New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-14
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MODEL OF THE FAMOUS SCHOONER.

ov, hor ovor 20 cet n race il possible, with the
English boats Naturally George Steers got the
commission to design the boat. and SHE was
built at the yards OF his firm, j. r. ~ "
Steers. The new yacht was launched in Aarch
of 1851, and. after series OF experimental
races in New-YOrk waters was sent over that
summer 70 IIavrc, from which place she went
70 Cowcs and issued her challenge to the British
feet She went rugged as pllotboats OF
those days used to be rugged, with no toretop'
mast and no jibbOom. Before she sailed her
great race she had flying libboom put in' so
fiat in the race she carried a flying jib until
IL carried away much TO the satisfaction oil O'u
Dc,, Brown" her sailing-mastcr. who did not
believe in flying jihs for windward WORK Inc
race was won against British fleet of SIN
schooners and eight cutters. There was some
dieicultv in getting race for the America, the
yachtsmen of England being wary OF her from inc
Grst Outside pressure was strong, however. and
the challenge of the America had to be accepted'
As an example of the pressure brought to bear
on tbe Yacht owners. it may be said that the
e,;,ors ON hoard the yachts Of the Royal Squad
ron cot together and issued a statement to the
o0ect that if any yacht owner would CIV" the
rso of his Yacht they would man Der and run
tho Yankee TO Cape Clear and back, the worse
weather fine better, and crack on TIL the mas's
went 20 hell"
Tho America by her race at Cowcs at once OBJ
.o,ped q worldwide reputation Her owners al
,,.. ,imo wore John G.. Stevens Edwin n.
stevens Hamilton Wilkes, ]. Deekman Finley ana
Ccorro L. SCHUYLER When the America re-
t,rnod 70 this country from her foreign victories
lor r;n was changed and she received foretop-
mast with n sail plan similar to that shown III
,ho recommending cut Before she left COwc-
o, roturn 70 America the Queen went aboard oil
her and infinitely inspected her. She conerati-
lated the owners on the possession oil snch boat
Tho America came back 10 this country, and
for a time was a familiar sight sweeping about
the waters of Ncw-York or Newport. linen sAc
WAS purchased by an English gentleman. and was
used by him as yacht up TO the breaking out oil
the Rebellion Her swltneSs was such that q
syndicate purchased her for blockade running
purposes, and she was Yacht no more. i'nrK
ing about the Florida Keys, lodging men-o-war an'
now and then slipping swiftly over TO Nassau ol
Bermuda. the America lived the life of Il pirate
schooner, and fled from the sight OF that flag
which she once bore SO proudly to victory at the
Isle of Wight. These were stirring days and
nights for the America. Finally she WIS caught
in the St Johns River, Florida. and gunboat
was sent 10 capture her. To prevent her capture
her captain sank her. and there she remained al
the bottom Of the river. Embedded In the mud
with the alligators crawling and padding about
her. until the war was over ana peace rcgncl
once more in a united country
After the close of the war she was raised by tlt
Government and sent to Annapolis to be used by
the cadets III their practice OF fore and aft sailing
Then came the year 1870, and the challenge OF
Commander Ashbury for the Americas Cup, th,
| ,.lfa ali feel
years before. and which had been placed IN Ill,
custody OF the Ncw-york Yacht Club ms perpetual
| international challenge cup With one accor,
| the people demanded that the America be placed
| IN the race 70 defend the cup. The cup had beer
| won by the America against fleet, and in thos,
| days feet was sent ont TO defend IT, 80 tn
| America was sent by the Government to make on
| OF the defending fleet. The America was not III
10 her usual form In this for the cup Though
| she Leaf the English yacht Cambria by l. minutes
| AZ IL seconds, she was fourth IN the race ut th'