Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1921-04-15

property of the late james Gordon Bennett,
former commodore of the New York Yacht club;
Fleetwing. which belonged to Franklin osgood.
and Vestn, the property of Pierre Lorillara.
The was the result OF an argument between
Commodore Bennett and Mr.. osgood over the
ability of their respective craft. The yachts had
met In match race 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
F1eetwing In a race over a real ocean course The
owner Of the Fleetwing accepted the challenge
and 1t was decided to race across the Atlantic
ocean.
The 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 "foolhardy"
undertaking. Instead OF crossing during the sum-
mer, when the Atlantic Is smooth as mill
pond, the yachtsmen elected to In winter,
and the date of the start was set for December
IL, 1865, one year after the ending Of the Civil
war.
Pierre LOrIllard, another enthusiastic sportsman.
became interested In the contest and suggested
making the race three-coFnered sweepstakes at
$4,000 corner. The other yachtsmen accepted.
and the much heraided brush started schedule
time. the finish being Oft the Needles. Isle OF
Wight England. Nothing was heard OF the yachts
until Commodore Benefits Henrietta arrived on
the Needles at AS p. m. on Christmas day.
E1eetwing finished about s hours later and then
came Yesta, which was about an hour and q half
astern OF the second craft. Later, II was dlscoV-
cred that Vesta 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 fooihardy proposition and 81.
so that the winner not necessarily the fastest
yacht
In those days good seaworthy boats raced Tor
the Americas Cup, q trophy that creating
more less interest In the world Of sport Then
special boats not built for blue ribbon
Of the sea" race a yachtsman was contented
to race for the Americas Cup with his usual
cruising craft. Due this spOrtsmAnlIke angle Of
early Americas Cup races Commodore Bennett
was able, In 1870, 70 get another race across the
ocean.
James Ashbury, an English yachtsman. had
built the schooner Cambria. He decided 10 have
a fling at the Americas Cup. He planned 10
sail across the IN his yacht. cruise in Amer
ican 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. ms II done In these decadent days or
Americas Cup racing Cambria was going 70 be
raced on this side Of the ocean.
Hearing that Cambria vas going to visit ths
country Commodore Bennett suggested q race
across the ocean, nominating bis new schooner
DauntIess. Mr. Ashbury accepted and II was de-
cided 10 race from Cork. Ireland, t. America.
The race created even more talk than the contest
In 1868. Dauntless vas the favorte. Regardless
Of that fact the British schooner proved 10 Be the
winner, crossing the finishing line one hour ana
torty-three minutes ahead Of the American craft.
II took twenty-five days 20 make the voyage.
The start was made on July 4 1870.
Seventeen years later tie DaunfIeas took part
IN the third TRANSATLANTIC race. This was a match
affair against the C0ronei. The race was for a
$1,000 side bet The start was made on Bay
Ridge and the finish vas OF Queenstown. ireland
Again The Danntleas vas heaten. The COronet' .