America: Wooden Us Sailing Schooner Model

America: Wooden US Sailing Schooner Model

The schooner America was built to represent the US in races held in conjunction with Britain’s Great Exhibition, which opened at Crystal Palace on 1 May, 1851.

America’s yacht design represented a significant departure from the traditional model. Its most notable feature was the combination of a sharp, wedge-based bow tapering very gradually to her widest point about half-way back from the stem and another subtle taper back to a broad, rounded transom.

America: Wooden US Sailing Schooner Model

Where appropriate, all scale ship models are constructed with hardwood using the plank-on-frame technique and built to scale using ships' drawings. The models use cotton sails and rigging and in the case of the larger vessels are suitable for use as exhibits in galleries or museums. Many models are available in Large and Small sizes with both versions offering the same level of detail.

Stocks of most models are held but you should allow up to 8 weeks for some of the larger models. If you have specific enquiries for other ships, please contact us. Models are shipped all over the world in secure packaging at very reasonable prices.

In any event, if you have any queries, please contact us by mail or call us by telephone and we will be pleased to help.

Length (cm)	Width (cm)	Height (cm)	Size	Type	Nation	Year
60	9	45	Small	Schooner	US	1851
80	12	60	Large	Schooner	US	1851

America: Ship's History

Original specifications: (later Camilla), Memphis, America; Type: Schooner (2 m); Dimensions: (L/B/D) 31 x 7 x 3.4 m; Hull: Wood; Complement: 25; Designer: George Steers; Built William H. Brown, New York; Year: 1851

The yacht America’s first appearance on the world stage was at the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes, Isle of Wight, on 31 July, 1851. Unfortunately for the syndicate members (New York Yacht Club), who hoped to recoup their expenses with winnings from match races, her mere appearance scared off bettors and she lay unchallenged.

One of the syndicate leaders decided to compete for the Royal Yacht Squadron £100 Cup on 22 August. This was a 53-mile race around the Isle of Wight, without time allowance, and open to yachts belonging to clubs of all nations. America was the only non-English entrant in the fleet of seven schooners and eight cutters.

Despite a bad start to the race (at 10.00 am), America managed to get into fifth place. After rounding Norman’s Land Bouy, the wind picked up and she stepped out in front of the fleet. She won the race at 8.53 pm, and America's triumph was admired in England and greeted with rapture in the US.

America changed both owners and her name a number of times and she was used by both the Confederate government and the Union Army as USS America.

After a refit in 1853, she began duty as a school ship for the US Naval Academy.

America was commissioned in 1890 to compete in the first race for the Cup named in her honour. She came fourth in the race, which was won by the centre-board sloop, Magic.

America last raced in 1901. She was then laid up and stored under a shed by the Naval Academy. The shed collapsed in 1942 and her fate was sealed. She was eventually broken up in 1945.

Her popularity is such that two replicas were built, one in 1967 and another as recently as 1995.

Models are handmade so delivery time may vary. Please contact us for more details

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