THE MANY LIVES OF THE YACHT 'AMERICA'

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November is the most important month in the life and death of the yacht 'America'.

On 15th November 1850, the contract for the construction of America was signed by George Schuyler on behalf of a syndicate that included himself and Commodore John Cox Stevens and William Brown. A condition of the contract required America to be the fastest yacht in the United States, but when complete, she was defeated by Commodore Stevens Maria during sea trials and so sold to the syndicate for one 1/3 of the agreed price.

America under construction in New York in 1851

The syndicate still accepted an invitation from the Royal Yacht Squadron and sailed America to Cowes to take part in the "all nations" race around the Isle of Wight.

On 22 August 1851, America lined up against seven schooners and eight cutters. America had a slow start due to a fouled anchor and was well behind when she finally got underway. Within half an hour, she was in 5th place and gaining, finally finishing 8 minutes ahead of the closest rival.

After 1851, America went through a number of hands and a variety of roles, including being used as a blockade runner for the Confederate during the American Civil War where her name was changed to ‘Memphis’. She was scuttled in 1862 when Union troops took the city of Jacksonville, but later raised to serve in the Union and armed with a 12-pounder located on the bow and two 24-pounders placed amidships.

She was sold in 1873 to Benjamin Butler, a controversial Union Army Major-General, and underwent two major refits in 1875 and again in 1885. She was then donated back to the US Navy in 1921 and was towed to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, as an on-water exhibit, where her condition gradually decayed.

The America being towed to Annapolis on what was to be her last voyage in 1921

Faced with a repair bill of $300,000 in 1941, her fate was sealed and on November 20th the Navy signed an order to scrap her and recovered $990.90 for their troubles. Just $15,000 in today’s money.

One of the last photographs of the remains of the America before she was scrapped in 1945.

While not the fastest boat in America, the America still won the one race that mattered and became the genesis for the “friendly competition between nations” where the fastest boat now wins America’s Cup.

THE MANY LIVES OF THE YACHT 'AMERICA'

Published on

November is the most important month in the life and death of the yacht 'America'.

On 15th November 1850, the contract for the construction of America was signed by George Schuyler on behalf of a syndicate that included himself and Commodore John Cox Stevens and William Brown. A condition of the contract required America to be the fastest yacht in the United States, but when complete, she was defeated by Commodore Stevens Maria during sea trials and so sold to the syndicate for one 1/3 of the agreed price.

America under construction in New York in 1851

The syndicate still accepted an invitation from the Royal Yacht Squadron and sailed America to Cowes to take part in the "all nations" race around the Isle of Wight.

On 22 August 1851, America lined up against seven schooners and eight cutters. America had a slow start due to a fouled anchor and was well behind when she finally got underway. Within half an hour, she was in 5th place and gaining, finally finishing 8 minutes ahead of the closest rival.

After 1851, America went through a number of hands and a variety of roles, including being used as a blockade runner for the Confederate during the American Civil War where her name was changed to ‘Memphis’. She was scuttled in 1862 when Union troops took the city of Jacksonville, but later raised to serve in the Union and armed with a 12-pounder located on the bow and two 24-pounders placed amidships.

She was sold in 1873 to Benjamin Butler, a controversial Union Army Major-General, and underwent two major refits in 1875 and again in 1885. She was then donated back to the US Navy in 1921 and was towed to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, as an on-water exhibit, where her condition gradually decayed.

The America being towed to Annapolis on what was to be her last voyage in 1921

Faced with a repair bill of $300,000 in 1941, her fate was sealed and on November 20th the Navy signed an order to scrap her and recovered $990.90 for their troubles. Just $15,000 in today’s money.

One of the last photographs of the remains of the America before she was scrapped in 1945.

While not the fastest boat in America, the America still won the one race that mattered and became the genesis for the “friendly competition between nations” where the fastest boat now wins America’s Cup.