Schooner America's Second Act Was as Lively as Her First

The 19th Century Speed Machine Served Both Sides in the Civil War

America was designed by James Rich Steers and George Steers to be fast, thanks to an innovative hull shape. This was her rig in 1887.

Nowadays, the race for the America’s Cup looks like science fiction with “flying monohulls” skimming along at 50 knots, hoisted by foils above the aqueous friction. It is a sign of how far we’ve come, however, that the ori…