Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-07-14
AMERICAS CUP
History International
Yacht Racing Trophy
First Contest in 1851. Won by Amer.
ica-No Race in Past II Years -
Sir Thomas Upton with Shamrock
Nv to Attempt Lifting of Cup This
Week

New York. July 13-The first race
in It years for the America S cup will
start Thursday off Sandy Hook, the
boats being the cup de-
fender Resolute. and the challenger
Sir Thomas S. Liptons Shamrock
" It may be interesting at this
time both TO yachtsmen and to a
great many who are not acquainted
with this form of sport to read a
few facts in connection with this
historic yochting trophy.
To begin with the Americas Cup at
first was not an international trophy.
In fact it had no significance other
than being a prize offered by the
Royal Yacht Squadron for race
around the Isle Of Wight, England.
which was open 10 all nations. In
August 1851. the schooner yeach Am
erica. owned by Commodore John L.
Stevens and four other members of
the New York Yacht club. won this
race and the cup became their prop
erty. Six years later, Commodore
Stevens and his associates conveyed
the prize TO the New York Yacht
Club in trust as a perpetuol interna-
tionai trophy which has since been
known as the America S cup. taking
its name from the schooner yacht
which won it in British waters.
The first race for the Americas
cup. as an International prize, was
held on August s, 1870. over the regu-
lar course of the New York Club in
New York's lower bay The chal-
longing boat was Cambria, owned bv
James Ashbury, of the ROYAL Yacht
Squadron. Eng, and the cup was de
Tended by practically the whole feet
of the New York Yacht Club. That.
however, was the only race in which
the challenger ever had to sail Il
gainst a fleet and the only contest
in which the issue was decided by
single race. Cambria, by the way.
in that event while the old
finished fourth. the race be-
ing won by Magic. the yacht Idler
second
In all there have been twelve con-
tests for the Cup. in the second Of
which Mr.. Ashbury challenged with
the schooner Livonia and the New
York Yacht Club agreed TO defend
the trophy with only one boat m
the race. In 1871 contest was the
best four out of seven races. Livonia
won single race owing to the steer
ing gear of the defender Columbia
breaking down. Only twice since
that day, October 49,. 1871. has 4
yacht crossed the finish
line ahead of the defending boat.
On September 70. 1895, Valkyrie III.
after following the defender finished
minute and is seconds ahead Of
the American boat and on October
!. 1901, Shamrock II finished two sec
1nds ahead of Columbia, but lost to
he defender by virture of conceding
Y seconds time allowance.
In the races of 1876. 1881. 1885, 1856
md 1887, the contests were decided
IN the asis of the best two out Of
.hree races. From 1893 to the last
ACE in 1903 the agreement was for
he best three out Of five races.
on only three occasions has one
If tn compiling yachts for the Ameri-
as Cup failed to finish. In the last
IN the last race Of the 1895 contest,
Valkyre III withdrew immediately
after crossing the starting line On
October L. 1899, Shamrock lost her
.opmost and withdrew In the second
ace of that year and on September /.
). 1908. Shamrock III did not finish I
n the final race of the series as she /
vas already beaten and had nothing
% goin by continuing
Just once in the history Of the cup !
aces has competing yacht been
disqualified. This was in the second I
ace of the series of 1895 when Lord !
Ounraven's valkyrie III was disqual- |
fled for fouling Defender.
The fastest time ever made in !
ace for the Americas cup is credit |
ID to the old schooner Columbia. On |
October is. 1871. the day before she |
vas defeated by Livonia. she sailed /
% miles leeward and windward 10
niles in all in ; hours. minute and /
3 seconds. It must not be inferred. |
however. that the Columbia was the |
'astest yacht that ever sailed for