The problems of the New York Yacht Club

The contest with Canada in 1881 was so unsatisfactory from every point of view that it aroused a strong feeling among the members of the New York Yacht Club that some steps ought to be taken to guard against such fiascos in the future.

No sooner had Galatea followed in the wake of Genesta as a defeated challenger than Albion's sons set out for another trial for the cup. This time the challenge came from Scotland, the Royal Clyde Yacht Club sending a letter proposing a race in 1887 on behalf of Mr. James Bell, with a boat of about the size of the Mayflower.

AN EVENTFUL YACHT-RACE.

TWO OF THE BOATS SAIL OVER THE COURSE IN A DISABLED CONDITION.

Copyright © The New York Times - Published: October 14, 1881 : The first of three test races between the first class sloops of the New-York Yacht Club, the object of which is to determine the fastest, so that she may be matched against the new Canadian sloop Atalanta,...

To organize the defense of the America's Cup in 1893, the Americans launched an unprecedented campaign: no less than four contenders are built! The New York Yacht Club asked to Nat Herreshoff to build two sailboats, Vigilant and Colonia. For their part, the Bostonians put two boats under construction, borrowed heavily from Dilemma, the first true "bulb keel" Nathanael G. Herreshoff designed by 1891.

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Born in Wivenhoe in 1850, John Carter began sailing at a young age aboard "smacks", the typical fishing boats of Rowhedge and its neighbourhood. At the age of 22, he helmed small yachts and in 1875, he distinguished himself as the skipper of the 10-ton Lancer and later of the 110-ton cutter Moina.
His reputation led to him taking command of the Genesta, the English challenger for the fifth America's Cup. The American yacht Puritan won the first race.

An important American impressionist, Reynolds Beal was encouraged early on by his younger brother, noted artist Gifford Beal, to study art abroad. Once Reynolds completed his education from Cornell University in naval architecture, and being from a rather wealthy family, he struck out for Europe, where he informally viewed as much art as he could, primarily in Madrid...

William P. Stephens, long known as the "Dean of American Yachtsmen", and "The grand old man of American Yaching" was born in Philadelphia, Aug. 5, 1854. He was a graduate of Rutgers Preparatory School and Rutgers College in 1873 with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

His interests were mechanics, yachting, railroads, and opera. He first became interested in boating while in college, and later built his first boat, a Rob Roy Canoe.