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Vigilant, Defender, Columbia & the 1890s America's Cups
Does anyone have a good online source for information on Vigilant,
Defender, and Columbia, the winners of the 1893, 1895 and 1899 America's Cup races, respectively? We're putting together a website on yacht racing in the 1890s (as seen by 19th-century maritime photographer J. S. Johnston) at http:www.jsjohnston.org , and we sorely need help identifying and providing historical and technical information for many of the vessels from this period. These three were obviously extremely important racing yachts of this era, but there is surprising little available (or am I looking in all the wrong places?) Thanks for any help! Chris Baer |
Vigilant, Defender, Columbia & the 1890s America's Cups
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Vigilant, Defender, Columbia & the 1890s America's Cups
i have a nice book with all the detailed histtory.,.... might be easiest to scan the 3 pages of summary races in...... but here is what you want: oct 7, 1893, Vigilant v Valkyrie II, course was 15 miles to leeward from sandy hook lightship and return. 30 miles. Vigilant won by 5.48 (MM/SS) on corrected time (there is lots of detailed of actual/adjusted times) oct 9,..... Equilateral triangle from sandy hook lightship. 30 miles, vigilant won by 10.35.... i just realized i have every race, so i'll net out..... Viglian won the 3rd race by 40 seconds. 1895: Sept 7, 10, 12. Defender v. Valkyrie III. Race 1 won by Defender 8.49, Race 2 won by Valkkyrie by 0.47 but disqualified for fouling Defender, and Valkyrie did not finish the 3rd race (note says "withdrew on crossing the line). 1899: Columbia v . Shamrock... Columbia won first race. Shamrock did not finish 2nd race (note says "carried away topsail; withdrew"), Columbia won the thrid race by 6.34. The source of this is "The Pictoral History of The Amercias Cup Races" by Robert W. Carrick. published in 1946 by the Viking Press. |
Vigilant, Defender, Columbia & the 1890s America's Cups
wrote: Does anyone have a good online source for information on Vigilant, Defender, and Columbia, the winners of the 1893, 1895 and 1899 America's Cup races, respectively? We're putting together a website on yacht racing in the 1890s (as seen by 19th-century maritime photographer J. S. Johnston) at http:www.jsjohnston.org , and we sorely need help identifying and providing historical and technical information for many of the vessels from this period. These three were obviously extremely important racing yachts of this era, but there is surprising little available (or am I looking in all the wrong places?) Thanks for any help! Chris Baer Very Nice Chris. Thanks for sharing. Joe |
1890s yacht racing
Thank you all for your responses!
We really appreciate all the suggestions and tips! Now come some harder questions: There are other vessels on our site http://www.jsjohnston.org that are equally impressive but do not seem to have any America's Cup or Herreshoff connections. For example, take a look at these extremely impressive vessels: * Montauk http://www.jsjohnston.org/~montauk.html * Varuna http://www.jsjohnston.org/~varuna.html Where could we go to learn more about these (and similar) yachts? These are obviously huge vessels built and owned by (I'm sure) very powerful people. There must be a record of them somewhere! Any thoughts? Thanks again for your help! Chris Baer http://www.jsjohnston.org |
1890s yacht racing
Varuna:
Eugene Higgins (1860-1948) was heir to his father Elias's New York City carpet manufacturing fortune--an estimated fifty million dollars--and according to the society pages, he was not only the wealthiest bachelor in New York, but also the most handsome. (12) Higgins sold the family business shortly after assuming control of it in 1889, which allowed him to devote his attention to more leisurely pursuits. (13) He was a devoted golfer, cross-country rider, fisherman, hunter, coach racer, yachtsman, and fencer. In 1890 he won the American fencing championship, and his yacht, Varuna, named for the Hindu god of the ocean, was declared the most modern vessel of its kind. (14) A celebrated host, Higgins planned "sumptuous pleasure campaigns" in advance of each season for his elite circle of friends, and his town house at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, and country estate in Morristown, New Jersey, were regarded as "meccas of high society." Joe wrote: Thank you all for your responses! We really appreciate all the suggestions and tips! Now come some harder questions: There are other vessels on our site http://www.jsjohnston.org that are equally impressive but do not seem to have any America's Cup or Herreshoff connections. For example, take a look at these extremely impressive vessels: * Montauk http://www.jsjohnston.org/~montauk.html * Varuna http://www.jsjohnston.org/~varuna.html Where could we go to learn more about these (and similar) yachts? These are obviously huge vessels built and owned by (I'm sure) very powerful people. There must be a record of them somewhere! Any thoughts? Thanks again for your help! Chris Baer http://www.jsjohnston.org |
1890s yacht racing
Joe wrote: Varuna: http://www.rootsweb.com/~bmuwgw/varuna.jpg Eugene Higgins (1860-1948) was heir to his father Elias's New York City carpet manufacturing fortune--an estimated fifty million dollars--and according to the society pages, he was not only the wealthiest bachelor in New York, but also the most handsome. (12) Higgins sold the family business shortly after assuming control of it in 1889, which allowed him to devote his attention to more leisurely pursuits. (13) He was a devoted golfer, cross-country rider, fisherman, hunter, coach racer, yachtsman, and fencer. In 1890 he won the American fencing championship, and his yacht, Varuna, named for the Hindu god of the ocean, was declared the most modern vessel of its kind. (14) A celebrated host, Higgins planned "sumptuous pleasure campaigns" in advance of each season for his elite circle of friends, and his town house at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, and country estate in Morristown, New Jersey, were regarded as "meccas of high society." Joe wrote: Thank you all for your responses! We really appreciate all the suggestions and tips! Now come some harder questions: There are other vessels on our site http://www.jsjohnston.org that are equally impressive but do not seem to have any America's Cup or Herreshoff connections. For example, take a look at these extremely impressive vessels: * Montauk http://www.jsjohnston.org/~montauk.html * Varuna http://www.jsjohnston.org/~varuna.html Where could we go to learn more about these (and similar) yachts? These are obviously huge vessels built and owned by (I'm sure) very powerful people. There must be a record of them somewhere! Any thoughts? Thanks again for your help! Chris Baer http://www.jsjohnston.org |
1890s yacht racing
wrote:
Thank you all for your responses! We really appreciate all the suggestions and tips! Now come some harder questions: There are other vessels on our site http://www.jsjohnston.org that are equally impressive but do not seem to have any America's Cup or Herreshoff connections. For example, take a look at these extremely impressive vessels: * Montauk http://www.jsjohnston.org/~montauk.html From: http://www.by-the-sea.com/articles/poillon.html 1882 Montauk Designer: Phil Ellsworth Built for: John E Brooks Owner: S.R. Platt Centerboard Schooner Yacht 103 ft 92 Tons 94 ft waterline Had a long racing career She was launched at Gowanus Yard, Sails by Sawyer (AYL 1883)" ** end quote ** I was thinking this vessel was involved in a disastrous capsize while at anchor, but after more thought, it seems like that was the more extreme centerboarder "Mohawk." DSK |
1890s yacht racing
On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:23:18 -0800, Joe wrote:
Varuna: Eugene Higgins (1860-1948) was heir to his father Elias's New York City carpet manufacturing fortune--an estimated fifty million dollars--and according to the society pages, he was not only the wealthiest bachelor in New York, but also the most handsome. (12) Higgins sold the family business shortly after assuming control of it in 1889, which allowed him to devote his attention to more leisurely pursuits. (13) He was a devoted golfer, cross-country rider, fisherman, hunter, coach racer, yachtsman, and fencer. In 1890 he won the American fencing championship, and his yacht, Varuna, named for the Hindu god of the ocean, was declared the most modern vessel of its kind. (14) A celebrated host, Higgins planned "sumptuous pleasure campaigns" in advance of each season for his elite circle of friends, and his town house at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, and country estate in Morristown, New Jersey, were regarded as "meccas of high society." Also, "The Varuna was wrecked off the coast of Madeira on November 17, 1909, and although all but one of the crew was saved none of the contents survived. " http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...n16068356/pg_2 |
1890s yacht racing
Thanks for this tip!
I updated the Varuna page at http://www.jsjohnston.org/~varuna.html If you can think of anything else to add, let me know! We just added a few new images at http://www.jsjohnston.org/browse3.html and http://www.jsjohnston.org/browse4.html Check out http://www.jsjohnston.org/~feiseen.htmlfor instance - What was the Feiseen? Thanks again! C thunder wrote: On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:23:18 -0800, Joe wrote: Varuna: Eugene Higgins (1860-1948) was heir to his father Elias's New York City carpet manufacturing fortune--an estimated fifty million dollars--and according to the society pages, he was not only the wealthiest bachelor in New York, but also the most handsome. (12) Higgins sold the family business shortly after assuming control of it in 1889, which allowed him to devote his attention to more leisurely pursuits. (13) He was a devoted golfer, cross-country rider, fisherman, hunter, coach racer, yachtsman, and fencer. In 1890 he won the American fencing championship, and his yacht, Varuna, named for the Hindu god of the ocean, was declared the most modern vessel of its kind. (14) A celebrated host, Higgins planned "sumptuous pleasure campaigns" in advance of each season for his elite circle of friends, and his town house at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, and country estate in Morristown, New Jersey, were regarded as "meccas of high society." Also, "The Varuna was wrecked off the coast of Madeira on November 17, 1909, and although all but one of the crew was saved none of the contents survived. " http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...n16068356/pg_2 |
1890s yacht racing
Thanks!
I updated the website at http://www.jsjohnston.org/~montauk.html Take a peek and see if there is anything else you might add. I just put a few new ones up at the bottom of http://www.jsjohnston.org/browse3.html and http://www.jsjohnston.org/browse2.html - We're trying add more almost every day. Take a peek and see if you can add anything to our collective knowledge of these vessels! Thanks again for all your help - C DSK wrote: wrote: Thank you all for your responses! We really appreciate all the suggestions and tips! Now come some harder questions: There are other vessels on our site http://www.jsjohnston.org that are equally impressive but do not seem to have any America's Cup or Herreshoff connections. For example, take a look at these extremely impressive vessels: * Montauk http://www.jsjohnston.org/~montauk.html From: http://www.by-the-sea.com/articles/poillon.html 1882 Montauk Designer: Phil Ellsworth Built for: John E Brooks Owner: S.R. Platt Centerboard Schooner Yacht 103 ft 92 Tons 94 ft waterline Had a long racing career She was launched at Gowanus Yard, Sails by Sawyer (AYL 1883)" ** end quote ** I was thinking this vessel was involved in a disastrous capsize while at anchor, but after more thought, it seems like that was the more extreme centerboarder "Mohawk." DSK |
1890s yacht racing
wrote: Thanks for this tip! Check out http://www.jsjohnston.org/~feiseen.htmlfor instance - What was the Feiseen? She a fast Yacht Joe 318 HARPERS NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 41. The bombardment of Rio Janeiro by a rebel fleet was begun on September 13th, and resumed on the 18th. Hostilities continued through October. On the 25th Rear-Admiral Stanton, of the United States Navy, was deposed from the command of the South Atlantic Squadron for saluting the flag of the rebels. The Brazilian government, late in October, purchased at New York the steamers El Rio and El Girl for use as cruisers, and the fast yacht Feiseen for use as a torpedo-boat, and proceeded to man and equip them for service. Thirty radical leaders in the Argentine Repnblic were arrested September 2 1st, for conspiring to overthrow the government. The Spanish garrison at Melilla, in Morocco, was attacked, October 3d, by 6000 Moors, and a battle ensued. Skirmishing continued during the month. The Matabeles, under King Lo Bengula, marched on Fort Victoria in South Africa early in October. The dispute originated in the cutting of telegraph wires belonging to the British South African Com- pany and the theft of Lo Bengulas cattle. A strong British force was sent out to meet the blacks, and in .a three weeks campaign Lo Bengula was routed, his capital was captured, and his men driven out of Matabeleland into the wilderness. On October 13th a fleet of Russian war-ships ar- rived in Toulon, where they were received with cx- travagant demonstrations of joy. Later the officers of the fleet were entertained in Pails by the most brilliant fete of recent times. The third race of the series for the Amen ccs Cup was won October 13th by the T7igilent, defeating the British yacht Valkyrie, keeping the interna- tional trophy in the United States for another year. Masked robbers, on September 12th, held up the Atlantic express train on the Lake Shore road in Indiana, and obtained $20,000. On September 15th $75,000 was taken by robbers from a train on the Mineral Range Railroad in Michigan. Thanks again! C thunder wrote: On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:23:18 -0800, Joe wrote: Varuna: Eugene Higgins (1860-1948) was heir to his father Elias's New York City carpet manufacturing fortune--an estimated fifty million dollars--and according to the society pages, he was not only the wealthiest bachelor in New York, but also the most handsome. (12) Higgins sold the family business shortly after assuming control of it in 1889, which allowed him to devote his attention to more leisurely pursuits. (13) He was a devoted golfer, cross-country rider, fisherman, hunter, coach racer, yachtsman, and fencer. In 1890 he won the American fencing championship, and his yacht, Varuna, named for the Hindu god of the ocean, was declared the most modern vessel of its kind. (14) A celebrated host, Higgins planned "sumptuous pleasure campaigns" in advance of each season for his elite circle of friends, and his town house at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, and country estate in Morristown, New Jersey, were regarded as "meccas of high society." Also, "The Varuna was wrecked off the coast of Madeira on November 17, 1909, and although all but one of the crew was saved none of the contents survived. " http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...n16068356/pg_2 |
1890s yacht racing
Joe wrote: wrote: Thanks for this tip! Check out http://www.jsjohnston.org/~feiseen.htmlfor instance - What was the Feiseen? She a fast Yacht PS Wood / Steam Powered Express CruiserYear Built: 1893LOA 78'9" x Beam 9'8" x Draft: 3'1"Designer: William Gardner/Charles MosherOwner: William B. Cogswell (Syracuse, N.Y.)Feiseen was commissioned by William Cogswell to beat the express yachts Norwoodand Vamoose and set a new world speed record. William Gardner and Charles Mosher were chosen to design the yacht and engine, respectively.The yacht was built in a shroud of secrecy and called Still Alarm before launching.Completely planked in mahogany, the yacht displaced 13 tons and was powered by a600-hp quadruple expansion steam engine.Although this was an early effort in yachtbuilding by B. F.Wood, he clearly had complete confidence in his work, indicated byhis quote in a newspaper article published during the yacht's building: "I am will-ing to rest my reputation as a shipbuilder on her. Just see, she is built of mahoganythroughout, but with 30,000 wooden rivets in her frame I think that she is any dayas strong for seafaring purposes as if she were made entirely of steel.... She will bepolished like a piano and will not only be the swiftest but the most beautiful andsymmetrical craft afloat."Feiseen was all thatWood promised she would be.OnAugust 25,1893,she set a new world speed record at 31.6 mph.Within a few months, and after serving her purpose,the yacht was sold and rebuilt by Wood for the Brazilian Navy-extending the hull by 12' and adding an armored deckhouse and deck-mounted guns. Joe Joe 318 HARPERS NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 41. The bombardment of Rio Janeiro by a rebel fleet was begun on September 13th, and resumed on the 18th. Hostilities continued through October. On the 25th Rear-Admiral Stanton, of the United States Navy, was deposed from the command of the South Atlantic Squadron for saluting the flag of the rebels. The Brazilian government, late in October, purchased at New York the steamers El Rio and El Girl for use as cruisers, and the fast yacht Feiseen for use as a torpedo-boat, and proceeded to man and equip them for service. Thirty radical leaders in the Argentine Repnblic were arrested September 2 1st, for conspiring to overthrow the government. The Spanish garrison at Melilla, in Morocco, was attacked, October 3d, by 6000 Moors, and a battle ensued. Skirmishing continued during the month. The Matabeles, under King Lo Bengula, marched on Fort Victoria in South Africa early in October. The dispute originated in the cutting of telegraph wires belonging to the British South African Com- pany and the theft of Lo Bengulas cattle. A strong British force was sent out to meet the blacks, and in .a three weeks campaign Lo Bengula was routed, his capital was captured, and his men driven out of Matabeleland into the wilderness. On October 13th a fleet of Russian war-ships ar- rived in Toulon, where they were received with cx- travagant demonstrations of joy. Later the officers of the fleet were entertained in Pails by the most brilliant fete of recent times. The third race of the series for the Amen ccs Cup was won October 13th by the T7igilent, defeating the British yacht Valkyrie, keeping the interna- tional trophy in the United States for another year. Masked robbers, on September 12th, held up the Atlantic express train on the Lake Shore road in Indiana, and obtained $20,000. On September 15th $75,000 was taken by robbers from a train on the Mineral Range Railroad in Michigan. Thanks again! C thunder wrote: On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:23:18 -0800, Joe wrote: Varuna: Eugene Higgins (1860-1948) was heir to his father Elias's New York City carpet manufacturing fortune--an estimated fifty million dollars--and according to the society pages, he was not only the wealthiest bachelor in New York, but also the most handsome. (12) Higgins sold the family business shortly after assuming control of it in 1889, which allowed him to devote his attention to more leisurely pursuits. (13) He was a devoted golfer, cross-country rider, fisherman, hunter, coach racer, yachtsman, and fencer. In 1890 he won the American fencing championship, and his yacht, Varuna, named for the Hindu god of the ocean, was declared the most modern vessel of its kind. (14) A celebrated host, Higgins planned "sumptuous pleasure campaigns" in advance of each season for his elite circle of friends, and his town house at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, and country estate in Morristown, New Jersey, were regarded as "meccas of high society." Also, "The Varuna was wrecked off the coast of Madeira on November 17, 1909, and although all but one of the crew was saved none of the contents survived. " http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...n16068356/pg_2 |
1890s yacht racing
wrote: Thanks for this tip! I updated the Varuna page at http://www.jsjohnston.org/~varuna.html If you can think of anything else to add, let me know! We just added a few new images at http://www.jsjohnston.org/browse3.html Well well you have a picture of Americas last Slave ship the Wanderer: Just were did you get these photos? Do you have the originals? Wanna sell them? Joe -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Better Together The slave trade became illegal in the U.S. in 1808, but for half a century after that, a black market in chattel slavery thrived. In his first book, former Newsweek correspondent Calonius tells the fascinating, heartbreaking story of the last slave ship to dock on these shores, in 1858, the Wanderer. Originally built as a sugar baron's racing yacht, it was outfitted, as the New York Times reported, for "comfort and luxury." But a trio of greedy proslavery radicals, known as "fire-eaters," transformed her from plaything to slaver: deck planks and inner framing were removed and iron tanks inserted. Then the ship headed to Africa, and eventually returned to Georgia's Jekyll Island with its human cargo. (En route, 80 Africans died.) Calonius charts the subsequent media outcry and trials, and follows the Wanderer's history through the Civil War, when, in a delectably just turn of events, the U.S. government seized the ship and turned it into a Union gunboat. This is fast-paced narrative history, and Calonius has a terrific eye for atmospheric details. Still, one wishes he had provided more analysis of the larger themes in Southern, American and Atlantic history that this tragic episode illumines. (Sept.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. and http://www.jsjohnston.org/browse4.html Check out http://www.jsjohnston.org/~feiseen.htmlfor instance - What was the Feiseen? Thanks again! C thunder wrote: On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:23:18 -0800, Joe wrote: Varuna: Eugene Higgins (1860-1948) was heir to his father Elias's New York City carpet manufacturing fortune--an estimated fifty million dollars--and according to the society pages, he was not only the wealthiest bachelor in New York, but also the most handsome. (12) Higgins sold the family business shortly after assuming control of it in 1889, which allowed him to devote his attention to more leisurely pursuits. (13) He was a devoted golfer, cross-country rider, fisherman, hunter, coach racer, yachtsman, and fencer. In 1890 he won the American fencing championship, and his yacht, Varuna, named for the Hindu god of the ocean, was declared the most modern vessel of its kind. (14) A celebrated host, Higgins planned "sumptuous pleasure campaigns" in advance of each season for his elite circle of friends, and his town house at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, and country estate in Morristown, New Jersey, were regarded as "meccas of high society." Also, "The Varuna was wrecked off the coast of Madeira on November 17, 1909, and although all but one of the crew was saved none of the contents survived. " http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...n16068356/pg_2 |
1890s yacht racing
If you are interested, the following link is to an 1899 Thomas Edison
movie clip showing Columbia winning finish for the Americas Cup. http://www.open-video.org/details.php?videoid=4590 wrote in message oups.com... Thanks for this tip! I updated the Varuna page at http://www.jsjohnston.org/~varuna.html If you can think of anything else to add, let me know! We just added a few new images at http://www.jsjohnston.org/browse3.html and http://www.jsjohnston.org/browse4.html Check out http://www.jsjohnston.org/~feiseen.htmlfor instance - What was the Feiseen? Thanks again! C thunder wrote: On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:23:18 -0800, Joe wrote: Varuna: Eugene Higgins (1860-1948) was heir to his father Elias's New York City carpet manufacturing fortune--an estimated fifty million dollars--and according to the society pages, he was not only the wealthiest bachelor in New York, but also the most handsome. (12) Higgins sold the family business shortly after assuming control of it in 1889, which allowed him to devote his attention to more leisurely pursuits. (13) He was a devoted golfer, cross-country rider, fisherman, hunter, coach racer, yachtsman, and fencer. In 1890 he won the American fencing championship, and his yacht, Varuna, named for the Hindu god of the ocean, was declared the most modern vessel of its kind. (14) A celebrated host, Higgins planned "sumptuous pleasure campaigns" in advance of each season for his elite circle of friends, and his town house at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, and country estate in Morristown, New Jersey, were regarded as "meccas of high society." Also, "The Varuna was wrecked off the coast of Madeira on November 17, 1909, and although all but one of the crew was saved none of the contents survived. " http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...n16068356/pg_2 |
1890s yacht racing
Joe wrote:
Well well you have a picture of Americas last Slave ship the Wanderer: Fascinating! I just wrote the author, Erik Calonius, and here was his reply: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 2:26:14 PM From: "Erik Calonius" Subject: late 1880s or 1890s photo of Wanderer The Wanderer went down off the coast of Cuba in 1871. So I don't think that is the same (many boats were named the Wanderer). However, I'd suggest that you get in touch with Tony Pizzo or Karl de Vries, of the Ships of the Seas Museum in Savannah. They have a model of the slaver Wanderer, and could compare it to your photo. Their email is Good luck--and I hope you will enjoy the book I wrote! Best, Erik Nice thought, though! I'd never heard that story! Thanks again - Chris |
1890s yacht racing
wrote: Joe wrote: Nice thought, though! I'd never heard that story! Thanks again - Chris I know there are many Wanderer's, at first I thought it was Sterling Haydens boat. http://www.sea-room.com/B00492.jpg could be but the bow pulpit in Sterling's boat looks shorter. Maybe he bashed it off a bit...who knows? With your pictures focusing on the NY area and the Slaver Wanderer being a former yacht from NYC I figured that was the same one. Joe |
1890s yacht racing
Thanks, Joe!
We just posted five new photos (it's slow going but we slog on) including: Harpoon http://www.jsjohnston.org/~harpoon.html Ariel http://www.jsjohnston.org/~ariel.html Queen Mab http://www.jsjohnston.org/~queen_mab.html Amorita http://www.jsjohnston.org/~amorita.html .... and others. We VERY much appreciate all your help! Chris http://www.jsjohnston.org Joe wrote: I know there are many Wanderer's, at first I thought it was Sterling Haydens boat. http://www.sea-room.com/B00492.jpg could be but the bow pulpit in Sterling's boat looks shorter. Maybe he bashed it off a bit...who knows? With your pictures focusing on the NY area and the Slaver Wanderer being a former yacht from NYC I figured that was the same one. Joe |
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