Thomas W. Lawson´s yacht "Independence" (1901)
Boston stock broker and speculator Thomas W. Lawson´s yacht Independence, which participated in the 1901 America´s Cup trials, but failed to make it to the actual race, which eventually was won by the Columbia. Independence was considered the fastest boat, but it was considered to be too fragile. My colorization of a Detroit Publishing Co. image in the Library of Congress archive.
The "America´s Cup 1851 - 1937" page has this information on the Independence:
During the first two races on 6th and 8th July, Independence was completely outclassed. On July 11th, after some modifications, he finished third, 6 minutes 18 seconds behind Columbia and 2 mn 58 s behind Constitution, these results show a significant improvement of the boat. The next day, on July 12th, Independence achieves a remarkable performance. After losing her topmast near the start, he finished only 10 minutes 44 s behind Columbia and 8 min 25 sec behind Constitution.After a stay in dry dock in Bristol, Independence races against Columbia on August 1st, Constitution was being repaired. He loses the race for 5 min 14 s.For the last race of his short career, on August 3rd, Independence achieves another remarkable performance. Over a course of 30 miles, he finished only 1 minute 35 seconds behind his rival, also beating the record times for sailing in twenty miles.
"I did everything possible to secure a race or series of races for her with any or all the boats of her class then afloat, the Shamrock I. and Shamrock II, the Columbia and Constitution. I even offered to keep her in commission beyond the season of 1901 provided I was assured she would have an opportunity of racing against all or any of the above boats.""When I became convinced it would be impossible for her to secure another race, and that there was absolutely no reason for keeping her afloat, I gave orders that she be broken up."Independence was in commission exactly three months. Her sails were hoisted for the first time off Boston light June 3d, and on September 3d they were lowered for the last time, in the same locality. The work of breaking up the yacht began as soon as she went out of commission, and in a month a pile of metal in a corner of a boat-shop at Lawley's yard was all that remained of her hull.http://america-scoop.com/index.php/en/
Thomas W. Lawson´s yacht "Independence" (1901)
Boston stock broker and speculator Thomas W. Lawson´s yacht Independence, which participated in the 1901 America´s Cup trials, but failed to make it to the actual race, which eventually was won by the Columbia. Independence was considered the fastest boat, but it was considered to be too fragile. My colorization of a Detroit Publishing Co. image in the Library of Congress archive.
The "America´s Cup 1851 - 1937" page has this information on the Independence:
During the first two races on 6th and 8th July, Independence was completely outclassed. On July 11th, after some modifications, he finished third, 6 minutes 18 seconds behind Columbia and 2 mn 58 s behind Constitution, these results show a significant improvement of the boat. The next day, on July 12th, Independence achieves a remarkable performance. After losing her topmast near the start, he finished only 10 minutes 44 s behind Columbia and 8 min 25 sec behind Constitution.After a stay in dry dock in Bristol, Independence races against Columbia on August 1st, Constitution was being repaired. He loses the race for 5 min 14 s.For the last race of his short career, on August 3rd, Independence achieves another remarkable performance. Over a course of 30 miles, he finished only 1 minute 35 seconds behind his rival, also beating the record times for sailing in twenty miles.
"I did everything possible to secure a race or series of races for her with any or all the boats of her class then afloat, the Shamrock I. and Shamrock II, the Columbia and Constitution. I even offered to keep her in commission beyond the season of 1901 provided I was assured she would have an opportunity of racing against all or any of the above boats.""When I became convinced it would be impossible for her to secure another race, and that there was absolutely no reason for keeping her afloat, I gave orders that she be broken up."Independence was in commission exactly three months. Her sails were hoisted for the first time off Boston light June 3d, and on September 3d they were lowered for the last time, in the same locality. The work of breaking up the yacht began as soon as she went out of commission, and in a month a pile of metal in a corner of a boat-shop at Lawley's yard was all that remained of her hull.http://america-scoop.com/index.php/en/