a commission for a schooner (Margherita) for Mr. G. C. Whittaker, which proved to be the fastest racing two-sticker in the world. Istria made her appearance at the Kiel Regatta in 1912. I was on the committee steamer accompanying the races, and as Istria was a bit late we gave her a tow down to the starting-line. On the way down something wanted inspection aloft, and Mr. Nicholson was hauled up in a boatswain's chair well above the cross-trees. I remarked at the time to a Continental yachtsman, who was standing by me, "That is a sight you won't often see; that man aloft is the man who designed, built, and will now sail the vessel." It was typical of Mr. Nicholson's thoroughness. * • • The Challenger. The selection of Mr. W. P. Burton, one of England's foremost amateurs, to sail Shamrock IV., and also take charge of all the preliminary tuning up could not be improved upon. Mr. Burton has sailed over a thousand" races in craft of his own, and has won considerably more than 600. During his career Mr. Burton has owned some fifteen craft of different types and sizes, including five cutters in the 52ft. and lometre classes,, and Octavia.in the 19----metre class.

Shamrock IV. was launched at Gosport in the spring of 1914, and, after a few preliminary spins with the 23-metre cutter of the same name, left for the States a few days before the war wasdeclared, narrowly escaping capture on the way. The tests were not of a very trying character, but they were sufficient to show that the new boat was very fast in a turn to windward. Whon she made her first appearance she was sloop-rigged, but this was soon altered to the more favoured cutter rig. The greatest care has been taken of the vessel during her five years of laying up, and the latest reports state that the hull is in excellent condition, notwithstanding her long period of repose. She is of composite construction, with frames of steel and aluminium alloy and skin of mahogany planking. • * * The First Boat. The first Shamrock raced as far back as 1899. She was designed by Fife, and built by Messrs. J. Thornycroft on the Thames. The two succeeding challengers which raced in 1901 and 1903 were designed by Watson and Fife respectively, and built by Denny Brothers, of Dumbarton. In only one instance out of tlw? whole series did the British challenger succeed in crossing the winning line ahead of her rival. That was in 1901, on the day of the last race with Shamrock 11. The challenger actually finished two seconds ahead of the' American boat Columbia, but as. Shamrock had to allow 43 seconds over the 30-mile course she lost on time allowance.