Oil on canvas 25 3/4” x 36” (65.5 cm x 91.5 cm) Depicted is the October 26; 1875 New York Yacht Club match race between the schooners Dauntless; owned by NYYC ex-Vice Commodore James Gordon Bennett; and Mohawk; owned by then current Vice Commodore William T. Garner. The course was 20 miles to windward to the Sandy Hook Lightship and return. The prize was $1;000 from each side; winner take all. In a strong Sou'Easter; Mohawk (a centerboard schooner with significantly more waterline) out sailed Dauntless to windward; but Dauntless caught and passed her downwind despite breaking her fore gaff. Mohawk then failed to find the finish line in the fog that plagued the race. A year later on July 20; 1876; Mohawk capsized when a sudden squall hit her while anchored with all sail set and made fast. Commodore Garner and his wife both perished along with several guests and members of the crew. The disaster caused considerable discussion within the yachting community with regard to the design and safety of large centerboard schooners. The composition shows Dauntless rounding up in the foreground after having broken her fore gaff. The crew is taking off sail and preparing to finish the race under the shortened rig. Mohawk is astern running dead downwind with sails set 'wing and wing' with lowers and topsails sheeted on opposite sides of the boat in order to capture the most wind. The racers have outrun the spectator fleet which is visible on the left horizon behind the racers. Sandy Hook Lightship; acting as the windward mark in this and numerous other NYYC races; is visible on the far right off the tip of Dauntless' jib- boom.