Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 303, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1913 — TRIAL YACHTS ARE FAVORED [ARTICLE]

TRIAL YACHTS ARE FAVORED

Yachtsmen Are of Opinion That Four Vessels Should Be Entered In the Elimination Races.

Racing yachtsmen of the United States are of the opinion that In order to insure a successful defense of the America’s cup next year against Sir Thomas Lipton, it will be absolutely necessary under the present conditions to build no fewer than four yachts to enter the elimination races, which should take place some time next August, after contesting in ad man races during the summer as possible.

It is conceded by many that building a 75-foot sloop under the present rules for the first time, even by the Herreshoffs, is more or less of a risk when there is no vessel of that dimension ready to use as a trial horse. For this reason it is deemed advisable to build as many sloops as possible, and by different designers, so as to give both the yachts and their crews plenty of practice in racing, that the best boat may be chosen to meet the Shamrock IV off Sandy Hook next fall.

The material for the building of the first yacht—the one that the syndicate beaded by Henry Walters has or-dered—-is being assembled at the Herreshoff yard at Bristol, R. 1., and It is understood that the keel of the new boat will be laid before Thanksgiving day. ' It is quite likely that the keel of the Shamrock IV will be laid about the same time as that of the Herreshoff’s sloop. As usual, the utmost secrecy will be maintained from start to finish in the construction of both yachts, so that no information may leak out concerning the details of the design of either hulls or sail plans until they are ready to race.