1937 Americas Cup
The Challenge
During the summer of 1936 TOM Sopwith made his second challenge for the Americas Cup. He had in fact decided upon the challenge the preceding year and had Charles Nicholson design and build a new J, during that winter. In his challenge Sopwith requested the earlier race date of July rather than the customary September, in the hope of getting more wind off Newport. His challenge and request where accepted by the New York Yacht Club.
Because Sopwiths new J Endeavour ll had suffered two dismasting’s in 1936 the Universal Rule governing the contest was modified regarding the masts. Now the minimum weight of the masts plus fixed fittings where dependant on waterline length and as both the new boats were built to the maximum waterline of 87 feet their masts had a minimum weight of 6,400lbs. in addition a new minimum diameter was set and a lower centre of gravity.
To meet the challenge the New York Yacht club had 3 Js in commission, Weetamoe, Yankee and Rainbow. These boats had all been in commission in 1936 and raced very hard as a challenge was expected. It was known Sopwiths new J had proved her superiority over Endeavour that summer winning 6 out of her 10 starts and coming 2nd in 2 others. The older Endeavour had proved to be a faster boat than Rainbow in 1934 and had successfully held Yankee during the summer of 1935 so it was unlikely any of the existing Js could successfully meet the challenge. It was accordingly decided to build a new J to defend the Cup
Unfortunately with the effects of the depression having bit deep no syndicate could be formed and Harold Vanderbilt ultimately had to fund the new boat himself.
Ranger as the new boat was named was launched on the 11th of May. Disaster struck as she was being towed round Cape Code to Newport for the preliminary races, her mast worked loose and was lost. The loss delayed the preliminary and observation races, while Ranger was hurriedly fitted out with Rainbows old mast and rigged from fittings from Weetamoe , Enterprise and Vanitie.
During her one season of 1937 Ranger was only to lose two races both of which in light and fickle winds.
In the preseason races she quickly demonstrated her superiority over the two older J boats Rainbow and Yankee and was therefore quickly selected to defend the Cup against the new Endeavour.
The Cup races of 1937 were to prove a anti-climax after the very close races of 1934, Ranger administering very heavy defeats over Endeavour 2 in the four race series.
After the 1937 Cup races the curtain was brought down on the incredible J Class when the two Endeavours joined Ranger, Rainbow and Yankee on the annual cruise of the New York Yacht Club and later participated in races at Marblehead under the auspices of the Eastern Yacht Club.
Ranger leading the fleet on the run to Martha’s Vineyard. Oil on canvas by Shane Couch 40x60 inches
Ranger the Super J sails through the lee of Rainbow during the NNYC races on Buzzards Bay. Oil on Canvas by Shane Couch 40x60 inches
These races with 5 remarkable J class yachts racing together where forever to live in the memories of people when the second world war brought an end to these yachts and the wealth and personalities that created them. It was not to be until 1989 that two J class yachts would again race together and 1999 when they were joined by a 3rd.
Paintings of the 1934 America’s Cup
