Terry Hutchinson visits the Deed of Gift
by America's Cup 17 Jul 2020 14:21 BST
The Deed of Gift at the New York Yacht Club © NYYC
A simple document with a complex history.
The Deed of Gift sits in the New York Yacht Club and has guided every America's Cup since it was penned in 1851. At the heart of the complexity, it asks for a friendly competition between nations while giving the Defender all the Rights.
The America's Cup Deed of Gift was conceived shortly after Commodore Stevens and his brother Edwin arrived back in New York in 1851 with a trophy the 'America' had won in the Royal Yacht Squadron's "All Nations Race".
Commodore Stevens announced gifting the Cup at a dinner hosted by the New York Yacht Club on Wednesday 1 October 1851, to celebrate their win. It was not until seven months later, in May 1852, before a document in the form of a gifting letter, was drawn up by George Lee Schuyler, one of the other owners of the America.