The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-05-07

property of the late James Gordon Bennett,
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 an argument between
Commodore Bennett and Mr.. OsgoOd over the
ability of their respective craft The yachts had
met in a match race a Sandy Hook course
and FIeetwing 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 over real ocean course. Inc
owner of the Fleetwing accepted the challenge
and it was decided to race across the Atianuc
ocean.
The race created unusual comment Such
contest never before had been attempted. ana
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 foolnardy
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 1856 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-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 England. Nothing was heard of the yachts
until Commodore BENEFITS Henrietta arrived off
the Needles at 5 40 p. m. on Christmas day.
Fleetwing finished about hours later and then
came Vesta, which about an hour and half
astern of the second craft. Later, it was discov-
cred that vesta really had outsailed the other
Yachts but an error in navigation had lost her
tbe race The race showed the world that the
contest was not a 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 was creating
more or less interest in the world of sport. Then
snecial boats were 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 to this sportsmanlike angle Of
early Americas Cup races Commodore Bennett
was able, in 1870. to get another race 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 Amer
lean waters and incidentally race for the Ameri-
cas- Cup There was talk of towing Cambria
across the ocean or bringing her across under
iury rig as is done in these decadent days Of
Americas Cup racing. Cambria was going to be
sailed across under full rig. just 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 it de-
cided to race from Cork Ireland, to America
The race created even more talk than the contest
in 1866 Dauntess was the favorite. Regardless
of that fact the British schooner proved to be the
winner crossing the finishing line hour and
forry-three minutes ahead of the American craft.
II took twenty-three days to make the voyage.
The start was made on July 4. 1870
Seventeen years later the Dauntless took part
i'm the third transatlantic race. This was match
affair against the Coronet The race for a
S1aOO0 side bet The start was made OF Bay
Ridge and the finish was off Queenstown, Ireland
Again the Dauntless was beaten. The Coronet's