HMCo #451s Niagara

"[1894-11-06] Tue 6: ... Howard Gould ordered 20-rater [#451s Niagara]." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1894. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection.)

"Nov. 10 1894. #150 [sic, i.e. #450s Isolde] 20 rater for Baron Z.
#151 [sic, i.e. #451s Niagara] [20 rater for] H. Gould
Length w.l. 45ft [45ft 6in written below this number]. Beam 12ft. Depth of hull 5ft 4in. Extreme length 64ft. Draft 10ft 8in. Tobin bronz keel plate. Mahogany planking." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene. [Design booklet.] November 10, 1894.)

"Coconut Grove, Florida May 15, 1930
Wm. P. Stevens Esq. [corrected to Stephens] Lloyds Yacht Register, New York.
Dear Mr. Stevens- [corrected to Stephens] ... On page 18 [of your paper in the June 1930 'Sportsman' titled 'The Match for the America's Cup'] you refer to NIAGARA, the 45 ft. fin keel yacht. She did have scant headroom, and about the same as in all the old time centerboard yachts around New York, but her entire crew lived on board her during the season in England. Her sail area was about 2/3 that of GLORIANA and the draft of water about the same. ...
Very truly yours,
Nathanael G. Herreshoff" (Source: Letter 1. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated May 15, 1930. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 1-5.)

"In the winter of 1894 and '95 Captain Nat certainly was busy for, beside several small sail and power yachts, he was designing the two twenty-raters 'Niagara' and 'Isolde' for British waters, and the new cup defender 'Defender.' ... They were single masted with a topmast and three headsails, double planked with mahogany on the outside, finished bright as several of the smaller fin keelers had been. They were sixty-five feet O.A., forty-five feet W.L., twelve feet beam, and ten feet draft. After a trial spin at Bristol their fin keels were unbolted and they were shipped abroad on the decks of steamers. 'Niagara' was owned by Howard Gould, one of the brothers who had owned 'Vigilant' on her visit to England the previous year. 'Isolde' was owned by Baron von Zedtwitz who was to be killed the next year in the famous 'Meteor'-'Isolde' collision on the Solent. 'Isolde' and 'Niagara' were sister ships, but during the next few years one or the other of them was painted white at times." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Wizard of Bristol. The Life and Achievements of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, together with An Account of Some of the Yachts he Designed. New York, 1953, p. 179-180.)

"... when John Barr went over as captain of 'Niagara' he had an opportunity to vindicate himself and prove that he and the 'Niagara' were the fastest combination in the popular twenty-rater class in England, for I believe he won a pennant in every race but one." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Wizard of Bristol. The Life and Achievements of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, together with An Account of Some of the Yachts he Designed. New York, 1953, p. 180.)

"There is no doubt that these large fin keelers were fast in a breeze, and 'Niagara' once made a phenomenally fast passage between ports when racing the circuit. She had a strong, fair wind and had her spinnaker set. I am sorry I do not remember the time and distance, but I believe she made an average speed of over nine knots for some one hundred miles, which is most remarkable for her water-line length of only forty-five feet. 'Niagara' did so well that even the British writer, B. Heckstall-Smith, writing about her in later years, says: 'Under the length and sail area rule in 1895 Herreshoff had sent over the twenty-rater 'Niagara,' and it must be admitted the American designer defeated the British designers. She was not a half-measure. Herreshoff went right out for a yacht of plate and bulb type, and with her he soundly hammered the British boats." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Wizard of Bristol. The Life and Achievements of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, together with An Account of Some of the Yachts he Designed. New York, 1953, p. 181.)

"In later years 'Niagara' was rigged as a yawl and painted white. Under the name of 'Japonica' she won the Nore to Dover Corinthian cup, the Royal Yacht Squadron handicap, the Royal Southern Handicap twice, the Weymouth Town cup twice, the Rothschild prize at Havre, and a host of other valuable and important trophies. She perhaps was one of Captain Nat's most successful designs, but because she stayed in England is not so well known over here. ... 'Niagara' and 'Isolde' were the largest fin keelers Captain Nat designed, and perhaps the most refined." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Wizard of Bristol. The Life and Achievements of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, together with An Account of Some of the Yachts he Designed. New York, 1953, p. 181.)

"It was in 1895 that the American fin keeler Niagara went to England to race in the popular 20-rater class. She was owned by Howard Gould who was one of the brothers who had owned Vigilant when she was racing in England the year before. The captain of Niagara was John Barr of whom I have spoken before as having been captain of the Scottish challenger Thistle, so he knew the British waters and ways of racing. During the season Niagara won forty-one prizes out of fifty-three starts, and I believe won a pennant in every race but one, which is probably an all-time record for a yacht racing in foreign waters, and most remarkable for a single alien racing in a large class where, unless she could get a good start, her chances were small." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. An Introduction to Yachting. New York, 1963, p. 110-111.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., Dec. 8 [1894]. --- The Herreshoffs are not so rushed with work that they could not take an order for a cup defender, yet there is a fair amount of work on hand and a prospect of more. There are two steamers [#181p and #182p] and three sailing yachts [#449s, #450s, #451] now on hand in the shops, and a moderate force of men at work, which could be largely increased should a rush of work come.
The largest steamer is a 130-footer [#181p Duquesne], for T. R. Hostetter. She is of wood, of solid build, and will have triple-expansion engines, and a speed of about sixteen miles an hour.
... The sailing yachts in hand are the twenty-rater for Howard Gould [#451s Niagara], for his British campaign of next season; a twenty-rater for parties in Germany [#450s Isolde], and the twenty-footer [sic, i.e. thirty-footer, #449s Anoatok] for George Owen, Jr., for use at Marblehead, which was announced a week ago. The twenty-raters are duplicates, and will be fin keels of about 45 feet water line and 60 feet or more over all.
The frames for these yachts are bent on the molds, and will be set up in the south shop ahead of the steamer. The firm gives no dimensions or particulars as to build, but the writer feels at liberty to say, after a look through the shops, that they promise no radical departure from previous Herreshoff fins, but are good, round-bodied boats, with easy lines and indications of power. ..." (Source: Anon. "Ready for Orders. The Herreshoffs Can Start Cup Defenders on Short Notice." New York Times, December 9, 1894, p. 23.)

"... BRISTOL, R. I., Jan. 12 [1895]. --- ... The twenty-rater [#451s Niagara] for Howard Gould will be set up next week. She is a duplicate of [#450s Isolde]. Nothing is known at the works as to who Mr. Gould will have for a skipper. ..." (Source: Anon. "Ready To Build Cup Defenders. Improvements in the Herreshoff Plant for Yacht Building." New York Times, January 13, 1895, p. 6.)

"... The Gould twenty-rater is planked with 3/8-inch pine on the inside, and 7-16-inch mahogany on the outside. A coat of white paint mixed with burnt sienna, just thick enough to work, is put on between the two layers of plankings. ... Hathaway, who formerly worked for Gifford of Fall River, is making the sails for the small boats in a small room over the joiner shop. The seams are diagonal, à la the patent of Ratsey of Cowes. As the latter has a patent on sails made in this way, there may be some bother about Howard Gould's new twenty-rater [#451s Niagara] being allowed to wear them on the other side. Ratsey is a stickler for anything he gets up." (Source: Anon. "May Be A Big Fin Keel." New York Times, February 3, 1895, p. 15.)

"PROVIDENCE, Feb. 14 [1895]. --- The south shop is still encumbered with the Gould 20-rater [sic: Howard Gould's #451s Niagara was built in the north shop, Baron von Zedtwitz' #450s Isolde in the south shop. The writer confuses the two sister ships and is in fact speaking about #450s Isolde], which is now blocked up on even keel in the east end of the shop, nearly finished. Her hull below the water line has been partly painted a dark green color, and as she is now resting in the shop somewhat in the position that the cup defender will be built, it will be necessary to move her; but launching her at such a season of the year, with such a barrier of ice as there is at present in the harbor, could not be thought of, as the fine workmanship on her hull would be in danger ot being marred. There is a space in the north shop that has been cleared away just forward of the new Hostetter steam yacht [#181p Duquesne], where she will probably rest until she is launched, about six weeks from now.
The 10-rater [#449s Anoatok] that has been building in the north shop for George Owens [sic, i.e. Owen] of Boston is nearing completion, and was moved from her orignal position the first of the week [February 11, 1895] in the east part of the shop to the west end, alongside of the new Hostetter steam yacht [#181p Duquesne], in order to make room for the setting up in frame of the German 20-rater [sic. This would have been #450s Isolde but the writer confuses her with #451s Niagara. See note above], which work is now being done. The latter will be built off the same moulds as the Gould 20-rater [#451s Niagara]." (Source: Anon. "Work on the New Defender. Preparations Made to Run the New Yacht's Lead Keel." New York Sun, February 15, 1895, p. 5.)

"Niagara, sloop, of [blank].
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.
14.79 tons; 50.7 ft. x 12.2 ft. x 5.7 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head, overhanging stern.
Surveyed and measured, April 8, 1895." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Niagara.)

"BRISTOL. R. I., April 17 [1895]. --- ... The Howard Gould twenty-rater Niagara is being rigged for her trial trip. Her owner was here this afternoon to see the boat." (Source: Anon. "Isolde Being Towed to This City." New York Times, April 18, 1895, p. 6.)

"BRISTOL, R. I.. April 18 [1895]. --- The new twenty-rater Niagara had her trial trip this afternoon. She left her moorings at 2:30 o'clock with mainsail and jib set, and with the wind abeam sped across the harbor toward Middle Ground Buoy. Nat Herreshoff was at the tiller. He shifted the course out by Poppassquost Point down the bay between Prudence and Hog Islands. and when off the Sand Point Lighthouse went about and stood over to the eastward. In rounding Hog Island, a strong puff of wind struck her, which caused quite a heavy strain on her rigging. It was 3:30 o'clock when she returned to her moorings. The shrouds had been pulled out of the socket at the turnbuckle. The boat will have another trial to-morrow." (Source: Anon. "Trial Trip of the Niagara." New York Times, April 19, 1895, p. 6.)

"[License issued to vessel under 20 tons. Pos. 192:]
Niagara, sloop, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1895.
14.79 tons; 50.7 ft. x 12.2 ft. x 5.7 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
No specifications shown.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) Apr. 20, 1895. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: John B. Herreshoff, Bristol.
Surrendered [license] Apr. 24, 1895 at New York. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence])." (Source: Survey of Federal Archives, Work Projects Administration. Ships Documents of Rhode Island. Bristol. Ship Registers and Enrollments of the Port of Bristol - Warren Rhode Island, 1941, s.v. Niagara.)

"The Gould 20-rater Niagara, almost a duplicate of Isolde, was launched on April 16, no one being present beside those employed in the shops. She was quickly rigged and ready for a trial trip on April 18 [1895], Mr. N. G. Herreehoff having the tiller and Captain Barr being with him. The trial was made in a strong breeze, showing the yacht to good advantage, as she carried her sail and handled well in the puffs. When coming in the wire drew from the sockets in the main shrouds probably through some defect in the soldering, and the mainsail was at once taken in." (Source: Anon. "Isolde and Niagara." Forest and Stream, April 27, 1895, p. 333.)

"BRISTOL, April 20 [1895]. --- With repairs made to her shrouds, which in yesterday's trip were pulled out at the turn buckles, Howard Gould's twenty-rater Niagara had a second trial to-day. At 2:15 this afternoon she left her moorings with Nat Herreshoff at the tiller and Capt. Barr looking after the sails, and on the port tack stood across Bristol Harbor. She got down to her work immediately, and showed what seemed to be great speed as viewed from the shore. She went about when near Poppoosesquash and stood down back of Hog Island on the starboard tack. Her quickness in stays was shown to advantage as she went about several times, while her work to windward was excellent. On the run up the bay between the islands, she showed great speed with a free wind, and came speeding into the harbor at 3:30 o'clock. All on board were greatly pleased with the boat, as this was in reality the first good trial she has had. She will have another trial Saturday morning, and it is expected that Mr. Gould will be on board, as he will arrive from New-York at 10:15 to-morrow morning." (Source: Anon. "The Niagara's Successful Sail." New York Times, April 20, 1895, p. 3.)

"Howard Gould's 20 rater, Niagara, which was launched last week from the Herreshoffs works, has been give a number of trial trips during the past few days, and has proved herself fully the equal of the Isolde in every way. She was given a short trip last Saturday [April 20, 1895] when Mr. Gould was expected to arrive in Bristol and go aboard, but for some reason he failed to appear. The Niagara will leave here next Thursday [April 25, 1895] in tow of a tug, with the fin unjointed, the same as the Isolde [#450s] was taken away." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, April 23, 1895, p. 2.)

"Howard Gould's 20-rater Niagara will be taken to England on the steamship Ontario that sails next Wednesday [May 1, 1895]. ..." (Source: Anon. "News of Yachts and Yachtsmen." New York Times, April 28, 1895, p. 19.)

"[Detailed one page description, including dimensions and approximate sheer plan and section.]" (Source: Anon. "Niagara and Isolde." Forest and Stream, May 11, 1895, p. 378.)

"... There is only one man who can be depended on to build boats that will beat the Herreshoff boats already afloat. That is Herreshoff himself. He was speaking with mathematical certainty when he told Lord Dunraven that he could build a boat that would beat could build a boat that would beat Howard Gould's twenty-rater Niagara [#451s], that has finished the season the crack of her class in England.
It was merely, he said, a question of cash. For so much more he could build something that would be so much better. Lighter construction means increased expenditure.
The success achieved by Herreshoff boats in England has been phenomenal. For the first season or two they have always beaten their competitors badly in their respective classes. Then John Bull, who is nothing if not persistent, has gone to work turning out boat after boat until he has finally succeeded in equaling those of the Yankee wizard, and in some instances in the smaller classes has proved that he has bettered the instruction and is ready for a new lesson, which it may be said Herreshoff stands prepared to administer whenever somebody gives him the order. ...
THE NIAGARA'S RECORD.
Great was the consternation among the owners of British twenty-raters --- and among them are more titled swells than in any other class --- when it was announced last winter that Herreshoff was to build a twenty-rater for Howard Gould to race with in England. Lord Lonsdale, that Quixotic young nobleman who once tried to find the North Pole, got rid of his twenty-rater, the Deirdre, and commissioned Fife to build him a regular up-to-date fin-keel for the express purpose of meeting the Yankee invader.
He called her the Eucharis. Lord Dunraven remodelled the twenty-rater of his own design, the Audrey, so that she began the season practically a new boat, and, as her record shows, a greatly improved one. But she wasn't quite fast enough for the Niagara, which was commanded by Capt. John Barr, who learned his profession on the Clyde and then took a post-graduate course in American waters. Nor could the Eucharis catch her --- that is, hardly ever. Fife again had to acknowledge that Herreshoff was his master.
But the most conspicuous failure of all the boats that tried conclusions with the Niagara was the Vineta, a twenty-rater which Watson had built during the winter for the Emperor of Germany and which, because of her resemblance to the cup-challenger, had been called a miniature Valkyrie. The Vineta did not win a single race, and great must now be her royal owner's disgust that he did not give the order to Herreshoff, for he is mighty anxious to be first at everything he goes in for.
The record for the season just ended shows that the Niagara, out of fifty starts, won twenty-six prizes, was second six times and third twice. The total value of her winnings amounted to nearly $3,600, which represents only a small fraction of what it cost Howard Gould for running expenses. The Audrey started thirty-five times, won six-teen first prizes, ten seconds and three thirds. ...
Though she proved herself the crack of her class, the Niagara did not win so clean a string of victories as did the Dakotah [#440s] during her first season. This is doubtless due to the fact that during her earlier races she was handicapped by a badly fitting suit of sails which excited the derision of English critics. They were made by Herreshoff but everybody knows that Herreshoff the sailmaker does not yet rank with Herreshoff the boat-builder.
The Niagara is a racing machine. Herreshoff built her to win races and for no other purpose. In her design and construction everything has been sacrificed to speed except safety. She is simply a big canoe with a bulb fin keel attachment, with a load water line length of 45 feet, an overall length of about 65 feet and a beam of 12 feet. Her draught of hull is only 2 feet 6 inches, and her depth, keel to deck, is just 5 feet 4 inches. Taking in her fin, she draws 11 feet of water. A man of more than average height could not stand upright in her. Her interior has an extreme head room of only 6 feet 2 1/2 inches. In the forecastle it is only 4 feet.
UGLY BUT FAST.
Nevertheless her construction exhibits that adaptation of means to ends which has placed Herreshoff head and shoulders above all his competitors. He is primarily an engineer. He looks to results. Artistic effects are with him entirely secondary considerations. He has built several ugly boats. Watson never turned out a boat that was not pretty to look upon, but they lack the 'get there' qualities that distinguish Herreshoff's.
While rating rules permit of this construction of racing machines Herreshoff will continue to turn them out a little speedier if sometimes perhaps a trifle less comfortable than those of any of his competitors. It Is not his business to impose limitations on his own genius. If yachtsmen should get together and devise rules that will prohibit undesirable types Herreshoff would readily adapt himself to the new conditions and his boats would still continue to be a bit speedier than those of any other designer.
Great is Herreshoff and great will he continue to be. And any Britisher who wants a boat that will beat any boat of her class afloat can get one from him. Give him the cash and he will do the rest." (Source: Anon. "Our Yachts Lead The World. This Year's Record Shows How They Won in All Classes. Beat Englishmen in England. Here Are Some American-Built Yachts Even More Remarkable For Speed Than Defender." New York World, November 17, 1895, p. 28.)

"The Lot Includes a Cup Presented by the Earl of Dunraven, and Another by His Friend Mr. Kersey.
Messrs. Tiffany & Co. have just placed on exhibition for a few days the silver trophies won by Mr. Howard Gould's twenty-rater yacht Niagara in English waters during the season of 1895. The trophies shown, though they fill Tiffany's entire window and are an extraordinary collection for one yacht to capture in a single season, do not by any means represent the Niagara's entire winnings abroad, but merely those races in which the prize was a cup or other silver trophy. It is interesting to note that among those Mr. Gould brought home with him are two prizes from the Castle Yacht Club, one a challenge cup presented by the Earl of Dunraven in 1890, and won by Lord Dunraven's own yacht, the Deirdre, in 1893, and the other a special prize offered by Lord Dunraven's club-mate and American representative, H. Maitland Kersey.
Altogether the Niagara participated in fifty races in English waters last season, winning twenty-nine first prizes, nine second, and one third prize, a total of thirty-nine prizes out of a possible fifty. Many of the winnings were in the form of money prizes. Those in silverware are all in the group in Tiffany's window. Following is a list of them:
Royal Southern Yacht Club prize, consisting of a silver tete-a-tete set and tray, including a coffee pot, hot milk pitcher, and sugar bowl, with tongs. The set is quite plain, and the tray oval, 18 inches in length. A border representing entwined ship ropes, with Mr. Gould's private flag and the yacht club's insignia, incloses the following inscription:
ROYAL, SOUTHERN YACHT CLUB. Race for twenty-raters, 15 June, 1895. Time at finish: ... " (Source: Anon. "Niagara's English Cups. Trophies Won By Howard Gould's Twenty-Rater Cutter. On Show in Tiffany & Co.'s Window." New York Times, January 12, 1896, p. 13.)

"... When Howard Gould went over to race Vigilant against the formidable Britannia, he learned many lessons from the defeat of the American champion. One was that the best sport is not always found in the largest boat. He is an unassuming, though wealthy, young Amerrun up against, he went home and invoked the aid of the sage of Bristol in procuring a boat with which he could go back and have some fun with those kings. The Niagara was the result. Her first couple of races were not a success; perhaps because the boat was not fully tuned up; probably, however, because of the villainous sails which are generally provided with the Herreshoff boats.
He applied to the best English sailmakers to fit him out, but they refused, on the patriotic ground that they did not want to assist a foreigner toward the defeat of their own patrons. However, a Samaritan sail-maker was finally found, and Niagara repeated the performances of the Herreshoff Dakota among the ten-raters, and gathered in the largest number of prizes during the season.
The Niagara is a typical example of the class, although of extreme type. She was built at Bristol in the Spring of ’95, together with a practically identical boat, the Isolde, which had been ordered by Prince-Leopold of Hohenzollern.
Her dimensions are:
Length over all 65ft.
Fore overhang about 8ft.
After overhang about 1 1ft.
L. w. l. 44.45ft.
Beam 12.13ft.
Least freeboard 2ft. 7in.
Sheer, bow 1 ft. 6in.
Sheer, stern 2in.
Depth, keel to deck 5 ft. 6in.
Draft, hull only 2ft. 6in.
Draft, extreme 10ft.
Girth 28.28ft.
Length of fin top 25ft.
Length of fin bottom 12ft. 6in.
Sail area 2,630ft.
Her rating under the new rule is 51.73 feet.
Her hull is of the now familiar canoe type, the overhangs not so long as in most of the English boats. Her lines are fair and graceful, being neither full nor too much fined down. An oak keel ten inches by four inches runs nearly the entire length. The frames are also of oak, spaced sixteen inches apart.
The boat is braced inside at intervals by foreandaft stringers and by pine struts and bronze tie-rods connecting the bilges with the deck near amid-ships, and bronze straps for bracing directly from the keel to the gunwale. Forward of the mast there is a rod bolting the keel to the deck. Thus knit and braced together the light hull is strengthened to withstand the strain upon the fin and the weight of the bulb. The inner planking is of three eighths cedar and the outer of one-half inch mahogany. The bottom is painted. Last year the top-sides were varnished mahogany; this year they have been painted white.
The fin is not solid, but is constructed of tobin bronze plates so as to afford lightness and strength. The bulb is in two halves, each thirteen feet three inches in length, two feet four inches wide and one foot thick at the widest part. These are bolted on each side of the fin and, since being raised this spring, are flush with the bottom of the fin. The boat is finished with a balance rudder, as are all of the Herreshoff small yachts, that is, a portion of the rudder projects forward of the stock, the effect of which is to make the boat more sensitive to the helm. In the cabin of such a craft there is of necessity but little headroom. The maximum head-room is five feet two and a quarter inches but with the lessening fore and aft and the encroachment of the side-keelsons into the cabin floor, there is really less than this allowance. The sailing master of the Niagara is Captain John Barr, who was skipper of the Thistle during the cup races of 1887, although he had previously been in this country in charge of the Clara in 1885, and subsequently was on General Paine’S Jubilee. Although a naturalized American, he is a Clyde sailor and pilot with years of experience on the English coasts.
Niagara soon showed her heels to the rest of the fleet, although her sister boat, the Isolde, was generally beaten. It was a revelation to many that the harder it blew the more readily the american 'tinder-box' sailed away from the heavier built yachts. In very light winds Niagara was always beaten by Inyoni. Niagara and Audrey met in thirteen races, in which the American beat Lord Dunraven’s boat seven times --- a fairly even showing, with Niagara holding the odds. ..." (Source: Burchard, R. B. "The Twenty-Raters." Outing, July 1896, p. 301-309.)

"LONDON, March 28 [1901]. --- Dr. G.H. Ward-Humphries intends at once to put in commission the cutter yacht Niagara, which he has purchased from Howard Gould. The Niagara will be renamed the Japonica. ..." (Source: Anon. "News of Foreign Yachts." New York Times, March 29, 1901, p. ?.)

"When NIAGARA was at a South Brooklyn dock, to be hoisted aboard a steamer, I boarded her, had a long talk with my good friend Captain John Barr, and took a number of measurements. ... My recollection of NIAGARA is that she had an extreme of 5 ft. 2 ins. headroom at one point in the center, diminishing rapidly toward the ends; I know that John Barr lived on her for a season, but I can imagine just how comfortable he must have been when not on deck or in his berth. [W. P. Stephens had published a long and very carefully researched article in Forest and Stream of May 11, 1895, p. 378 titled "Niagara and Isolde" in which he not only provided many detailed details of the construction of Niagara, but also described her headroom as being only 5' 2 1/4" and wondering if Capt. John Barr's back would stand living on Niagara.]" (Source: P. 14, letter 2. From W. P. Stephens to N. G. Herreshoff, dated May 26, 1930. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999.)

"By Order of the Marshal of the Admiralty
Pursuant to a Commission of Appraisement and Sale from the Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice Messrs. Crowther, Sewell & Pafford, Limited are instructed to invite offers for the sale by private treaty of the undermentioned vessel, which if not disposed of in the meantime will be offered by public auction on Wednesday, 21st February, 1923,
At three o clock, in The Baltic Mercantile & Shipping Exchange (Merchants' Hall), St Mary Axe, London, E.C.3
The Snugly Rigged Auxiliary Schooner Yacht 'Japonica', 30 Tons Y.M.
The above vessel will be sold as she lies on the date of sale and will be transferred to Buyers of any Nationality subject to the Conditions of Sale.
(Not accountable for errors in description).
Gross Register 17.61. Nett 16.87. Built at Bristol, Rhode Island, U.5.A. in 1895 by he Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. from the design of Mr. Nat Herreshoff. Stated to be of mahogany, oak and pitch pine. Copper fastened. In 1922 she was fitted with a 4 cylinder 'Peerless' petrol/ paraffin motor of about 16/20 b.h.p. with reverse gear. Speed in smooth water stated to be about 6 knots. The sails are tanned and the standing and running rigging stated to be new. The accommodation consists of saloon with two sofa berths, one double berth and two single berthed cabins; self-emptying cockpit, pantry and forecastle; electric light. Easily worked by a small crew.
Dimensions - About 65ft o.a. 50.4 b.p. L.W.L. 45.59. Beam 12.1. Draft of water about 5ft. 3in.
Lying Hauled up at Burnham-on-Crouch.
For further Particulars and Orders to View, apply to the
London Yacht Auctioneers, Crowther, Sewell & Pafford, Ltd., Brokers to the Marshal of the Admiralty, 9, Regent Street, Waterloo Place. London. S.W. 1." (Source: Anon. "Yacht Auction. For Sale To Buyers Of Any Nationality." The Yachtsman (England), February 10, 1923, p. 224.)

"NIAGARA was the most renowned metal-plate large fin keel yacht built by the Herreshoffs or anyone else. Her 1895 season in British waters was a triumph against good competition. Boats of this type and size were never raced in America. NIAGARA was so well built she continued as a strikingly swift cruiser in Europe long after her competition days were over." (Source: P. 4-5, editorial note. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999.)

"Niagara and her sistership Isolde [#450s] were the largest of NGH's fin-keelers. Both were designed under the prevailing Length-and-Sail-Area Rule, which encouraged long, overhanging bows and sterns and shallow-bodied hulls. After sailing trials in Bristol, Niagara's keel was unbolted and removed, and keel, hull, and rig were shipped to England, where the boat's racing record became legendary, vindicating both her designer (whose Cup defender Vigilant had put in a mediocre performance in those waters the previous season) and her skipper, John Barr, who had not fared well in the Thistle-Volunteer matches of 1887. Niagara's owner, Howard Gould, who had been part owner of Vigilant during her 1894 English campaign, must have been pleased as well.
Although Niagara was well designed, built, managed, and sailed, certainly part of her speed must be credited to her new crosscut sails, invented by NGH only a few months earlier. Handling sails aboard Niagara kept the crew busy, since, in tacking, there were the running backstays, three headsail sheets, and the topsail to tend; only the mainsheet was immune, being rigged (although strangely, it appears) to be self-tending. Under certain conditions, such as running before a following wind and sea, the helmsman surely had his hands full as well; because, in spite of her 65-foot length on deck, Niagara steers with a tiller.
Niagara's double-planked hull was originally varnished above the waterline, ... Its outer layer was Honduras mahogany and was set off by the lighter hue of oak sheerstrakes. Both Niagara and Isolde (the latter boat was shipped to Germany) were praised for their performance and quality of construction, but were severely criticized for their lack of accommodations. Five feet of headroom was no more appropriate for a proper yacht in those days than in our own time." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 55.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled 'Model for 20 rater. Sept 14 [18]94. 45[ft] w.l. 3.375in spaces on 3/4in scale. #450 [ISOLDE] [and, quite certainly, also #451s NIAGARA]. (End Oct 14)'. With very elaborate calculations to determine moments and stability, surface areas (separate for deck and rest of boat), and displacement (549.2cuft = 35500lbs = 17.7tons)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00550. Folder [no #]. 1894-09-14.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections and calculations titled 'Lead #450 & 451' [ISOLDE and #451 NIAGARA]. Undated, model had been carved September 14, 1894." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00570. Folder [no #]. No date (1894-09-14 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] re 20-rater for brother Howard (which will be #451s NIAGARA), still haven't found #437s VIGILANT's centerboard" (Source: Gould, George Jay. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05010. Correspondence, Folder 17, formerly 113. 1894-10-16.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled material requirements list titled '#450 & 451 [#450s ISOLDE and #451s NIAGARA]' with sail sizes in sqft, cloth weights in oz and cloth required for 2 sails each in yards for mainsail, club topsail, working topsail, staysail, baloon staysail, jib, no 2 jib, jib topsail, no 2 jib topsail, bloon jib topsais, spinnaker, and trysail. On verso more unidentified calculations. Undated; the two boats were designed in November and December of 1894." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04200. Folder [no #]. No date (1894-12 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled technical sketch of a large windlass titled 'Not used for #450, 451' [#450s ISOLDE and #451s NIAGARA]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_02190. Folder [no #]. No date (1894-12 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] please recommend me to Howard Gould if he builds and sends over to England a 20-rater [#451s NIAGARA]; my work on #429s NAVAHOE and #437s VIGILANT has done me harm and I have no job" (Source: Diaper, Capt. G. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_03540. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 228. 1895-03-04.)
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"[Item Description:] would like to make photos of #450s ISOLDE and #451s NIAGARA for the New York Times; was in Bristol with Com. Converse during building of #152p CUSHING" (Source: Child, Frank H. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_02700. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 231. 1895-04-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I made several unsuccessful attempts yesterday to get you on the telephone to ask if you had fixed a date for the launch of DEFENDER [#452s]. I met Mr. Vanderbilt after his visit to Bristol & his export[?] as to progress of boat & number of workers at work was so discouraging to me, that I decided it would be best for all concerned that I should not visit Bristol again.
I only ask the privilege of knowing the date when it will suit your convenience to launch the boat as I would like to be present.
When striking[?] the water line please remember that I coant[?] as much as possible of the bronze to remain unpainted.
The topsides are to be painted white, the bottom of the boat I wish to have made as smooth as human skill & car can make it & polished before launching. Should you for some reason unknown to me not consider this a reasonable thing to ask kindly have the work performed as requested & report as to the cost of same. I put it thus[?] as when I come to Bristol I should prefer not to be told that my orders were not carried out because your contract does not specify that the bottom should be smooth.
I am glad to see that NIAGARA [#451s] appears to have won a good race yesterday. [Maitland] Kersey [the American representative of Lord Dunraven, owner of VALKYRIE III] told a friend of mine the other day that he had received a letter from Watson giving VALKYRIE's beam at less than 23ft.
We may yet have a surprise party." (Source: Iselin, C. Oliver. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_14080. Correspondence, Folder 38, formerly 199. 1895-06-09.)
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"[Item Description:] Table titled 'Examples of the Application of Proposed Measurement Rule for the the New York Yacht Club' providing data for Rig, Type under Water, Load waterline, Draft, Displacement, Sail area, Racing length and others for #435s COLONIA, #437s VIGILANT, #452s DEFENDER, JUBILEE, QUEEN MAB, HURON, #414s WASP, #451s NIAGARA, UVIRA, #422s HANDSEL, #449s ANOATOK, #409s GANNET, #408s PELICAN, #446s ALERION, #416s ALPHA, #406s IRIS, and #461s COCK ROBIN. With note 'Blueprint 2. Sept 20, 1895.'" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_70900. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F06, formerly MRDE15. 1895-09-20.)
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"[Item Description:] Untitled table providing data for Rig, Kind of c.b. or keel, Waterline, Draft, Displacement, Sail area, Racing length and others for #435s COLONIA, #437s VIGILANT, #452s DEFENDER, JUBILEE, QUEEN MAB, HURON, #414s WASP, #451s NIAGARA, UVIRA, #422s HANDSEL, #449s ANOATOK, #409s GANNET, #408s PELICAN, #446s ALERION, #416s ALPHA, and #406s IRIS. Much appears to be the same data as that provided in the table titled 'Examples of the Application of Proposed Measurement Rule for the the New York Yacht Club' and dated September 20, 1895, suggesting this to be the draft also dated similar. With envelope labeled in pencil 'Original N.G.H.'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_70920. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F06, formerly MRDE15. No date (ca1895-09-20).)
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"[Item Description:] #451s NIAGARA rating" (Source: Gould, Howard. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05060. Correspondence, Folder 17, formerly 113. 1895-12-18.)
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"[Item Description:] intends to bring #451s NIAGARA over to race; Gustav Grahn will make model as required by NYYC and Larchmont YC; please send model plan" (Source: Gould, Howard. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_02590. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 231. 1896-03-02.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table comparing Load w.l., Length overall, Beam, Draft, area, girth, Displ. in cuft, lbs and gross tons, sail area by YRA rule and NYYC rule, sailing length and other rating data for WASP [#414s], NIAGARA [#451s] and 'Design' and 'Design II' [the latter two probably for #189702es Unbuilt Special 46ft Class of 1898]. See also 2004.0001.0423 which originally was clipped to this." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0425. WRDT08, Folder 35, formerly MRDE08. No date (1897-09 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled half-hull sections apparently comparing the sections of WASP [#414s] and NIAGARA [#451s] with those of Designs 'I' and 'II' [the latter two probably for #189702es Unbuilt Special 46ft Class of 1898]. Compare with 2004.001.0425 which is a tabular comparison of the same designs. With calculations showing a total displacement of 1040cuft or 66800lbs or 29.8tons. See also 2004.0001.0423 which originally was clipped to this." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0426. WRDT08, Folder 35, formerly MRDE08. No date (1897-09 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] enclosing account of the 52-footers from the 'Field', once the news of your building me a 52-footer [#624s SONYA] leaked out most of the leading papers spoke of it, there will be some very strong competition in this class next season, Mylne is building new boat, I think he is even better than W. Fife, Don't you?, Fife also has an order for a 52ft, very anxious lest you should not be able to let me have the boat over here soon enough, do you think you could have her finished by 1st of March [1905]?, would you mind telling me if you have started the work yet, if you have made any alteration in the model since I saw it?, I expect not as you seemed to have made it quite perfect then; together with undated (ca1904-11) clipping from the English 'Field' describing the 'welcome news that Mrs Turner Farley has decided to join the 52ft class in 1905 with a yacht built by Herreshoff', description of #451s NIAGARA's exploits ten years earlier, incl. envelope" (Source: Turner Farley, Dorothy Gwendolyn. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_21250. Correspondence, Folder 64, formerly 86. 1904-11-24.)
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"[Item Description:] Four handwritten (in ink) pages with tabulated data listing 'Shop No', 'Name', '[Tons] Gross' and '[Tons] Net' for a total of 100 HMCo-built boats and classes. Tonnage data is usually precise to two digits behind the decimal. Random comparisons suggest source of tonnage data to be official Custom House data. Boats mentioned are: #664s, #663s, #625s, #665s, #634s, #658s, #657s, #646s, #641s, #617s, #626s Class, #624s, #621s, #616s, #619s, #590s, #591s, #586s, #592 Class, #618s, #605s, #578s, #560s Class, #580s, #553s, #551s, #552s, #546s, #541s, #545s, #538s, #534s, #533s, #532s, #529s, #534s, #530s, #531s, #435s, #437s, #452s, #499s, #429s, #426s, #424s, #481s, #422s, #417s, #414s, #451s, #215p, #213p, #222p, #235p, #230p, #229p, #236p, #224p, #244p, #247p, #249p, #231p, #232p, #228p, #252p, #250p, #251p, #248p, #168p, #164p, #118p, #142p, #174p, #173p, #194p, #189p, #193p, #183p, #178p, #179p, #181p, #182p, #175p, #163p, #148p, #149p, #172p, #155p, #170p, #186p, #188p, #206p, #207p, #205p, #208p, #209p, #210p, #211p, #212p, #216p. Undated (the latest boat listed, WINSOME, was launched in 1907)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Handwritten List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00220. Folder [no #]. No date (1907 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled diagram titled 'Stability curves. Scale 200ft tons per inch' comparing America's Cup yachts (from most to least stability) #605s RELIANCE, #499s COLUMBIA, #451s NIAGARA, #435s COLONIA, #437s VIGILANT and #429s NAVAHOE. Undated, mention of RELIANCE from 1903 indicates a year of 1903 or later with 1913 when #725s RESOLUTE was designed being the most likely one." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Stability Curves. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0602. WRDT08, Folder 45. No date (1913-09 ???).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #451s Niagara even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Niagara (HMCo-made index card)
• Niagara (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Note: The vessel index cards comprise two sets of a total of some 3200 cards about vessels built by HMCo, with dimensions and information regarding drawings, later or former vessel names, and owners. They were compiled from HMCo's early days until 1920 and added to in later decades, apparently by Hart Nautical curator William A. Baker and his successors. While HMCo seems to have used only one set of index cards, all sorted by name and, where no name was available, by number, later users at MIT apparently divided them into two sets of cards, one sorted by vessel name, the other by vessel number and greatly expanded the number of cards. Original HMCo cards are usually lined and almost always punched with a hole at bottom center while later cards usually have no hole, are unlined, and often carry substantially less information. All cards are held by the Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections of the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mass.

Name: Niagara
Type: Cutter
Length: 45'
Owner: Gould, Howard

Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. "A Partial List of Herreshoff Clients." In: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Herreshoff Yachts. Bristol, Rhode Island, ca. 1931.

• Niagara
• Note: The L. Francis Herreshoff index cards comprise a set of some 1200 cards about vessels built by HMCo, with dimensions and / or ownership information. Apparently compiled in the early 1930s, for later HMCo-built boats like the Fishers Island 23s or the Northeast Harbor 30s are not included. Added to in later decades, apparently by L. F. Herreshoff as well as his long-time secretary Muriel Vaughn and others. Also 46 cards of L. F. Herreshoff-designed vessels. The original set of index cards is held by the Herreshoff Marine Museum and permission to display is gratefully acknowledged.

Name: Niagara
Type: 45' cutter
Owner: Howard Gould
Year: 1895
Row No.: 476

Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. "Partial List of Herreshoff-Built Boats." In: Herreshoff, L. Francis. Capt. Nat Herreshoff. The Wizard of Bristol. New York, 1953, p. 325-343.

Month: Nov
Day: 7
Year: 1894
E/P/S: S
No.: 0451
Name: Niagara
LW: 45'
B: 12'
D: 10' 8"
Rig: Cutter
K: FK
Ballast: Lead
Amount: $l25000.00 [sic, i.e. 12500]
Notes Constr. Record: Moulds 450
Last Name: Gould
First Name: Howard

Source: Vermilya, Peter and Maynard Bray. "Transcription of the HMCo. Construction Record." Unpublished database, ca. 2000.

Note: The transcription of the HMCo Construction Record by Peter Vermilya and Maynard Bray was performed independently (and earlier) than that by Claas van der Linde. A comparison of the two transcriptions can be particularly useful in those many cases where the handwriting in the Construction Record is difficult to decipher.

"Exported to England." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 2, 2008.)

"Launched 1895-04-16, trialled 1895-04-18." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 4, 2008.)

"Built in 160 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $78/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Sail area 2630sq ft.]" (Source: Burchard, R. B. "The Twenty-Raters." Outing, July 1896, p. 301-309.)

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