The aftershocks of defeat by the America pervade the description of the Growth of the Sport during the middle years of the century.
The account for 1852 starts with the slightly triumphant news that America was actually beaten in a race and goes on to recount the match racing between Alarm and the re-rigged America. It concludes with the death of Prince Albert in 1862 which ‘cast a gloom over the sport’.
Towards the end of the period, it was becoming clear that a new Rule was required to ensure fair competition and the three following chapters explain the various attempts to arrive at something suitable. Each had its effect on the shape and size of new vessels.
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