Rare Photos Of Rhode Island's America's Cup History

Rhode Island is synonymous with America’s Cup history. The America’s Cup trophy is one of the oldest and most prestigious in sports, and it is also one of the longest-running events in sports. It dates back to 1851 when the schooner “America” won the cup from the Royal Yacht Squadron. The race’s history in Rhode Island began with Bristol’s Nathaniel G. Herreshoff. Captain Nat designed and built a string of winning Americas Cup boat from 1893 to 1920 out of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol. In 1930, the New York Yacht Club brought the America’s Cup race to Newport and Narragansett Bay. There it remained until 1983 when the United States lost to Australia.

1. Nathanael G. Herreshoff's "Vigilant", designed and built at the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol, was the victorious defender of the eighth America's Cup in 1893.

2. "Coumbia's" steel mast failed in the America's Cup trials in 1899 and was replaced with a mast of Oregon pine.

3. The 1899 America's Cup race, a struggle between "Columbia", designed and captained by Captain Nathaniel Herreshoff, and "Shamrock", captained by Sir Thomas Lipton.

4. The largest America's Cup yacht ever, "Reliance" was built at the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol. Here she is in 1903 battling for the title with Lipton's "Shamrock III".

5. Reliance was chosen to be featured on the Rhode Island quarter. (Reliance's incredible 199 foot 6 inch height would barely have fit under the Newport Bridge's 207 foot clearance.)

6. The President and Mrs. Kennedy view the first of the 1962 America's Cup races aboard the "USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.", off Newport.

7. Another shot of President Kennedy watching the 4th America's Cup race.

8. The President and Mrs. Kennedy attend the America's Cup dinner at the Breakers in Newport, September 14, 1962.

9. The bow of "Endeavor", winner of the 1934 America's Cup. Here she is in dry dock in 2004 at the Newport Shipyard.

10. The present met the past in 2011. 12 meter America's Cup yacht "Columbia" with the 80 foot schooner, "Aquidneck".

There’s no question Rhode Island has fascinating America’s Cup history. Remember the America’s Cup days in Newport? Leave your stories in the comments section.

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These 10 Rare Photos Show Rhode Island's America's Cup History Like Never Before

Bonnie Poisson

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