Wheel of Sloop RESOLUTE
ship's wheel
SHIP & BOAT PIECES - WHEELSHerreshoff Mfg. Co.
1914
wood; metal
overall: 42 1/8 x 42 1/8 x 3 in.
Mahogany steering wheel from the America's Cup sloop RESOLUTE, 1914. Wheel has 8 turned spokes and 4 narrow inlaid wooden bands running around the periphery of the circle. It's 6 inch brass hub is inscribed "Resolute No. 725 Herreshoff Mfg. Co. 1914". It was 1914, and Sir Thomas Lipton was challenging for the America's Cup for his fourth time. While his SHAMROCK IV was crossing the Atlantic, World War I broke out, and the contest was put off. SHAMROCK stayed in the United States and the races were on again in 1920. Charles Francis Adams, one of a new generation of amateurs sailors, was the first amateur to skipper an America's Cup defender. His 106-foot sloop RESOLUTE was the last Cup racer designed by the brilliant Nathanael G. Herreshoff. SHAMROCK won the first two races, then Adams went on to win three straight. This was the closest that challengers would come until Australia II's 1983 win.
1955.459