Her poor showing encouraged Cambria's owner, James Lloyd Ashbury, to be the first to challenge the New York Yacht Club for the America's Cup.

[2][3][4] Following her defeat, Sappho returned to the US where she was sold to New York Yacht Club member William Proctor Douglas.

[5] Douglas turned her over to Captain Robert "Bob" Fish who altered her hull, improved her ballast, and modified her rigging.

[9] On 7 September 1872, Sappho ran aground in the Solent 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) west of Ryde Pier, Isle of Wight.

[10] Sappho was sold in 1876 to Prince Sciarra de Colonia who raced her in the French Riviera.