The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-08-22
TODAY IN HISTORY
"Anerica" Wins Great international

MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1910.

"AmerIca" Wins Great International
Regatta.
August % Is the greatest day in the
history OF American yachting. for II was
on that date in 1851 that the United
States yacht America won the great in
ternatonal regatta held In London. The
prize was no less than The Cup Of All
Nations" No one had seriously consid-
cred the Americans In this race. and in
respect to the English public, 1t can truly
oe said that fair play and manly ac-
acknowledgement OF fair beat were never
more honorably exhibited"
The America was built by George
Steers of Brooklyn, y. Y, and was COM
manded by Commodore John G, Stevens
OF New York. Until the very day OF this
celebrated contest no Englishman ever
dreamed that any nation could produce
a yacht with the latest pretensions to
match the efforts OF White, Camper.
Ratsey and other eminent English
builders.
a large portion Of the British peerage
and gentry left their residences and for
sock their usual diversions to witness
the struggle between the yachtsmen OF
England. hitherto unmatched and un-
challenged, and the Anne ricans who had
crossed the Atlantic TO meet them. The
regatta took place at Cowes. seaport
OF the Isle OF Wight. Eighteen English
yachts were entered. The race started
at precisely 10 o'clock, with a gentle
breeze blowing, II was ended at $50.
with the America we'll in the lead.
Off Cowes were immune rable yachts,
and on every side was heard the hail. "ls
the America hrst?" The answer, Eyes. i"
What's second?" The rely. Nothing"
That night TO Commodore Stevens was
presented, by the royal yacht squadron,
the wen-won cup On the evening after
the race there was a splendid display OF
fireworks by land and water along the
clubhouse esplanade, at which thousands
or persons were present. a reunion also
took place at the clubhouse, and the oc-
caslon was taken OF the Hon. Abbott
Lawrence's (the American minlster)
presence TO compliment him on the sue
cess OF his countrymen; to which the
minister made a suitable reply.
The queen having iDtimated her de-
sire TO inspect the America. the latter
sailed from Cowes TO Osborne, where the
Victoria and Albert dropped down. AS
the queen, with Prince Albert and suite,
neared the America, the national col
ors OF that vessel were dipped, out OF re-
spect TO her majesty. and raised again
when she had proceeded on board. The
queen made close inspection OF the
vessel. attended by Commodore tSeyens,
Colonel Hamilton and the officers OF the
yacht remaining half an hour on board,
and expressing great admiration OF the
famous schooner. Indeed, the America s
beautiful and ingenious model, and her
remarkable sailing qualities, were the
astonishment OF everybody.
The first American yacht club was Or
ganiZed in New York on July 80. 1914.
Its first races were sailed on the Hud-
son, AT present the New York Yacht
club is not alone the oldest club In this
country, but has the finest yacht club
house in the world. with fleet number
Ing more than 600,
The America was the first yacht built
In this country that raced in a compe-
tition with foreign yachts, The cup won
Is valued al $500, and was presented to
the New York Yacht club by the own
ers OF the America, TO be held thereafter
as a trophy OF the yachting supremacy
OF the world. Following this yacht race
in 1851. the next race to be run between
the American and British yachtsmen for
this cup was in 1870, since which time
yacht races between the two countries
have been held every few years. with the
result always in favor OF the American
built boat.