Reliance 1903 America’s Cup Available
Rail down Herreshoff’s masterpiece Reliance settles into her groove and begins to fly in this the first race of the 1903 America’s Cup
Oil on canvas 26x52 inches
August 23rd It was beautiful sunny day off Sandy Hook when the two gigantic yachts circled each other watched by a huge fleet consisting of steamers, passenger ships and steam yachts thronged with thousands of excited spectators. A nice South-westerly breeze ranging from 8 to 15 miles an hour was blowing whipping up a good sea which was sending clouds of spray high up above the bows of the yachts as the manoeuvred for the start, their wet decks glistening in the sun. The course signalled was to be 15 miles to Windward and Return.
The start was a close one both yachts crossing the line on Starboard tack Shamrock crossing 4 sec ahead of Reliance, But Reliance was in a good position on Shamrocks windward quarter, However It was apparent that Shamrock was tacking the seas better than Reliance and was drawing imperceptibly ahead giving Reliance her dirty air. 25mins into the race Capt Charlie Barr tacked Reliance away from Shamrock to get cleaner air and benefit from the smoother sea which he anticipated finding closer inshore. Capt Wringe on Shamrock didn’t follow Reliance and kept on Starboard tack and out to sea. Reliance now finding smoother water and cleaner air started to find her groove and accelerated, this is the moment depicted in the painting. Reliance with Charlie Barr at the helm and a foaming bow wave powers up whilst Shamrock 3 still on starboard crashes through the bigger offshore swells.
When the two yachts next converged on opposite tacks Shamrock’s lead had all but evaporated and she was unable to cross Reliance’s bow, Capt Wringe skilfully tacked on Reliance’s lee bow giving her a second dose of dirty air and again Shamrock accelerated away from Reliance. So, the battle raged on the upwind leg but little by little Reliance began to pull away until a favourable wind shift gave her a distinct advantage as she approached the windward mark which she rounded with a 3 min lead. This lead was further increased on the downwind leg primarily due to superior sail handling on rounding the mark. Reliance went on to cross the finish line with a healthy 9 min lead to the sound of cheers and sounding of steam whistles from the armada of waiting spectator vessels.
Reliance went on to win the next two meetings of the two craft and successfully retained the America’s Cup in the best of 5 race series.
