Sappho was one of two defender yachts at the second America's Cup challenge, stepping in when defender "Columbia" was damaged in the third race.
Design.
"Sappho" was built by Cornelius &amp; Richard Poillon Bros. on speculation for Richard Poillon to a design by William Townsend based on the lines of "America".
Career.
"Sappho" was launched from the C. &amp; R. Poillon shipyard at the foot of Bridge street, on May 25, 1867.
In 1868, "Sappho" sailed across the Atlantic to England. There she entered the Round the Isle of Wight Race. Competing against the yachts "Aline", "Cambria", "Condor", and Oimara, "Sappho" finished last. Her poor showing encouraged "Cambria"'s owner, James Lloyd Ashbury, to be the first to challenge the New York Yacht Club for the America's Cup.
Following her defeat, "Sappho" returned to the US where she was sold to New York Yacht Club member William Proctor Douglas. Douglas turned her over to Captain Robert "Bob" Fish who altered her hull, improved her ballast, and modified her rigging. The changes made her faster. In 1869 "Sappho" returned to England setting a record for the crossing of 12 days 9 hours 36 minutes. 
On 15 April 1870. "Sappho" ran aground in Lymington Creek. She was refloated. In May 1870, "Sappho" won the race against Ashbury's English yacht "Cambria". The "Dauntless" came in third place. Despite losing to "Sappho", Ashbury took "Cambria" to America to challenge for the America's Cup. He lost to "Magic".
Unsuccessful in his attempt to wrest the Cup from the New York Yacht Club in 1870, Ashbury tried again in 1871, this time with his yacht "Livonia". The selected defender was "Columbia". "Columbia" raced the first three races winning the first two and losing the third. "Sappho" raced the next two races winning both and retaining the America's Cup for the New York Yacht Club. On 7 September 1872, "Sappho" ran aground in the Solent west of Ryde Pier, Isle of Wight.
"Sappho" was sold in 1876 to Prince Sciarra de Colonia who raced her in the French Riviera. Upon the prince's death, "Sappho" was acquired by George Marvin who sailed her until she was scrapped at Cowes in 1887.
References.
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