Valkyrie III (yacht)

"Valkyrie III" was the unsuccessful British challenger of the ninth America's Cup race in 1895 against American defender "Defender".

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Design

"Valkyrie III," a keel cutter, was designed by George Lennox Watson and built at the D&W Henderson on the River Clyde in 1893 for a syndicate of owners including Lord Dunraven, Lord Londsale, Lord Wolverton, and Captain Henry McCalmont of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

"Valkyrie III" had a steel frame, a hull planked with American elm and teak, and a pine deck.

Career

Valkyrie III was launched on May 27, 1895. After a few mixed test races (for which she was later criticized for lack of previous competition) she sailed to New York to prepare for the ninth America's Cup.

Valkyrie III was beaten by "Defender" in all three Cup races. Owner Lord Dunraven claimed the Americans had cheated, creating a huge, public controversy which briefly jeopardized the future of the America's Cup race.

In 1899 Valkyrie III was refitted and sailed as a trial horse for Sir Thomas Lipton's Shamrock I, and in 1901 Valkyrie III was broken up.

Specifications

See also

References and external links