America's Cup Jubilee
Limited Edition Print 
America's Cup Jubilee
Limited Edition Print
Home Information Purchase Contact
About the Painting
On August 22nd 1851 at 8.37 pm as dusk began to fall over Cowes, the 171 ton schooner America crossed the finish line after a 53 mile race around the Island. Unknown then, as she joined hundreds of flag-bedecked vessels jostling against the backdrop of fireworks and cannon smoke, this would signify the beginning of one of the most fiercely contested events in sailing history, a race to win the coveted prize of a sterling silver trophy.
America had been commissioned by a syndicate of New York businessmen and was designed by George Steers, based on the lines of the city's pilot boats. Built by WH Brown and launched 3rd May 1851, the 95 ft long vessel arrived at Cowes on the 1st August to compete with British yachts as part of the Great Trade Fair celebrations.
Her gleaming black hull with a single gold stripe was copper-plated to the water-line and hoisted above were flat, non-porous sails made up of tightly woven machine-spun cotton duck totalling an area of 5,263 sq ft.
A start line of two rows of anchored vessels (the larger being 300 yards behind the others) ranged from the little 47 ft cutter Aurora to the awesome 392 ton three masted schooner Brilliant. They took up position at 9.30 am; at 9.55 the cannon signalled preparations and then at 10.00 o'clock the second cannon started the race. All moved off except America which had crept forward over the anchor when her sails had risen and hence the crew had been unable to hoist them up. Quickly overcoming this obstacle, the mighty America was soon catching and overhauling her opponents ranging from the schooners Titanic and Gypsy Queen to the cutters Volante, Arrow and Alarm and yachts such as Eclipse, Aurora and Bacchante.
The rest, as they say, is history. Dick Brown, a skipper borrowed from the New York pilot schooner Mary Taylor along with a mixed crew, had navigated unfamiliar waters and beaten all-comers by 18 minutes.
There to greet him was the Royal steamer Victoria and Albert which they had encountered earlier at the Needles, dipping the ensign and doffing caps accordingly.
In this painting, America is portrayed being greeted and acknowledged by all around her as the outright winner after 10 hrs 37 minutes in a moment which was to make yachting history. This oil painting was commissioned to celebrate the America's Cup Jubilee in 2001.
About the Artist
Edward Holt was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, UK in 1949. Totally self trained, he began painting as a hobby later in life. His work has attracted much attention and to date he has enjoyed five major exhibitions and many commissions. His paintings form part of many collections of marine art around the world.
Edward's subject matter is almost entirely maritime, painted in oils and depicting bygone days of sail or traditional craft in present day locations along the coastline of England.
His talent for capturing light and calm or movement has led to a growing demand for his originals and all of Edward's spare time is spent painting in his studio at home in Yorkshire.
Copyright © 2007G J Banks