Resolute was a yacht designed and built by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff for a syndicate of New York Yacht Club

New York Yacht Club

The New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. The organization has over 3,000 members as of 2011. ...

 members headed by Henry Walters

Henry Walters

Henry Walters was president of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad until he retired in 1902. He was founder of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.-Biography:...

 to contend the 1914 America's Cup.

1920 America's Cup

The 1920 America's Cup was the 13th challenge for the Cup and the first since 1903. It took place on the New York City harbor and consisted of a "best of five" series of races between the defender Resolute, entered by a syndicate of New York Yacht Club members headed by Henry Walters, and Shamrock...

 In selection trials Resolute beat the America's Cup

America's Cup

The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...

 course record off Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook is a barrier spit along the Atlantic coast of New JerseySandy Hook may also refer to:-Places:United States* Sandy Hook , a village in the town of Newtown, Connecticut* Sandy Hook, Kentucky, a city in Elliott County...

 by sailing 30 miles in 3:16:41 with Charles Francis Adams

Charles Francis Adams III

Charles Francis Adams III was the United States Secretary of the Navy under President Herbert Hoover and a well-known yachtsman.-Life:...

 as skipper

Skipper

Skipper may refer to:* Skipper , a person who has command of a vessel* Sea Scouting , name given to Leader of a Scout Troop* Skippers Seafood & Chowder House, an American chain of seafood restaurants...

, securing the right to defend the Cup on behalf of the NYYC., however the outbreak of World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 caused the America's Cup races for 1914 to be postponed.

In 1920 the America's Cup was reconvened and Resolute again prevailed in selection races before successfully defending the Cup in July of that year, once more with Adams at the helm. Resolute was the last Cup defender to be designed by Herreshoff. Her racing career lasted another ten years, and in 1930 Resolute again participated in the America's cup selection races, albeit as a "trial horse" against which the potential defenders could be judged.

Specifications

• Length waterline - 75 feet (22.9 m)
• Draft - 13 in 9 in (4.19 m)
• Beam - 21 feet (6.4 m)
• Overhang forward - 16 feet (4.9 m)
• Overhang aft - 15 feet (4.6 m)
• L.O.A. - 106 feet (32.3 m)
• Fore triangle base - 48 in 4 in (14.73 m)
• Boom - 78 feet (23.8 m)
• Deck to topmast - 130 feet (39.6 m)
• Lead - 65tons
• Displacement - 105.5tons
• Sail area - 8650 square feet (803.6 m²)

History

Resolute was christened by Grace Vanderbilt

Grace Vanderbilt

Grace Wilson Vanderbilt was an American socialite. She was the wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt III. She was one of the last Vanderbilts to live the luxurious life of the "head of society" that her predecessors such as Alice and Alva Vanderbilt enjoyed.-Biography:She was born Grace Graham Wilson on...

 and launched on April 25, 1914. In the 1914 America's Cup defender selection trials she beat Vanitie

Vanitie

Vanitie was a yacht owned by Alexander Smith Cochran that was selected to take part in selection trials for the America's Cup in 1914 against Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht Shamrock IV.-History:...

and Defiance

Defiance (yacht)

Defiance was a yacht built by George Owen for a syndicate of New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston sportsmen headed by George M. Pynchon to compete in the trials to select the defender for the 1914 America's Cup. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 caused the Cup races for that year to be delayed...

. The races were suspended as World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 broke out.

The race was finally held during the 1920 America's Cup

1920 America's Cup

The 1920 America's Cup was the 13th challenge for the Cup and the first since 1903. It took place on the New York City harbor and consisted of a "best of five" series of races between the defender Resolute, entered by a syndicate of New York Yacht Club members headed by Henry Walters, and Shamrock...

. Resolute lost the first two matches before recovering to defend the cup 3-2 against Shamrock IV

Shamrock IV

Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson. She was the unsuccessful challenger in the 1920 America's Cup....

. Robert Wales Emmons, Jr. was the manager of the yacht in 1920.

In 1925 Resolute was sold to E. Walter Clark of Philadelphia.