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Endeavour was the 1934 United Kingdom America's Cup challenger.
Endeavour, a 130 foot J-Class sloop, was commissioned by British airplane magnate Sir T.O.M. Sopwith to challenge the New York Yacht Club for the America 's Cup in 1934. Built by Camper & Nicholson of Gosport , England in 1933 under the supervision of Englishman Frank Murdoch, she narrowly lost to America 's Rainbow. She was launched in 1934 and Thomas J. Sopwith entered her in the 1934 Americas cup. Charles Nicholson's third J class design was a grand entry. She won two out of three races and fell short of the mark. Endeavour was hailed as the most beautiful J-Class yacht ever built. She was the best and most impressive sailboat that Britain ever built to race in America’s Cup series. Endeavour had speed as well as beauty. Endeavour possessed many new and innovative devices, including below-deck winches, new sail designs, and an improved spinnaker. Even with an amateur crew, she came closer to winning the Cup than any other challenger up to that time. Endeavour was a faster yacht than her contender Rainbow. She beat Rainbow the first two races. However, the American team was a much finer crew and defeated Endeavour all next three races by out-thinking her captain. In the third race, as a direct result of Vanderbilt, the skipper of "Rainbow", failing to pull away, the yachts almost collided when Endeavour had right of way. Sopwith raised the protest flag after the race in accordance to British rules. The race committee however dismissed the protest as the American rules stated the protest flag is to be flown at the time of the foul. This prompted a British writer to comment, "Britannia rules the waves, but America waives the rules."
She was the best challenger the British ever built. Endeavour had speed as well as beauty. Even with an amateur crew, she came closer to winning the Cup than any other challenger up to that time. When she returned to England she continued to dominate the British racing scene until 1938 when she was laid up for the duration of World War II.
Saved by Elizabeth Meyer of New Port, RI, today she is one of the most breathtaking sights on the water. The Endeavour sloop has under-gone a new refit at Little Harbor Marine in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Her cabin interior has been repainted, parts of her teak deck have been replaced and she has new electronics and generators. Her hull has also undergone a makeover. New steel plating has been added which has been faired and repainted. To take helm of such a yacht is to experience pure power, grace, and speed. Endeavour is now owned by Dennis Kozlowski, CEO of the Tyco Corporation. She is completly restored to her original beauty!