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SHAMROCK III : VOYAGE TO AMERICA

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Category: GALLERY "SIR THOMAS LIPTON"

Photos of Shamrock III, challenger of the America's Cup in 1903 while crossing the Atlantic with Shamrock I.Gallery "Sir Thomas Lipton"

As the first race for the Cup was scheduled for August 20th, it was planned to bring Shamrock III. over early in the year so as to give her plenty of time to get into proper shape on this side of the water. Instead of fitting out Shamrock II,, which was already in this country it will be remembered, to race against her here, it was decided to bring over the first Shamrock, as she was already in commission and was sailing in consistent form.

So a small flotilla belonging to Lipton left Gourock on May 28th and headed out across the Western Ocean. It consisted of the steam yacht Erin, towing Shamrock III. J, and the ocean tug Cruiser with Shamrock I. in charge. The new challenger was rigged with a small cutter rig, short mast and bowsprit, two headsails, and a loose-footed trysail, while the older boat had the ketch rig under which she crossed in 1899. Each of the racing yachts had forty-one men aboard her, and with the crews of the Erin and the tug there was quite a party in Sir Thomas's pay.

The trip was made via the Azores, and the fleet arrived off Sandy Hook in good shape after a passage of 15 days and 23 hours.

 

Voyage to America

Each thumbnail presented here contains a link to the original photo on the Mitchell Library' s website.

828-Shamrock III under Jury Rig at Gourock Pier. The Flying Phantom and Queen Alexandra are also in shot. May 1903.   829-Shamrock III under Jury Rig at Gourock Pier. The Flying Phantom is also in shot. May 1903.   830-Shamrock III under Jury Rig on the Clyde. May 1903.   831-Hauling in Shamrock III's tow line. May 1903.   832-Captain Wright, Mr Fife and Sir Thomas Lipton on board Shamrock III, on the Clyde. May 1903.
828-Shamrock III under Jury Rig at Gourock Pier. The Flying Phantom and Queen Alexandra are also in shot. May 1903.   829-Shamrock III under Jury Rig at Gourock Pier. The Flying Phantom is also in shot. May 1903.   830-Shamrock III under Jury Rig on the Clyde. May 1903.   831-Hauling in Shamrock III's tow line. May 1903.   832-Captain Wright, Mr Fife and Sir Thomas Lipton on board Shamrock III, on the Clyde. May 1903.
841-Sir Thomas Lipton saying goodbye to Shamrock III. May 1903.   843-Hoisting sail on Shamrock III. May 1903.   844-Shamrock III being towed by Erin in a stormy sea. June 1903.   845-Erin and Shamrock III at anchor in Fayal, Azores. June 1903.   863-The Lipton fleet at Fayal Harbour, Azores. Shamrock I, Shamrock III, cruiser and Erin. June 1903.
841-Sir Thomas Lipton saying goodbye to Shamrock III. May 1903.   843-Hoisting sail on Shamrock III. May 1903.   844-Shamrock III being towed by Erin in a stormy sea. June 1903.   845-Erin and Shamrock III at anchor in Fayal, Azores. June 1903.   863-The Lipton fleet at Fayal Harbour, Azores. Shamrock I, Shamrock III, cruiser and Erin. June 1903.
864-Shamrock I under Jury Rig, sailing in mid-Atlantic. June 1903.   865-Captains and McDonald coming aboard the Erin in mid-Atlantic for fresh meat and provisions. June 1903.   871-Shamrock III being taken in tow by SS Charles Matthews. June 1903.        
864-Shamrock I under Jury Rig, sailing in mid-Atlantic. June 1903.   865-Captains and McDonald coming aboard the Erin in mid-Atlantic for fresh meat and provisions. June 1903.   871-Shamrock III being taken in tow by SS Charles Matthews. June 1903.