© 1899 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC : AUGUST 12, 1899

Now that Shamrock, the sixth British cutter to cross the Atlantic in quest of the America cup since 1885, is well on her way over the Western Ocean , it will be of interest to compare her sailing qualities with those of the boat which is certain to be chosen for the defense.

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.

From the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN - April 13, 1901

In pursuance of their commendable policy of satisfying the very natural and perfectly proper public curiosity as to what manner of yachts are being put afloat for the defense of the "America" cup this year, Messrs. Lawson and Crowninshield, the owner and the designer of "Independence," have furnished...

Insolent domination

“Madeleine leads the squadron into port!” In 1873, Jacob B. Voorhis’ centerboard schooner impressed many with its performances against the New York Yacht Club fleet. Among other exploits, this was the year when Madeleine won the two most desired trophies reserved for schooners, the Bennett and the Douglas Cups.

1930

In answer to Lipton’s challenge of 1929 the Americans designed four J-Class yachts as possible defenders. Enterprise, Whirlwind, Yankee and Weetamoe were launched within a month of each other; Weetamoe and Enterprise from the Herreshoff yard in Bristol and Yankee and Whirlwind from Lawley & Son’s yard in Boston.

Michael Edward Ratsey comes from a shipbuilder family. His grandfather Lynn Ratsey built the cutter yacht Leopard in 1807. Her dimensions were, length on deck, 64 feet 4 inches; length of keel, 54 feet 3 inches; beam, 19 feet; depth, 11 feet; draft, 10 feet.
His father Michael Ratsey also marked the history of the America's Cup. He designed and built in 1838 the famous cutter Aurora who came close ...

Sir Thomas Octave Murdoch Sopwith (18 January 1888 – 27 January 1989) was an English aviation pioneer and yachtsman. Sopwith was born in Kensington, London on 18 January 1888.
He was the eighth child and only son of Thomas Sopwith (a civil engineer) & his wife Lydia Gertrude née Messiter. He was educated at Cottesmore School in Hove and at Seafield Park engineering college in Hill Head.

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.