Thistle was the unsuccessful Scottish challenger of the seventh America's Cup in 1887 against American defender Volunteer.

Thistle was built under conditions of great secrecy during the winter of 1886-7 and launched with her hull covered by a huge canvas.

After winning or placing second in 13 of 15 Scottish regattas in her first year afloat, Thistle sailed to New York as the challenger in the 1887 America's Cup against the US defender, Volunteer.

Following a few very successful years racing in Britain, Thistle was sold to the German emperor Wilhelm II (who otherwise used the SMY Hohenzollern) in 1891 for 90,000 gold marks and renamed Meteor.

Between 1892 and 1895 Wilhelm II raced against the Britannia owned by his uncle the Prince of Wales later King Edward VII each year at the Cowes Week.