The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-30
GROWTH OF COST
OF CUP DEFENSE

The Constitution .....---. 100000
The Reliance ........ 10000
In counting up the cost Of defending
the Americas Cup in these days OF
ninety footers, big crews and big tend
ers, the sum reaches almost startling
figures. Not so in the years previous TO
the challenge of the Valkyrie II, as the
boats of that period were Inexpensive in
comparison with the cup yachts OF the
present, while the wages of crews and
the New York Yacht Clubs outlay IN ar
ranging for the matches and sailing the
races did not amount TO a large sum-
With the coming of the Shamrock I
and the appearance of Sir Thomas Lip
ton as a challenger, the figures Incl
dental to the further protection of the
old trophy increased alarmingly. and
they have still been soaring, until the
match now on hand. A glimpse OF the
estimated cost OF defending the cup from
the days OF the Puritan and Genesta may
be interesting at this juncture.
When Sir Richard Sutton. in 1888. sent
the Genesta here in the attempt TO WIN
the cup, Boston yaehtsmen were promi-
ment in its defense. The sloop Puri-
tan, built by members of the Eastern
Yacht Club of which J. Malcolm Forbes
was the leading spirit, met and defeated
the Genesta. The cost OF building and
running the Puritan was not more than
ss5, 900. Two races were sailed, one
over the New York Yacht Club course,
and the other over course twenty
miles TO leeward off Sandy Hook Light
ship and return The New York Yacht
Clubs expenses were about $1,000.
Only Two Races
Lieutenant Hem. r. N. was the next
challenger. with his cutter Genesta. aid
the Mayfiower, owned by Gen. c. J.
Paine. was the successful defender. Il
required only two races 70 settle this
international controversy. The May
flower cost TO build and run that yeal
Qss6) not more than S42. 600. The club!
expenses were less than $1,000.
With the construction of the Volun
teer, in 1887, TO meet the Thistle tn,
expenses incident 10 bringing the de
Tending boat 10 the line in proper con
dition reached $4,000. The clubs bill
also increased and may have amounte,
to So. COO.
From that time on II required a grea
deal more money TO build suitable boat
for the defense OF the cup, and the ex
pense of manning and running them IN
creased proportionately.
For instance, the chaIlengers cite
from Puritans year to that OF the Vol
unteer cost owners and club. as esti
mated. about $4,000. an average 0
much less than $4,000 match
Expenses Increase.
The syndicate that built the Vigilant
in 1893. had the footing OF bill tina
was so much larger than the cost O
either defender noted il was marked
The construction Of the Vigllant bega
the era Of expensive boats To defend tn
cup. c. Oliver Iselin paid on behal
of the VigiIant syndicate. after she ma
disposed OF the pretensions Of the Val
ky-rie II. a trihe over $IZ5, eco. Whe
the Vigilant was sold TO George J. an
Howard Gould she brought s25 600. Tha
left the cost Of the boat $I00.O coo an
the sum was divided among the Me-
York Yacht Club members who ordere
her
In the year Of the Vigilant the $4,000
which the bronze boat costs does no
represent the amount the challenge G
the VaIkyrie II caused TO be expended b
members OF the club. AS trial candi
date General Paine built the Jubilee, tn
Rogers Morgan syndicate the Colonis
and the Adams Palmer syndicate the PHI
grim These footed up nearly $3.50. 600
vanderbilt's Defender
In meeting the Valkyrie III. in 1ss;
the Defender cost W. X. Vanderbilt
who built her for the club. somethin
like S1s5. 900. The Vigilant then owne
solely by George J. Gould, was the tria
boat for the Defender, and the expense
incident 20 bringing her back from Eu
ropean waters for the purpose and re
fitting here approached 10000. Tn
Defender brought $4,000 when she va
sold 10 be broken up for junk.
In speaking with Mr.. Vanderbilt's sec
rotary regarding the cost of the DE
fender during the year following he
construction he said: Eyes, she cos
a great deal OF money. Much as
frigate"
With the coming of the first Sham
rock everything went booming towar
high water marx in the amount OF III