{"product_id":"gordon-bennett-and-the-first-yacht-race-across-the-atlantic","title":"Gordon Bennett and the First Yacht Race Across the Atlantic","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 1866 transatlantic yacht race was a match that saw three yachts battle their way across the Atlantic in the dead of winter in pursuit of a $90,000 prize. Six men died in the brutal contest, and it changed the perception of yachting from a gentleman's pursuit into something more rugged and adventurous. The race also heralded the beginning of America's \"gilded age\" (the $90,000 prize is approximately $15 million in today's currency). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJames Gordon Bennett, Jr. was the son of the multimillionaire proprietor of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eNew York Herald\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and a notorious playboy. His infamous stunts included driving his carriage through the streets of New York naked, tipping a railway porter $30,000, and turning up at his own engagement party blind drunk and mistaking the fireplace for a urinal. However, Bennett was also a serious yachtsman and had served with distinction during the Civil War aboard the yacht\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e Henrietta. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe was the only owner aboard his own boat during the race. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlong with Bennett's story are those of his captain Samuel Samuels, a legendary clipper skipper, ex-convict, and occasional vaudeville actor; financier Leonard Jerome, grandfather to Winston Churchill; and Stephen Fisk, a journalist so desperate to cover the race that he evaded a summons to appear as a witness in court and, instead, smuggled himself aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eHenrietta \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein a crate of champagne.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a story of scandal, adventure, and a monumental moment in yachting history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Macmillan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47630179795122,"sku":"19427","price":17.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0617\/4290\/7570\/files\/IMG_0784.jpg?v=1782492483","url":"https:\/\/www.hmflaglerandco.us\/products\/gordon-bennett-and-the-first-yacht-race-across-the-atlantic","provider":"H.M. Flagler \u0026 Co ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}