New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-04-15
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property of the lule james Gordon Bennett, ii
former commodore of the New York Yacht club;
Fleetwing, which belonged to Franklin Osgoou'
and Nesta, the property of Pierre Lorillard.
The race was the result of an argument between
Commodore Bennett and Mr.. Osgood over the
ability of their respective craft. The yachts had
met in a match race over n Sandy Hook course.
and Fleetwing had been the winner. The result
did not please Commodore Bennett and he Of
fered to bet $4,000 that Henrietta could beat
Fleetwing in a race over n real ocean course. The
owner of the Fleetwing accepted the challenge
and it was decided TO race across the Atlantic
ocean.
The race created unusual comment. Such a
contest never before had been attempted, and
the owners were considered the most daring of
amateur sailors. The time chosen for the race
also added to the impression that the y%achtsmen
were tempting sure death in their "foolhardy'
undertaking.. Instead of crossing during the sum-
mer, when the Atlantic is as smooth as a mill
pond, the %yachtsmen elected to race in winter,
and the date of the start was set for December
II, 1866, one year after the ending of the Civil
war.
Pierre Lorillard, another enthusiastic sportsman,
became interested in the contest and suggested
making the race a three-cornered sweepstakes at
$4,000 a corner. The other yachtsmen accepted,
and the much heralded brush started on schedule
time. the finish being Off the Needles, Isle Of
wight, EnEldnu. NOtIllilS Wds Htuiu " III suShlS
until Commodore Benefits Henrietta arrived on
the Needles at 8 :45 p. m. on Christmas day.
Fleetwing finished about 8 hours later and then
came Vesta, which was about an hour and a half
astern of the second craft. Later, II was discov-
cred that yesta really had outsailed the other
yachts, but an error in navigation had lost her
the race. The race showed the world that the
contest was not a f~oolhardy proposition and al
so that the winner was not necessarily the fastest
yacht.
In those days good seaworthy boats raced for
the Americas Cup, a trophy that was creating
more or less interest in the world of sport. Then
special boats were not built for a blue ribbon
of the sea" race. A yachtsman was contented
TO race for the Americas Cup with his usual
cruising craft. Due to this ~sportsmanlike angle Of
early Americas Cup races Commodore Bennett
was able, in 1870. to get another race across the
ocean.
built the schooner Cambria. He decided to have
a fling at the Americas Cup. He planned to
sail across the ocean In his yacht, cruise In Amer
lean waters and incidentally race for the Ameri-
cas- Cup. There was no talk of towing Cambria
across the ocean or bringing her across under
Jury rig, as is done in these decadent days Of
Americas Cup racing. Cambria was going to be
sailed across under full rig, just as she would be
raced on this side of the ocean.
Hearing that Cambria was going TO visit this
country Commodore Bennett suggested a race
across the ocean, nominating his new schooner
Dauntless. Mr.. Ashbury accepted and 1t was de-
cided to race from Cork. Ireland, to America.
The race created even more talk than the contest
in 1866. Dauntless was the favorite. Regardless
of that fact the British schooner proved to be the
winner. crossing the finishing line one hour and
forty-three minutes ahead of the American craft.
II took twentythree days TO make the voyage.
The start was made on July 4. 1870.
Seventeen years later the Dauntless took part
in the third transatlantic race. This was a match
affair against the Coronet. The race was for a
$4,000 side bet. The start was made OF Bay
Ridge and the finish was of Queenstown. ireland.
Again the Dauntless was beaten. The Coronet's