Charles Oliver Iselin

Who was Charles Oliver Iselin?

Charles Oliver Iselin was an American banker and yachtsman who was captain of racing yachts that successfully the America's Cup three times. He was born on June 8, Adrian Iselin and Eleanora O Donnell. His great great-grandfather Isaac Iselin came to America in 1801 from Basel, Switzerland, where the Iselin’s had been merchants, public officials, and military and professional men since the 14th century. Isaac amassed a large fortune in the importing business, and his descendants became private bankers and philanthropists in New York City.

Charles was considered to be one of the greatest American Yachtsmen of his time, participating in and winning six consecutive America’s Cup races: 1887, 1893, 1895, 1899, 1901 and 1903. He built a large ‘’breakwater’’ next to his New Rochelle estate so that he could dock his yachts ‘’Defender’’, ‘’Reliance’’ and ‘’Columbia’’ safely at home. His wife Hope was the first woman ever to serve as part of the crew on an America's Cup yacht.

C. Oliver’s sailing career began with small, over rigged boats known as “sandbaggers”. These were wide shoal boats on which capsize was always imminent.