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"Magic" and "Cambria" sail into Newport Harbor, 1870. | A calm evening as "Magic", in the foreground and "Cambria" ( left hand side) sail slowly into Newport on a dying breeze. Just ahead of "Magic" is the well known sloop "Gracie". The yachts formed part of the 1870 New York Yacht Club's Annual cruise. The late evening sun lights up the yachts sails and the clouds near the horizon, which, in turn, cast a beautiful warm glow on the water. A cloud casts a shadow on the land in the right hand background. Other yachts of the New York Yacht Club can be seen at anchor in the background.
Just prior to the annual cruise "Magic" had successfully defended the America's Cup on August 8th, 1870, against "Cambria", the challenger, representing the Royal Thames Yacht Club of England. ("Cambria" had also just won a transatlantic match race against the schooner "Dauntless".) This was the first time the America's Cup had been raced for in The United States, since "America's" win in 1851. 17 schooners ( 16 American) started in the race for the cup, with "Cambria" placing 8th overall and 10th on corrected time. In future America's Cup events only one defender raced the challenger, with a series of races to decide the winner, unlike the single race of 1870.
"Magic", a centreboard schooner owned by Franklin Osgood, was one of the smallest yachts in the America's Cup, measuring 84 ft. on deck. She was launched in 1857. "Cambria", owned by James Ashbury, measured 108 ft. on deck and was launched in 1868. | | Dimensions | 30" x 40" | | Media | Oil on canvas |
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