Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-01-06
The Americas Cup.
Its Winning and Its Defence - The
Races sailed and who sailed Them.

The Americas Cup.
Its Winning and Its Defence - The
Races sailed and who sailed Them.
To the Editor OF the JOURNAL AND COURIER
Now that contest for the international
trophy is assured through the challenge
recently sent by the Earl of Dunraven and
promptly accepted by the New York
interest in the coming event which will
likely grow even beyond the limits hereto
fore known in these affairs. 1t is not
strange that it should create widespread
enthusiasm on both sides of the Atlantic,
for the retention of the cup means the re-
endorsement of the American Idea" and
the continued supremacy of Yankee build,
rig and handling, while the success of the
British craft would indicate that John
Bulls indomitable stick-to ative ness pos
sesses home in the hearts of Britannia's
yachtsmen, for it will be remembered that
many feet-winged craft flying the "Union
Jack" have, during the past forty-three
years, since the cup has been here, come
over with high hopes of success aud re-
turned defeated but undismayed-
Frequently recurring contests possesses
international trophy-fsmiliarly known as
sThe Americas Cup"-with an interest
which compels inquiry regarding its his
tory. Originally, the cup was the prize,
at it's annual regsttss, of the Royal Ysc ht
Squadron and WAS contested for only by
yachts enrolled in that organization. In
the year 1851 the Squadron made its re-
;ax f%aI
tition from everywhere. 1t happened that
the Ameroa was visiting British waters.
She at once entered for the regatta and on
August % danced over the course, around
the Isle of Wight, to so lively tune and
in 30 great a lead that her many compe-
titors were given ample time to conclude
that England's boasted yachting suprema-
cy, wherever else it may have been fact,
was in truth but a fancy. when applied
to "that fair land beyond the
western seas" The America followed
up and emphasized her great victory by
challenging various lively British craft,
| but 80 thoroughly had she at once estsb-
lished her superiority that she secured but
one match. After her successes the
America was sold to one of her English
| admirers; then she changed owners several
| times, at one period, during the war oi
| the rebellion, being in possession of oul
| government, used for dispatch boat
| until finally her present owner, General
Benjamin F. Butler, bought her and bs:
| ever since kept her in good trim and evel
ready for a brush with all comers. The
| writer saw her only last season in the
thick of bunch of our most renowned
| flyers, handsomely holding good posi-
ton well along towards the finish of race
| plainly demonstrating that her gallant
owner has constantly improved and vel
| cared for her; for without doubt she sails
| at the very least, 90 per cent faster thar
when she made herself famous.
Upwards of hundred ounces of silvel
wrought srtistically into the shape of al
ever, of rather delicate design, measuring
in height about two feet, is the cup. Oh
one of the several msdsllions that sur
round its broadest part, as its princips
inscription is this: Zone hundred RuineI
cup, won August 90, 1851, by Ysch
America This is followed by the name
of the yachts that contested with her
Another medallion is inscribed, "Schoone
America, 10 tons, Commodore John c
Stevens, built by George Steers, New
York. .rS51." The cup, by her winning o
it, became the property of the America
owners; in 1857 1t was decided to max
the trophy a perpetual international chal
lenge cup. and 1t was transferred to tn
New York Yacht club by ''the first deed o
gift" This deed gave the cup to the Ney
| York Yacht club with the condition ths
1t be ever open to challenge by any ol
ganized foreign yacht club. Yacht
competent to challenge required TO be be
between thirty and 800 tons, custor
| house measurement of their ow
country. Notice of measurement, length
rig and name were required 81
months previous to the race. Term
of the race might be by mutcal agreement
but If not 90 arranged the challenger coul
race under the rules of the club possessin
the cup over its usual club course.
1876 the NewYork Yacht club with sport,
manlike liberslity agreed to sail best thre
races out OF Ave and to name but one CON
petitor. This practice has ever sinc
: been maintained. In 1882, after muc
consideration, 1t was deemed that In ii
; interest of fairness the ''deed of gift
l should be somewhat changed. I
: bring this about properly the Gu
was returned to Mr.. George L. Schu.
{ Ter, who was now the only done
4 still living, he returning IL to the club u
!. der a second deed of gift, which add,
: other restrictions to those of the first. II
most important new requirements wer
First, yacht must be built in the COUNT
of the challenging club and proceed und
. sailed over. Secondly, that the challeDi
must come from q club having for its q
nual regatta q course on the ocean or
Q arm of the sea practicable for yachts
= 800 tons measurement There had be,
for some years considerable contention b
J. tween British and American yschtsmsn
" to the fairness of the dimensions rule
In the hope of adjusting the various OPT
10 ions another. a "third deed of gift" W
r arranged in 1887, and 1t is under II
= "new" deed of gift that the present mat
has been made.
1t was not until 1870 that q chsllen
g came for the cup; then Mr.. James Asbu
- of the Royal Thames Yacht club sent oy
the schooner Can't oria, which on August
sailed In company with twenty six oths
at over the club course. The Magic wop,
Ii feating the Cambria by 80 minutes 12 o
N onds, the Cambria taking tenth place, VII
the old America crossed the fnish ii
II fourth among such company ss Dauntle
,e Idler, Phantom and Silvie.
T. In 1871 Mr.. Asbury gsllsntly follow
his defeat with another challenge, nsmi
m the Livonis. At the suggestion of
10 George L. Schuyler the New York Vac
club consented to change the custom
having the challenging acht contest W
q tqusdron, although the America had "
ns 10 the cup under such conditions, and dec
81 ed to put but one yacht a. q time Agsiv
r the Lavonia, reserving the pri
lege of naming the yacht on
MT morning of each race and further
he have four races out of seven to deci
IS The first rscs October 16 over the cl
course was won by the Columbia In
er minutes. 4 seconds; the second fr