HMCo #471s Hera

S00471_Hera_Stebbins_6485.jpg

Particulars

Construction_Record_Title.jpgName: Hera
Later Name(s): Black Prince (ca1915)
Type: Newport 30 Fin Keel
Designed by: NGH
Contract: 1895-11-30
Launch: 1896-5-2
Construction: Wood
LOA: 42' 0" (12.80m)
LWL: 30' (9.14m)
Beam: 8' 4" (2.54m)
Draft: 7' 2" (2.18m)
Rig: Gaff Sloop
Sail Area: 1,018sq ft (94.5sq m)
Displ.: 10,528 lbs (4,775 kg)
Keel: FK
Ballast: Lead
Built for: Ellis, Ralph
Amount: $2,850.00
Note(s) in HMCo Construction Record: Newport 30fter.
Last reported: 1917 (aged 21)

Note: Particulars are primarily but not exclusively from the HMCo Construction Record. Supplementary information not from the Construction Record appears elsewhere in this record with a complete citation.


Model

Model #308Model number: 308
Model location: H.M.M. Model Room South Wall Right

Vessels from this model:
14 built, modeled by NGH
#450s Isolde (1895)
#451s Niagara (1895)
#463s Asahi (1896)
#464s Mai (1896)
#465s Puck (1896)
#466s Dorothy II (1896)
#467s Musme (1896)
#468s Vaquero III (1896)
#469s Wawa [Wa Wa] (1896)
#470s Veda (1896)
#471s Hera (1896)
#475s Esperanza (1896)
#476s Carolina (1896)
#477s Raccoon (1896)

Original text on model:
"Nos. 450 and 451 (ISOLDE and NIAGARA) Scale 3/4" Nov. 1894
Newport 30' Class 1895-96 Scale lengths 12/7 7/8 x 1/16. Breadth 12/8 1/4 x 1/16 Depths (12/7 1/2 x 16) + 1" = 42' 1 1/2 oa 29' 6" wl, 8' 3" breadth, 41' deck
#463 ASAHI, #464 MAI, 465 PUCK, 466 DOROTHY II, 468 VAQUERO III, 469 WAWA, 470, 471 HERA, 475 ESPARANZA, 476 CAROLINA, 477 RACOON" (Source: Original handwritten annotation on model. Undated.)

Model Description:
"45' lwl Isolde and Niagara, fin-keel cutters of 1894. Also from this model, with scale changes, came the 30' lwl twelve-boat Newport 30 class of 1895." (Source: Bray, Maynard. 2004.)

Note: Vessels that appear in the records as not built, a cancelled contract, a study model, or as a model sailboat are listed but not counted in the list of vessels built from a model.


Offsets

Offset booklet number(s): HH.4.091; HH.4.093

Offset booklet contents:
#449, #450, #463 [finkeelers Anoatok, Isolde, & Asahi];
#453, #454, #458, #463 [sloops Vaquero II, Lagofa, Mist, Asahi]


Offset Booklet(s) in Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass. (Restricted access --- see curator.)
Note: "References to offset booklets HH.4.091 and HH.4.091 were added by CvdL because this boat was built from the same construction plan as other sisterships that were specifically mentioned in them." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. April 24, 2021.)

Drawings

Main drawing Dwg 001-018 (HH.5.00431) Explore all drawings relating to this boat.

List of drawings:
   Drawings believed to have been first drawn for, or being first referenced to
   HMCo #471s Hera are listed in bold.
   Click on Dwg number for preview, on HH number to see at M.I.T. Museum.
  1. Dwg 077-056 (HH.5.05659); Gaff Jaws for No. 426 (1892-06-24)
  2. Dwg 078-007 (HH.5.05725): For No. 449 [Details] (1894-11-05)
  3. Dwg 078-029 (N/A): Never Made (ca. 1895)
  4. Dwg 127-012 (HH.5.09880): Sails > Sails for Nos. 463 - 75 (1895-03-08)
  5. Dwg 001-018 (HH.5.00431); Construction Dwg > No. 463 - 471, 30' W.L., 8'-3" B., 7'-2" Draft (1895-12 ?)
  6. Dwg 058-015 (HH.5.04086): Expanded Stern of No. 463 (1895-12 ?)
  7. Dwg 060-025 (HH.5.04248); Fin Keel for No. 463 (1895-12 ?)
  8. Dwg 064-022 (HH.5.04498): Rudder for No. 463 - 471 (1895-12 ?)
  9. Dwg 078-027 (HH.5.05745): Metal Fittings for No. 463 - 471 [Spreader, Bowsprit and Fittings, Bowsprit Bolts] (1895-12 ?)
  10. Dwg 080-072 (HH.5.05985): Spars for 30 Footers, No. 463 - 471 (1895-12-10)
  11. Dwg 078-028 (N/A): Never Made (ca. 1896)
  12. Dwg 091-042 (HH.5.07312.1): Equipment List No. 463-471, 475-477 (ca. 1896)
  13. Dwg 091-042 (HH.5.07312.2): Metal Fittings for No, 463 - 471, 475 - 477 (ca. 1896)
  14. Dwg 091-042 (HH.5.07312.3): Standing Rigging No. 463 - 471, 475 - 477 (ca. 1896)
  15. Dwg 091-042 (HH.5.07312.4): Running Rigging No. 463 - 471, 475 - 477 (ca. 1896)
  16. Dwg 091-042 (HH.5.07312.5): Blocks for No. 463 - 471, 475 - 477 (ca. 1896)
  17. Dwg 078-030 (HH.5.05746): Bobstay Fittings for Nos. 463 - 471 (1896-01 ?)
  18. Dwg 091-042 (HH.5.07312): Block List and Rigging for # 463 - 471, 475 - 477 (1896-05-04)
  19. Dwg 030-014 (HH.5.02227): Bilgeways for 30-Footers (1896-05-25)
  20. Dwg 060-030 (HH.5.04253): Sections of Fin Keel for No. 463 (1896-12 ?)
  21. Dwg 130-031 (HH.5.10333); Sails > # 463 Asahi (1896-12 ?)
Source: Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Together with: Hasselbalch, Kurt with Frances Overcash and Angela Reddin. Guide to The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass., 1997. Together with: Numerous additions and corrections by Claas van der Linde.
Note: The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection is copyrighted by the Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections of the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mass. Permission to incorporate information from it in the Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné is gratefully acknowledged. The use of this information is permitted solely for research purposes. No part of it is to be published in any form whatsoever.

Documents

Nathanael G. Herreshoff

"[1896-05-02] Sat 2: Launched 30' #471 [Hera] with keel on. ...
[1896-05-04] Mon 4: Off in #471 [Hera].
[1896-05-13] Wed 13: ... Off in #471 [Hera], sailing with #463 [Asahi].
[1896-05-14] Thu 14: ... #471 [Hera] left in charge of skipper.
[1896-07-18] Sat 18: ... Went to see race of 30-footers in Alerion [#446s].
[1896-08-15] Sat 15: Race of 30-footers at Van Wickles.
[1896-08-22] Sat 22: Race of [Newport] 30-footers at Potters Cove. ...
[1896-09-07] Mon 7: Scrub race of [Newport] 30-footers in harbor; Vaquero [#468s] best.
[1896-09-08] Tue 8: Race of 30-footers in harbor; Asahi [#463s] best." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1896. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection.)

"... Newport 30 [Name], 463+ [Building Number], 30.3 [Rating], 29.6 [Waterline], 28.7 [L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule], 7.8 [B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule], 7.2 [d = draft of water as for Universal Rule], 165 [D = displacement in cubic foot as for Universal Rule (= 10,528 lbs or 4.7 long tons)], 1017.5 [Sail Area], 1500 [Sail limit Present rule], -482.5 [Diff.], 1015 [Sail limit Proposed rule], 2.5 [Diff.], [Notes] ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule Formula." Bristol, R.I., July 13, 1907 with later additions. Original handwritten (in ink) document with penciled additions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00080.)

"Coconut Grove, Fla. N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. May 7, 1928. {1928/05/07} Dear Francis, ... The Newport 30 footers (fin keels.) had over 1000 (square)' sail, on hulls near 40' x 7'. As I recollect their hulls weighed 2000 lbs. They were raced very hard for about 10 years and many were around after 25 years." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 4: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Nathanael G. Herreshoff Coconut Grove Miami, Florida Nov 23, 1930. {1930/11/23} Dear Francis, ... In the old days of the Newport 30', there was very keen racing by [p4] class of men of intelligence and fine sporting abilities. They very soon found that no reefs were wanted, for the fellow that carried all sail in a 2 or 3 reef breeze w'ld be sure to win. Those boats were with plate & bulb keels, and of course of quite moderate displacment, and had a sail area of 1050 sqft. After getting into intense racing, it was soon discovered, new sails just put on would win. This made great business for our sail-loft. It was also found that heavy canvass always beat the lighter standard weights, so from 9 oz duck they went up #9 and I think #8 = 13 oz. and that in those light weight craft! The races were all in afternoons, after the sea-breeze had struck in, so only very few races were in light airs. They found it paid to carry double head stays and halyards, - for regular and baloon jibs. ... Your affect - Father." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 6: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Nathanael G. Herreshoff Coconut Grove Miami, Florida Dec 7 - 1930. {1930/12/07} Dear Francis, ... Refering to your letter of Nov. 26. {1930/11/26} about the Newport 30s sails [p2] I think the original were of 9 oz. duck - and they were much lower, or less distance between boom and gaff than are the R class boats boom to mast and to compare, the R sails should be at least 10 oz or #9. One puzzling thing was, - the new sails, wrinkled and not smoothed out did not prevent them winning. ... Your affect - Father." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 6: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Coconut Grove, Fla - March 26 1931 {1931/03/26} Dear Francis ... I think the Newport 30s got thru their racing before the N.Y.Y.C 30s were built. I cannot recollect of their sailing togather. My impression is the Newports' might have been a little faster to windward & reaching in moderate to fresh breezes, and possibly in strong winds, for they soon found reefed boats were beaten by those with all sail, even in 2 or 3 reef breezes. In drifting airs & down wind the plate & bulb Keelers never appeared to be very fast. I have not their dimensions with me, but as well as I can recollect, they were 42' oa. 30' w.l. 7' beam. Wgt of hull about 1800. Keel 5000. Rig & equip 900 and about 136 cuft displ.. ... [p2] The Newports had about 1000 sqft sail and the N.Y.Y.Cs 1085. The racing of the Newports was very keen and sporty. It was a remarkable sight to see 12 or 15 around the starting line, after the owners got used to them, - They w'ld get bunched up very close and weave in & out with seldom a foul. Having short plate keels and balanced rudders that w'ld swing to athwartships they w'ld turn in a very small space. $1000. does seem big price for the Development boats. But it appears to be so on all classes of boats soon as there is competition. The wealthy ones will pay most any price to win. ... Your affect - Father." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 7: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Then the notable Newport Thirty Foot Class of fin keels was built this year and many others. The next year (1897), there were several built for this class and for the Buzzards Bay Twenty-One Foot Centerboard Class." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Some of the Boats I Have Sailed In." Written 1934. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 68.)

L. Francis Herreshoff

"Perhaps the most notable of the late fin keelers were the so-called Newport one-design Thirties. They came out in 1896 and were forty-two feet O.A., twenty-nine feet six inches W.L., eight feet four inches beam, and seven feet one inch draft. They cost $2,850 complete, including one suit of sails and this was considered expensive then, but it is doubtful if any builder could duplicate one of them today for $25,000. They were beautifully built, double planked with mahogany over cedar, and each frame was steamed over a separate mold so that many consider them the first really one-design class with perhaps little or no variation in their speeds, weights, or dimensions. ... It was in the Newport Thirties that some of our best sailors, both amateur and professional, got their training, and some of both afterward graduated into the New York Yacht Club Seventy-foot Class." (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. 197-198.)

"While the Newport Thirties raced some on the Sound, and occasionally in the ocean, most of their racing was in Narragan-sett Bay near Newport where there are many ledges and islands, together with some flow of tide, so that to a great extent working the tides by tacking close inshore was necessary. While this no doubt added much to the excitement of the racing, the Thirties often struck bottom very hard, but their hulls were so light and scientifically built with the weight mostly in the lead that the concussion was absorbed in the denting of the lead at the bottom of their fins.
The Thirties could turn very quickly and were wonderful boats to maneuver so they could approach dangers more closely, and sail in closer formation, than most any other class of yachts either before or since." (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. 199.)

"... perhaps Captain Nat's fin keelers of the eighteen-nineties were the quickest turning of any sail boats that had moderate displacement. The reasons for this were that they had short keels nearly amidships, together with very rounding sections forward and aft, and because they had good-sized balanced rudders which could be put hard over instantly with little effort." (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. 200.)

Other Contemporary Text Source(s)

"A carload of spars for the Herreshoff company, arrived here Saturday [December 7, 1895] morning from the Boston Spar Company. They will be used for the 30-footers to be built at the shops and were selected by Charles F. Herreshoff last week." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, December 10, 1895, p. 2.)

"Capt. Nat Herreshoff says the reports printed in the Providence papers from Bristol correspondents that the 30-footers are to be raced in the harbor, thereby bringing a large number of prominent yachtsmen here, is all nonsense. The new boats are being taken away as fast as their owners call for them. Some of them have already gone and the others will be launched and turned over to their owners whenever orders are received to do so.
The 30-footers built at Herreshoffs are exactly alike, and each one has been given a number, known only to the builders. Each owner of a boat has drawn a number, and when his number is presented, the boat bearing the corresponding number is turned over to him. None of the men sent here to take away any of the 30-footers know just which one is theirs until it is pointed out to them." (Source: Anon. "Yachting Notes." Bristol Phoenix, May 12, 1896, p. 1.)

"BRISTOL, R I, May 17 [1896] --- The work of getting the 30-footers at the Herreshoffs ready for their owners is being pushed with all possible speed, and thus far six of them have had the fins bolted to the hulls and rigged. Two of them have left Bristol for New York waters, and three or four will leave during the coming week ...
During the week these boats have been given short spins in the harbor by Nat Herreshoff and the skippers who have been here waiting for their boats to be ready to take away. In the shops there are three more of the 30-footers that are about completed, making 13 [sic, i.e. 12] in all.
The skippers that have been here during the week were Capt Nat Watson, who is to sail the Asika [#463s Asahi]; Capt Aubrey Crecker, who will handle the tiller on the Bristol [sic, i.e. #475s Esperanza], A. S. Van Wickle's 30-footer; Capt Wilke, who was mate on the Defender and who is to sail the Wawa [#469s], and Capt Birch of the Ellis 30-footer [#471s Hera].
Each of the 30-footers is supplied with two suits of sails, one of which is the crosscut style, and the other the cloths running from boom to gaff. ..." (Source: Anon. "From Bristol Shops. New York 30-Footers Being Delivered to Their Owners." Boston Globe, May 18, 1896, p. 7.)

"... Special 30-Foot Class
No Time Allowance
Racing Number
W 1 Vaquero III [#468s]
W 2 Wawa [#469s]
W 3 Musme [#467s]
W 4 Departure [sic, designed by William Gardner]
W 5 Hera [#471s]
W 6 Mai [#464s]
W 7 Asahi [#463s]
W 8 Esperanza [#475s]
W 9 Carolina [#476s]
W 10 Argonaut [designed by H.C. Wintringham]
W 12 Dorothy II [#466s]
W 14 Racoon [#477s] . ..." (Source: Larchmont Yacht Club. "Seventeenth Annual Regatta. July Fourth. 1896." (Booklet with Race Instructions, Sail Numbers, etc.) Larchmont, 1896.)

"The 30-footer Hera, owned by Ralph N. Ellis, which broke her mast in the races off Newport Monday, was brought to the Herreshoff's, for a new mast." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, July 17, 1896, p. 2.)

"[Hera (Sail, K) owned by Ralph H. Ellis, Port: New York; LOA 42ft; LWL 29.6ft; Beam 8.4ft; Draft 7.1ft; designed by Herreshoff Manufact'g Co and built by Herreshoff Manufact'g Co in 1896.]" (Source: Stebbins 1896 Yachtsmen's Album, p. 42.)

"THE thirty-foot class sprung suddenly into existence at the opening of this season as the result of a well-directed plan conceived by certain members of the Larchmont Yacht Club to develop competitions between one-design yachts; to eliminate as far as possible the factor of boat differences and to excite emulation among helmsmen competing on equal terms. ...
These boats are simply large, decked canoes, without bulkheads, open from end to end, with no interior fittings save a couple of seats. There is not sufficient head-room to stand erect. One would never stay in such a cabin except to keep out of the wet. But in these boats the skipper is never out of the wet when the win blows. It is safe to say that they are about the wettest boats afloat. To windward or to leeward, in a sea, the wash from under the bows breaks over both decks; the back-stays plowing through the sea send a shower of spray into the cockpit and over the unhappy helmsman. One who has served successfully as the skipper of one of these boats has admitted that at times he has scarcely been able to see the cabin-house, eight feet ahead of him, through the drenching sheet of spray. In view of these facts, the cordial suggestion of the rules that 'a lady, however, may also be carried' is very comforting.
Added to these drawbacks the Herreshoff thirties --- I know some of them and believe all of them --- were turned out with a lee helm. Every sailor-man knows what a source of annoyance this condition affords. It is decidedly unpleasant for one to drop his tiller for a moment in an emergency, and have his boat fly off the wind and jibe on its own account. Old-fashioned writers used to say that this would be all wrong and positively dangerous; that such a boat was out of trim, or her centers incorrectly figured. The Herreshoff boats which have entered the races in Long Island Sound and their owners are as follows: Asahi [#463s], Bayard Thayer; Mai [#464s], O. G. Jennings; Musme [#467s], J. M. Macdonough; Hera [#471s], Ralph N. Ellis; Esperansa [#475s], A. S. Van Wickle; Carolina [#476s], Pembroke Jones; Wawa [#469s], James Stillman; Vaquero III [#468s], Herman B. Duryea; Raccoon [#477s], Th. R. Hostetter, and Dorothy II. [#466s], H. P. Whitney. ... The Herreshoff boats, which constitute a majority of the class, are of a type which would anywhere attract notice. It cannot be claimed that they are beautiful boats, though their mahogany top sides and clean, natural-wood decks give them an up-to-date appearance. ..." (Source: Burchard, R. B. "The Thirty-Foot Class." Outing, September 1896, p. 412-419.)

"The 'Newport thirties' mentioned under one-design classes, were originally started as a restricted class, but the Herreshoff boats which were all alike proved so much superior to the others that the latter soon dropped out and it became to all intents and purposes simply a one-design class; the same thing applies to the 'Larchmont twenty-ones,' originally a very large class built a few years before the thirties, and four Herreshoff members of which are still racing, but for about the last ten years as one-design boats." (Source: Hoyt, C. Sherman. "The Professional and the Amateur in Yacht Racing." Outing Magazine, September 1907, p. 755.)

Archival Documents

"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] Will you build me a twenty one footer? Do you think you can beat the last year's boats?
I am very seng[?] that you have been well[?]. I hope you are now well again. [The next fall Ellis would order the Newport 30 #471s HERA.]" (Source: Ellis, Ralph N. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_03360. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 229. 1895-04-17.)


"[Item Description:] Penciled table titled 'Galv[anized] Wire Rope for 30 footers [Newport 30s #463s, #464s, #465s, #466s, #467s, #468s, #469s, #470s, #471s, #475s, #476s, #477s]. Dec[ember] 19 [18]95'. Listing lengths, diameters, type (p.s. = plow steel, c.s. = crucible steel) and breaking strengths." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Penciled Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04510. Folder [no #]. 1895-12-19.)


"[Item Description:] Photograph negative, unmarked and untitled. A Newport 30, upside down and just finished planking, appears in the left foreground. In the right foreground are two more Newport 30s, right sid up, with decks laids and their interiors and deckhouses being installed. In the right backgound is yet another Newport 30 that is apparently finished and has been painted. In the left backgound is what appears to be a steam yacht, probably #186p VACUNA. If that is right, the finished Newport 30 in the background would probably be #471s HERA and this photo would have been taken in the last week of April 1896 (VACUNA was launched April 28 1896 and the first Newport 30 to be launched was HERA on May 2, 1896)." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE14_02620. Photo Negatives. Folder [no #]. No date (1896-04 ?).)


"[Item Transcription:] Please send me at 54 Exchange Place, N.Y., the addresses of the nine boat [Newport 30 class] owners and oblige. [Incl. partial draft reply by NGH on verso listing names and addresses of the following persons:] H. P. Whitney [#466s DOROTHY]
H. B. Duryea [#468s VAQUERO III]
J. M. Macdonough [#467s MUSME]
E. D. Morgan [#465s PUCK]
Bayard Thayer [#463s ASAHI]
G. Kirtuyers[?] transferred to James Stillman [#469s WAWA]
H. L. Lippitt [sic, i.e. #464s MAI for Oliver Jennings]
C. Vanderbilt Jr. [#470s VEDA]
R. N. Ellis [#471s HERA] [Part of group of letters in envelope marked 'Letters from E.D. Morgan'.]." (Source: Morgan, E.D. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_37330. Correspondence, Folder 73, formerly 77. 1896-04-08.)


"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled list of Newport 30 class building numbers, owner names, boat names and delivery dates, probably made on the occasion of the lottery which assigned boats to their owners. Untitled, undated, probably late April or early May 1896:]
No. [Boat owner.] Name. Deliver May.
471 [#471s]. Ellis. HERA. 5 or 6
463 [#463s]. Thayer. ASAHI. 7 or 8
468 [#468s]. Duryea. VAQUERO III. 11 or 12
469 [#469s]. Stillman. WAWA. 13 or 14
464 [#464s]. Jennings. MAI. 15
467 [#467s]. J.M. MacDonough. MUSME. 18
475 [#475s]. Van Wickle. ESPERANZA. 21
476 [#476s]. Pembroke Jones. CAROLINA. ?
466 [#466s]. H.P. Whitney. DOROTHY II. 25 or 26
477 [#477s]. Hostetter. RACCOON. Jun 20
464 [#465s]. E.D. Morgan. PUCK. July 1
470 [#470s]. Vanderbilt. [blank, VEDA]. [blank]
Ramie Sails[:]
1) Vanderbilt
2) MacDonough
3) Stillman
4) B. T. Thayer
5) Jennings
6) H.P. Whitney
Small boats[:]
Ellis
Whitney
Gaffs[:]
1) Duryea (2)
2) Ellis" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04110. Folder [no #]. No date (1896-04 or 1896-05 ?).)


"[Item Description:] Penciled diagram titled 'Diagram of spring of keels. 30 footers [Newport 30 class: #463s, #464s, #465s, #466s, #467s, #468s, #469s, #470s, #471s, #475s, #476s, #477s]'. With calculations. Undated (May 9, 1896 as per note in design book)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Diagram. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_05970. Folder [no #]. 1896-05-09.)


"[Item Description:] I tried the new boat [#468s VAQUERO III] a couple of days ago in a strong N.E. breeze + big sea + am convinced that they are quite stiff enough for racing here in any ordinary weather, was very much pleased as I anticipated that they might be a bit tender from what I gathered from Watson, have never seen any boat half so nicely in a breeze + sea, Mr. Ellis is most enthusiastic about his [#471s HERA], wish new Racing Union would formulate rules, undated but penciled NGH note 'ans[wered] May 25'" (Source: Duryea, Herrman B. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_19590. Correspondence, Folder 52, formerly 48, 49. No date (1896-05-24 ??).)


"[Item Transcription:] I am delighted with the boat [#471s HERA] in every possible respect, and would not change her in any particular. The boat's sailing qualities under all conditions and at all points of sailing leave nothing to be desired. The boat in its construction, the sails, and all the details of the rigging are perfection.
Do you think that a very light silk jib would help the boat in going to windward in very light airs? and can you make me a sail for that purpose that would be really advantageous? and what would be the cost of it? How long would it take you to make me at any time a new suit of sails either of ramie or of cotton duck?" (Source: Ellis, Ralph N. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05090. Correspondence, Folder 17, formerly 114. 1896-06-01.)


"[Item Description:] eligibiliy of Newport 30s [#471s HERA] to fit into Long Island Sound 30ft racing class" (Source: Ellis, Ralph N. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05100. Correspondence, Folder 17, formerly 114. 1897-01-18.)


Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #471s Hera even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

Further Reading

Images

Registers

1896 Manning's American Yacht List
Name: Answer [sic, i.e. Hera]
Owner: R. N. Ellis; Club(s): 1 [New York]; Port: New York
Type & Rig J[ib] & M[ainsail]
LOA 42.1; LWL 29.6; Extr. Beam 8.4; Draught 7.1
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1896

1902 Manning's American Yacht List (#989)
Name: Hera
Owner: Ralph N. Ellis; Club(s): 1 [New York], 10 [Atlantic], 163 [Newport Y. Racing A.]; Port: New York
Type & Rig Fin K[eel] J. & M. [Jib & Mainsail]
LOA 42.1; LWL 29.6; Extr. Beam 8.4; Draught 7.2
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1896
Note: Races [1901]: Club 35 [Knickerbocker] June 1 (1), Club 130 [Manhasset Bay] June 8 (2), Club 63 [Larchmont] June 17 (0), Club 51 [Rhode Island] July 13 (1)

1903 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#699)
Name: Hera
Owner: Ralph N. Ellis; Port: New York
Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel] Sloop
LOA 42.1; LWL 29.5; Extr. Beam 8.4; Draught 7.1
Sailmaker Herreshoff; Sails made in [18]97
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1896

1905 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#753)
Name: Hera
Owner: J. A. Garland; Port: New York
Building Material Wood; Type & Rig Fin. Sloop
LOA 42.1; LWL 29.5; Extr. Beam 8.4; Draught 7.1
Sailmaker Her. M. Co.; Sails made in [18]97
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1896

1906 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#1231)
Name: Hera
Owner: Jas. A. Garland; Port: New York
Building Material Wood; Type & Rig BF [Bulb Fin], TC [Trunk Cabin], Slp
LOA 42-2; LWL 30-0; Extr. Beam 8-5; Draught 7-2
Sailmaker H. M. Co.; Sails made in [18]97; Sail Area 1000
Builder Her. M. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1896

1912 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#1254)
Name: Hera
Owner: Mrs. James A. Garland; Port: New York
Building Material Wood; Type & Rig BF [Bulb Fin], TC [Trunk Cabin], Slp
LOA 42-2; LWL 30-0; Extr. Beam 8-5; Draught 7-2
Sailmaker HMCo.; Sails made in [18]97; Sail Area 1000
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1896
Not listed in 1914 Lloyds Register

1917 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#399)
Name; Former Name(s): Black Prince; Hera
Owner: Thomas J. Hill Peirce; Port: Providence, R.I.
Building Material Wood; Type & Rig Fin-cb [Fin Keel - Centerboard], TC [Trunk Cabin], Slp
LOA 42-0; LWL 29-5; Extr. Beam 8-4; Draught 5-4
Sailmaker B&B; Sails made in [19]14; Sail Area 940
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1896
Note: Alt. from Bulb-fin to Cb. 1913

Source: Various Yacht Lists and Registers. For complete biographical information see the Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné under Data Sources. Note that this section shows only snapshots in time and should not be considered a provenance, although it can help creating one.

Supplement

From the 1920 and earlier HMCo Index Cards at the MIT Museum
  • 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.
From the 1931 HMCo-published Owner's List

Name: Hera
Type: J & M
Length: 30'
Owner: Ellis, R.

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

From the 1930s L. Francis Herreshoff Index Cards at the Herreshoff Marine Museum
  • 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.
From the 1953 HMCo Owner's List by L. Francis Herreshoff

Name: Hera
Type: 30' fin keel
Owner: Ralph Ellis
Year: 1896
Row No.: 280

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.

From the 2000 (ca.) Transcription of the HMCo Construction Record by Vermilya/Bray

Month: Nov
Day: 30
Year: 1895
E/P/S: S
No.: 0471
Name: Hera
LW: 30'
B: 8' 4"
D: 7' 2"
Rig: J & M
K: FK
Ballast: Lead
Amount: $2850.00
Notes Constr. Record: Newport 30 fin
Last Name: Ellis
First Name: R.

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.

Research Note(s)

"Sail No. 4 in 1899." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 2, 2008.)

"Lloyds '15 notes 'alt. from bulb fin to cb 1913'" (Source: Herreshoff, L. F. "Black Prince." Vessel index card in the collection of the Herreshoff Museum, Bristol, R.I. No place, no date.)

"Built in 154 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $19/day, 68 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"[Sail area info.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule Formula." Bristol, R.I., July 13, 1907 with later additions. Original handwritten (in ink) document with penciled additions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00080.)

"[Displacement (164.5 cubic feet = 10,528bs).]" (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule Formula." Bristol, R.I., July 13, 1907 with later additions. Original handwritten (in ink) document with penciled additions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00080.)

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

Note

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Citation: HMCo #471s Hera. Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné. https://herreshoff.info/Docs/S00471_Hera.htm.