HMCo #612s Wizard

"[1904-01-01] Fri 1: Very fine [with] W [wind &] clearing. Set up #612 [Wizard] 18’ [Beverly Yacht Club] class boat." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1904. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"Dec[ember] 16 1903.
No. 612 and class.
C[enter] b[oard] 18ft class.
Frame spaces 9".
Sheer given is under side of deck 15/16" thick with canvas over.
Deduct in making moulds
for planking 3/4"
for timbers at head 7/8"
Timbers will increase moulded ways 3/32" per foot." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.143.] Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"Mr N G Herreshoff Sq.
My Dear Mr Herreshoff,
Now that the cup races are over and won and our season here is also finished we all begin naturally to look to the next year, and what it will bring for it.
It is a about time I think we had some more boats in our bay from your hand and I write to say that I have been talking with some of our members and have six men who are willing to build in a two design class of 18ft LWL, and I think I can get two or three more. First my idea of two design is got from the fact that some of our men object to the narrow type of boat with little power and an easy heel, being always used to wide boats, while others who have our 15-footers [Buzzards Bay 15 Class] will have nothing else.
I therefore ask if you will make me up a set of dimensions in a rough way of two boats, about 18ft LWL that will sail in your opinion as even as is possible in all kinds of weather with a sheer plan and deck plan of each. I will also ask for price in case 4 of each are built or 6 or more are in case one or other of designs is given up. It might be well to send me contract form for members to sign boats to be ready by June 1, 1904.
Yours very truly,
R W. Emmons 2d
over
If I may suggest somewhat the kind of boat we want. I will say that nothing can be better to our mind than an enlarged 15 footer with low home like [Charles M.] Baker's 21 footer Edith [#456s]. These boats I would suggest to be built single planked in accord with construction restrictions of our 18 foot restricted class or that of the YRA. To be without bowsprit and to have extra freeboard which to my mind will make them about 28-6 [LOA] and to carry out the stern far enough to make the boat have a light and pretty run although it many not be of much use when sailing.
These boats we would like to compare in every way in workmanship to our 15 footers not as expensive[?] as some of your work but good enough which is better than anybody else that I have yet seen. Drop me a line to 40 Water street Boston in this matter and the sooner I can be given some data to work with the sooner I can turn over the order to you. I congratulate you on the success of [#603s] Reliance and I think every one interested in yachting must feel indebted to you for what you have done.
RWE 2d [Undated, but referring to the concluded 1903 America's Cup races, suggesting this letter to have been written in September 1903. Apparently the single envelope from R.W. Emmons that is postmarked Sep 21, 19??, filed close by, and carries a pencilled note '40 Water Street' which is the address that Emmons wanted a response sent to, belongs to this letter. This would suggest that this letter may date from September 21, 1903.]" (Source: Emmons, R.W. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 79 (new), 71 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. September 21, 1903?)

"Boston Dec 2, 1903
My dear Mr Herreshoff
Upon my return after thinking over our hurried conversation at Bristol yesterday, I am afraid that although I did give you the idea as to the type and width of boat desired on the other hand I failed to lay enough stress upon the fact that we are looking for speed to every degree that is compatible with comfort and good construction.
I firmly believe we can arrange a set of races with the Northshore[?] boats and these are to be of the deep keel type 5ft 3in draught with displacement not[?] less[?] than 4000 lbs. Their over all length is 31ft, amount of sail 450 ft. They are to have hollow masts. The cost is about $900.
There are now two things I wish to ask you to consider and if possible embody in our bouts. One is greater over all length so as to enable lower rig without bowsprit. The other is a hollow mast with sail arranged to raise or lower as on Qakeress [#501s?]. In this way I think we will get more or as much speed in light weather and greater stability in heavy weather out of a boat which will of necessity be wider and more able than we would need for Massachusetts Bay. I feel very strongly on these two points and hope you will think well of my ideas in general and am very anxious to make these boats a racing success as well as good boats to our[?] daily use.
Your R. W. Emmons, 2d
P.S. I see no reason why we cannot have more than 450 ft sail if needed." (Source: Emmons, R.W. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 79 (new), 71 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. December 2, 1903.)

"Boston Dec 3, 1903
My dear Mr Herreshoff
I enclose you a copy of the restrictions under which C. F. Adams and others are going to build their one design 18-footers. This will give you a better idea of keel boat and others[?]. I do not intend for you to follow exactly these restrictions. It will enable you to get up a boat that with any fair breeze of wind will outsail theirs which is I care to do.
Your R. W. Emmons, 2d
P.S. Will forward first payment for 4 boats as soon as I hear from you regarding matter I wrote you yesterday. [One day later HMCo would record the contracts for the Buzzards Bay 18s #612s WIZARD, #613s MARGARET, #614s HINDOO, and #615s JAP in its Construction Record. The Massachusetts Bay 18-footer restrictions have survived at HMM and are filed together with this letter.]" (Source: Emmons, R.W. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 79 (new), 71 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. December 3, 1903.)

"One of the most interesting of next season's events will be a series of match races between the one-design 18-footers, owned by Marblehead yachtsmen, designed by E. A. Boardman, and a new one-design class of 18-footers, owned by Buzzards bay yachtsmen, designed by N. G. Herreshoff.
The proposed match will bring out two distinct types of these popular boats. On account of the great depth of water at Marblehead and its short distance from the open waters of Massachusetts bay, the deeper keel type is favored. At Buzzards bay, on the other hand, the water shoals rapidly and it is centerboard boats which have the greater favor there.
The Boardman designed boats are deep and narrow, resembling somewhat the Arrow and the Chance and complying with the restrictions of the 18-foot Knockabout association. It is figured that they will be better all-round boats than the Arrow, but that in a light chance last year's boat might get the better of them. The Herreshoff boats will be shoal and much wider than the Boardman boats. It is understood that they will carry more sail.
Three boats of the Boardman design have been ordered by Hon Charles Francis Adams 2d, O. H. Foster and R. de B. Boardman. It is expected that orders for three or four more will be received. R. W. Emmons 2d of the Beverly yacht club has agitated the class for Buzzards bay. Four boats have been already ordered, but the names of the owners have not yet been given out.
It has been suggested that the first series of races take place in neutral waters, at Provincetown. In this case the Buzzards bay boats would be put to a harder test than the Marblehead boats in reaching the meeting ground, but that would probably make little difference to the Buzzards bay yachtsmen. It may be possible that the first series will be sailed off Marblehead, with a return series at Buzzards bay another season." (Source: Anon. "One-Design Classes. Buzzards Bay and North Shore 18-Footers to Meet in Series of Races Next Summer." Boston Sunday Globe, December 27, 1903.)

"BRISTOL, R. I.. Feb. 20 [1904]. --- Four of the boats of the new racing eighteen-foot class are being constructed for New York at the Herreshoff shipyards. Three of the boats are almost finished.
The new boats are attracting some interest in view of the fact that there are four other eighteen-footers from the hands of another designer being built elsewhere. The interest in the boats is due to the desire of yachtsmen to learn whether the Herreshoff boats or those designed by Boardman will prove the faster in next season's racing. All of the eighteen-footers will be finished in time for launching before the first of June. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yacht News From Bristol. Herreshoff Building Four Eighteen-Footers for New Yorkers." New York Times, February 21, 1904.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., Feb. 28 [1904] --- ... Since the first of the year three new racing boats for the eighteen-foot class have been built at the Herreshoff shops, and one other of the same class is in frame and partly planked in the south shop. The rigs for these boats are practically completed, and at least two of the craft would be afloat at this time but for the ice in the harbor, precluding the possibility of a safe launching. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yacht News of Bristol." New York Times, February 29, 1904, p. 8.)

"Official Numbers of Racing Yachts. ... Eighteen-Foot, One Design Class. K-1 Margaret [#613s]. K-2 Wizard [#612s]. K-3 Hindoo [#614s]. K-4 Jap [#615s]." (Source: Beverly Yacht Club (publ.). "Beverly Yacht Club Annual 1904." Marion, Mass, 1904, p. 24.)

"ONE DESIGN 18-FOOTERS.
Class to be called Buzzard's Bay One Design 18-Footers. Dimensions as follows:
Length over all, 29 feet. Length on Water Line, 18 feet. Beam, 8 feet 1 in. Draft, 3 feet.
Outside Fixed Ballast, 2000 lbs.
Total Area of Working Sails, 470 sq. feet
Sails. --- Mainsail, Jib, and Spinaker.
Rules --- The owners of the 18-Footers having met together May 1st, 1904, mutually agreed:
1. That they reserve for themselves the right of admitting to participation in their races any new boats constructed upon the same lines after June 1st, 1904.
2. That in case of sale by any one of their number to any one not a member of the Beverly Yacht Club, that they reserve the right of admitting or not admitting the new owner to participation in their races.
3. That the crews to be carried when racing shall be composed of not more than three men." (Source: Beverly Yacht Club (publ.). "Beverly Yacht Club Annual 1904." Marion, Mass, 1904, p. 61-62.)

"Official Numbers of Racing Yachts. ... Eighteen-foot, one design class. K-1 Otter [#613s]. K-2 Wizard [#612s]. K-3 Kiameche [#614s]. K-4 [Blank] [#615s]. K-5 [Blank] [#620s]." (Source: Beverly Yacht Club (publ.). "Beverly Yacht Club Annual 1904." Marion, Mass, 1915, p. 12.)

"It is worth taking a look for a moment at the 18 footer previously referred to. They looked for all the world like an enlarged 15 footer but were 29 feet overall, 8 feet 1 inch beam, draft 3 feet without centerboard, outside fixed ballast 2,000 pounds, 470 square feet sail area." (Source: Herreshoff Marine Museum Chronicle, 1994, p. 1-2.)

"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] Now that the cup races are over and won and our season here is also finished we all begin naturally to look to the next year, and what it will bring for it.
It is a about time I think we had some more boats in our bay from your hand and I write to say that I have been talking with some of our members and have six men who are willing to build in a two design class of 18ft LWL, and I think I can get two or three more. First my idea of two design is got from the fact that some of our men object to the narrow type of boat with little power and an easy heel, being always used to wide boats, while others who have our 15-footers [Buzzards Bay 15 Class] will have nothing else.
I therefore ask if you will make me up a set of dimensions in a rough way of two boats, about 18ft LWL that will sail in your opinion as even as is possible in all kinds of weather with a sheer plan and deck plan of each. I will also ask for price in case 4 of each are built or 6 or more are in case one or other of designs is given up. It might be well to send me contract form for members to sign boats to be ready by June 1, 1904.
Yours very truly,
R W. Emmons 2d
over
If I may suggest somewhat the kind of boat we want. I will say that nothing can be better to our mind than an enlarged 15 footer with low home like [Charles M.] Baker's 21 footer EDITH [#456s]. These boats I would suggest to be built single planked in accord with construction restrictions of our 18 foot restricted class or that of the YRA. To be without bowsprit and to have extra freeboard which to my mind will make them about 28-6 [LOA] and to carry out the stern far enough to make the boat have a light and pretty run although it many not be of much use when sailing.
These boats we would like to compare in every way in workmanship to our 15 footers not as expensive[?] as some of your work but good enough which is better than anybody else that I have yet seen. Drop me a line to 40 Water street Boston in this matter and the sooner I can be given some data to work with the sooner I can turn over the order to you. I congratulate you on the success of [#605s] RELIANCE and I think every one interested in yachting must feel indebted to you for what you have done.
RWE 2d [This will lead to the Buzzards Bay 18 class of four boats #612s, #613s, #614s, and #615s.] [Undated, but referring to the concluded 1903 America's Cup races, suggesting this letter to have been written in September 1903. Apparently the single envelope from R.W. Emmons that is postmarked Sep 21, 19??, filed close by, and carries a penciled note '40 Water Street' which is the address that Emmons wanted a response sent to, belongs to this letter. This would suggest that this letter may date from September 21, 1903.]" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39120. Correspondence, Folder 79, formerly 71. No date (1903-09 ?-21 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled notes and cost calculations showing percentage discounts as a function of number of boats built (1=100%, 2=91%, 3=88%, 4=88%, 5=86%, 6=85%) and a list of boat prices as a function of number of boats built (1=1580, 2=1440, 3=1386, 4=1360, 5-1345, 6=1333). With other calculations and notes such as 'Cost of design & moulds', 'Material', 'min[?] labor', 'shop', and 'profit'. Compare with penciled notes and cost calculations titled 'Estimates for 18 footer Buzzards Bay class [#612s, #613s, #614s, #615s, #620s]. Sep[tember] 22, 1903' which shows the same list of final prices. Undated, probably also ca. September 22, 1903." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Cost Estimate. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_00310. Folder [no #]. No date (1903-09 ?-21 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled notes and cost calculations titled 'Estimates for 18 footer Buzzards Bay class [#612s, #613s, #614s, #615s, #620s]. Sep[tember] 22, 1903'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Cost Estimate. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_02750. Folder [no #]. 1903-09-22.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled '678 ? [#678s LOUISE]. 1908'. With calculations arriving at 5750cuin of lead = 2370lbs minus centerboard slot of 482lbs for a total amount of lead of 1888lbs. (Note: The question mark in the title is correct. This keel is not for LOUISE which was not a centerboard boat and whose keel outline does not match the one on this plan. Overlay with the construction plan of the Buzzards Bay 18 class [#612s, #613s, #614s, #615s, #620s] shows a near perfect match. This would date this plan to ca. December 1903)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_08910. Folder [no #]. (1903-12 ?).)
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"[Item Transcription:] Upon my return after thinking over our hurried conversation at Bristol yesterday, I am afraid that although I did give you the idea as to the type and width of boat desired on the other hand I failed to lay enough stress upon the fact that we are looking for speed to every degree that is compatible with comfort and good construction.
I firmly believe we can arrange a set of races with the Northshore[?] boats and these are to be of the deep keel type 5ft 3in draught with displacement not[?] less[?] than 4000 lbs. Their over all length is 31ft, amount of sail 450 ft. They are to have hollow masts. The cost is about $900.
There are now two things I wish to ask you to consider and if possible embody in our bouts. One is greater over all length so as to enable lower rig without bowsprit. The other is a hollow mast with sail arranged to raise or lower as on QUAKERESS [#501s?]. In this way I think we will get more or as much speed in light weather and greater stability in heavy weather out of a boat which will of necessity be wider and more able than we would need for Massachusetts Bay. I feel very strongly on these two points and hope you will think well of my ideas in general and am very anxious to make these boats a racing success as well as good boats to our[?] daily use.
Your ...
P.S. I see no reason why we cannot have more than 450 ft sail if needed. [Two days later HMCo would record the contracts for the Buzzards Bay 18s #612s WIZARD, #613s MARGARET, #614s HINDOO, and #615s JAP in its Construction Record.]" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39070. Correspondence, Folder 79, formerly 71. 1903-12-02.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] I enclose you a copy of the restrictions under which C. F. Adams and others are going to build their one design 18-footers. This will give you a better idea of keel boat and others[?]. I do not intend for you to follow exactly these restrictions. it will enable you to get up a boat that with any fair breeze of wind will outsail theirs which is I care to do.
Your R. W. Emmons, 2d
P.S. Will forward first payment for 4 boats as soon as I hear from you regarding matter I wrote you yesterday. [One day later HMCo would record the contracts for the Buzzards Bay 18s #612s WIZARD, #613s MARGARET, #614s HINDOO, and #615s JAP in its Construction Record. The Massachusetts Bay 18-footer restrictions have survived at HMM and are filed together with this letter.]" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39110. Correspondence, Folder 79, formerly 71. 1903-12-03.)
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"[Item Description:] Massachusetts Bay 18-Foot Knockabout Class Rules and Restrictions. (These rules formed the design brief for a E.A. Boardman-designed one-design class of 18-footers to augment the already thriving Mass. Bay Y.R.A. class of restricted 18-foot knockabouts. Photos and plans of Mass. Bay 18-footers can be seen in Boardman's 1909 book 'The Small Yacht. Its Management and Handling For Racing and Sailing.') Undated document, but referenced in and accompanied by December 3, 1903 letter by R. W. Emmons. [This will lead to the Buzzards Bay 18 class of four boats #612s, #613s, #614s, and #615s.]" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. (sender). Correspondence (measurement rule) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39060. Correspondence, Folder 79, formerly 71. No date (sent with R.W. Emmons letter 1903-12-03).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections on verso of 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' stationery. Titled '18ft Buzzards Bay Class. 612 - 13 - 14 - 15 [#612s, #613s, #614s, #615s, #620s]. Final. Dec[ember] 12, 1903'. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 63.8cuft = 4080lbs." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03970. Folder [no #]. 1903-12-03.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #612s Wizard even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Wizard (HMCo-made index card)
• Wizard (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Wizard and other BB18 class (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: Wizard
Type: J & M
Length: 18'
Owner: Sargent, F.

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

• Wizard
• 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: Wizard
Type: 18' J & M
Owner: F. Sargent
Row No.: 765

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: Dec
Day: 4
Year: 1903
E/P/S: S
No.: 0612
Name: Wizard
LW: 18'
B: 8' 1"
D: 2' 10.5"
Rig: J & M
K: y
CB: y
Ballast: Lead O.
Amount: 1333.00
Notes Constr. Record: New Moulds #613. Built on order of R. W. E. & Associates.
Last Name: Sargent
First Name: F.

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.

"[Sail number K-2 (Eighteen Foot One-Design Class).]" (Source: Beverly Yacht Club. 1907 Yearbook. Boston, 1907.)

"Built in 180 days (contract to delivered; equivalent to $7/day, 24 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Sail area main 372sqft plus jib 102sqft = 474sqft total as per notes on sail plan 130-137." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. April 27, 2014.)

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