Book Review: The Last Days of the Schooner America
As soon as I started reading The Last Days of the Schooner America by Annapolis sailor Dave Gendell, I wanted to see a map of exactly where the famous schooner spent her final years. Chesapeake locals like the author would already know where the Annapolis Yacht Yard was in 1940, but I wasn’t sure: which of the buildings I pass by on my way to Severn Sailing Association were the ones he says are still in use?
It wasn’t until page 94 that the first map appeared, and by then I was thoroughly caught up in America’s colorful life. She was only a few weeks old when she won the silver ewer now known as the America’s Cup; a decade later, she fought on both sides of the Civil War. She also served as a viewing platform for early 20th century America’s Cup competitions before retiring to a dock at the U.S. Naval Academy.
In 1940, America was hauled out for a much-needed refit… and it’s hardly a spoiler to identify her final resting place as right near what today is the Chart House Restaurant. But even though the U.S. wouldn’t officially enter World War II for another year, tooling up to build wooden warships was already a much higher priority for the Annapolis Yacht Yard. It’s hard to imagine Spa Creek as either sleepy backwater or warship assembly line, but Gendell deftly weaves together firsthand reminiscences and archival documents to capture a unique moment in history. He also shows the interwoven tension between two seemingly unrelated narratives: the wish to restore a glorious but ancient race boat, and the need to win a world war, all overlaid by the timeless limitations of manpower and waterfront workspace.
Considering the high quality writing and meticulous research details, I was very surprised by the large number of typos and missing small words (the, an, a). But even if you’ve also got a sharp eye for such things, I strongly recommend this book. History and sailing buffs alike will definitely enjoy learning more about this iconic vessel—and the next time I stroll by her final resting place, I will certainly look at that familiar waterfront with far more perspective.
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