James A Hamilton and The America's Cup

The America’s Cup sailing race has not always been called by that name. In 1851, an invitation came to the New York Yacht Club, the only yacht club in the United States at that time, from the Royal Yacht Squadron “to test the relative merits of the ships.” The British challengers did not anticipate any real contest from the Americans. Great Britain had a reputation for dominance on the seas, while the US had a single yacht club.

It was the same year as England’s Great Exhibition with its Crystal Palace, and national pride was running high. The New York Yacht Club decided to send a schooner named America. One of the ship’s owners was George Lee Schuyler, son-in-law to James Alexander Hamilton.

Some people believed the US should not accept the invitation and risk embarrassment in a regatta they were sure to lose. Schuyler, however, was confident of the schooner’s capabilities and looked forward to seeing it compete against the British ships. Unfortunately, personal issues kept him at home, and he asked his father-in-law to join the crew of the America in his place.

James was the third son of Alexander Hamilton, who had served as the first US treasury secretary and created the national bank. When traveling in Europe, James would often have official letters of introduction from presidents or cabinet members, but he recorded that he rarely used them. “My father’s name alone was my best passport to society.” In this case, it was his son-in-law’s boat that put him in the middle of historic events.

Among a field of sixteen ships, the America took off in a light wind on 22 August 1851. James wrote, “the morning was bright, the wind very light.” The 16 ships set off “breaking away like a field of race horses…the Yankee vessel seeming to be excited by the responsibility of her position, rushed to the lead in beautiful style.” When Queen Victoria was informed that the US schooner was in the lead, she asked which was second. The response? “Your Majesty, there is no second.” The America had left all competition far behind.

Following the victory, the Queen and Prince Albert boarded the America to offer their congratulations and were greeted by four crew members, including James A Hamilton. He reported it as a friendly visit with “those forms generally observed in the presence of majesty entirely done away.” The Royal Yacht Squadron Cup, which the US team was awarded, became known as the America’s Cup, as did the annual regatta.

Read more about the 1851 America’s Cup and other James Alexander Hamilton adventures in my new biography, available through Pen & Sword and your favorite bookstore!