Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-07-14
American Cup
Races Scheduled
to Begin Thursday

Naw York, July 1.-THE first race
IN II wears for the Americas cup will
start Thursday off Sandy Hook, the
eontesting boats being the cup defend
Or Resoute, and the challenger Sir
Thomas s. Lipton's Shamrock ~. 1t
NAV be interesting at this time both 90
yachtsmen and to great many who
are not acquainted with this form OF
spot to read few facts in connection
with this historic yachting trophy.
To begin with the Americas cup at
first was not an International trophy.
In fact 1t had no significance other
than being prize offered by the Roy
al Yacht Squadron for a race around
The Isle of Wight, Eng, which was
open to all nations. In August, 1851,
the schooner yacht America, owned by
Commodore John L. Stevens and four
other members of the New York Yacht
club, won this race and the cup be-
came their property. Six years later,
Commodore Stevens and his associates
conveyed the prize to the New YorS
Yacht club in trust as perpetual in
iernational trophy which has since
been known as the Americas cup, TAX
ing its name from the schooner yacht
which won it in British waters.
First Race in 1870.
The first race for the Americas cup,
as an International prize, was held on
August 5, 1870, over the regular course
Of the New York Yacht club in New
York's lower bay. The challenging
boat was Cambria, owned by Jar,es
Ashbury, Of the Royal Yacht Squa-
dron, Eng, and the cup was defended
by practically the whole fleet of the
New York Yacht club. That, however,
was the only race in which the chal- |
lenger ever had to sail against a fleet
and the only contest in which the is
sue was decided by single race. Cam
Drla, by the way finished tenth in
mat event while the old America fin
sned fourth, the race being won by
Magic, the yacht Idler finishing Sec
ond.
In all there have been twelve con-
'esls Tor the cup, in the second of
[hlch Mr.. Ashbury challenged with
.ae schooner Livonia and the New
iofK Yacht club agreed to defend the
nophy with only one boat in the race.
Inc lSTl contest was the best four
oul OF seven races. Livonia won a
ansle y race owing to the steering gear
" Tue defender Columbia breaking
.v"n' only twice since that day, Oc-
.Oeer IL, 1871, has challenging Yacht
sossed the finished line ahead of the
r rreielolng boat. On September 10. 1895
,aisyrie III, after following the de-
.eluer finished l minute and 16 sec
w. snus ahead of the American boat and
~ y, oclooer 4, 1901, Shamrock II fin
,sleu TWO seconds ahead of Columbia
~. lost to the defender by virtue of
''nVeu,ng AZ second time allowance.
,ses ue races of 1876, 1881, 1885.
s,s', .vIs ana 1897, the contests were de-
~ uusu ~ on the basis of the best two ont
w.. " ulee races. From 1888 to the last
M M -, ~ lsoS the agreement was for
three out of five races,
: H.. ooiumbia the Speediest.
,scs =. as'est time ever made IN a
n NJ, ~ ,or the Americas cup is credited |.
tohs. ~ V'u schooner Columbia. On Oc-
dsfsa,.s - lsl, the day before she was
nTss s'su !, BY Livonia, she sailed 20,
h II, y ieeward and windward 40 miles
ands u :. nours l minute and 80 sec
EVER ,ha. ~ must not be inferred, how
,T wan. saat the Columbia was the fast
There is mat ever sailed for the Gun.
relative sa ~ method of determining the
othsr 's e. speed of two or more 5oats ate
which n tha oy the results of a race in
hnSi. la ,ney sail together. When @ en- ~
undoubtaaa1aaIe f ,aaae the fact time referred to
rhe ,.s. ano sea We're most favorahla
nile eaases 1ss,est time ever made ON . J 1e.
u nilss ssrse Sc straight away and T rat,ru 70
ssnder v,ai,l ~ all is credited to the de- {
lsus s's !. she covered the course %, 1e'GoeP in
The fas,auan minutes and 90 seconds +,
Or the ,es. enn u. time in triangular race /,
October 'aD = ,sss was made by Columbia aaee on
h1ce thirt,, ,Sr, 20, the time for the dis
h The first 'tfs tbrso being s:sO:1s. /