The trial races

The members of the New York Yacht Club did not give much consideration to the Boston boat when word came that one was being built around the Cape, and she was rather slightingly referred to as the “bean boat” and “brick sloop”, the name of Burgess not being known in New York waters at that time.

On his return to England late in the autumn, Mr. Ashbury immediately set about building a new schooner, as he had determined before he left America to make another attempt for the Cup the following year.

He felt, however, though he had not made a formal protest at the time, that it was unfair and not in accordance with the terms under which the Cup was held...

Reports from England of Genesta’s success abroad in 1884, her first year, where she was conceded to be the best all-round boat, convinced the officers of the club that vigorous steps had to be taken to get a suitable boat with which to defend, none of the existing ones being considered fast enough, or large enough.
So the flag officers, James Gordon Bennett and William P. Douglas, decided to build a sloop.

"The Canadian Mud Turtle"

The Atalanta was designed, modelled and built by Captain Alexander Cuthbert of Coburg, reportedly at a cost of $2,100 [C.H.J. Snider], as an improvement to his Annie Cuthbert.
He also designed Countess of Dufferin, Dauntless, Surprise and Katie Grey.

1886

Mayflower was the second defender designed by Edward Burgess for the General Paine. She was built at George Lawley's yard at City Point that winter and was launched on May 6th. During its first trials, Puritan (1885) defeated it easily.

Harold Stirling Vanderbilt (July 6, 1884 – July 4, 1970) was a railroad executive, America’s Cup yachtsman with three Cup defenses, commodore of the New York Yacht Club, and originator of contract bridge.
He is the third child and second son of William Kissam Vanderbilt and Alva Erskine Smith and great-grandson of the shipping and railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt.

Thomas Fairland (1804 – October 1852) was an English lithographer, engraver and portrait painter.
Fairland showed an early interest in drawing and practiced from nature in Kensington Gardens in London.

Born in Livingston, Staten Island, New York in 1846, Cozzens became one of the era's better known sea painters recognized primarily for his early depictions of the fledgling New York Yacht Club racing events. He was also noted for his portrayal of naval events and maneuvers.