that the schooner rig first appeared in 1713, at Gloucester, Massachusetts.
From time to time a good deal of controversy has occurred among yachting experts concerning the origin of the schooner, sloop, and cutter rigs. Hence, this matter has been the subject of careful research with the present writer. In conclusion, therefore, we may say, that so far as existing records are obtainable, the schooner rig originated in America, the sloop rig in Holland. From these were evolved the French and British cutter and the American sloop rigs; while the ketch and lugger rigs originated in France.
In 1715 Thomas Dogget, the celebrated comedian, instituted the "coat and badge" as a prize to be rowed for on the first of August, annually, on the Thames by six young watermen that had not exceeded the time of their apprenticeship by twelve months.
This prize, which came to be known as "Dogget's coat and badge," was a red coat with a large silver badge on the arm, bearing the white horse of Hanover. It was first given to commemorate the anniversary of the accession of King George I. to the throne of England. And although the first race took place in the year 1715, as mentioned, the names of the winners of this famous trophy have been preserved only since 1791. Naturally the introduction of steamboats on the Thames caused the old race of watermen to become extinct; and, so, much of the interest and excitement of these sculling matches have passed away.
