Aubrey Crocker

Aubrey Crocker
Born
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Died(1906-06-23)June 23, 1906
Cohasset, Massachusetts, U.S.
OccupationYachtsman

Aubrey Crocker was a yachting skipper in the United States during the 19th century. He captained the Puritan in 1885[1], winner of the America's Cup, the world's oldest international sporting competition.[2]

Early years

Crocker was born in Provincetown.[3][4] He learned about the sea from his father starting at the age of ten. He demonstrated his proficiency in sailing yachts after commanding a boat called the Shadow, the only American boat to defeat a famous British cutter named Madge.

America's Cup

Based on his experience and successful record, Crocker was selected to skipper the Puritan first in August 1885[5] in the Goelet Cup trials which pitted his boat against the Priscilla.[6] After his victory, he went on in September 1885 to sail Puritan against the British entry Genesta. He was assisted by Captain Joe Ellsworth.[7]

Following that triumph, he was also invited to sail on two other America's Cup competitors, the Volunteer and Mayflower in the capacity of an advisor.[8]

Goelet Cup

In 1897, Crocker steered the Navahoe to victory in the prestigious Goelet Cup over the yacht Vigilant, the defender of the 1893 America's Cup.[9] Both yachts were designed by the Herreshoff brothers, Nathanael Greene Herreshoff and John Brown Herreshoff.

Death

Crocker died at 68 years old of Bright's disease.[10]

References

  1. ^ "The America's Cup". Chicago Tribune. September 8, 1885. p. 2.
  2. ^ "Famous Yachting Skipper, Death of Captain Aubrey Crocker Who Had Sailed America's Cup Defenders". The Standard-Times. June 25, 1906. p. 9.
  3. ^ "A Live Yankee After All". The Boston Globe. October 12, 1885. p. 2.
  4. ^ "Among the Jolly Tars". The Argus. September 13, 1885. p. 2.
  5. ^ "Priscilla or Puritan? Preparing to Race for the Goelet Cup". New-York Tribune. August 3, 1885. p. 5.
  6. ^ "Won by the Puritan". The Bulletin. August 4, 1985. p. 46.
  7. ^ "The Yacht Race". Green Bay Weekly Gazette. September 12, 1885. p. 1.
  8. ^ "The Puritan's Rig - Her Skipper Honored". Boston Evening Transcript. October 1, 1885. p. 1.
  9. ^ "Vigilant Beaten". The Washington Post. August 6, 1897. p. 7.
  10. ^ "Old Captain Dies". The Elmira Gazette. June 25, 1906. p. 1.
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