The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-28
THE QUEENS CUP.


This ''cup,n the conditions which it Is held and
attempt to win 1t which was last year made by an
English yacht, and the possible renewal OF this
attempt at the end Of the present year, have lately
been made the subject OF warm discussion on both
sides OF the Atlantic; and we propose to review
the course or this discussion, and place concisely
before our readers its salient points, with the view
OF enabling them to fully understand the present
interesting position. The history OF the cup is as
follows:-Tne schooner yacht America, built from
the designs OF the late Mr.. George Steers and flying
the Commodore's burgee of New York Yacht Club.
came to the Solcnt in the summer OF
1851. She measured us tons by American
measurement, about 80 tons by the English
or Royal Thames Yacht Club rule. A great
ceDtlng ana after sue had been about month in
the Solent she entered in one OF the Royal Yacht
Squadron matches. THIS was an open race-yachts
of any country any rig, any size, no time allow
ance-for cup presented by the Squadron. The
course was round the Isle OF Wight, and there were
almost calm, at Others pretty breeze; and judg-
ing only by this one match It would be difficult
TO form trustworthy estimate OF the America
racing qualities but 1t Is sufficient at the
present moment for to know that the event
same cup was presented by the owners of the
America tor more than one gentleman participated
N the renown she achieved to the New York Yacht
following Is an extract from the deed OF gin which
deed forms the basis OF the somewhat warike argu-
mept now waging:-"Any organized yacht Clue or
any foreign country shall always be entitled, through
any one more or It's members, to claim the rlgnt
OF sailing a match for this cup with any yacht or
other vessel of not less than 80 nor more than 800
tons. measured by the custom house rule of the
country TO which the vessel belongs"
Mr.. Ashbury, owner or the English schooner Yacht
Cambria, 1855 tons, built by Ratsey went to America
last year, and having challenged in proper form was
allowed 10 compete Tor this cup Apart from details
The conditions OF the race were that 1t was open to
all yachts OF the New York Yacht Club. with time
was sailed on the sth August. 1870 in New York Bay
The course was about forty miles, the wind steady
whoesaii breeze and there were eighteen starters,
measurement, larger than the Cambria. The race
was certainly good one: but 1t was lost to the
Cambria very soon after the start when she appears
10 have made one long and unfortunate board, and
lost ground, which she was never after able TO re-
cover. Later on she carried away her foretopmast
but this is not reported to have done her chance OF
the race much harm, and ut the flush she came in
the eighth vessel, and about twenty-seven minutes
after the winner.
since then the owner of the Cambria has built
another vessel larger than she, and he hopes bet
ter shape; and he has declared his determination to
again challenge the possession OF the same cup. I'D
10 the present time as many as eight clubs have
commissioned this gentleman TO represent them in
America; and 1t appears to be his Intention start
Qf necessary again ana again until all his commas
a fresh club, and each time hoping, We suppose, for
better luck; for we cannot suppose that he REGARDS
his vessel as race horse, and likely to improve
speed as she gets into training. Now this being the
plan OF the proposed campaign the question OF IN.
terest at the present moment IS whether tho Amerl
cans Will alter the conditions on which these battles
shall be fought adhere TO those they have hitherto
adopted They clam the right To deeud the possess
sion OF the cup by entering any and many yachts
belonging to their club as they please, while the
challenging party shall enter but one vessel OF q
certain limited size. And, on the other nand. Mr.
Ashbury and HIS supporters claim to sail against
only one vessel which shall tie selected by the New
YORK Yacht Club to defenu the cup
The arguments advanced on either side In support
OF these conflicting claims appear 10 be tnese:-The
holders OF tho cup produce the deed OF gift, and
point out that makes no mention OF their select
Ing O solitary champion; WHILE IN contradistnction
to the liberty which II allows then 1t particularly
bring The challenge ana the fairness VI these terms
they say Is manifest Tor was not the cup won In
race against fifteen other yachts This side OF the
story Is backed up by American Councirs opinion
which, abiding TO the paragraph we have quoted
above says that the words with any yacht or other
vessel OF not less than 80 nor more tnan 800 tons"
must refer either TO side or the other-that, In
fact, the words OF the deed limit one party and leave
che other frce-the meaning OF the words being
either that an organized yacht club may send
challenge by one vessel OF the size mentioned and
enter her only In the competition. against the whole
feet or yachts belonging to the challenged club; or
1t means the reverse. namely that the holders OF
the cup may put forward only one vessel OF limited
size TO defend IL against any number OF any sized
vessels sent by the challenging club. The American
Council contends that the latter OF these alternative
cause other parts OF the same sentence that about
the measurement OF the yacht by the custom mouse
rule Of the country she belongs to-make ~ impos.
elDe. And further, that this Interpretation IN not
characterized by probability OF truth because the
conditions II would impose ON the defenders OF the
cup would be absurd. .
The other side OF the argument is IA curious as 1t
IL ingenious. IL Is urged that In That sentence OF
the deed OF gift which we have already quoted,
where IL says "a recognized club &C., may sail win
any yacht, &c," the meaning may DC that tne
Recognized club NC, may sail against any yacht
&C." thereby limiting the defenders Of the cup 10
one vessel and allowing the ohallengcrs as many ~
they like. Or they say, the words with any yacht"
may mean 'Detween any two yachts thereby sig.
nfying that there should be but one competitor on
each side. These, however, they seem 10 recognize
as but crude notions, founded perhaps on too free
translation OF the wording OF The deed OF gilt but
the following complete cham Of argument adopted