Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), Saturday 4 January 1902, page 6


THE AMERICA CUP. SIR THOMAS LIPTON'S INTENTIONS. CONDITION OF SHAMROCK II. The London correspondent of the San Francisco "Chronicle" cabled to that journal in November 25 as follows:"'Should no one else challenge, I am willing seriously to consider making another attempt to lift the cup.' This announcement was given out by Sir Thomas Lipton at a banquet given at the Hotel Cecil in his honour to-night, which was attended by more than 400 guests. 'It would never do,' added Sir Thomas, 'to give up when only a pulse beat came between us and victory.' The reception of the challenger for the America Cup was marked with the greatest enthusiasm, and all classes were represented at the banquet this evening. Lord Tweedmoutn acted as chairman, and proposing the health of President Roosevelt he referred to his versatility as a staesman, politician, sportsman, and writer. President Roosevelt's name was greeted with tremendous applause, although few Americans were present. Sir Thomas's speech was the feature of the evening. He maintained the excellence of Shamrock II., and that a 'wee bit of luck' would 'have turned the tables. 'It was only a matter of a toss of the coin,' said Sir Thomas. 'We raced over a hundred miles and the decision was only a matter of seconds, which goes to show that we are justified in believing we can build boats to bring back the cup.' Sir Thomas paid warm tributes to W. J. Jameson, the yachtsman,. .to Designer Watson, and to Captain Sycamore, of Shamrock II., as well as to the challenger's crew. He declared nothing could have exceeded the fairness of the Americans. 'They made everything easy,' said Sir Thomas, 'except the trifling matter of lifting the cup-(laughter)-while the perfect manner in which the course was kept clear was little short of marvellous.' " The New York correspondent of the San Francisco "Chronicle" wired on December 2:-"Work will be begun today on the building which is to house Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht Shamrock II., where she lies hauled up high and dry in the Erie basin. The hauling up of Shamrock II. was accomplished successfully on Saturday. It was discovered, however, that the 'hull had settled perceptibly on the starboard side near the stays. It is believed that the damage probably was sustained in the severe squall which struck the boat one afternoon in the Horseshoe a week or so before the races. The belief now is generally entertained among those who have examined the Shamrock II. that had an attempt been made to take her home this fall she never would have crossed the Atlantic without foundering. Many of the braces running from the bilges to the deck are found to be badly bent, and the bronze plates are also corroded to such an extent as to seriously impair the seaworthiness of the boat."