Herreshoff #193002es [Model Yacht for Norman Herreshoff]

"Dear Sirs:
I have been much interested in reading the article in your October number entitled 'A Novel Automatic Steering Gear for Model Yachts,' as I have had quite an experience with devises for steering sailing models directly by angle of wind movement to the course desired for the model, and I consider it the best principle, when the details are properly worked out. Way back in 1875 when I was working on double-hulled sailing craft --- the details of which I had patents and I also constructed many --- I made a model [#187504es Amaryllis Model Yacht] of the contrivance about 33 inches long. This I sailed, but could not keep it on a course until I added a wind vane that controlled the rudder, and it did the trick perfectly.
Due to busy days, I did no more with the idea until a few years ago, when I took up model making just to give exercise without having to stand much over on fatigue. I built four models [#192901es, #193001es, #193002es, #193103es] to which I applied the windvane steerer, and when I tried each proved successful. I carried out the details somewhat different in each case, but all having the same principle of connecting the rudder to the wind-vane so they turn reverse directions. In one case a pin on the arm on lower end of vane shaft worked in a forked tiller turned on the rudder shaft, exactly as shown in the illustration on page 148 [a reference to a vane gear mechanism invented and described by the yacht designer Jac. M. Iversen of Stockholm, Sweden]. However, the details of the vane shaft and adjusting mechanism are quite different. The arrangement as shown in your paper is crude, as it is not designed to eliminate friction and the inertia of moving parts. In mine the wind vane is counter balanced so that careering or rolling of the model will have no effect. The entire weight of vane and gear bears on a fine pivot point, so the slightest air will swing the vane. Also, the rudder blade is of the same specific gravity as water, so it is not effected by careering and turns very easily.
I tried an elastic centering device and found it was not needed, and I also arranged a disc on the vane shaft with a circle of pin holes that a pin on the vane dropped into to hold the vane at desired angle and gave that up in favour of a friction arrangement on disc that is adjustable by screws to give sufficient friction to control the rudder, but can be pushed round to any angle in an instant without breaking anything.
I sent a drawing of this arrangement to a New York yachtsman and model enthusiast who asked for it, with the declaration that I had not patents, and gave it freely to the public. Unfortunately, the device was not carried out correctly and had considerable friction and, therefore, failed.
The principle certainly is not patentable, but of course some special details may be.
Yours Truly,
Nathanael G. Herreshoff." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. [Letter to the Editor.] The Model Yachtsman, England, December 1932. Quoted in: Boebert, Earl. "Nathanael Herreshoff's Vane Gears." The Model Yacht. Newsletter of the U.S. Vintage Model Yacht Group. Fall 1999, p. 3-7.)

"Nothing is known about this model yacht, except for a note by N. G. Herreshoff on the surviving half model in the collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum: Model for 50" Model boat for Norman Herreshoff By NGH. Herreshoff about 1930." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2009.)

Note: Research notes contain information about a vessel that is often random and unedited but has been deemed useful for future research.