The Ordway new era., 1921-04-22
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property of the late james Gordon Bennett, IL
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 n 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
F'leetwing in race n real ocean course. The
owner of the Fleetwing accepted the challenge
and 1t was decided to across the Atlantic
ocean.
Tile race created unusual comment Such
contest never before had been attempted, and
the owners were considered the most daring of
amateur sailors. The time chosen for the
also added to the impression that the yachtsmen
were tempting sure death in their "foolhardy"
undertaking. Instead of crossing during the
mer. when the Atlantic is smooth a mill
pond, the yachtsmen elected to in winter,
and the date of the start was set for December
IL, 1885, one year after the ending Of the Civil
war.
Pierre Lorilard another enthusiastic sportsman.
became interested in the contest and suggested
making the race three-cornered sweepstakes at
$10COO corner. The other yachtsmen accepted,
and the much heralded brush started schedule
time the finish being off the Needles, Isle of
Wight, England. Nothing heard of the yachts
until Commodore Benefits Henrietta arrived off
the Needles at :45 p. m. on Christmas day.
Fleetwing finished about hours later and then
vesta, which about hour and n half
astern of the second craft. Later, it was discov-
cred that VeSta really had outSailed the other
yachts, but in navigation had lost her
the race. The showed the world that the
contest was not a foohardy proposition and al
that the winner was not necessarily the fastest
yacht.
In those days good seaworthy boats raced for
the Americas Cup, 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 contented
to race for, the Americas Cup with his usual
cruising craft. Due to this sportsmnnike 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 for the Ameri-
cas- Cup. There was no talk of towing Cambria
across the ocean or bringing her across under
jury rig, is done In these decadent days of
Americas Cup racing. Cambria 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 race
across the ocean, nominating his new schooner
Dauntless. Mr.. Ashbury accepted and 1t was de-
cided to from Cork, Ireland to America
The race created even more talk than the contest
in 1866. Dauntless was the favorite. Regardless
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 twenty-three 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 q match
AFFAIR against the Coronet. The race waS for q
$4,000 side bet. The start was made or Bay
Ridge and the finish was on Queenstown. Ireland
Again the Dauntiess was beaten. The Coronet's