1930-05-31 — Page 15

PAGE TWO

AMERICA'S CUP HISTORY.

1: ORIGIN OF

FAMOUS

TROPHY.

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, MAY 31st, 1930.

HOLLYWOOD

CRITICISED.

Glaring Mistakes in Films.

of

il

Here are pictured the America's Cup and the trim little Yankee schooner which captured The

it from the British Royal Yacht Squadron in the first sensational race in 1851 "cup" as you see, is really a somewhat inartistic silver pitcher, but it has become the most highly-prized trophy in the sporting world. The victorious America is shown as she appeared after she raced in England; copyright by Brown Bros.

For more than three-quarters! Commodore Stevens already had before the race could be sailed he on decided to enter a contest for the and sailed to meet the America century, American

other side. Captain Dick"All Nations 100 Guineas Cup." British yachtsmen have

Started from Anchor,

fought the

a thrilling duel for possession of Brown. a veteran Sandy Hook

This was to be a raee of about the America's Cup, and prepara-pilot, took her aeross and was to Lions now are being made for an-sall her in the world's fair races.55 nautical miles around the Isle other match, to be sailed off New. A nephew of the America's de- of Wight, open to vessels of any port. R. 1, this year. In the signer, George Steers, was a mem-class, and without any time handi- following article, the fint of aber of the crew and kept the ship's caps, for a trophy offered by the her eastward passage. Royal Yacht Squadron. Seventeen series of three, is told the log on romantic story of the origin of which was accomplished in 17 1-2 British cutters and schooners, ranging in tonnage from 47 to the famous challenge trophy, days. On one day he wrote:

were entered "She is the best sea boat that 392,

against the which has been successfully de- ! fended ever since its capture by ever passed out of the Hook. The America.

In those days races were started a Yankee schooner in 1851. Next way we have passed every vessel week's article will be on how we have sighted is almost beyond from anchor, instead of the sailing starts approved to-day. The fleet thirteen English and Canadian belief." challengers for the America's Cup At Harre the Ameries was laid was lined in double row, with the have been successfully defended.) up for refitting with racing rig. cutters in front and schooners Sevens joined her some 300 yards astern. At 9:55 It has been a full decade since Commodore

signal was English yacht-men have sought to there, and for three weeks con- 3.m., a preparatory win from the United States the siderable secrecy surrounded pre-given, and the yachts made sail. the starting most highly-prized trophy in theparations for the activities in Five minutes later

theirgun barked out. that America's England. Confident sporting world-the

Most of the craft jumped ahead, Cup. But the stage is being set craft was a winner, the erew had now for another thrilling contest. no intention of revealing her de- under a fairish breeze, but the Seventy-eight years have proved sign, or spoiling their chances for America's crew had been slow too short a time for Britain to wagers which they had been led with her sails and she was the

under way,

This recover the trophy first snatched to expect would be waiting for last to get

proved to be only a trifling handi- The them at Cowes. yachtsmen. cleverest designers have built But while proceeding to Cowes,cap, however, for by the time Nab craft in which the pluckiest the sporting instinct of the Com-Light, 12 miles away, was round- schooner had mariners have come overseas, one modore spoiled whatever chances ed, the Yankee after another, to regain it. But the Americans had of betting their walked through the entire fleet all have gone back empty-handed. money against English competi- except four-the Beatrice, Volante, Millions, of dollars have been tion. The schooner Laverock, a Arrow and Aurora, the latter be spent in these attempts, and other speedster of the foreigh fleet, had ing the favourite of the British

out in defence-all over a beun sent

to escort the boats. millions silver pitcher with an actual value America into port. She invited! The course, roughly a reetungic, of about $500. To a landlubber's a race, and Stevens was unable was lined with many large craft Away carrying spectators who bad come eve it is an ornate, inartistic to resist the challenge. thing, but in the yachting world they went, The America worked from the fair grounds. Queen it is beautiful and priceless. For, to windward surprisingly fast and since 1851, it has represented spremaer of the seas.

from her

Fir Cup Race. When a chooner from the United States lifted that trophy

breezed into Cowes well ahead of the Taverock. Soon it was widely known that no English yacht was her equal.

Victoria and part of her court had sailed down on the royal yacht, and a large party of wealthy Americans, including most of the members of the New York Yacht Club, were on the scene.

Bowled Along at 13 Knots. Off Sandown Bay, the wind had

of the freshened and carried away the

Criticized by British. from the Royal Yacht squadron on Despite her performance.. the August 22, 183in a race around long sharp bow, heavy, slanting the Isle of Wigh, the sport was masts, and fat sails in its infancy in America. Few America were criticized by British America's jib-bocm. But old Cap- men were rich enough to make it yachtsmen. The 80-year-old Mar- tain Dick Brown, who never had a pastime. Seven years before, quis of Anglesey, who was the believed in carrying a flying jib to little group of men had mot aboard Thomas Lipton of his day, was one; vindward, only shouted that he the schooner Gimerack, belonging of those who watched her come was "damned glad it was gone.' to John C. Stevens, and organized in. His memory went back to the From St. Catherine's to the Nee- the New York Yacht Club.days of Nelson, and, as he gazed at dles, he had a leading wind, and Among them were John C. Jav, this strange, foreign craft that bowled along at thirteen or four- George L. Schuyler and James M. called herself a racer, he said, "If teen knots.

The royal yacht Victoria and Al- Waterbury, names which still are she is all right, by God; we surely

bert was lying off the Needles, and prominent. Stevens himself was have been all wrong." chosen as first Commodore of the A few days later, while watch-the Queen and her company were club, and ever since has beening the America in a trial sprint. anxiously awaiting the passing of It was about 5 o'clock known as the father of American he became openly sceptical of her the racers. yachting.

ability to attain such a speed by in the afternoon, and lowering first chal- sail alone. Determinedly The organization's

he clouds were beginning to gather. lenge came from abroad. Great boarded her, stalked aft and Finally, Queen Victoria called im- doings were being planned for the leaned fan over the side, looking patiently: world's fair in London, and boat for

a propeller! Commodore¦

"Signal Master, are the yachts

races were part of the programme. Stevens, although Far from being a sight?" Would the Americans deign to amused by the conduct of the old "Yes, may it please Your Ma- rend over some sort of craft to Marquis, was obliged to hold hisjesty," he replied. lend an international aspect to legs to keep his guest from falling the contests?

overboard.

"Which is first?"

"The America." "And which is second?" "Alas, Your Majesty, there is no

It was quite dark when the

The Americans would. Already Nobody would bet against the they were leading the world with visitors. Day after day the Com their clipper ships and coastwise modore issued new challenges and second!" vesels, and the New York harbour posted wagers, only to have them pilot .flect, of clean-cut little politely ignored. Finally, in dis-America crossed the finish line schooners with round bows and gust. he posted in the club house with a comfortable lead over the played Yankee full, weeping bodies, had attract-of the Royal Yacht Squadron an Aurora. Bands

ed wide attention with their speed. offer to sail "against any British Doodle, everybody cheered, and

A Sporting Offer.

yacht, schooner or cutter for any the crews retired to a very gay One of the latter' vessels might amount from one to ten thousand banquet. have been selected for the races, guineas."

Presented the America's Cup. except for a sporting offer made! Eeven his willingness to meet At this banquet was presented by one W. H. Brown, a shipbuilder any class of vessel brought no re- the trophy which ever since has with yards on New York's East sponse. It

for the been known as the America's Cup.

remained

River. Brown offered to build a London Times to probe its sports- sometimes is confused with the boat for the yacht club which men inte action with a hiting Queen's Cup, which was sailed for would prove faster than any crafteditorial which spoke of "the dis- three days later by none but Brit- in America or England. Other-grace of permitting the illustrious ish yuchts. Although not eligible to the new for entrance, the America was on wise, he said, it need not be ae-atranger to return cepted or paid for. Commodore world with the proud boast that the course that day, got under way Stevens and his associates told she had flung down the gauntlet an hour and a half after the others him to go ahead.

to England, Ireland and Scotland, had started, and trailed them over The result was the America, a but that no one had dared to take the course. She finished only a few minutes after the winning name ever since dearest to the it up."

hearts of ynchtsmen. A slim, A Robert Stephenson then came' boat.

The following week Stevens sall- graceful schooner she was, with forward with an offer to race his boats, but with ends wellturned schooner Titania against the ed her in the pre-arranged match for speed, Her over-all length America "for A wager of 100 with the Titania and won by near- was 109 feet, 9 inches, with a 28-pounds. The American Commo-ly an hour. Then, rather than foot beam. They launched her dore, it is said, strongly suspected take the America across the At- with a hope and a prayer, put on that the Titania was no worthy lantic again, he sold her to a Bri- her. aea rig, and started her opponent, and that Stephenson was tish sportsman for $25,000, a pro- abroad with a crew of 15 men, making a deliberate sacrifice for fit of $5000 cver her original cost. reinforced by "a goodly supply of the honour of his club. He ac- Back in New York, Commodore cepted the challenge, however, but Stevens kept the America's Cup In

rum."

Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell.

[By Dan Thomas.]

they will listen to absolutely no When is Hollywood going to criticism except that which ap- wake up?

pears in print.

This question, which we have

We could point to some things as heard from many sources during evidence of actual stupidity on the the last few months, is prompted part of the film makers. At- excuse these by the glaring mistakes found in tempts are made to so many films of late.

mistakes on the ground that "we Much has been said and written must make our filma for the, 12- during the past year about the im-year-old minds of the public." It provement of talking pieturca. might be more correct to say that These things are truc-from a the 12-year-old minds are, the ones mechanical standpoint. But movi- in the cinema industry.

and directors ana's producers

The most recent examples of still haven't learned the use of what not to do, however, were common sense in the production of brought to light in "Sunny Side thone audible films.

Up,"

Janet Gaynor-Charles The reason is that they are so Farrell special which was give a recent completely self-satisfed that they blazing premiere one Just take it for granted that any-Inight. thing they do must be right. And Our first criticism of that film is that Janet never should have his personal custody for six years. been allowed to sing. She has a Then, with his associates, he des fairly pleasing voice but one which cided to turn it over to the yachts not at all suited to her person- elab as a perpetual international ality. But as long as she did ging challenge trophy which would she should have been allowed to

When Sleep

will not

come

N

IGHTS of maddening sleep- leaanesal Your noves are all on edge! The hours pass with leaden feet and, when morning comés, you feel moro tired than when you weat to bod..

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For the next few nights take delisjous "Ovalline" just before you retire. Notice how quickly sleep comes to you. Notice, too, how refreshed you fool in the morning-roady for the 'day's work with renowed energy and vitality.

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A.P.8. 19

drania for a musical comedy.

henceforth stand for competition do it correctly, In one scene same songs. If our flm producers; motion picture and too much" of the highest order.

where the actress was supposed to continue to insist upon having But little could those first chan-be singing to herself at home, she their players burst into song at pions have guessed what intense sang directly to the audience just frequent intervals for no reason rivalry would centré about this as much as any opera star ever at all, they at least owe it to the strangely-moulded silver pitcher, did. Poor direction on the part of public to have these actors sing how many fortunes would be spent David Butler can be blamed for new songs.

Then, too, Sunny Side Up" is in thrilling battles for it, or how, that. And the blame also can be for more than three-quarters of a fastened on Fox executives for not just half way between our stand- century, it would bear constant correcting such a blunder.

ard of a motion picture and a evidence of the superiority of Another criticism of that picture screen musical comedy. There is American sail-craft.

is the repeated singing of the too much singing in it for a good

Perhaps some day the cinema in- dustry will be headed by execu tives with sufficient ability to eliminate such blunders as those mentioned above. But that day won't arrive as long as important positions are filled by men who happen to be relatives, close per- sonal friends, or merely good talkers.

DISTINGUISHED CAST IN HAMLET.

A photograph taken by a staff photographer of The Times at the special dress rehearsal for the matince performance of Hamlet which will be given at the Haymarket (in celebration of the anniversary of-Shakespeare's birthday). Mr. Henry Ainley appears as Hamlet, Miss Gwen Efrangcon-Davies as Ophella, Mr. Malcolm Keen as the King, and Miss Irene Van brugh as the Queen. The performances are in aid of theatrical charities. (Times copyright).

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