The America’s Cup

No trophy has ever been fought for so gallantly, magnanimously and bitterly as the Cup which the yacht America snatched from a fleet of English yachts in 1851 under the eyes of Queen Victoria. As she had presented the Cup, she might hope to hear of its recovery. But five Sovereigns have waited in vain to return it to the Crown Jewels guarded in the Tower! Time after time the Australians capture or lose the silverware containing the “Ashes of English Cricket,” but the tears of English yachtsmen have never been assuaged.

As England fails, there have been challenges from Canada and Australia. Thanks to Sir Thomas Lipton there was a challenge from an Irish Yacht Club. Hence the series of Shamrocks accompanied by the Erin which retired to be sunk in World War I. The racing was held up during the Crimean War, during the War between the States, and Shamrock IV was actually on the way when England declared war on Germany. Though thrones and empires fell, capitals and fortresses were captured, the America’s Cup stayed like the symbol of the impregnable United States.

SL

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Sir Shane Leslie

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No trophy has ever been fought for so gallantly, magnanimously and bitterly as the Cup which the yacht America snatched from a fleet of English yachts in 1851 under the eyes of Queen Victoria. As she had presented the Cup, she might hope to hear of its recovery. But five Sovereigns have waited in vain to return it to the Crown Jewels guarded in the Tower! Time after time the Australians capture or lose the silverware containing the “Ashes of English Cricket,” but the tears of English yachtsmen have never been assuaged.

As England fails, there have been challenges from Canada and Australia. Thanks to Sir Thomas Lipton there was a challenge from an Irish Yacht Club. Hence the series of Shamrocks accompanied by the Erin which retired to be sunk in World War I. The racing was held up during the Crimean War, during the War between the States, and Shamrock IV was actually on the way when England declared war on Germany. Though thrones and empires fell, capitals and fortresses were captured, the America’s Cup stayed like the symbol of the impregnable United States.