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Category: LIVONIA
On his return to England in 1870 Mr. Ashbury laid his plans for another attempt to win the cup, and gave an order for a schooner to Michael Ratsey, of Cowes, Isle of Wight. The result was Livonia, named for a province in Russia in which Mr. Ashbury had made money in railroad-building contracts.
The vessel was launched April 6th, 1871, and great things were predicted for her.
When tried she was found to be little, if any, better than Cambria, but believing that she would do better later, and was more suited to American waters than his former challenger, Mr. Ashbury decided to bring her over. Before leaving for the United States, the challenger was beaten by Egeria and by Aline, the Prince of Wales' yacht.
The races for America's Cup 18711871
America's Cup races: October 16 and 23, 1871, New York.
Best four out of seven races.
Livonia vs. Columbia (3 races) then Sappho (2 races)
Following James Ashbury request, there was a compromise alternating the course:
Inside Course: 35.1 miles
Outside Course: 20 nautical miles to windward & return outside Sandy Hook Lightship, free from headlands.
Races: five sailed.
Results:
Columbia & Sappho beat Livonia by four wins to one.
- October 16, 1st race, 35.1 miles, Inside Course: Columbia beats Livonia by 27 minutes 04 seconds on corrected time
- October 18, 2nd race, 40 miles, Outside Course: Columbia beats Livonia by 10 minutes 33 seconds on corrected time
- October 19, 3rd race, 35.1 miles, Inside Course: Livonia beats Columbia by 15 minutes 10 seconds on corrected time
- October 21, 4th race, 40 miles, Outside Course: Sappho beats Livonia by 30 minutes 21 seconds on corrected time
- October 23, 5th race, 35.1 miles, Inside Course: Sappho beats Livonia by 25 minutes 27 seconds on corrected time
So Livonia won one race, the third one. It was not until 1920 that a challenger, Shamrock IV, was able to repeat this 'success'.
After the America's Cup, on October 24th, Dauntless of Commodore Bennett beat Livonia in a course of twenty miles to windward and back.
Ashbury sailed back aboard Livonia to England. They left New York on November 6th, and after a stormy passage in which Livonia lost her bowsprit and split her canvas, they arrived safely at Cowes on the evening of the 24th, making the passage in eighteen days.
Ashbury sold Livonia when he moved to New Zealand.
1896
Livonia was still sailing in 1896…
