The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-09

yet there are yachtsmen on both sides
of the ocean who would not begrudge an
expenditure of $1,000. or even $500,00O, II
they could win the trophy in a sailing con-
test.
The first race for the America cup was
sailed on the Isle OF Wight course in Aug
ust, 1851 In those days George Steers was
building good sailing schooners in New
York city. He CHANGED to say one day In
the hearing OF J. G. Stevens. George l..
Schuyler. and other yachtsmen that he had
drawn the lines of a schooner that he was
confident could beat any sail-bearing craft
in the world. 1t was the year of the
great exposition in the Crystal Palace In
London. and these gentlemen thought the
time opportune to visit England and en-
gage In an international yacht race. They
examined the plans made by Steers. anu
thought 50 well Of them that syndicate
was formed and the young designer was
given an order to build the boat. the con-
tract price being 10000 with bonus OF
$1,000 IL 1t defeated the English cracks.
The yacht was launched from Steers yard
at the foot OF Eleventh street. New York,
on May 3. 1851, and christened America.
Easy victory I'm England.
1t was a small boat that Mr. Steers put
into the water. When fully rugged II was
notlceapte NANNY Ior It's kfeak sphcdH Va
canvas and fragile looking huif. The
America was a keel boat of 1904 tons meas
urement. s3is feet in length. 22is feet beam.
and feet in hold. 1t was of the regula-
tion two-masted schooner rig. On its trial
trips the America was failure. and car
ried q crew OF thirteen men. 1t was de-
signed as a sea-going boat, and as the
winds were light and the waters smooth.
the big sloop Maria that was used as
tests. Still the designer and owners OF the
America did not lose faith. although the
public did not take much interest in the
vessel When II called from New York
June %, 1851, the first yacht to cross the
ocean and bent on a mission that should
have thrilled every American heart, barely
500 people witnessed the departure. and the
newspapers dismissed the event with "A few
lines.
Capt. Dick" Brown was the sailing mas
ter Of the America, and his crew was COM
posed of genuine Yankee tars, most of
them selected from coasting fishing and
pilot schooners. At Ccwes. on August 2,
1851, a challenge was issued on behalf OF
the America 10 race any vessel or vessels
I'm the Royal Yacht squadron. In reply to
this Commodore Wilton arranged a cup
race around the Isle OF Wight for August
% open TO all vessels. That race made
the America famous ana brought TO this
country the Royal Yacht squadrons cup,
the same one that for nearly fifty years
British yachtsmen have been trying to win
back Seventeen OF Engiand's crack rae
ing boats started one OF them, the Bril-
liant. being a three-masted schooner of s02
tons There was no time allowance OF any
kind A stiff breeze for most Of the course
helped the America. and she easily out
sailed all the fleet. finishing seven or eight
miles ahead OF the Aurora. the second
yacht. with the others strung out and far
behind The America. it's builder, George
Steers. and iss sailing master, Dick
Brown. became famous in a day. I; was a
repetition OF Capt. O'Kelly's famous plac-
ing o! his horse Eclipse--the America irst
the rest nowhere.
Ten Victories for America.
For many years the cup was allowed 20
remain In this country without "a challenge
from the British yachssmen. During the
interval the war Of the rebellion began AMI
was ended In 1863. however. the subjec.
Of an international race began 10 be dis
cusesd and a challenge soon came across
fhs, water TIE race was sailed Augusr 9.
1870 over the course Of the New York
Yacht Club. and was won by the Arseri-
can boat. Magic. owned by Franklin 0s-
good The English challenger. Cambria.
was tenth The Cambria was owned by j.
Ashblry
Ten races in all have been sailed FOR the
America cup. the record standing as fol-
lows.