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Mischief was the victorious defender of the fourth America's Cup challenge in 1881 against Canadian challenger Atalanta. It was designed by Archibald Cary Smith and built by Harlan & Hollingsworth of Wilmington, Delaware in 1879.According to Americascup.com:
"An English member of the New York Yacht Club, Joseph R. Busk, owned Mischief. He lived near Newport, but he was not a naturalised American in 1881. However, it was his yacht that would be selected after elimination trials as the defender of the America's Cup. The important nationality clause, so important to the New York Yacht Club in the coming years was very circumvented early on. It was the second all-metal yacht to be built in the United States, and was nicknamed 'The Iron Pot'.
"[During] 1879-1884, Mischief [was] owned by Joseph R. Busk. [During] 1884-1904, Mischief had four different owners. [In] 1904 the boat was inspected off New Scotland. It was suspected being used for smuggling between the United States and Canada. After two years of uncertain status due to its seizure, Mischief was no longer registered as a yacht. [In] 1906 [it was] bought by the Mayflower Oil Company; the iron hull was used as a barge and for shipping oil in the Boston area. In 1929, it was towed and abandoned. Several passionate Boston yachtsmen pooled their resources to buy the wreck. On May 26th, 1929, the long iron hull was towed offshore by an US Navy tug. After a last salute, they tried to scuttle it, without success. The warship Mojave had to bombard it and Mischief sank 'decently' before more than twenty yachts representing the most prestigious East coast yacht clubs.
"Yacht Club: New York Yacht Club, New York, USA
Owner: Joseph R. Busk
Centerboard compromise type sloop
Skipper: Nathanael 'Than' Clock
Afterguard: Edward A. Willard, H.B. Willard, W.H.H. Beebe, Frederick May, W.H. Mitchell ."For more information, see http://www.americascup.com/en/acclopaedia/circlinggalaxy/bateau.php?idContent=4604 .