THE AMERICA CUP.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15882, 30 July 1919, Page 5

THE AMERICA CUP.

Australian and N,Z. Cable Association. LONDON, July 29. Sir Thomas Liptoit states that he has secured a secret invention by which the Shamrock’s speed can >be substantially increased. By “VICTOR.” In 1914 Sir Thomas Lipton’s Shamrock IV. sailed from Plymouth for New York escorted by Sir Thomas’s steam yacht Erin—afterwards turned into a Red Cross ship—for the purpose of competing for the America Cup. Tiie Great War intervened, and the America Cup contest was abandoned until brighter times came. Sir Thomas is again in the field, but whether he has nad st3l another Shamrock built or no tis not known. The challenger was determined to build a yacht on completely secret lines if it was discovered that the design of Shamrock 18. had been disclosed to American yachtsmen. The big cutter launched just before the war. was designed and constructed with the utmost skill of which the British yacht-builder is capable, and she was regarded by most British sailing men and nautical writers as the 1 fastest craft ever launched from a British yard. ' Her mast and sail area' were of enormous size as compared with the challengers of earlier date, and she was so design-! Ed and rigged as to he able to carry a tremendous press of sail even in a strong breeze. ‘ ‘After seeing the yacht performing ih various breezes,” wrote one celebrated sailing man, “I consider the Cup is almost halfway back to this country.” Possibly it would have been back in Britain but. for the war. Sir Thomas Lipton. ( is evidently very hopeful of winning in the forthcoming contest, and his pluck and enterprise deserve success, but the existing conditions are such that all the in favour of the defenders.