The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-09-20


were the leetest ships. The Cunard line sent
their best ssels directly to this port and the
became fair one, and proved. beyond cavil, that
the American steamers the tastes. ships aaoa..
The next point that the advocates Of the EGG
lish steamers raised-for they were not Yet
willing 20 give up, and call themselves altogether
beaten-was this: The Collins Mers, said they,
cannot surely stand rough weather: their model
is such that they must be bad winter sea
boats. But, as if the faes would have it that
every objection should be met with q counter do
monstra ton, the Atlantic became disabled in her
machinery, and Obliged to trust entirely to the
ea-gorg qualities Of her hull, and slight sails in
storm that has seldom been equalled She came
out Of the contest bearing laurels for the line
to which she belonged The sea-worthiness of the
Collins steamers was, per force, admitted, and
the boast is now reduced to the prospective accom-
plishments of the Persia and Arabia, steamers now
building by the Cunard company.
Although the most complete victory had already
been won, in the contest for speed between English
and American sailing ships and steam packets, it
still remained to be proven whether John Bull or
Brother Jonathan could produce the fastest sailing
yacht. The best builders had for years been en-
ployed in building yachts for the English Royal
Yacht Club, and by the English government in
building cutters for the national coast service The
immense patronage Of both the government and
the club had been used, and certain remuneration
awaited the constructor Of the yacht that should
beat the crack sailing craft Heretofore afost Long
experience appeared to have brought abe ut the ne
p1us ultra Of English yacht building, when it
rumored that at no distant day New York boat, of
40 tons burthen, would soon appear near the Elg-
lsh squadron, prepared to contest for the fame OF
feetness or for any thing else which might ad-
yisable This New York boat was the America,
whose history is as follows When the challenge
above referred to, Chat Of building an American
ship 10 sail against any one to be produced in Ens
land0 had for long time been open and unac-
esptsd, the Uni) Y cht Club proposed to build &
yacht, take her to England, aud make trial of
speed with her az aiEst any or all of the craft
belonging to the Royal zach. squadron there. A
proposition therefore submitted to VIM. Ill.
Brown, ship builder Of this city, to build yacht
that would out-sau Mr.. Stevens yacht Maria;
if she accomplished this feat, the builder WAS to
receive 800 600; if she failed to beat the lri the
club were not bound 10 take her at all. Mr.. Brown
agreed to the proposition, and set to work. The
result was the yacht America, which, after being
pIoperly fitted up, Joined in the contest against
the Maria. The America was beaten in every
contest, and on every tack, and the club re-
fused to take her. But, notwithstanding the
Maria had beaten the Ameri "a, yet the new yacht
had many admirers, and Mr.. Schuyler, member
OF the club, declared that he believed she would
beat any thing belonging to the English clubs; and
to show that he Yves sincere in this expression OF
opinion, he offered $4,000 for her as she stood.
The builder accepted this offer, and Mr.. Schuyler
set about preparing for the transfer OF the nerca
from New York t. England. In the fist place, he
visited all the pilot boats belonging herea-
bouts, and picked from their crews the most
promising yourg men--the best and IN ost active
sailors that he could find-to the number Of
Ifcga no nj 70 al MS ne creW
Of the yacht. MIR. Schuyler had ne srly COM
Ileted his arrangements, when Mr.. Stevens AID
two other members Of the club applied to him for
the privilege Of Joining him as copaItners in his en-
terprise. To this Mr. 5. consented, aad under the
joint ofthe four par the America sailed
for Great Britain. Her exploits since her arrival
there must be so familiar to the readers o. the NEW
DIRK HERALD that IL is not necessary to repeat q
history Of them here. She appeared among the Eng
fish yachtmen like phantom; so different in build
and appointments from their own craft, that they
right, they were all wrong" Her deeds soon proved
her sailing qualities, and her every appearance
voucl cd for her strength. Her superiority in point
Of speed was striking that no show Of doubt was
made. She at oLce set down as the heetest of
the feet; and admiration Of her induced offer to
purchase her, at a handsome advance on her cost.
Now, as to the model Of the America, and the
source from which her model was obtained. We
think IL Is entirely true that to the New York
pilots belong the credit Of having produced the
heetest and best sea boa.s in the world; AMI it is
curious fact that their oldest models vary but little
from those used at the present day. The principal
difference is in the length and sharpness Of the bows,
and the rake OF the stern. The amount Of drag
observable in the America, and the cause Of much
wonderment or the other side Of the Atlantic, Is
common to all the pilot boats, old and new. To
show the difference IN modelling within the last
twentyfv years, will give the Dimensions Of the
pilot boat Gazette built in 1876, and the pilot boat
Christian Berg, now new
The following were the dimensions Of the Ga
zette;-
Tonnage, by carpenters msasurcment,.... rs tons.
nenth o. MA - au-lsa