Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-04-21


property of the late james Gordon Bennett, a
former commodore of the New York Yacht club;
Fleetwing, which belonged to Franklin Osgood,
and Vesta, the property of Pierre Lorillard.
The race was the result of argument between
Commodore Bennett and Mr.. Osgood over the
ability of their respective craft. The yachts had
met in match race over a 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 real ocean course. The
owner of the Fleetwing accepted the challenge
and it was decided to race across the Atlantic
Yhe 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 yachtsmen
were tempting sure death in their "foohardy"
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
IL, 1866, one year after the ending of the Civil
war;
Pierre L0riard another enthusiastic sportsman
became interested in the contest and suggested
making the race three -cornered sweepstakes at
$4,000 corner. The other yachtsmen accepted,
and the much heralded brush started on schedule
time, the finish being off the Needles, Isle of
Wight England. Nothing was heard of the yachts
until Commodore Benefits Henrietta arrived off
the Needles at AS p m. on Christmas day.
Fleetwing finished about hours later and then
came Vesta, which was about an hour and half
astem of the second craft. Later it was discov-
cred that Vesta really had outsailed the other
yachts, but an error in navigation bad lost her
the race The race showed the world that the
contest not foolhardy proposition and al
so that the winner not necessarily the fastest
yacht.
In those days good seaworthy boats raced for
the Americas Cup, a trophy that creating
more or less interest in the world of sport. Then
special boats were not built for 'blue ribbon
Of the sea" race 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 1S70 to get another across the
ocean.
James Ashbury, an English yachtsman, had
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
ican waters and incidentally race for the Ameri-
cas- Cup. There was no talk of towing Cambria
across the ocean bringing her across under
jury rig, 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
Hearing that Cambria was going to visit this
country Commodore Bennett suggested race
across the ocean, nominating his schooner
Dauntless Mr.. Ashbury accepted and it de-
cded to race from, Cork, Ireland, to America
The race created even more talk than the contest
in 1866 Dauntless was the favorte. 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
1t took twentythree days to make the voyage
The start made July 4, 1870.
Seventeen years later the Dauntless took part
in the third transatlantic race. This match
affair against the Coronet. The race was for
$4,000 side bet. The start was made off Bay
Ridge and the finish was off Queenstown Ireland
Again the Dauntless was beaten The Coronet's