HMCo #408p Avoca

"Everett Dickinson's new 68-foot express cruiser is rapidly nearing completion at Herreshoff's yard in Bristot, R. I. where the Lemos brothers are now in charge of all construction. The new boat will be named 'Avoca' meaning the meeting of the waters ... she will replace 'Phoenix' which was sunk by the hurricane [and subsequently restored]." (Source: Rowe, Walter. "Soundings for Yachtsmen." Hartford Courant, April 9, 1939, p. C6.)

"E. E. Dickinson Jr., of this town [Hartford, CT.] and a widely known yachtsman left last Wednesday for a cruise in his 68-foot express cruiser Avoca, the fastest boat in this area for her size. She can knock off about 35 miles per hour with a pair of V-12 Kennath gas engines, of 500 horsepower each." (Source: Brown, Harrison. "Running Free." Hartford Courant, July 7, 1940, p. C5.)

"1939. ... Herreshoff had a 68-foot twin screw cruiser [#408p Avoca] set up and was building one of the Fisher's island 23-foot water-line knockabouts for Gilman Lowe [#1505s Contest], and had an order for five of the 12 1/2-footers [#1500s, #1501s, #1502s, #1503s, and #1504s] for the Fisher's Island Yacht Club, decked aft and along the sides of the cockpit coamings, and buoyancy tanks under the seats instead of under the forward deck. ..." (Source: Davis, Jeff. Yachting in Narragansett Bay. Providence, 1946, p. 91.)

"Avoca - Design 283
LOA: 68ft 9in, DWL: 66ft 4in, Beam: 13ft 6in, Draft: 4ft
Just before World War II, in 1939, E. E. Dickinson commissioned this most ambitious and speediest of El Nido's younger sisters. Avoca resembles her predecessor in several ways, most notably in her continuous sheerline and her luxurious use of space below. Among the important differences are the available power (now the twins deliver 500 horsepower, presaging postwar plants) and the high, more commodious deckhouse.
Worth noting are the rake angles of forward windows, upper windshield, and mast. These angles play against each other in a way that has far more to do with art than science. All details of davits, anchors, life-saving gear, etc. (including their shadows), are designed as important parts of the whole. Yet nothing is fussy or for effect alone.
Built at the Herreshoff yard in Bristol, Rhode Island, and engineered by Al George, Avoca proved rugged enough to achieve 31 mph in speed trials. Recognizing that it's a tough challenge for naval architect or engineer to combine light weight (so important for speed) with strength great enough to take punishment from non-compressible water, Avoca does indeed seem convincing evidence of George's mastery." (Source: Kinney, Francis S. and Russell Bourne. The Best of the Best: The Yacht Designs of Sparkman & Stephens. New York, 1996, p. 163.)

"[Item Description:] Typed list on paper with 'Herreshoff, Bristol, Rhode Island' letterhead titled '408 [#408p AVOCA] --- Index' listing items in vessel specifications and their respective page numbers." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (?) (creator). Index. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. No date (1938-11-11 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Typed list titled 'Specifications No. 283 [#408p AVOCA] For The Construction Of A 68 Ft. Vee-Bottom Motor Cruiser'. 32 pages." (Source: Sparkman & Stephens (creator). Specifications. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1938-11-11.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy':] I am enclosing herewith data covering a new power boat [#408p AVOCA] for which we are now working on plans.
I am anxious to get your best figure for the construction of this boat for use next Summer. Am also anxious to get this work started as promptly as possible and hope it will be possible for you to have your figure in our hands not later than the morning of Friday, November 25th. We wish to go over all figures with the owner at that time and to make arrangements to have a chance to talk to those submitting the most promising bids on the following Saturday morning. I hope it will be possible for you to meet this schedule.
The right is reserved to reject any and all bids.
In order to get this data into your hands as promptly as possible I am sending it out in a form which is not entirely complete but which I think should make it possible for you to arrive at an accurate figure.
We have written sections of the specifications dealing with General Conditions, Equipment, Furnishings, Joiner Work, Painting, Plumbing and Electrical Work. We are taking from an earlier but similar specification [apparently for AVOCA's predecessor PHOENIX] sections dealing with Hull Construction and Engine Installation.
The plans enclosed are the Outboard Profile and Arrangement Plan of the same earlier design from which the Hull Construction and Engine Specifications were taken. The third print is, as you will note, a very preliminary arrangement plan of the present design. A Construction Section of the earlier design is also enclosed.
The only difference in general arrangement is in the location of tanks and in the use of the extra 2 ft. of length in putting in the galley athwartships forward and installing a toilet room across from the forward stateroom.
In regard to the Hull Construction, I should like to point out that the present boat is to be of vee bottom type so that suitable chine is required for the full length of the boat. The intention is to use steam bent frames, of substantially the size called for in the earlier specifications, which will be bent inside the chine with a filler block between the outside of the frame and the inside of the chine and planking.
It is probable that Weldwood will be used for all watertight and structural bulkheads rather than double planking called for. Also, as far as possible, all bulkheads will be securely fastened to frames and deck beams, thus doing away, again in so far as possible, with all hanging knees.
Ceiling will be joiner ceiling only and will run between bulkheads.
As compared with the earlier specifications the weight of the bottom planking will be increased by at least l/l6in and possibly 1/8in and the topside planking will be cut down correspondingly.
In regard to the engine installation --- this will be substantially similar to that mentioned in the earlier specifications, except that the present boat will be equipped with a pair of Kermath 'Sea Raider' engines with all suitable equipment. Electric tachometer with repeaters in the engine room and on the bridge deck will be required.
Shaft and propeller sizes and other details will be modified as required,
Vee type motors to be used will require two exhaust lines
each.
We intend to use Mixim Type TR mufflers of suitable size, four of which will be required, located as per the rough arrangement plan.
Please note that the new boat will be controlled only from the bridge deck. Disregard anything under the heading of 'Engine Controls' or 'Steering Controls' which might suggest deck house controls, as used in the earlier design.
You may be assured that any further modifications will be of an extremely minor nature and we will make every effort to get the missing sections of the final specifications finished. I hope, however, that you will go ahead as promptly as possible with the work necessary to get together a figure, if you wish to submit one, so that you can have your bid in the mail to us not later than next Wednesday night. Please call me on the 'phone if there are any questions.
Please let us know when you can complete construction. Plans in sufficient detail to begin building should be ready by the 7th or 8th of December. You may count on further plans to follow at short intervals.
Very truly yours, ..." (Source: Stephens, Olin (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1938-11-17.)
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"[Item Description:] Typed list titled 'Specifications No. 283 [#408p AVOCA] Addenda'. 1 page." (Source: Sparkman & Stephens (creator). Specifications. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1938-11-21.)
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"[Item Description:] Typed list titled 'Addenda to Specifications # 283 [#408p AVOCA]. Notes as Discussed November 26, 1938'. 2 pages." (Source: Sparkman & Stephens (creator). Specifications. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1938-11-28.)
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"[Item Description:] Typewritten letter marked 'Copy' regarding #408p AVOCA, discussing blueprint of engine as furnished by Kermath, exhaust line, Crane fixture for the sink, bottom paint to be that as manufactured by Smith and the same as that for Six Metres DJINN, FUN, and GOOSE, Pneumercators and manifold, order to Trumbull Electric Company, roller screens in the deck house, Vibration dampners under the main generator, soft knots in the keel to be bored and plugged, limber holes in the forward floors to be made larger, and groove in sheer strake on port side to be properly soaked before smoothing over." (Source: George, Alexander (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Newman, Herbert (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-02-20.)
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"[Item Description:] Typewritten letter marked 'Copy' regarding #408p AVOCA, discussing pleasure of progress of the work, list of discharge openings throughout the boat, size of couplings for the main engines, painting of edges of Weldwood transverse bulkheads with synthetic resin sealer, sketch of shafting and coupling, stut and bearing assembly, side ladder which was furnished on PHOENIX, tangs for the mast, life preservers, and wiring the Startix for Kermath motors." (Source: George, Alexander (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Newman, Herbert (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-03-13.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy':] We are enclosing herewith two blueprints of No. 285-8 drawing showing the completed strut and bossing arrangement [for #408p AVOCA].
We have been in touch with Mr. Leach of the Kermath Motor Company and he tells us it will be OK to bring the water jacketing within 3in of the exhaust manifold. At this distance he says there should be no worry from condensation. In view of this fact we believe there should be a short water jacketed section at the above distance from the manifold and then a 12in section of Eclipse flexible water jacketed hose and from that point on to the mufflers the regular water jacketed section.
We are checking over the size of the 'Lucite' and will let you know in a few days whether we intend that material or 'Plexiglass'.
Very truly yours, ..." (Source: George, Alexander (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Newman, Herbert (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-03-20.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten 'Memo to H.F. Newman':] 1. Check with Rod [Stephens] about exhaust lines [for #408p AVOCA] relative to our letter 3-20-39.
2. Check with Olin [Stephens] regarding start of round off of chine forward ---about mould # 2 l/2.
3. Check Plexiglass or Lucite (thickness and size available 36in x 48in) for windows in deck house.
4. Note relocation of CO2 bottle. Just aft of generator on CL. Move generator muffler to starboard, to clear and watch out for control lever clearance. Imitation drawer front on inboard edge of after seat. Header in deck house floor to clear bottle and withdraw through seat in deck house." (Source: Sparkman & Stephens Co. Correspondence (memorandum) to Newan, Herbert F. (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-03-22.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy':] In reference to the linoleum desired for my boat [#408p AVOCA], and the rubber flooring:
I have in front of me Armstrong's catalog, and note that they have recently purchased Steadman, and the old Steadman flooring you spoke to me about is now sold under the name of Armstrong.
The color of the pattern desired for the deck house rubber flooring, is their Silvertone Grey # 655.
I believe Sparkman and Stephens have laid out the hatches for 4x4 squares, which my catalog indicates to be one of their stock sizes.
In reference to the linoleum I would prefer, No. 06 which is their dark green Marvelle. This will be used in all the toilets and the forward part of the boat.
I will try to bring my catalog with me the next time I go to Bristol, so as to check with you on these numbers, etc., if there is any question in your mind.
Very truly yours ..." (Source: Dickinson Jr., E.E. Letter to Lemos Jr., Albert (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-03-27.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy':] We have this morning received a letter from Herreshoff Mfg. Company under date of March 28th enclosing two prints # 408 [#408p AVOCA]. In this letter they quote the telegrams which Sparkman and Stephens sent to you and the telegram under date of February 7th which Sparkman and Stephens, Inc. sent to you we quote as follows:
'SAE TAPER AND KEYSEAT COUPLING TWO AND THREE EIGHTHS SHAFT'
You will see from the print enclosed that they not only wish to increase the shaft diameter from 2-3/8in to 2-3/4in but they also wish to change the keyway from 5/8in which is standard to 5/16in and then they wish the hub of the gear turned down and the flange made thinner. In fact, it will cost us anywhere from $21.00 to $24.00 to rework these couplings, in accordance with these instructions. The couplings are to be counterbored for a nut which of course is essential where the taper is required.
We do not wish to hold up on this job but it must be evident to everyone involved that these couplings are quite special and not at all in accordance with our standard. We would like to inform you at the same time that the 5/16in x 5/16in keyway is not standard on a bore of this size. The keyway should be 5/8ths of an inch wide, as 5/8in keyway is standard SAE practice and the keyway will have to be have to be 5/8in wide in any case because the keyway in the present flange is 5/8in wide.
We are planning at the present time to get these couplings out as soon as we can and ship them C.O.D. to the Herreshoff Mfg. Company for $21,00 or very close thereto whatever our cost in this connection is. We do not anticipate any profit in the transaction but we wish our cost to be covered.
Very truly yours, ..." (Source: Snow & Petrelli Mfg. Co. Letter to Kermath Mfg. Co. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-03-29.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy' beginning with:] Confirming my wire of this morning asking you to hold up on the Standard Wheel [for #408p AVOCA], about which I wrote you last night, we want to go ahead with special propellers for the Dickinson boat to the following specifications:
The propellers will be Type L, Equipoise as manufactured by the Federal Mogul Corp. of Detroit. ... In ordering these wheels I want to point out that Mr. Dickinson will of course have no objection to paying the net extra cost of these propellers as compared with those originally specified but that I do not think that he should have to pay more than that as he is ordering them largely on our recommendation that they will increase his top speed but that they will not be appreciably better than standard wheels at the ordinary cruising speed. We feel that a high top speed will be good advertising both for ourselves and for you and believe that it is to our mutual advantage to have the boat fitted with these special propellers. ..." (Source: Stephens, Olin (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-03-29.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy' beginning with:] We have decided to go ahead on the Dickinson boat [#408p AVOCA] with the special Type L Equi-Poise wheels about which you have corresponded with Mr. Wyland.
We have written to the Herreshoff Mfg. Company giving them the following specifications for the wheels asking them to wire their order to you as time is very short:
The propellers will be Type L, Equi-Poise as manufactured by the Federal Mogul Corp. of Detroit. ..." (Source: Stephens, Olin (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Federal Mogul Corp. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-03-29.)
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"[Item Description:] Typewritten letter marked 'Copy' regarding #408p AVOCA, discussing radio to be installed, companion door on the starboard side of the trunk, cowls on top of the deck house, windshield opening device, and toilet vent." (Source: George, Alexander (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Lemos Jr., Albertt (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-03-29.)
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"[Item Description:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy' beginning with:] We are enclosing herewith two blueprints of our sketch No. 283-17 [for #408p AVOCA], showing the revised paneling on the port side of the deck house. ..." (Source: George, Alexander (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Newman, Herbert (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-03-30.)
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"[Item Description:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy' beginning with:] We received your detail of the companion [for #408p AVOCA] this morning and are enclosing for your consideration one of our design. You will notice that we have both arrived at practically the same result by a slightly different means. ..." (Source: George, Alexander (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Newman, Herbert (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-04-18.)
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"[Item Description:] Typewritten letter marked 'Copy' re #408p AVOCA discussing insulation in engine room, planksheer and inside of bulwark to be varnished, Cuprinol and paint, stainless steel screws from All-Metal Products Co., Sound View Delco Marine Radio states Model No. 832 will have indefinite date of delivery, rather disappointed by Mr. George's report of progress on the boat, work could be pushed faster by, first, attending to the matter of struts, second, pushing along joiner work, am afraid you are allowing the fact that there are certain unavoidable delays to slow you down on other items which might perfectly well be cleaned up, we are trying to cooperate with you in every way and we are very well pleased with the quality of the job but in order to keep us happy you will have to make even more of an effort to satisfy Mr. Dickinson and ourselves on the delivery ..." (Source: Stephens, Olin (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Newman, Herbert (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-04-26.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy':] I have just spoken with the Sound Marine Radio people and they will ship you a speaker case [for #408p AVOCA] immediately.
In regard to the offset at the head of the vent box I think it should be a good idea if the size of the forward or exhaust casing be the same and governed by the size of the aft or inlet casing.
Very truly yours, ..." (Source: George, Alexander (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Newman, Herbert (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-04-29.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy':] As per request we are enclosing one blueprint each of drawings No. 283-9 A to L [for #408p AVOCA] inclusive.
I will let you know tomorrow regarding the chair which was furnished on PHOENIX.
Half inch turnbuckles will be sufficient on the tiller rope. Use 5/8in if that is what you have on hand.
Very truly yours, ..." (Source: George, Alexander (Sparkman & Stephens). Letter to Newman, Herbert (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.007. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 408p. 1939-05-05.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #408p Avoca even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Anon. "Avoca." Motor Boating, August 1939, p. 26-27. (822 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No known copyright restrictions. Vessel portrait.
• Anon ("Corporal Trim"). "Avoca. Happy Achievement. Beauty, Simplicity and Utility Combined in Motor Yacht Design." Motor Boating, July 1960, p. 43, 96. (574 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Discussion of the aesthetics of Avoca's design.

• Avoca (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Pelican and #408p Avoca (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.

"Sparkman & Stephens design no. 283." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 2, 2008.)

"[See also:] Correspondence and specifications from Sparkman & Stephens Co. (1938-1939). In: Technical and Business Records pertaining to the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Series VI, Folder HH.6.7 (Hull No. 408), Box HAFH.6.1B." (Source: Hasselbalch, Kurt and Frances Overcash and Angela Reddin: Guide to The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass., 1997, p. 63-79.)

"Avoca was built as a replacement for Dickinson's Phoenix, another Sparkman & Stephens design that had been damaged by the hurricane of 1938 and sold for scrap by his insurance company. Phoenix was subsequently restored and was still in existence in 2011. Phoenix, in turn, had been a replacement for another power cruiser that had burned (hence her name Phoenix from the ashes)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. November 26, 2014.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Gross Register Tons (40) from the 1940 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (Net Register Tons were reported as 30) and converting to lbs by dividing through 2000 (short tons). Note that this figure can only be a rough estimate because register tons as reported in Yacht Registers correlate only loosely with actual displacement figures." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 17, 2015.)

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