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The schooner AMERICA, 170 Tons, winning the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup and passing the VICTORIA AND ALBERT off the Needles, Friday August 22nd 1851
The schooner AMERICA, 170 Tons, winning the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup and passing the VICTORIA AND ALBERT off the Needles, Friday August 22nd 1851

The schooner AMERICA, 170 Tons, winning the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup and passing the VICTORIA AND ALBERT off the Needles, Friday August 22nd 1851

Artist (1840 - 1860)
Engraver (1803 - 1882)
Datec 1851
Object number00028371
NameLithograph
MediumColour lithograph on paper
DimensionsOverall: 585 × 686 × 23 mm, 3.4 kg
Image: 305 × 455 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThis lithograph of the yacht AMERICA depicts the schooner passing the steamer VICTORIA AND ALBERT to win the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup. It was engraved by E Duncan from a painting by Augustus Butler. AMERICA was the first yacht to win the race that would eventually be known as the America's Cup. AMERICA, captained by Commodore John Stevens, won the America's Cup from the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1851.HistoryIn 1848 Queen Victoria instigated the creation of a golden cup, known as the 'One Hundred Guinea Cup' to be awarded for a yacht race. The competition would be open to all nations. In the inaugural race on 22 August 1851 the United States built schooner AMERICA challenged 16 British vessels and was victorious in the 85 kilometre race around the Isle of Wight. The competition is still in operation today and one of the most respected and prestigious sailing competitions to be held in the world. AMERICA was a schooner yacht designed by George Steers for Commodore John Cox Stevens. Steers was a member of the New York Yacht Club and built the vessel as a deliberate challenge to the British designed vessels that were dominating the sport of yachting. Due to the fact that AMERICA contested the race off Cowes in England and later returned to New York, it was the first yacht to cross the Atlantic both ways. The crossing from New York to Le Havre took 17 and a half days. SignificanceThis lithograph is significant in representing AMERICA as a key yacht in the history of both competitive sailing and the America's Cup.