The following were notable yachts:—
The sloop 'Madeleine,' built by David Kirby, Rye, New York, and launched March, 1869, designed by J. Voorhis. Length over all 70 ft., 65 ft. length on water-line, 21 ft. beam, and 7 ft. 9 in. deep, 6 ft. 6 in. draught. In her original form she was a failure, but in 1870 was changed to a schooner. After alterations to her design of hull in 1871 and again in 1873, she became a fast yacht, and was chosen to defend the 'America' Cup against the 'Countess of Dufferin' in 1876.
The cutter 'Vindex,' built by Reanyson and Archibald in Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1871, designed jointly by A. Cary Smith and her owner, Robert Center. She is the first iron yacht built in this country, being a new departure in design as well as rig, though not famous for speed, and was not a racer; still she was an excellent vessel for cruising, and was particularly comfortable in beating to windward in strong weather. 'Vindex' was 63 ft. overall, 56 ft. length on water-line, 17 ft. 4 in. beam, 7 ft. 6 in. deep, 8 ft. 10 in. draught, keel, 68 tons.
The sloop 'Vixen,' centreboard, built by Albertson Bros., of Philadelphia, for Anson Livingston, designed by R. Fish, 1871, length overall 52 ft., 44 ft. length on water-line, 16 ft. 6 in. beam, 6 ft. deep, 4 ft. 5 in. draught, 37 tons. Sailed thirty-seven races in the New York Yacht Club, and won eighteen first prizes.
The sloop 'Fanny,' built by D. O. Richmond, in Mystic, Connecticut, 1873. Length over all 72 ft., 66 ft. length on water-line, 23 ft. 9 in. beam, 6 ft. 9 in. deep, 5 ft. draught, centreboard, 90 tons. She sailed twenty-six races in the New York Yacht Club, and won ten prizes. Sloop 'Arrow,' built by David Kerby for Daniel Edgar, 1874, 66 ft. 6 in. over all, 61 ft. 8 in. length on water-line, 20 ft. 2 in. beam, 6 ft. 6 in. deep, 5 ft. 6 in. draught, 6964/95 tons. Her career was short and creditable under the flag of the New York Yacht Club, she having, in her first year, entered five races and won four prizes. Sloop 'Mischief,' designed by A. Cary Smith, built by the Harlan Hollingsworth Co., of Wilmington, Delaware, of iron, 1879; 67 ft. 6 in. over all, 61 ft. length on water-line, 19 ft. 11 in. beam, 7 ft. 9 in deep, 5 ft. 3 in. draught, 7927/95 tons. 'Mischief' was chosen to defend the 'America' Cup against 'Atalanta' in 1881; she has sailed twenty-six races and won eleven prizes. The sloop 'Pocahontas' was built by David Kirby for a syndicate. Launched in 1881, she was 71 ft. 11 in. She was intended to defend the 'America' Cup against 'Atalanta,' but was badly beaten by 'Mischief' and 'Gracie,' and was retired, bearing the well-deserved sobriquet 'Pokey.'
The sloop 'Priscilla' was built of iron by the Harlan Hollingsworth Co., Wilmington, Delaware, and designed by A. Cary Smith for James G. Bennett and William Douglas, with a view to defend the 'America' Cup against 'Genesta,' but the trial races showed 'Puritan' to be the best yacht, 1885. She was sold in 1886 to A. Cass Canfield, who did all in his power to bring her into racing form, but improvements in designing set her hopelessly astern. 'Priscilla' was 95 ft. 6 in. over all, 85 ft. 3 in. length on water-line, 22 ft. 6 in. beam, 8 ft. 9 in. deep, 8 ft. draught, centreboard. She was rigged into a schooner in 1888, but as a racer has never made a creditable record.
The sloop 'Atlantic' was built by J. F. Mumm at Bay Ridge, Long Island, designed by Philip Elsworth for Latham A. Fish and others. She was built to defend the 'America' Cup against 'Galatea,' but in the trial races she was beaten by both 'Puritan' and 'Mayflower,' and was retired. In 1887 she was sold, and changed into a schooner. Length over all 95 ft., 84 ft. 6 in. length on water-line, 23 ft. 2 in. beam, 9 ft. 6 in. deep, 9 ft. draught, centreboard, 15981/95 tons.
Amongst designers of this period A. Cary Smith, whose name is mentioned above, stands unquestionably first in New York; his boats were and are to-day favourites amongst yachtsmen. It may be said of him that he displayed good sense in designing, and whilst his productions have not been famous as racers, still they are by no means the last to return; and when we consider qualities of staunchness, trustworthiness of working in stress of weather, and all except the extreme of speed, his yachts have not been excelled. In late years, beside yacht designing, Mr. Smith has taken up the modelling of fast screw and side-wheel steamers for special passenger coastwise traffic, in which line his skill has proved pre-eminent; vessels of his design are to-day the fastest afloat, and, like his other work, are marked by evidence of perfect understanding of the requirements; in short, he builds for the special use demanded, and therefore his labours are followed by success.
He first came before the public in 1871, when he jointly with Robert Center designed the iron cutter 'Vindex,' at Chester, Pennsylvania. Then he built the schooner 'Prospero,' and it was said that he laid down the lines from paper draughts without having a model, which was at that time a great fad. Then he designed and built the 'Norna' and 'Intrepid,' 'Mina,' 'Iroquois,' and 'Zampa'; he has now designed and is superintending the building of two schooners, two ferry-boats, and one 'Sound' steamer. He is also a fine marine artist, and has painted many noted yachts: the 'Sappho' for Commodore Douglas, and 'Dauntless' for Commodore Bennett, the 'Wanderer,' 'Columbia,' the 'Vindex,'and many other celebrated yachts.
About twenty years after the organisation of the New York Yacht Club, the Brooklyn Yacht Club was formed, and, soon following it, the Atlantic Yacht Club appeared. The new clubs were composed of men who owned generally a smaller class of yachts than that in the older club, but their members were interested and active, and races were held in early summer and in autumn, as well as a cruise to Newport in midsummer.