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Lot Essay
During the late 1860's and 1870's, large sums of money would be placed on the outcome of private races sailed between yachts of the New York Yacht Club. Two yachts who success in these races were unsurpassed were the schooners Dauntless and Sappho, seen here racing in the autumn of 1874.
Dauntless, 123 feet in length with a beam of 25 feet and 9 foot draught was originally built as a sloop in 1866, but redesigned as a schoner in 1870 for her new owner Commodore James Gordon Bennett. She was chosen to defend the America's Cup of 1871 against Livonia, but due to an accident before the start was replaced by Columbia.
Built by C.& R. Poillon in 1867, Sappho 145 feet with a beam of 27.4 feet and draught of 12.9 feet, also defended the 1871 America's Cup but proved to be a disappointment.
Dauntless, 123 feet in length with a beam of 25 feet and 9 foot draught was originally built as a sloop in 1866, but redesigned as a schoner in 1870 for her new owner Commodore James Gordon Bennett. She was chosen to defend the America's Cup of 1871 against Livonia, but due to an accident before the start was replaced by Columbia.
Built by C.& R. Poillon in 1867, Sappho 145 feet with a beam of 27.4 feet and draught of 12.9 feet, also defended the 1871 America's Cup but proved to be a disappointment.