L.G.Y.C First Prize Cat Boats July 11, 1891

There are only a few trophies from the 1890s at Lake Geneva Yacht Club. The latest one to join the collection is this unusual fluted brass and copper  tea kettle, identified on its lid as being the first prize for the catboat race on July 11, 1891. It, like two or three other trophies on display, resurfaced decades ago at a garage sale. We are grateful to Walter J. Goes for giving us this historic trophy. 

Usually ornate, trophies from this period were often functional as well. This tea kettle, with its classic claw feet, is equipped with an alcohol burner and was designed by the Gorham Company to be admired and used at the table. Research by the History and Archives Committee continues, but evidence suggests that the race held on July 11, 1891 in the 21-Foot Class was won by James Van Inwagen in his 18-foot cat-rigged sandbagger Negawni – the owner’s name spelled backwards.