Columbia 1871 Yacht Article Index for
Columbia
Website Links For
Columbia
 

Information About

Columbia 1871 Yacht




''Columbia'' was the successful defender of the second America's Cup race in 1871 against English challenger ''Livonia'' .


DESIGN


''Columbia'', a wooden Centerboard Schooner , was designed and built in 1871 by Joseph B. Van Deusen in Chester, PA for owner Franklin Osgood of the New York Yacht Club .


CAREER


Skippered by Andrew J. Comstock , ''Columbia'' won the first two 1871 races against ''Livonia''. It was beaten by ''Livonia'' in the third race, in which ''Columbia,'' damaged from the second race, was skippered by Horatio Nelson "Nelse" Comstock. It was the first America's Cup defender to concede a win to the challenger. As ''Columbia'' was further damaged in this third race, it was unable to compete in the final race. The yacht '' Sappho '' substituted and won the America's Cup for the second time for the U.S.

''Columbia'' ended its racing career in 1908, when it was dismasted and used as a Houseboat in Brooklyn Harbor on the East River . Three years later it was rebuilt and sailed as a cruiser out of Newport News, VA . In 1920, Columbia was bought by a fisherman. It was declared lost in 1923.


SPECIFICATIONS

  • Overall length: 34.13 m

  • Length at water line: 29.41 m

  • Beam (width): 7.75 m

  • Draft : 1.80 m

  • Displacement : 220 tons

  • Sail area: 950 m2



REFERENCES AND EXTERNAL LINKS