Built about 1870 , Magic . owned by Alfred Fairfax , seems to have outclassed all other yachis until I 886 when beaten by Wairangi .
Before Federation , Australia rumed very much to the United Kingdom for guidance . Loyalty was very strong and even as late as J 956 applicants for membership of a number of prestigious Australian clubs were required to sign a declaration orloyalty to the Throne and Empire . Yacht racing rules only became evident in England in lhe latter pan of the eighteenth century . They were inlJ ' Oduced due to t11e awful things that were happening during yacht races . With no fonnal rules except larboard and starboard , yachts were literally attacking each other . 11lere were many instances of attacks with cutlasses , hatchets and handspikes , oot to meruioo just plain fisls . Crews would board other yachts and cut away lite rigging . In ooe insmncc the Prince of Wales ' own yacht was forced to reson to a liberal use ol ' handspikes to get clear ofot11er yachts blocking tier way . In the early twentieth century
therewasthefamouscaseofSanra1u1av Valkyrre I I ,
which was referred to the House of Lords for the meaning of an ' all damages ' claim . lt is reported as being the most expensive protest of all time . Bolh yachis were over 100 ft in length and became in ยท volved in a pon and starboard collision at the St . aJ1 of the race . This resulted in loss of life with Valkyrie being almost cleaved in half und sunk .
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