Lot Essay
Arguably, the most celebrated racing yacht ever built was - and has remained - the America of 1851. Her remarkable win at Cowes that summer was the stuff of legend and she returned home in triumph carrying the splendid Hundred Guinea Cup which had been her reward. Ultimately deposited with the New York Yacht Club, it was this trophy which, as the years passed, not only acquired the status of the world's premier yachting prize, but also subtly changed its name to become known as 'The America's Cup'.
In the autumn of 1850, mindful of the forthcoming Great Exhibition to be held the following year, an English merchant suggested to two New York businessmen of his aquaintance that one of the renowned New York pilot-boats be sent to England to compete in the regattas that were to be a feature of the exhibition's festivities. In due course this proposal came to the notice of George Schyler and John Stevens, New York's foremost sportsmen, who approached George Steers to build them a suitable schooner which, as instructed, he modelled on the highly successful design of the city's pilot vessels. When news of this yacht became puplic, the Earl of Wilton - as Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron - immediately issued an invitation to Stevens - as Commodore of the New York Yacht Club - to bring the boat to Cowes in the new season, an offer Stevens accepted with enthusiasm.
Christened America the yacht was launched on 3 May 1851 to great acclaim; registered at 170 tons, she measured 95 feet stem to stern, was 23 feet wide amidships and drew 11 feet of water in sailing trim. Constructed of five different woods, mostly white oak, her thoroughbred lines delighted the syndicate of New Yorkers who had paid for her and preparations were set in hand for her trans-Atlantic crossing. Borrowing the sails belonging to the pilot-boat Mary Taylor and with her 'Wilson' racing sails stowed below, she left for Europe on 21 June; calling at Le Havre to receive the final coat of black paint on her hull, she arrived off Cowes on 1 August and caused an immediate sensation.
The now famous race for which the Royal Yacht Squadron had put up a handsome new Hundred Guinea Cup took place amidst great excitement on 22 August 1851. Eighteen yachts had entered against America although three dropped out before the start. Commencing at 10 o'clock, the 58 mile course was around the Isle of Wight and, after a disappointing start, America took the lead at 11.30. She crossed the finish line at 8.37 that evening eight minutes ahead of the nearest challenger Aurora and, in that instant, achieved the fame which was to remain hers long after her timbers had perished away.
In the autumn of 1850, mindful of the forthcoming Great Exhibition to be held the following year, an English merchant suggested to two New York businessmen of his aquaintance that one of the renowned New York pilot-boats be sent to England to compete in the regattas that were to be a feature of the exhibition's festivities. In due course this proposal came to the notice of George Schyler and John Stevens, New York's foremost sportsmen, who approached George Steers to build them a suitable schooner which, as instructed, he modelled on the highly successful design of the city's pilot vessels. When news of this yacht became puplic, the Earl of Wilton - as Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron - immediately issued an invitation to Stevens - as Commodore of the New York Yacht Club - to bring the boat to Cowes in the new season, an offer Stevens accepted with enthusiasm.
Christened America the yacht was launched on 3 May 1851 to great acclaim; registered at 170 tons, she measured 95 feet stem to stern, was 23 feet wide amidships and drew 11 feet of water in sailing trim. Constructed of five different woods, mostly white oak, her thoroughbred lines delighted the syndicate of New Yorkers who had paid for her and preparations were set in hand for her trans-Atlantic crossing. Borrowing the sails belonging to the pilot-boat Mary Taylor and with her 'Wilson' racing sails stowed below, she left for Europe on 21 June; calling at Le Havre to receive the final coat of black paint on her hull, she arrived off Cowes on 1 August and caused an immediate sensation.
The now famous race for which the Royal Yacht Squadron had put up a handsome new Hundred Guinea Cup took place amidst great excitement on 22 August 1851. Eighteen yachts had entered against America although three dropped out before the start. Commencing at 10 o'clock, the 58 mile course was around the Isle of Wight and, after a disappointing start, America took the lead at 11.30. She crossed the finish line at 8.37 that evening eight minutes ahead of the nearest challenger Aurora and, in that instant, achieved the fame which was to remain hers long after her timbers had perished away.