Herreshoff #189401es [Unbuilt America's Cup Contender for J. G. Bennett]

"[1894-04-27] Fri 27: .... J. G. Bennett ordered large sloop." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1894. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Ink on paper preliminary sailplan of a large unidentified gaff sloop, the same as in MRDE02_07480(which was speculated to may be #189401es [Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett]. With calculations which show total sail areas of between 10417 and 12753sqft which suggest this boat to be of the size of a Cup Defender." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Inked Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_07460. Folder [no #]. No date (first half of 1894 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Ink on paper undated preliminary plan with inboard profile and plan view and no title, calculations or dimensions of a large unidentified centerboard sloop. Extrapolating from an estimated 6ft length of one berth, it may be about 86ft LWL, about 116ft LOA and about 23ft beam. This might suggest the large centerboard sloops NAVAHOE and VIGILANT whose model profiles, however, do not match this boat's profile. Another possible match might be #189401es [Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett] (Sloop, 1894, LOA 121', LWL 87') which should be further investigated. With note 'Blueprint 1 only plan'. Compare with MRDE02_07460 which shows the same boat." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Inked Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_07480. Folder [no #]. No date (first half of 1894 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled list with tablulated data listing areas for mainsail, forestaysails, jib, working topsail, large club topsail, small club topsail, jib topsails, balloon foresail, balloon jib topsails, spinnakers, trisail and summary data for light weather to windard, for reaching and for running for 'VIGILANT', 'New design 89ft keel' and 'New design c.b. 87ft w.l. [both designs are believed to relate to #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett from the spring of 1894]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Penciled List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0614. WRDT08, Folder 46. No date (first half of 1894 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled plating plan titled 'Plating Bennett Design [#189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J.G. Bennett]'. Undated, this boat was designed in April 1894." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Plating Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT06_00540. Folder [no #]. No date (1894-04 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] [telegram notice?], would you build for [James Gordon] Bennett a boat [#189401es] guaranteed to beat the #437s VIGILANT" (Source: Howland, Gordon G. (general manager N.Y. Herald). Correspondence (telegram notice) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_48130. Subject Files, Folder [no #], formerly 245. (1894-04-15).)
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"[Item Description:] [Telegram notice?], pleased to see your Mr. N. G. Herreshoff at the office of N.Y. Herald [to discuss #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for Gordon Bennet]." (Source: Howland, Gordon G. (general manager N.Y. Herald). Correspondence (telegram notice) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_48140. Subject Files, Folder [no #], formerly 245. (1894-04-16).)
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"[Item Description:] [telegram notice?], we can build [a sloop (#189401es) for Gordon Bennett] at once" (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Correspondence (telegram notice) to Howland, Gordon G. (general manager N.Y. Herald). Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_48150. Subject Files, Folder [no #], formerly 245. (1894)-04-16.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table showing w.l. 87ft, overall 127ft, boom 104ft, gaff 66ft, etc. and comparing / scaling this in some way. With sketch and calculations, possibly unrelated. Given the 87ft lwl, might this be for #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett? " (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_02590. Folder [no #]. No date (1894-05 ???).)
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"[Item Description:] Mimeographed specifications titled on outer cover 'N.G. Herreshoff, 1894. Specifications. No. [blank]' and on inner cover 'Specifications for a racing sloop yacht, being No. [blank] on the list of The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.'. (Though not identified by name this is clearly for #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Specifications. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_02410. Folder [no #]. No date (1894-05 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections showing a pronounced bulb keel titled '[Trial] 1. May 3rd [1894]. 87[ft] w.l. model not finished. 8.66 spaces'. Waterline is marked 86 1/2ft w.l. With note 'Area 11.5sqft [apparently the keel part] & area 98.4sqft [apparently the body part]'. No further notes or calculations. (This is quite certainly #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00520. Folder [no #]. (1894)-05-03.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections showing a pronounced bulb keel titled '[Trial] 2. May 5 [1894]. To 86ft w.l. [Model] Not finished'. With calculations. (This is quite certainly #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00540. Folder [no #]. (1894)-05-03.)
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"[Item Description:] Ink on linen general arrangement plan ttled '87f w.l. Racing Yacht. Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Bristol, R.I. May 1894. Scale 1/8in = 1f'. (Probably for #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett)." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Ink General Arrangement Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0515. WRDT04, Folder 41, formerly MRDE10. 1894-05-08.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections for a pronounced bulb keel. Titled only 'Preliminary for lead' with no other calculations or explanations. Strong similarity to bulb keel for James Gordon Bennet's design #189401es drawn May 15, 1894 suggests it was made for the same boat and at the same time." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00710. Folder [no #]. No date (1894-05-15 or sightly earlier ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections with displacement curves and calculations (crossed out) showing a pronounced bullb keel. Titled 'May 15th, [18]94. Lead for [James Gordon] Bennet's design [#189401es]. 10 stations 3.5in apart. No 0 is 33.2ft aft of forward end of 86in w.l. (Scale 1/2in per ft.)'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00590. Folder [no #]. 1894-05-15.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with pinpricks and radials showing a large yacht with deep and pronounced bulb keel. Untitled. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 148[??] net tons. On verso detailed calculations titled 'Preliminary est[imate] of stability' showing righting arms and moments for various parts of the boat. Found together with lead ballast calculations for #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett and showing strong similarity between the two bulb keels, suggesting these sections are also for Bennet's sloop. Undated, lead calculations for this boat were made May 15, 1894." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00610. Folder [no #]. 1894-05-15.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections showing a large yacht with deep and pronounced bulb keel. Titled only '[Trial] 3'. Found with other pantograph hull sections for and bearing strong similarity to #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett]'. Undated, trial no. 5 was made on May 19, 1894 and lead sections had been drawn May 15, 1894." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00670. Folder [no #]. No date (between 1894-05-15 and 1894-05-19).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections showing a large yacht with deep and pronounced bulb keel. Titled '[Trial] # 5. May 19 [1894 ?]. 8.6 spaces for 86ft w.l. [#189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett]'. With weight ditribution calculations." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00650. Folder [no #]. 1894-05-19.)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint technical drawing titled 'Bulb Angles. Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Bristol, R.I. May 22, 94. Full Size'. (This is probably for #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett, the only metal yacht designed or built in 1894)." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04020. Folder [no #]. 1894-05-22.)
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"[Item Description:] [Handwritten (ink):] Rough estimate of special bulb angles that should be ordered for 87ft design … All in car lengths. [This is probably a reference to #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett which was designed in April 1894. See Blueprint technical drawing titled 'Bulb Angles. Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Bristol, R.I. May 22, 94' which shows exactly these bulb angles.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04160. Folder [no #]. No date (1894-05-22 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Two sets of annotated displacement curves, one titled 'Preliminary. May 6 [18]94. Bennett [#189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett]', the other 'Final. May 22nd [18]94'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Displacement Curves. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09420. Folder [no #]. 1894-05-22.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sketch of four full sections with note 'Disp[lacement] Keel 164 1/2 tons net = 147 [tons] gross. Disp[lacement] c.b. 157 1/2 tons net = 141 [tons] gross. Disp[lacement] bulb keel 141 tons net = 126 [tons] gross. Disp[lacement] VIGILANT [#437s] [blank]'. Untitled, no further notes, undated. Compare with pantograph hull sections and calculations titled '6 - May 22 [1894]. Final ... 87ft w.l.' which show #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett with a similar / same keel section and calculations which also arrive at 157.5 tons net. " (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09580. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1894-05-22).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections and calculations titled '6 - May 22. Final - model changed. 8.7 spaces for 87ft w.l.'. Weight calculations show 'Cuft at[?] displ. corrected 4900 = 315000lbs = 157.5 tons net'. (This is for #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0440. WRDT08, Folder 35, formerly MRDE08. (1894)-05-22.)
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"[Item Description:] Lead ballast cutout titled 'Lead. Bennet [#189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J.G. Bennet]. Final Design'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Lead Ballast Cutout. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE14_00320. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1894-05-23 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections for a pronounced bulb keel titled 'Lead. May 23. Final.' With calculations arriving at a total ballast weight of 2054.850cuft or 145894.350lbs or '23 tons nearly'. Strong similarity to bulb keel for James Gordon Bennet's design #189401es drawn May 15, 1894 suggest it was made for the same boat and at the same time." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0441. WRDT08, Folder 35, formerly MRDE08. (1894 ?)-05-23.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled offset booklet titled in white chalk on cover 'Bennett design … 1894. Not built'. Note on first page '87ft w.l. Sloop for James Gordon Bennett [#189401es]. Made in June 1894, but the craft was given up. (Model was cut over for another job in later years. N.G.H.)'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Offset Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_02660. Folder [no #]. 1894-06.)
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"[Item Description:] [Telegram from New York:] re [James Gordon] Bennett approval [re #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for Bennet]." (Source: Howland, Gordon G. [General Manager New York Herald]. Telegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_02720. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 231. 1894-06-19.)
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"[Item Description:] [James Gordon] Bennet [owner of the New York Herald] would like to see NGH in Paris and will pay expenses for NGH's travel from London [where NGH was to race #437s VIGILANT] to Paris to meet him [to discuss #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for Gordon Bennet]." (Source: Howland, Gordon G. [General Manager New York Herald]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_02730. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 231. 1894-06-19.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Through Iselin I have just rec[eive]d a request from [James Gordon] Bennett to oversee his boat [#189401es Unbuilt Sloop for James Gordon Bennett] in case he builds & put her in shape for winter. This would be a pleasant undertaking in many ways for me if I could afford to give it the time. My business is not very good, but is very necessary with my large family.
Trust that you found all well at home & I will let you know when I can decide what to reply. Of course this is in confidence." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_02760. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 231. 1894-07-31.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Pardon my not writing you before, but I have been rastivd[?] to death since the cruise [of the NYYC], & wanted to write longer.
I cannot tell what the prevailing sentiment would be in club about meeting a challenge [for the America's Cup] with 70 footers, but much would depend on the views of the committee appointed at time. I rather think it worth while to study up that size. I wrote Iselin that I could not afford the necessary time to attend to Bennett's boat [#189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett] though I would love the job & do it if I could see my way clear. What do you hear now? Hope to see you when my rush is over next month." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_00900. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 239. 1894-08-28.)
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"[Item Description:] Yachting editor The World and editor of new yachting weekly 'Burgee & Pennant': has excellent photo of #446s ALERION II by Child; will publish in 'Burgee & Pennant; please send a description of her and of her excellect suit of [crosscut] sails; story of [Larchmont] 21-footers and fine picture of #444s VAQUERO & #442s HOURI in the paper; could someone please write #437s VIGILANT in England article; is it true you have order from [James Gordon] Bennett for a 85-ft sloop [#189401es]; #168p VAMOOSE race challenge; #142p NOW THEN" (Source: Summers, James. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01320. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 237. 1894-09-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Drop me a line as I can not yet yet away for a short vacation East as I hoped to do.
Is Bennett building? [See #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for James Gordon Bennett.] What are arrangements? What do you hear about Challenge since. Have you finished a New boat [#446s ALERION II] for yourself?" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01400. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 237. 1894-09-14.)
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"[Item Transcription:] We have very pleasant memories of our visit to Bristol & hope to see you at out home in N.Y. before long. Let me know when you propose coming in for any special reason & come to us.
Thank Mrs. H[erreshoff] for her kindness & hospitality. I sent some candy for the children. Ask Miss Devory[?] to let me see the pirate[?] engine[?] when determined.
Bennett has done nothing yet [about #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for James Gordon Bennett]. Told Iselin that he would write to me when he did.
Our measurement committee of L.Y.C. [Larchmont Yacht Club] will meet on 18th inst.
There is a feeling against fin keels that I don't share in & would like to get Sanderson to see[?] PIXIE & try one to race in L.I. Sound. [PYXIE was a 25-rater designed by William Gardner and built by Wood & Sons for Oswald Sanderson of New York. Except in light winds she was slower than her rival, the Herreshoff-built #418s EL CHICO. LOA 36-5ft. LWL 23-5ft. Beam 7-7ft.] He is one of the best racing men & has a strong influence in moulding[?] Larchmont opinion. I propose adding him to the Comm. in place of his brother you[?] to[?] cuope[?].
Would you sell him ALERION [#446s] at a moderate price delivered later when you are through with her or take PIXIE in part pay[men]t? What are ALERION's dimensions & how much head room & how wide house & deck outside & how long evred[?] house be?
Have not seen Geo. Gould yet.
May come down some Sat. night for a sail returning Sunday night. Does race[?] Rim[?] Bristol was run in Sunday morning?" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_00930. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 239. 1894-10-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Since receiving yours of 30th I have been so much under the weather that I have delayed answering.
Hope to hear that you are all well next time you write. I have hept[?] quick all that Iselin told me about the new boat [#452s DEFENDER] & through the same man would have liked a little bit of news the other day.
You know how I feel about keel & centerboard. While I should defer to your better judgment still[?] I feel as before that VIGILANT [#437s] could beat BRITANNIA[?] for America's Cup & the Bennett model [#189401es] would beat VIGILANT surely, so that Englishmen would have to beat BRITANNIA very much to come near Bennet[?] & co[?] while in going to a keel we are not so sure.
Regarding VIGILANT I have not seen [her owner George] Gould for a week or more as he has been away. He did right in offering her to Cup Com[mittee]. Thow[?] if they choose to name some one to run her, he cannot well object. I would have nothing whatever to do with her coming from them. He may have her back cmay[?] musing. Hpeck[?]her in threats[?], then I might take her for him. I should be afraid to immense[?] her too much more gearing[?] to fund[?] her hard to more & dull perhaps a little might do. As to the large mainsail I never steered her enough to know just how she felt. I fancy that a trifle more might do.
I don't believe that she would be better for any radical changes, but probably slight ones in the direction you suggest.
When you are coming on let me know & come here..." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22200. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-02-05.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table comparing three America's Cup designs: 'VIGILANT [#437s] (without crew)', 'New design keel. Fall 1894. Including crew' and 'New design c.b. June 1896 (Including crew) [#189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett]'. With data for Length at sheerline (126ft, 124ft, 121ft), length at waterline (86ft 3in, 89ft, 87ft), extreme beam (26ft 2in, 23ft 1in, 24ft 2in), draft, freeboard, breadth on waterline, extreme draft with c.b. down, displacement at above w.l., center of gravity, area of midship section, area of wetted surface, approx. weight for hull, equipment & spars & gear, rig, lead outside and lead inside, aproximate righting moment at different angles of heel, and sail area." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_07720. Folder [no #]. No date (1896-06 or later).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #189401es [Unbuilt Americas Cup Contender for J. G. Bennett] even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

"Little is known about this this sloop which NGH noted in his diary to have been ordered by J. G. Bennett but was never built. Compare with plan in Herreshoff Museum Collection: Interior arrangement w/ scale. 87 F. W. L. Racing Yacht. Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Bristol RI. May 8 '94 (Object ID 0051) as well as with plan in HMM collection: Final - Model changed. 6 - May 22. 8.7 spaces for 87' W.L. [Originally in folder marked Sections of Yachts - N.G.H. Preliminary or Duplicate.] which both appear to be related to this vessel. See also NGH design booklet entry dated May 1894 'Design for J. G. Bennet Sloop.' which shows a 121ft Length on Deck, 87ft LWL, 24ft Beam sloop and numerous calculations. Model 1105 in the collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum may also be related to it as it appears to have a waterline of about 87ft, but its overall length is too long and it is believed to have been made a few years earlier. The HMM archives also contain communication beween G. G. Howland of the N.Y. Herald and HMCo concerning a boat for James Gordon Bennett guaranteed to beat the Vigilant." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 30, 2014.)

"[Displacement 315000lbs = 157.5.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Penciled note on pantograph hull sections taken for #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J.G. Bennet off the original model on May 22, 1894. Also in: Penciled untitled and undated table with comparative weight data for three large Herreshoff-designed sloops including #437s VIGILANT and #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J.G. Bennet from June 1896 or later. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

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