HMCo #277p Isabel

"Saturday, June 24, 1911
No. 277. Gasoline Launch ISABEL for Com. L.C. Ledyard.
30ft o.a. 7ft 4in beam with 32hp Buffalo motor was tried a number of times between Jun[e] 24 & 29 and the motor was so noisy in[sic, i.e. and] unbalanced [that it was] decided to change it for another.
Settled on a 'Sterling' 6 cyl. 5 1/2 x 6 having a break test of 59hp at 600 rev[olutions] and 85 at 900 rev. weighing [blank] lbs.
Ordered June 29 and received July 3.
With Buffalo engine boat made 11 1/2 miles per hour at about 565 rev. per m[inute].
Boat launched evening of July 7 with Sterling motor installed and tried that evening, making about 17 miles p[er] h[hour]." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Experiments Booklet '1911 Trial Trips and Experiments' under date of June 24, 1911. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

"... No. 277 [#277p] - 1911. 30ft Motor Launch ISABEL (for LCL [L.C. Ledyard] by J.B. Webb). 2573.00 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 75% [Profit Margin] = [$]5903.67. [Time & Mat.:] 2573.00. [Contract Price:] 6000.00 ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Penciled untitled calculations, apparently made to determine appropriate profit margins for future cost estimates, after the death of his brother J.B. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Undated, between 1915 (when #313p, the latest boat on this list, was built) and 1919 (when #367p CORSAIR, the first launch not on this list, was built and a price for her had to be determined).)

"June 16, 1924
Trial of 'Active' ex 'Isabell' #277
with a new 6 cyl. 3 3/8in x 5in Packard motor and 3-blade propeller 20in diam[eter] x about 15 1/2 pitch.
Upper 1/2 mi[le] course, wind light S., tide turning flood.
[Followed by tabulated trial run data with best average speed being 13.96mph (= 12.13kn)]." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Experiments Booklet '1911 Trial Trips and Experiments' under date of June 16, 1924. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

"... Among the yachts fitted out at Bristol last week were ... the power tender Isabel owned by former Commodore Lewis Cass Ledyard of New York. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Globe, June 25, 1916, p. 58.)

"ISABEL. The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company built launches like Isabel in job-lot quantities and in many sizes and versions during the first decades of this century, according to George Lauder. Some of them were crew launches for large yachts; some were yacht-club launches; others, sometimes with cabins, were owner's launches. 'It was the same boat in different sizes,' Lauder says. 'Seawanhaka had 26' versions, I remember, and the biggest one I can think of --- 82' --- was Vasanta, owned by George Pynchon.' The second-last of the Morgan family's enormous Corsairs had Herreshoff launches similar to Isabel, Lauder says.
Isabel was owned by George Nichols, and she was a tender to the J-boat Weetamoe, principal rival to Harold Vanderbilt's Enterprise in the America's Cup defense trials of 1930. Lauder acquired her in 1960 from the Nichols family, and restored her to the good-as-new condition evident in these photos. 'Fortunately she wasn't in such bad shape,' he recalls. Isabel was built in 1912 with double planking --- mahogany outside, cedar inside --- over bent oak frames, and with perfect teak joinerwork and trim. Decks are also teak. Her dimensions are 29' 6" overall, 29' on the waterline, 7' 6" beam and 2' 6" draft. Her current engine is a four-cylinder Palmer rated for 65 hp.
She's a lovely example of the launches of the Edwardian era, with two cockpits set off by high teak washboards, a slightly curved plumb stem, hollow bow sections, varnished teak transom, a businesslike Samson post aft, and bright bronze deck hardware and trim.
Lauder reports that he uses Isabel for tours of the harbor about as often as he uses the Indian Harbor launch, but he chooses the older boat when there are whitecaps off Watch Hill. 'When it's rough, this one will drown you, even though she's the prettiest one of the bunch,' he says.
Some details of Isabel are shown here, along with her gleaming profile and just a wisp of wavemaking, 'She's the prettiest one of the bunch,' says Lauder. The bar-and-handle steering device at left is a Herreshoff contrivance that operates with the feel of a steering wheel but enables the louvered doors of the forward lockers to be opened. A crew launch that once served a J-boat, Isabel has bench seats for a crowd." (Source: Gribbins, Joseph. "George Lauder's Nautical Garden." In: Nautical Quarterly, Autumn 1983, p. 80-81.)

"Isabel (ex-Active)
LAUNCH BY HERRESHOFF MANUFACTURING COMPANY
HULL #277 29' 6" x 7' 6" 1911
Few boats can claim to have been owned twice by the same museum; but when Isabel arrived as a donation in 1987, in a manner of speaking she was returning to one of her former homes. Her stay this time would be permanent. It was a quick stop she made back in 1955 when the Museum accepted her for a fund-raising resale. Active was her name then, but as soon as he bought her George Lauder gave her back her original name of Isabel. Lauder took wonderful care of this lovely launch. He generally kept her and the rest of his fleet of vintage yachts up in a corner of the harbor at Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and stored them winters at the Frank Hall Boatyard in nearby Avondale where he, his dedicated professional skipper Ray Thombs, and the yard crew could work on them. In hull shape and general layout somewhat like Resolute, previously discussed, Isabel not only is larger but a good deal more elegant, with her double planking and teak trim. At various times Isabel served as crew launch for the J-Class America's Cup contender Weetamoe, and the Indian Harbor Yacht Club used her as one of its club launches in Greenwich, Connecticut.
STATUS: Original, good condition. DONOR: The estate of George Lauder ACCESSION NO. 1987.75.1." (Source: Bray, Maynard with Benjamin A. G. Fuller and Peter T. Vermilya. Mystic Seaport Watercraft. Mystic, Connecticut, 2001, p. 287.)

"[Item Description:] Penciled sketched outboard profile and plan view titled 'For L. C. Ledyard. Oct[ober] 2 [19]10. 35 x 8ft 2[in]'. [This appears to be the original sketch for what eventually became #277p ISAEBEL]. On verso of printed invitation to a celebration of the One Hundreth Anniversary of the De Wolf Homestead to be held on July 4, 1910." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Penciled Profile. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0469. WRDT08, Folder 38, formerly MRDE10. 1910-10-02.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sketched outboard profile and plan view titled '32ft Launch. J.B.W. [J.B. Webb]. L.C.L. [L. C. Ledyard]. Scale 1/4. Nov[ember] 22 [19]10. N.G.H. [This appears to be an early sketch for what eventually became #277p ISAEBEL]. " (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled General Arrangement Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0468. WRDT08, Folder 38, formerly MRDE10. 1910-11-22.)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint with typewritten specifications for '64ft Cruising Power Yacht' [#288p HELIANTHUS I] including detailed dimensions, scantlings, equipment etc. Marked in ink 'NGH' in upper left corner of first page. With numerous additions / corrections in ink. Including specification for engine 'It is probable, however, there will be installed a Sterling B type 6 cylinder 45. H.P. rated on 600 R.P.M. This engine driving a propeller 32in diamter x 33in pitch should turn about 460 R.P.M., with boat running 9 sea miles per hour and give about 35 H.P. This engine should be set about in middle of engine room (This is second hand engine from launch ISABEL[#277p])' to which is added in ink 'It was later decided to use this engine set about 11 1/4in higher and connected to the propeller shaft thru gearing with ratio 38 to 92 allowing the engine to run about 725r.p.m. and develop about 53 HP. Srew 37in x 56in, 3 blades'. Undated, HELIANTHUS I was contracted for in March 1912." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Specifications. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE14_01470. Folder [no #]. No date (1912-03 ?).)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled calculations, apparently made by NGH to determine appropriate profit margins for future cost estimates, after the death of JBH:]
No. 313 [#313p] - 1915. 26ft Steam Lauch for CAROLA. 2255.93 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 50% [Profit Margin] = [$]4511.86. [Time & Mat.:] 2255.93. [Contract Price:] 4500.00
No. 294 [#294p] - 1914. 30ft Steam Lauch, Oil burning for V. Astor. 2423.49 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 50% [Profit Margin] = [$]4845.48. [Time & Mat.:] 2423.49. [Contract Price:] 4875.00
No. 274 [#274p] - 1910. 27ft Steam Lauch for Bath Iron Works. 2485.64 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 30% [Profit Margin] = [$]4308.45. [Time & Mat.:] 2485.64. [Contract Price:] 4300.00
No. 270 [#270p] - 1909. 27 1/2ft Steam Lauch for H.A.C. Taylor. 2293.59 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 40% [Profit Margin] = [$]4271.37. [Time & Mat.:] 2293.59. [Contract Price:] 4250.00
No. 298 [#298p] - 1914. 32ft Motor Launch for WAYFARER. Premier Motor. 3045.99 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 30% [Profit Margin] = [$]5257.72. [Time & Mat.:] 3045.99. [Contract Price:] 5250.00
No. 297 [#297p] - 1914. 30ft Motor Launch for WAYFARER. Stirling Motor. 2327.49 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 37% [Profit Margin] = [$]4251.54. [Time & Mat.:] 2327.49. [Contract Price:] 4250.00
No. 282 [#282p] - 1911. 35ft Motor Launch. 45/65 Sterling. CORSAIR. 3514.72 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 44% [Profit Margin] = [$]6748.26. [Time & Mat.:] 3514.72. [Contract Price:] 6750.00
No. 277 [#277p] - 1911. 30ft Motor Launch ISABEL (for LCL [L.C. Ledyard] by J.B. Webb). 2573.00 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 75% [Profit Margin] = [$]5903.67. [Time & Mat.:] 2573.00. [Contract Price:] 6000.00
No. 273 [#273p] - 1910. 30ft Motor Launch for M.F. Plant (Premier). 2576.78 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 60% [Profit Margin] = [$]5497.14. [Time & Mat.:] 2576.78. [Contract Price:] 5500.00
No. 278 [#278p] - 1910. 35ft Motor (Ideal) stock boat sold to WESTWARD. 2114.46 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 40% [Profit Margin] = [$]3947.00. [Time & Mat.:] 2114.46. [Contract Price:] 4000.00
No. 265 [#265p] - 1908. 34ft Motor (Premier) [for] NORTH STAR. 2259.20 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 18% [sic, i.e. 6% Profit Margin] = [$]3199.04. [Time & Mat.:] 2259.20. [Contract Price:] 3200.00
No. 283 [#283p] - 1911. 30ft Motor (Premier) [for] ALOHA A.C. James. 2974.84 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 45% [Profit Margin] = [$]5751.35. [Time & Mat.:] 2974.84. [Contract Price:] 5750.00
No. 292 [#292p] - 1912. 40ft Motor (8 cyl Sterling) [for] F.L. Dunne. 4630.47 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 55% [sic, i.e. 30% Profit Margin] = [$]8019.64. [Time & Mat.:] 4630.47. [Contract Price:] 8000.00
No. 296 [#296p] - 1914. 30ft Motor Launch (Stillson) Stock HMCo inventoried at 3,500. 2185.60 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 20% [Profit Margin] = [$]3496.95. [Time & Mat.:] 2185.60
No. 291 [#291p] - 1912. 50ft Motor Launch (2 Sterlings) Admirals Barge USN. 8141.40 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 18% [Profit Margin] = [$]12[8]08.57. [Time & Mat.:] 8141.40. [Contract Price:] 12000.00
No. 295 [#295p] - 1914. 19 1/2ft Motor Launch (Model E Sterling) W.K. Vanderbilt. 1240.68 [Time & Materials] + 33 1/3 [% Shop Overhead] x 22% [Profit Margin] = [$]2018.17. [Time & Mat.:] 1240.68. [Contract Price:] 2000.00
[Time & Materials:] 44757.68 [sic, i.e. 44857.68]. [Contract Price:] 80625.00
[p. 2]
[Unreadable]
Time & Material for 15 boats cost 44,757.68
adding 33 1/3% average for shop 14,919.23
makes shop cost 59,676.91
To equal contract price have to add about 35% = 20886.91733
Total 80,563.82. [Undated, between 1915 (when #313p, the latest boat on this list, was built) and 1919 (when #367p CORSAIR, the first launch not on this list, was built and a price for her had to be determined).]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Cost Estimate. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDED1_00160. Folder [no #]. No date (between 1915 and 1919 ?).)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink) trials booklet titled '1911. Trial Trips and Experiments'. Relevant contents:
§3: #277p ISABEL Memo Old noisy motor was exchanged (1911-06-24)
§4: #277p ISABEL Trial Run 'Speed at full power … 16.75 mi.' (1911-07-10)
§54: #277p ISABEL Trial Run with new Packard best speed 13.96mph [= 12.13kn] (1924-06-16)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator) and Herreshoff, A. Sidney deW. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_04280. Folder [no #]. 1911-06 to 1926-05.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #277p Isabel even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Isabel (HMCo-made index card)
• Isabel (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Active ex-Isabel (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: Isabel
Type: Gasoline
Length: 30'3"
Owner: Ledyard, L. C, Syndicate

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

• Isabel
• 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: Isabelle [sic, i.e. Isabel?]
Type: 30' 3" gasoline
Owner: Com. L. C. Ledyard
Row No.: 307

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.

Year: 1911
E/P/S: P
No.: 277
Name: Isabel
OA: 30' 3"

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.

"Frame space 9 1/2" used Figures for #276 with scale 14/18 see book for #276 (5-100). Breadth + Depth with scale 14/12 of #276 see book. Sheer + Breadth on sheer changed. " (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. [Note on plan 2-64 for #277p.] Bristol, May 20, 1911.)

"Note that the HMCo name index card for #277p Isabel lists June 11, 1908 (and not June 1911) as contract date. This is apparently an error and the correct date was probably June 11, 1911. See the note for #279p where a similar mistake was made but discovered and corrected." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 29, 2014.)

"Weight 5130lbs." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. [Penciled Notes.] Isabel Construction Plan 2-64. May 20, 1911.)

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