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
Ign, 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 construction-thet was in March,
1Sa2-the Royal Yacht Squadron, whose
members had heard of what was being
done, sent 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.
twenty-one days. She was commanded by
Dick Brown, a famous Sandy Hook pilot,
and Designer Steers sailed in her across
the ocean. Nelson Comstock, another we'll
known pilot, was first mate of the yacht.
Commodore Stevens Joined the vessel at
Havre.
EnElishmen 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 sails set fiat and stiff,
while it was the idea of the English
yachtsmen that sail should bag some
what in order to obtain the full beneti:
of the wind. But in a brush or two that
the visitor had with yachts in their own
waters the Yankee displayed great speed,
and 1t quickly became known that the new
arrival was a racer.
This was the year of the Crystal Palace
worlds fair, and an International regatta
was arranged part of the exhibition.
1t should be stated, however, that Com
nodore 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
time allowance for tonnage The America
had fourteen competitors. several of them
These were the Duke of Marlborough
schooner Wyvern, 2o5 tons; Marquis of
Conyngham's schooner Constance, 2iS tons;
Mr.. J. Yields cutter Alarm. 1913 tons, anu
Mr.. g. H. Acker's three-masted schooner
Brilliant. 392 tons. The America meas
ured 10 tons
1t seems strange to think of. but # is a
fact that the Americans entered that re-
gatta with reluctance. The only thing 10
win was the cup, and they wanted to make
money enough to pay at east a part of
the cost of building the yacht and taking
her across. They hunted high and low fol-
bets, but failed 20 discover a single spor.
who would wager enough to make it worth
while. 1t is said that all they won on the
race was flying jibboom and a set of sails
the cost of which they bet with the makers
bat b. 10, l..
boat named. Sir W. Z. Carews 16l-tou
schooner Beatrice was named.
BY the way. the flying j.bboom was car
ried away in the race.
There Was No Second
The regatta with the American in il
created the liveliest enthusiasm. Queen Vic
toria and the prince consort shared in the
excitement and Went to Cowes to witness
the event. AMI right here belongs a touch
ing little story which has been repeated so
many tines that it must be true.
The America beat the whole feet of En-
gis.; =" easy enough, and when she
came jti,er yacht was in sight from
the pcs mat her majesty had taken
to see t.. Irish. When the victorious
American hove in sight the queen turned
to her attendant and inquired
who wirs?"
THE America, your majesty" replied the
lord chamberlain.
"And who is secoud?" continued the
queen.
alas, your majesty the chamberlain
answered, with tears in his eyes, there is
no second"
The America beat Mr. T. L. Merchants
forty-seveT-ton cutter Aurora, the second
boat in, by twcnty-four minutes, while the
others. as the horse-racing people say.
were all strung out.
with Tie i5o-:on schooner Titania in a