The Washington herald., 1913-03-23

Now that Sir Thomas Upton has been
turned down for the second time by the
New York Yacht Club. the history of the
famous trophy which stands for the blue
ribbon Of the sea is interesting. Had a
series of races been arranged, il would
have been the thirteenth time that the
New York Yacht Club has had to defend
it. The chronology Of the cup. showing
the changes made in the conditions gov
crning the matches. the changes in meas
urement rules and some other important
features are a live topic just now.
1t was in 1851 that the Royal Yacht
Squadron offered a $500 cup for a race
around the Isle of Wight to which foreign
yachts were invited. There was no time
allowance for tonnage and America,
owned by Commodore j. c. Stevens and
other members of the New York Yacht
Club, Won. The owners of the America
were Commodore Stevens, Edwin A. Stew
vens George l.. Schuyler. Hamilton
Wilkes j. Beekman Finlay, and Col.
James A. Hamilton.
In 1851 the cup was decided TO the New
York Yacht Club to be held as a perpet-
ual challenge cup for international races
between vessels OF not les. than thirty
nor more than 800 tons measured by the
custom house rule of the country TO which
the wells belonged. This original deed
said the parties desiring to sail for the
club in possession that may be determined
upon by mutual consent, but in case of
disagreement as to terms the match 10 be
sailed over the usual course of the annual
regatta of the yacht club in possession
of the cup and subject to its rules and
sailing regulations.
Defended in SGD.
James Ashbury wanted to sail for the
cup in 1863 and asked that one yacht to
represent the challenging club be put
against his yacht Cambria. The club de-
clined TO accept this challenge and told
Mr.. Ashbury that he would have to sail
against the fleet of the New York Yacht
Club. race finally was arranged. The
Cambria sailed against the fleet of the de-
Tending club according to the clubs rules
and time allowance was based on the ton
mage measurement rule. The Magic won
the race.
In 1871 Mr.. Ashbury arranged series
of races with his yacht Livonia. The de-
Tending club agreed to meet the halleng-
or with one vessel Ashbury brought cha.-
lenges from twelve clubs Columbia de-
Tended the cup until she lost through an
accident and Sappho was substituted in
succeeding races. The cup stayed here,
but the series ended in a protest.
The Countess of Dufferin came in 1876.
The club defended with the Madeleine, a
dams 1880 tons. Under the rule of
measurement Madeleine had an allowance
of one minute one second. The Madeleine
won.
In 1851 the Atlanta came from Canada
This was the first sloop to challenge and
the cup was defended and won by the
Mischief.
American Measurements.
The American rule of measurement in
all races to this time was figured on the
cubical contents of the hull below the
lowest point of freeboard.
New York Yacht Club members in 1881
decided that the deed of gift was not ade-
uuate 1t allowed yachts to tow through
the canal. and as the races were to bring
out seamanship well as speed, the deed
wa. amended. The cup was returned to
George L. Schuyler. the surviving donor,
and redeeded to the club. clause was
inserted which required vessels to proceed
on their own bottoms to the port of con-
test another that no vessel could race
again until two years had elapsed and the
challenger was to be met by one vessel
The mutual agreement clause was re
tanned.
In 1892 the measurement rule of the
New York A. c. was changed The for
muIa was twice length plus square root
of sail area divided by three.
Genesta sailed for the cup in 1855
against Puritan. The match was two out
of three races and Puritan Won Puritan
under the rule allowed thirty-eight Sec
onds in forty miles.
Mnynower Wins.
In 1856 the Mayfiower defeated the Gala
tea in series Of races. and the Mayflower
allowed thirty-nine seconds in forty miles.