It is learned that not only the owner of the Shamrock IV, but those in charge of the cup defender Resolute had been endeavoring to find a mariner who understands the local tides and winds, but had been unable to

This morning about 8 o’clock one of the crew of the Shamrock cam over the side and boarded the sloop Charlotte which is owned by Captain Applegate. He in turn went aboard the challenger. IN the exchange there resulted no infringement of the rules, as the Shamrock retained her forty men in the crew. There did, however, accrue as a result of the exchange a distinctly helpful factor for the challenger in the presence of an adviser whose knowledge of seamanship along the Jersey coast has long been most highly rated.

Immediately following yesterday’s victory words of deep appreciation from Sir Thomas

Resolute following Shamrock IV around the first mark on Tuesday, July 20, 1920. The Shamrock's distinctive rounded bow is on the right.

Shamrock IV rounding the second mark (20 miles) on July 20, 1920.

Experienced yachting experts explained that there is notheing in the rules governing the contest to prevent Captain Burton from having an American pilot on board. They declared that it was known during the tuning-up races a few weeks ago between Shamrock IV and the 23-meter Shamrock off the Horseshoe that efforts had been made by representatives of Sir Thomas Lipton and Captain Burton to obtain the services of a local navigator to point out the peculiarities of the various courses likely to be selected by the Governing Committee for the race.

Sir Thomas’s representatives, according to the men who discussed the matter this evening, felt that inasmuch as Captain Burton was a stranger to these waters, it was only fair that he should be placed in possession of information about the freak winds and currents of the course.

The men who spoke about the matter tonight said that it was their understanding the Sir Thomas'’

The representatives of Sir Thomas, it is ??? ??? approach of another man about the matter. He has had more than fifty years’ experience in the handling of all sorts of craft on the New Jersey seacoast, but he, too, declined. Then it was asserted that Captain Applegate was approached, in the matter and that he took the position that he saw no reason why Sir Thomas’s skipper should not be afforded an opportunity of learning from an experienced hand every intricacy of the race courses.

He was reported to have said that it would only be a matter of fairness to aid the skipper of Shamrock IV., and that he considered the races should be a contest between the defender and challenger, rather than between an experienced and an inexperienced skipper. Captain Applegate is alleged to have pointed out the Captain Charles Francis Adams, skipper of the Resolute, had had years of experience as the helmsman of yachts racing in this part of the Atlantic and he could see no harm in imparting whatever information he might possess to Captain Burton.

"Going to do the same tomorrow?"

"Yes," he replied.

Captain Applegate added that he had enjoyed the day very much, and looked forward to more excitement tomorrow.

Resolute (left) and Shamrock (right) under full canvas approaching the finish line on Wednesday, July 21, 1920.

Howard lost no time in getting a solid footing on land, and then proceeded to their domiciles near by.

But the Captain took his time. He slipped two half hitches on the tow lines and then in his usual fashion sat up on the hatchway and chatted about the race. Regarding technical questions relative to the most exciting race of the series the Captain would say little, bound by the secrecy of maritime sportsmanship until the series is ended.

Shamrock Needs Breeze

The local sea mentor cleverly avoided being trapped by those who appeared desirous of unlimited yachting information. Nevertheless Captain Applegate did say

When asked about the chances for victory, the skipper only smiled and said that an even break would be attained by the American boat should the next race be sailed on a day with weather conditions similar to the light breezes of this morning.

"The Shamrock," said Captain Applegate, "wants plenty of breeze no matter whether off the land or water. The most favorable results in the future will be attained with such conditions."

Regarding pocketing and blanketing in future races, the Captain agreed with Skpper W.P. Burton and Captain A.

"Many changes," continued the captain, "will be made before the end of the series. The Shamrock, the so-called freak boat, will introduce some yachting astonishment that is sure to be evidenced by comment far and near before the week is ended."

Should the next race be Friday or Saturday and the day dawns with a stiff breeze either off the beach or water, the chances for the Emerald Isle boat winning the third race and lifting the cup will be materiallly strengthened in the opinion of Captain W.P. Burton, the skipper, Andrew Jackson Applegate, the advisory mariner, and Captain Diaper, also aboard the Shamrock.

Inquire About Local Skippers

It was rumored about the fishing sector that officials in charge of the American yacht were on hand late this evening getting a line on the old-time members of the fleet who have sailed up and down the cup course for years.

Applegate a Carneige Medal Hero

Captain Applegate did not achieve fame for the first time when he stepped aboard the challenger. Following the sea along the Atlantic coast from Mane to Florida for 50 years, he came into prominence in 1908 when he dared a surf from which coast guards turned and rescued two men and a woman stranded in a launch in a gale off Seabright. For this he received the Carnegie medal. [Note: This could not be confirmed with the Carneige Hero Fund Commission in 1998. I have since discovered that the award was a Congressional Medal of Honor, which was inherited by a granddaughter now living in Georgia.]

Today Captain Applegate spent most of his time on the beach with his old time colleagues. Although he has practically retired from active fishing, nevertheless he goes to the surf almost every morning at daybreak in order to assist the younger fishermen and converse with them regarding the winds of the day. Since this has been his custom for fifty years he finds little difficulty in adhering to this practice of arising at an early hour and heading for the high water mark where more than three hundred deep sea mariners begin their daily toll for the much prized bluefish in the Summer season.

He told the older fisherman that he would advise Captain Burton to drive the Shamrock close to the beach off Seabright in the last race when the yachts put about close to the beach as the skipper endeavored to outmanoevre each other in an effort to take the lead.

His Prophecy Verified

To those who were on the beach at Seabright and Monmouth Beach Wednesday afternoon when the yachts sped along to windward it was clear that the local mariner’s words were justified. When off Seabright the Shamrock was within one-half mile of the beach, and so cleverly did the skipper on board the challenger play his game that the cup defender almost scraped the offshore stakes for the inshore pound pocket opposite the Seabright Yacht Club. Had the Resolute been handled by any one not as well qualified for the berth of skipper as is Captain Charles Francis Adams, there is no doubt that the defender would have gone foul off the pocket and thereby lost the chance for the victory she gained.

Again maritime strategy prevailed when the defender and challenger approached the Shrewsbury rocks about a mile off Gaillee. Here the currents are most tricky and the shoal waters give rise to apprehension for a boat constructed as is the Resolute. But the American skipper, having been warned of the danger, cleverly tacked offshore and the Shamrock’s skipper and pilot were once again foiled in the contest for strategical honors.

All the many deceptive points that characterized

The Resolute (left) rounding the stake boat in front of the Shamrock (right) on July 22, 1920.

Are Betting on Resoulute

But the many local mariners who comprise two-thirds of Seabright’s permanent residential section put all they could wager on the Resolute for tomorrow’s race. The reason for this is that it has been rumored about in the deep sea mariner’s circle that one of the old timers of the fleet, who’s name will not be divulged until the local seaman boards the Resolute, will take his place alongside the America’s Cup defender’s skipper, Captain Adams, as adviser to him on the currents and tricky winds in and about the course.

It was impossible to confirm a rumor that a skipper was going aboard the cup defender from Red Bank, but there is strong possibility

Needs an Early Breeze

"What the Shamrock requires," said Captain Applegate, "in order to do away with the time of the handicap forced upon her by carrying the tremendous amount of sail area over in excess of that of her opponent is a stiff breeze at the start of the race. This she ahas never had. She demonstrated fully what she was capable of doing with a stiff breeze when working on her starboard tacks going before the wind on Wednesday. Again she showed her ability to work up and away from the American defender when coming to the leeward on the home stretch.

"The Resoulute," added the local mariner, "is a keenly built boat. Her showing before the wind when in trial spins with the Vanitie is said to have been responsible for her being picked over her rival. She showed this on her spin down the coast on Wednesday,

Describes His Tactics

The advisory mentor told how he tried to elude the American skipper by hugging the beach on the inshore tacks going down the coast on the last race, but unhesitatingly admitted that

When asked regarding the rumor afloat that a mariner from the home town would be brought on board the Resolute in today’s race as an adviser to Skipper Adams, Captain Applegate

It was long after dark before Captain Applegate set foot ashore here. When he did make his appearance in his blue suit and white yachting cap, he was besieged with questions from fishermen and landsmen alike, townsman and aristocrat.

A noticeable feature regarding the discussion aboard the Applegate sloop this evening centred about the fact that

Captains Miller, Newman and Joseph Mount and Peter B. White were consulted regarding the tides and winds by representatives of the Resolute. These representatives motored to Seabright from the Highlands last night and remained in the fishing sector for some time.

Applegate Not Perplexed

Captain Applegate did not appear perplexed by the way in which the America’s Cup defender’s skipper, Charles Francis Adams, 2d, outjockeyed the Shamrock all through today’s race. But he did say that much had been learned from the encounter.

Once during the discussion aboard the Charlotte, when Captains Applegate, Newman and Mount wee hotly discussing the tack inshore on the first leg of today’s race, Captain Applegate showed defiance. Captain Mount was questioning the reason for Shamrock’s holding so close to the beach before making

This chart, which was made by the navigating officers of the destroyer Semmes, shows the courses followed by the Resolute and the Shamrock IV, in the triangular race on July 23, 1920. The first or weather leg shows a marked absence of tacking such as took place during the weather leg of the last windward and leeward race, when both made many short hitches down along the New Jersey shore. This absence of short hitches appears to indicate that Mr. Burton had given up all hope of enticing Mr. Adams into any traps and that he realizes that Resolute is the gainer every time they tack.

Resolute (left) leading Shamrok IV around the first mark (10 miles out) on July 23, 1920. The captions indicating which boat is which are incorrect. Note the distictive sharp bow of the Resolute on the boat on the left.

About this time Captain White boarded the Applegate sloop. He also wanted to know why the Shamrock tacked so close to the beach.

Captain Applegate replied that the Shamrock tried to get aft of the Resolute and thereby split the wind. Had Skipper Burton been able to do this he would have closed in on the Resolute and then, on the stretch out to sea, taking the long offshore port tack, at least have broken on even terms with the American cup defender.

Praise for Captain Adams

"This is one time," said Captain Applegate, "that the skipper on board the Resolute took good care that the Shamrock with all her sails spread did not split the wind.

"He worked his boat along the inshore tack until he had all there was to gain. So far did he keep the cup defender on this inshore tack that he broke between the two inshore pound nets. Not only did he cleverly avoid striking the partly submerged off-shore pockets, but headed directly for the Shrewsbury rocks.

"When we passed the beacon three miles to sea the wind strengthened and we could observe the cup defender holding her own and making the best of all there was to the breeze that held the sails in perfect shape. There is no need trying to say that we could have caught her after that unless and accident occurred on the American craft or through some unforeseen reason the American skipper blundered. We realized he wouldn’t do this, yet we tried again to fool him when off shore just before turning the stake boat. He knew his tacks and realized better than we did. Undoubtedly, just what he was able to obtain from the long off shore and inshore tacks.

Change Comes Over Resolute

"But I must state that the Shamrock did not have any too good a break. From the very time that the fog or haze blanketed the boat, about the Ambrose Channel it did not look any too good for the Emerald Isle boat. As we jockeyed about trying the winds that were enough to fool the best of mariners it was very evident to us on board that a change had come over the men on the Resolute. The high breeze that seemed to hang close to the beach apparently from the air pockets caused by the Highland hills was tried by the American skipper. He jockeyed the American boat toward the land and out again as the delay at the start gave him every opportunity to try his nautical craftiness.

Captain Applegate repeated that after they had utilized all their maritime craftiness and despite their superior amount of sail the officers of the Shamrock soon discovered that the American skipper was not to be tricked.

Again the mariners raised the question about the defender and challenger going before the wind and discussed the probabilities of tomorrow’s race.

Says Shamrock Has Chance

"There is a chance for us during the final race," said Captain Applegate. "It does not rest with experimentation nor will it be found in a light breeze. We know how cleverly the defender can work before the wind. The challenger with all her sails can never overtake her with the tremendous handicap under which she is obliged to race. We have tried the light breezes off the land, we have been caught in calms and have not been able to show

"If the challenger does not meet with this break in the morning, it is obvious to us all that the handicap will undoubtedly spell victory, and there is every reason to feel that those supporting the defender should rest contented.

"I went aboard Shamrock this morning as usual, but was informed by Captain Burton that it looked as if there was going to be a big blow today, and he had decided he wanted "more beef" aboard the sloop. That was all that was said to me and I returned to shore."

Photographs taken by Sergeant J.P. Saxe of the Fourteenth Photo Section, Air Service, from a D. H-4 Airplane, Piloted by Captain John Devery, Nephew of the Late Chief of New York Police. The race was called off on Saturday, July 24, 1920 because of windy conditions and heavy swells.

"And I want to say right now that although I will be 66 years old [note: he actually would have been 63] in the Fall [note on August 27] I am as husky and as agile as a lot of them and can handle sails with the best of them."

"I’ve been taking a turn at it" replied the old man. "I’ve helped out, and I don’t think I was treated just right in this matter. If there had been a race today I should have been on the sloop."

The declaration that he had assisted to handling the sails aboard the challenger came as a great surprise.

"But if you are requested to return to the Shamrock, won’t you go?" he was questioned.

"I will have to wait until such a request is made," replied Applegate. "I can’t say at this time what I will decide to do in that case."

Shortly after noon today a large touring car sped up to the Applegate residence on East Ocean Avenue. In the car was Captain Albert Diaper, a representative of Captain Burton, the skipper of the Shamrock IV. He immediately inquired about the Captain and was informed that he was down on board his sloop, the Charlotte, getting her in readiness for the sail with the yachts. Yesterday’s rumors that Captain Applegate might not sail on the Shamrock tomorrow were disproved when it was learned that Captain Diaper made the special trip in the car to be sure that Applegate would be on hand this morning, ready to assist as usual in the final race. So that it is agreed upon and confirmed from no better judge than the advising skipper himself that he will unquestionbly be on board the Shamrock when she leaves the stake boat for the fifth and deciding race of the international

The reason for Captain Applegate not going aboard the Shamrock yesterday morning, when the boat left for the starting point off Ambrose Channel, was mutually agreed upon by the Jersey skipper and Captain Burton, was due, it has been stated, to the heavy southerly breeze that pointed south-southeast off shore, and would necessitate the entire crew allotment to handle the sails properly.

The Captain had submitted his charts, as he had agreed to do regularly, and Captain Burton accepted them. The Shamrock’s skipper thought it most proper, since he received the necessary information from the Jersey skipper, that as many men as the boat would be allowed for crew men should be granted, although the exchange meant additional two crew men, one in place of the skipper’s wife and the other instead of Captain Applegate. It was understood that the agreement was fully justified and everything was mutually settled. However, reports

The entire affair, said Captain Diaper, was caused by failure to understand just what both the Jersey skipper and Captain Burton had agreed upon.

Captain Applegate and Captain Burton had been on the most friendly terms, he said. He unhesitatingly replied that he never for the moment thought of appealing for another man at the wheel, and even though there

Captain Diaper was asked what he thought of Captain Turner being at the wheel. He refused to comment on the relative merits of Captains Burton and Turner, but he did assert that Captain Turner, who was at the wheel more or less when the Shamrock won over the Resolute, certainly showed exceptionally brilliant seamanship that would qualify him for skipper on any international yacht.

Captain Diaper, who has been by the wheel with Captain Burton, Turner, and Applegate during the previous races, corroborated the statement made by Applegate yesterday afternoon when the Jersey pilot asserted that the Shamrock had the breeze she wanted on Saturday, but realized that the heavy ground swell that came rolling in from the

"Permit me to say," said Captain Diaper, "that Captain Andrew Jackson Applegate’s strategy of the waters in and about Sandy Hook as well as off shore is, in my opinion, superior to any I have ever met. Since being in this country, noting that nautical strategy off the beach would play an all important part in the race, I must truly confess that the Yankee skipper is in a class by himself and certainly played an all important part in the winning of the second leg by the Shamrock IV. As a nautical strategist I may add Captain Applegate is qualified to board the Shamrock or any other international contender for

Captain Applegate predicts a light, fresh breeze at any rate, for tomorrow’s race.

"What the Shamrock needs," he continued, "is a breeze similar to the one on Saturday, but not accompanied with the heavy ground swell that always follows the stiff

Few onlookers were surprised at seeing the Jersey sea pilot perched high on the wall, but fewer were able to understand why the skipper of the twenty-three-meter Shamrock, whose father acted as adviser on board the Valkyrie II, when the American defender, the Vigilant, defeated her in 1893 by taking three consecutive races, should be there with him. However, the two yachting strategists kept their elevated vantage points throughout the entire race and conversed with one another until long after the American cup defender crossed the line well in front of her adversary.

It is said that Diaper insisted that Applegate should go aboard the challenger yesterday morning, taking issue on the point with Burton. But after much discussion the final decision

"We will soon see," replied the skipper of the 23-meter Shamrock.

Just then the Resolute, forging ahead, tried to cut across the challenger’s bow. This effort failed. Again the American skipper tried to pass the Shamrock’s bow on a starboard tack, but was forced to sheer off shore.

The chart of the final race on Tuesday, July 27, 1920 between the Resolute and Shamrock IV. Again note the inshore course taken by the Shamrock near the Atlantic Highlands and again at Long Branch.

In harder winds, however, the Shamrock had structural problems that prevented the boat from making full use of its advantage in favorable weather. On July 23^rd, Captain Burton reported that, "When it first was reported to me by one of my crew, however, I feared we would have to give up the race. I immediately sent below and learned that the strain of the mainsail on the blocks at the stern of the Shamrock had raised the deck there in an arc possibly two inches. I immediately ordered the mainsail eased, so as to take off the strain on the blocks."

Captain Burton later explained that, "We ordered angle irons set to the webs at the stern deck level and several feet below. The blocks holding the sheets to the mainsail now depend on the angle irons for their support, thus taking the strain off the deck."

I believe that this structural problem led to the calling of the race during rough seas later in the race series and prevented Captain Burton from taking full advantage of the extra sails during a heavy groundswell from the southeast that followed the blow. As a result, it is difficult to determine whether Captain Applegate’s efforts added to or detracted from the Shamrock’s performance during the best-of-five series, but his contribution was well recognized and observable in the various charts of the courses taken by the Shamrock.

Since discovering these NY Times articles about my great-great-grandfather's brother (5A...) and the 1920 Americas Race aboard the Shamrock IV, I have located several of Capt. Applegate's descendents. Ironically, some still live in Capt. Applegate's house in Sea Bright, NJ. The house is directly across from the Methodist Church that I was standing near several years ago. I remember thinking that his house must be nearby, but I had no idea how I would find it!

Over several years of effort overturning stones, I obtained the death certificate of Capt. Applegate's son, Alfred and on a whim looked up "Applegate" in the Wayne, NJ phone book. I expected to find several Applegate listings and little hope of finding a descendent except by calling and dumb luck. Imagine my surprise when the only Applegate listing matched the last known address of Capt. Applegate's son, Alfred! After speaking on the phone with Jack, who turned out to be Alfred's only child, we arranged to meet on my next trip to NJ in no less than Capt. Applegate's house in Sea Bright.

His grandsons graciously allowed me to visit and take pictures, including some pictures of Capt. Applegate on the "Shamrock IV" and his own vessel "Charlotte". Some of the pictures I took of the house and thier photographs are shown below.

During the visit I learned that the Carneige Medal of Honor cited in the NY Times Article was in fact a real award for heroism and bravery, but it was a Congressional Medal of Honor, not a Carneige Medal. It remains in the family as an heirloom. Another interesting fact was that Capt. Applegate was disgruntled about his treatment during the race and refused money for his services to Sir Lipton. Given the above account (and the Applegate dander), this outcome was no great surprise to me. Surprising was that Sir Lipton, in his customary sportsmanship-like way, kept a $40 check with the Lipton Company, in Capt. Applegate's name. Many years later, a Lipton employee asked my new-found cousin Jack if he knew Capt. Applegate. Since he was a direct descendent, Sir Lipton's company re-issued the check that they had been holding for many years for Capt. Applegate! Me, I would have wanted the original check as a keepsake.

I also learned that Capt. Applegate's house stood immediately adjacent to the Sea Bright train station and across from the railroad tracks. It is believed that Capt. Applegate was crossing the tracks and did not notice that the train, previously at the station had not reverse direction as usual and continued south, past the Applegate house. At that time, trains changed gears with a clutch and it is thought that the train was silently rolling out of gear while the conductor changed gears when it struck Capt. Applegate. Coincidentally, Capt. Applegate's daughter Charlotte had just disembarked from the train when it stopped at the station in Sea Bright.

Capt. Applegate, his wife Susan, his daughter Charlotte, and his son-in-law John Robinson are buried at the Methodist Church at Wall and Locust St. in West Long Branch, NJ.