Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-27
CAREER OF THE AMERICA.

thusiasts, and as she lies at the MysIlc
Bridge, Boston, housed over and with
masts blackened with age, her saucy
hull looks just as lively as it did
ON the day when she sailed rings around
the British yachts.
Her underbody is painted every year,
although it has been long since she has
been under sail. Her owner Butler
Ames, son of Ben Butler's daughter,
thinks the world of her, and has re-
fused tempting offers. His grandfather
bought her from the Secretary of the
May in 1873, although naval men pro-
tested saying that she was not con
demned by naval board and therefore
could not be sold legally. But Benjamin
kept the goods.
MANY associate the America merely
with the first international yacht race
The famous little yacht did valiant duty
during the civil war, and her fleet heels
stood her in good stead many times,
both on the offensive and defensive.
This was after she passed to British
registry, and had been used by her
owner. Lord John Blacquirre, for a
two years cruise in the Mediterranean.
He then sold her to Lord Templeton,
who owned her five years, sailing under
the British Royal Yacht Club flag.
Templeton sold her in 1859 to
builder who tinkered her up and upon
the outbreak of the civil war the Amer
ica was bought by a Capt. Decie Tor
the Confederate Government.
The Americas first work was to carry
emissaries of the Confederacy to Europe,
where they ordered and purchased ships,
arms and munitions of war, some OF the
latter being transported back to Sayan-
nah by the America.
Then she became blockade runner.
The vessel is fair sized, being 80 tons
register. She is 90 feet keel, 22 feet
7 inches beam and 9 feet draught, and
when she was built, in 1S49, large
cargo could be slowed away in her.
The news that the famous yacht had
become blockade runner caused stlI
at Washington, and Admiral Dupont
was assigned to the task of capturing
her. He sent a detachment under
Lieut.. Stevens, who blockaded Jackson
vile, and sent a crew up the st. Johns
river. There they found the America
sunk in Dunn's creek, one hundred and
forty miles beyond Palatka. She had
been scuttled and deserted.
At ebb tide the auger holes were plug
ped and after a weeks oyerhauling she
was taken to Port Royal, 5. O., under
Federal escort, repaired, and entered the
limited State commission as one OF a
blockading squadron. This was in 1866
and for eleven months the little ship die
valiant duty. Her light draught, speed
and quickness made her invaluable, ano
she made many captures. Among then
were the schooner Virginia, with Sl5,
600 cargo; the steamer Princess Royal
cargo and ship valued at $400, 600, anc
the British steamer Georgianna, captured
after stiff fight. The American mount
ed three gans only, and the British skip
per afterward declared that he would
rather have fallen in with pirate.
In the latter part of 1863 the ship wa
getting worn, for she had stood much
So the Government condemned her anC
bought her in at marshaPs sale for 9
nominal price, 500, and sent her tc
Newport, where for ten years she was
very important figure in the Naval Acad
emy.
Then Gen. Butler bought her.
Modern designers have learned mucl
from this vessel. 1t is recorded that tn
man who designed the America whittle'
the first model from a bit of white pin
and then took off the lines. He didn'
s'fgger," but simply whitfield out wha
he knew would 60 fast and be stanch
And so it is that the basic principle
embodied in the America have beel
recognized as standard by able design
ers.
Crowninshield, Payne, Burgess, an
even the HerreshofFs have deigned {
examine the old ships lines and fro1
them make formulas terrifying in thel
complexity.
The boat is sound, is well cared 10
and will endure long. She may eve
again re-enter commission. If she doe
she will without doubt be as feet as Q
old and as slippery a proposition
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