To consider the evolution of the ships which shone on the America’s Cup, by the grace of rich industrialists, is to contemplate a brief History of progress.
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America’s Cup 1851: “America”
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The schooner “America”, from the Yacht Club of New York, recognizable by its two masts and its fine line like a gull. It was inspired by the pilot boats of the time, capable of providing assistance to large ships in all weathers. First winner of the Silver Ewer, much to Queen Victoria’s coldest wrath – the Sovereign had issued the initial challenge to flaunt the maritime supremacy of the British Empire.
America’s Cup 1899: “Shamrock”
–Getty Images
At a time when Sir Thomas Lipton, a wealthy British businessman, is embarking on the adventure to try to bring the trophy home, the boats have only one mast but have gained ten meters in length. His splendid “Shamrock”, built in the greatest secrecy in a shipyard in London to try to surprise the American rival, will not manage to get rid of the defender “Columbia”: 3-0.
