A Discussion and Comparative Analysis between Half-Hull Models of Yacht America
by Alan Granby
January 2024
Carved and laminated period half-hull of Yacht America on its original fancy backboard, American, circa 1851. The model is painted black above the waterline and has a natural wood finish below. Like many of the half models of this period, between each lift are thin lift like layers of wood of a much lighter color or contrasting tone that helps define the shape of the hull. This model has a rarely seen feature having nine vertical inlaid splines which appear like the stations that are typically pencil drawn and shown on the reverse of a model and along the top of the hull. These inlaid wood stations appear a few inches back from the bow and are evenly spaced up to a few inches before the stern. The bow has an applied detailed carved trailboard with a curved shape and is somewhat unique in design to America. The stern has an applied sternboard eagle similar to the actual sternboard eagle of "Yacht America". There is an applied keel that rounds down the bow and across the keel running at an angle towards the stern and continues up the stern. There is an applied rudder post and rudder.
There is a highly figured piece of hardwood that supports the model as its backboard which has a very decorative three element frame that adorns the backboard. The first element tangent to the backboard's perimeter is an ebonized ribbon like molding. The second element adjacent to the ribbon molding is a rosewood veneer strip about 1 1/2 inches in width. This element slopes downward evenly around the backboard. At the outermost end of the backboard is a thin plain wood outer border that is the same thickness and width as the other elements. This rosewood veneered molding is raised where it meets the mounting board and angles down to the edge. Applied to the side of the backboard is a thin strip of wood that is rounded at the top and is slightly raised above the rosewood inlay.
Upon seeing the model above, I immediately recognized the similarity of many aspects of this model to one of the most historically significant and beautiful half-hull models that was created by George Steers the designer of “Yacht America” to be given to Queen Victoria of England that has been located at the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News Virginia. This model has two silver plaques that are applied to the opposite ends of the backboard. The left plaque has an engraved presentation to Queen Victoria and the plaque on the right provides America's dimensions. This model has a carved and gilded name plaque just above the trailboard which is discussed in “The Holy Grail of Yachting: The Art of America’s Cup” “(1851), Volume 1 pages 138 -143, written by Alan Granby and Janice Hyland and published by The America3 Foundation in 2015. There were four of these Yacht America models created by George Steers the first to be given to Queen Victoria of England; a second which was presented to Emperor Napoleon III of France; a third to Czar Nicholas I of Russia, and the fourth to the United States Navy.
Dimensions backboard: Length 45 ½ inches, Height - 12 ½ inches, Depth 4 inches
Dimensions of actual hull for model above: Length 37 ½ inches, Height 6 3/8 inches, Depth 4 inches
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Note 1: In 2022 the Steers family donated what was considered the original builder’s model used by George Steers in the building of Yacht America. It was exciting that this builder’s model of “Yacht America” was joining the other Steers half-hull model collection that had been loaned to the Mariner’s Museum in 1936. The collection consisted of 20 half-hull models and one plan. Several maritime scholars participated in a fascinating research project in an attempt to prove that this builder’s model was in fact the true Steers working model for “Yacht America”. On June18, 2022 Jeanne Willoz-Egnor Curator of Maritime History and Culture, Director of the Ifland Center for Exploration wrote an article titled “Yacht America Builder’s Model Donated to Mariners’”. This article illustrates and documents all of the Steers models. She also describes in detail the process that was undertaken in determining if the model was the actual original working model.
https://www.marinersmuseum.org/2022/06/yacht-america-builders-model-donated-to-mariners/
Note 2: Another similar model made with similar materials and design motifs as the Steer’s presentation models and the one described above is a half-hull model of the famous Yacht “Henrietta” owned by James Gordon Bennett and winner of the Trans-Atlantic Race of 1866. This model is in a private collection and has been included because of the number of similar features.
Dimensions of Henrietta backboard: Length 60 ¾ inches, Height 14 ½ inches
Using information provided in Jeanne Wiloz-Egnor’s 2022 article about “Yacht America” and Steers half-hull models, I created eight categories for the purpose of comparing these models. The details of these comparisons are listed below.
Comparison of some of the elements of the newly discovered half-hull of “Yacht America” to the Steers models showing similar elements:
1.
Thin wood lamination between each lift of a contrasting color to the wood color of the lifts.
2.
Painted black above the waterline and natural wood below.
3.
Mounted on wood backboard with highly figured wood.
4.
Rosewood veneer as decorative accent on the outside perimeter of the backboard
5.
Applied carved trailboard at the bow.
6.
Applied keel and rudder.
7.
Thin wood splines inlaid into the half-hull and top deck that appear like stations.
8.
Length of backboard
9.
Accession number
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1.
Newly Discovered half model of Yacht “America”, Private Collection: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 OA Length 45 ½”
2.
George Steers Model of America to be given to Queen Victoria with applied presentation plaques: 1,2,3,4,5,6, 8,: OA Length 66’: Mariners’ Museum #1949.0566.00000 1 MR 170
3.
George Steers Unidentified Steamship Model: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9: OA Length 66”: Mariners’ Museum #2020.000020
4.
Prototype Clipper Ship Model: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9: OA Length 79 1/16, 8 Mariners’ Museum #2020.0014.000011
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5.
George Steers Sloop “Francis” Model: 7: OA 23 3/8, Mariners’ Museum #2020.0014.000017
6.
George Steers Original Builders Model of America: OA Length n/a 1, 9 Mariners’ Museum #2021.0023.000001
7.
James Gordon Bennett “Yacht Henrietta” Model Private Collection: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8: OA Length 60¾”
