Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-07

many trophies and side bets to be gather
ed IN on the other side of the ocean, and
that George Steers of Williamsburg now
known as the eastern district of Brook
lyn, n. W, who had already achieved
fine Reputation as the builder of pilot
beats, was the man to design and put to-
gether the needed yacht. Commodore Ste
vens consulted With other members of the
club, and a syndicate was formed to build
the boat. In the syndicate with the COM
modore were 'Messrs. Hamilton Wilkes,
George L. Schuyler, James Hamilton and
]. B. Finlay. While the vessel was in the
course Of censtruction-that was in March,
1S52-the Royal Yacht Squadron, whose
members had heard of what was being
done, sent a communication to Commodore
Stevens offering the Inequalities of the
club to the New Workers. and indicating
that the Yankees could find all the racing
they wanted if they had the nerve to
bring their boats across the water.
The nerve was not lacking. and the yacht,
which had been named America, left New
York in the early part of July, 1851, for
Cowes, England. by the way of Havre,
France, which latter. port she made in
twenty-one days. She was com. handed by
Dick Brown, famous Sandy Hook pilot,
and Designer Steers sailed in her across
the ocean, Nelson GeInstock, another we'll
known pilot, was first mate of the yacht.
Commodore Stevens Joined the vessel at
Havre
EnEIishinen' Surprised.
When the American first appeared before
the gaze of the Englishmen she created a
feeling of great surprise: Nothing like her
had ever been seen before, as she carried
neither jibboom nor foretopmast. When
under way her salts set fat and stiff,
while it was the idea of the English
yachtsmen that sail should bag some
what in order to obtain the full benefit
of the wind. But in brush or two that
the visitor had with yachts in their own
waters the Yankee displayed great speed,
and it quickly became known that the new
arrival was racer.
This was the year of the Crystal Palace
worlds fair, and an international regatta
was arranged as a part of the exhibition
modore Stevens" had before this, tried.
without success, to arrange a private
match.
The regatta took place on August % and
the prize was the Royal Squadron cup,
worth 100 guineas. The course was from
Cowes around the Isle of Wight, without
had fourteen competitors, several of them
being Of greater tonnage than herself
These were the Duke of Marlborough's
schooner Wyvern. 205 tons; Marquis Of
Mr.. J. Weid's~cutterr Alarm, 1893 tons, and
Mr.. G. H. Acker's three-masted schooner
Brilliant, 392 tons The America meas
ured ITO tons
q
fact that the Americans entered that re-
gatta with reluctance The only thing to
win was the cup, and they wanted to make
money enough to pay at least part of
the cost Of building the yacht and taking
her across. They hunted high and low for
bets, but failed TO- discover single sport
who would wager enough to make it worth
while. 1t is said that all they won on the
race was flying jibboom and set of sails,
the cost of swaich.thay. bet with the makers
that the -America could beat any other
boat named. Sir w. z. Carew's 161-ton
schooner Beatrice was named.
By the way, the flying jibboom was car
ried away in the race.
There Was No Second.
The fegatta with the American in it
created the liveliest enthusiasm. Queen Vic
toria and the prince consort shared in the
excitement and went to Cowes to witness
the event. And right here belongs touch
ing little story which has been repeated so
maay,times that 1t must be true.
The America beat the whole fleet of En-
glish racers easy enough, and when she
came in no other yacht was in sight from
the position that her majesty had taken
to see the finish. When the victorious
American hove Insight the queen turned
to her attendant and inquired.
"Who wins?"
1.-The America, your majesty" replied the
lord chamberlain.
And who is seeond?" continued the
queen.
answered, with tears in his eyes, there is
no second"
The America beat Mr. T. L. Merchants
ferty,seren-ton cutter Aurora, the second
boat in. by twenty-four minutes while the
others, as the horse-racing people say.
were all strung out.
The America afterward sailed In a match
with the 1OO-ton schooner Titania in q