''Sovereign'' (sail number K-12) was the unsuccessful challenger of the 1964

America's Cup The America's Cup, informally known as the Auld Mug, is a trophy awarded in the sport of sailing. It is the oldest international competition still operating in any sport. America's Cup match races are held between two sailing yachts: one f ...

for the

Royal Thames Yacht Club The Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) is the oldest continuously operating yacht club in the world, and the oldest yacht club in the United Kingdom. Its headquarters are located at 60 Knightsbridge, London, England, overlooking Hyde Park. The club ...

Design

Alexander Robertson & Sons Alexander Robertson & Sons was a boatyard in Sandbank, Argyll, Sandbank, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, from 1876 to 1980. The yard was located on the shore of the Holy Loch, not far from the Royal Clyde Yacht Club (RCYC) at Hunters Quay, in the bui ...

, ''Sovereign'' was built especially for the

1964 America's Cup The 1964 America's Cup was held in September 1964 at Newport, Rhode Island. The US defender, ''Constellation'', skippered by Bob Bavier, defeated the British challenger, ''Sovereign'', skippered by Peter Scott, in a four-race sweep. ''Constel ...

challenge. This was the second post-war 12-metre yacht to be designed by David Boyd and built at Alexander Robertson & Sons, the first one being ''

Sceptre A sceptre is a staff or wand held in the hand by a ruling monarch as an item of royal or imperial insignia. Figuratively, it means royal or imperial authority or sovereignty. Antiquity Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia The ''Was'' and other ...

''.

Career

''Sovereign'' was built for J. A. Boyden in 1963. ''Sovereign'' lost 4-0 to defender Constellation of the

New York Yacht Club The New York Yacht Club (NYYC) is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. ...

Legacy

''Sovereign'' was the last yacht that represented United Kingdom in general and

in particular. Many members at that time thought that for a club that was founded in 1775 and participated in America's Cup since 1870 withdraw from the tournament completely was an embarrassment. The boatyard that built a yacht was sold by the Robertson family, who ruled it since its foundation in 1876, one year after the race, essentially ending wooden boat-building there.'Sandbank - Our Village', produced and published by Sandbank Community Council, 1996.

References

, history of the yard.

External links

America's Cup challengers Individual sailing vessels 1960s sailing yachts 1964 America's Cup {{boat-stub