Columbia 20"

Columbia was the successful defender of the second America's Cup race in 1871 against English challenger Livonia.

Design

Columbia, a wooden centerboard schooner, was designed and built in 1871 by Joseph B. Van Deusen in Chester, PA for owner Franklin Osgood of the New York Yacht Club.

Career

Skippered by Andrew J. Comstock, Columbia won the first two 1871 races against Livonia. It was beaten by Livonia in the third race, in which Columbia, damaged from the second race, was skippered by Horatio Nelson "Nelse" Comstock. It was the first America's Cup defender to concede a win to the challenger. As Columbia was further damaged in this third race, it was unable to compete in the final race. The yacht Sappho substituted and won the America's Cup for the second time for the U.S.

Columbia ended its racing career in 1908, when it was dismasted and used as a houseboat in Brooklyn Harbor on the East River. Three years later it was rebuilt and sailed as a cruiser out of Newport News, VA. In 1920, Columbia was bought by a fisherman. It was declared lost in 1923.

Specifications

    * Overall length: 34.13 m
    * Length at water line: 29.41 m
    * Beam (width): 7.75 m
    * Draft: 1.80 m
    * Displacement: 220 tons
    * Sail area: 950 m2