HMCo #402s Clara

"[1887-06-29] Wed 29: Cast lead for new 29ft l.w.l. yawl [NGH's new cat-yawl #402s Clara].
[1887-08-11] Thu 11: Thunder & lightning in afternoon. Launched Clara [#402s].
[1887-08-23] Tue 23: [No entry.] [Entry for this day in Expense Account in Halsey Herreshoff Collection:] Charges on yacht Clara [#402s], ch[eck], [paid] [$]2293.16. C. W. Young, to pay workmen[?] during vacation[?] on Clara, [paid] [$]338.77.
[1887-10-19] Wed 19: Hauled up Clara [#402s Clara].
[1889-04-30] Tue 30: Peach trees in bloom. Horse chestnut trees leaved. Began painting & varnishing Clara [#402s]. Took of lead forward.
[1889-05-13] Mon 13: Launched Clara [#402s].
[1889-05-16] Thu 16: Rigged Clara [#402s].
[1889-05-19] Sun 19: Went to Newport in Clara [#402s].
[1889-05-29] Wed 29: Clara [#402s] ashore to smooth seams.
[1889-06-09] Sun 9: Went to Newport in Clara [#402s] with Mr. Young. ...
[1889-06-22] Sat 22: Nat, Mr. Y[oung] and Lewis stated in Clara [#402s] for Westport. [This entry apparently not in NGH's handwriting.]
[1889-06-24] Mon 24: Clara [#402s] returned from Westport at 5 p.m.
[1889-06-30] Sun 30: At Nag Creek with all children in Clara [#402s].
[1889-07-05] Fri 5: ... Clara [#402s] ashore [apparently to clean].
[1889-07-18] Thu 18: Clara [#402s] beat Alice [#405s] in 16 miles and also in 10 m[iles] to windward.
[1889-07-21] Sun 21: Clara [#402s] beat Alice [#405s] to Newport & back. Light[?] wind[?] NW & S.
[1889-07-22] Mon 22: ... Clara [#402s] beat Alice [#405s] twice. Fresh breeze.
[1889-07-24] Wed 24: Clara [#402s] ashore to clean.
[1889-08-04] Sun 4: Went to Newport. Clara [#402s] beat Alice [#405s] both ways.
[1889-08-07] Wed 7: Painted white outside on Clara [#402s].
[1889-08-08] Thu 8: N.G.H., J.A.W.[?], JSdW[?], Mrs. K., Mrs. M. went to Newport in Clara [#402s]. [This entry apparently not in NGH's handwriting.]
[1889-08-11] Sun 11: Went to Newport in Clara [#402s]. [Brothers] Francis & Lewis.
[1889-08-12] Mon 12: Clara [#402s] ashore to clean. ...
[1889-08-16] Fri 16: Went to Newport in Clara [#402s] to see Race.
[1889-08-18] Sun 18: Sail in Clara [#402s] with Liris. Liris beat 1 m[inute] in 6 m[iles] to windward. [Liris was a 40-ft waterline cutter designed by William Gardner and built by Samuel Ayres for C. W. Wetmore in 1888. She was one of Gardner's first designs after his return from Europe and was the highest-powered boat in her class.]
[1889-08-25] Sun 25: Went to Greensdale & Newport. Alice [#405s] beat Clara [#402s] to windward. ...
[1889-09-05] Thu 5: Clara [#402s] beat Alice [#405s] a little, to windward.
[1889-09-09] Mon 9: Clara [#402s] ashore to clean.
[1889-09-11] Wed 11: Clara [#402s] went adrift on to Hog Is[land] last night. ...
[1889-09-18] Wed 18: Put new mast in Clara [#402s].
[1889-09-19] Thu 19: Went to Newport in Clara [#402s].
[1889-09-24] Tue 24: Varnished Clara's [#402s] deck. ...
[1889-10-20] Sun 20: Went to Greensdale & Springgreen in Clara [#402s]. (Greensdale to Sp[ring]green 1h 35m.)
[1889-10-23] Wed 23: Unrigged Clara [#402s].
[1889-10-24] Thu 24: Hauled out Clara [#402s].
[1890-05-02] Fri 2: Rigged Clara [#402s]. ...
[1890-05-15] Thu 15: Launched Clara [#402s].
[1890-06-05] Thu 5: Launched Dolphin and Lucille [#110p or #122p] from Popasquash ways. Moved Clara's mooring[?] into cove.
[1890-06-14] Sat 14: Started cruise in Clara at noon.
[1890-06-17] Tue 17: Returned in Clara from Westport.
[1890-07-01] Tue 1: Took mast down in Clara to prepare for new sails.
[1890-07-02] Wed 2: Bent new sails on Clara. ...
[1890-07-04] Fri 4: Race at [??] Alice [#405s] beat Clara a little over allowance.
[1890-07-13] Sun 13: Clara [apparently #402s] returns from cruise.
[1890-07-21] Mon 21: Moccasin beat Clara about 4 minutes, 20 seconds in 5-1/2 miles to windward. [Moccasion was a new 40ft cutter, designed by Edward Burgess and owned by E. D. Morgan. Morgan's visit in Bristol was the first of many to come. The speed of Clara, which was 10ft shorter than Moccassin, so impressed E. D. Morgan that he would soon order the catyawls Gannet [#409s] and Pelican [#408s], followed by the 46-footer Gloriana [#411s], and many other Herreshoff boats.]
[1889-07-23] Tue 23: Went to Prov[idence] in Clara [#402s].
[1890-07-30] Wed 30: Clara ashore to clean.
[1890-07-31] Thu 31: NYYC Cruise arrives at Newport[?] Clara went down twice.
[1890-08-16] Sat 16: Nat, Lewis, and Mr. Phillips started on cruise in Clara.
[1890-08-18] Mon 18: Returned from Westport in Clara.
[1890-08-25] Mon 25: Took off batten sails and put on gaff sails to Clara.
[1890-08-31] Sun 31: Went to Spring Green in Clara.
[1890-10-17] Fri 17: Wind 50-60mph. A. L. Case, Jr. drowned. Clara broke mizzen boom and gaff.
[1890-11-07] Fri 7: Mr. Terry begins putting in foundation to extend south boat shop. Bent sails on Clara.
[1890-11-09] Sun 9: Went to Newport in Clara. Sailed out to Brenton Reef.
[1890-11-16] Sun 16: Went to Newport, on Clara.
[1890-11-19] Wed 19: Had trial of Pelican [#408s] and Clara.
[1890-11-24] Mon 24: Moved out end of South boatshop. Unrigged Clara.
[1890-11-25] Tue 25: Hauled up Clara. Finished planking 29-1/2' yawl [#409s Gannet] for E. D. Morgan.
[1890-12-16] Tue 16: Hauled up Lucile [#110p or #122p], Daisy [#133p Henrietta], and Katydid [#165p]. Took up Clara's buoy.
[1891-05-05] Tue 5: ... Sold Clara [#402s] to Jno[? John] M. Whittall [sic, i.e. Whitall] ...
[1891-06-04] Thu 4: Launched Clara and Gannet [#409s].
[1891-06-07] Sun 7: Rigged Clara.
[1891-06-12] Fri 12: Clara delivered to new owner. Gloriana [#411s] started for New York." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1887 to 1891. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection.)

"My Own Boats. Except a few that will be mentioned as half-owner. ...
11
1887 CLARA [#402] - Cat-yawl 35' o.a. 29 1/2' w.l. 9'8" beam 5' draft. Originally rigged with battened sails. All outside ballast. Used in late summer of 1887-88-89-90 and sold to Mr. Whitall of Philadelphia in spring of 1891." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "My Own Boats. Except a few that Will be Mentioned as Half-Owner." Bristol, (originally compiled 1892 with additions in) 1929. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 115.)

"Immediately after selling CONSUELO, in early May, I got to work on another cat-yawl to take her place and CLARA [CLARA is on exhibit at the Herreshoff Marine Museum] was in commission early in August. Although a fine craft, I don't think she was as satisfactory or easily sailed as CONSUELO.
CLARA was thirty-five feet overall, twenty-nine feet waterline, ten and one-half feet beam, and five feet draft, with all ballast of lead outside. Her stem was nearly plumb. Her sails were eight hundred square feet [mainsail] and two hundred square feet [mizzen] and were fitted with full length battens and sprit gaffs. She also had a large spinnaker like CONSUELO's, a light jib set in a removable bowsprit, and trysail, quite a big rig for a single-handed crew. When first rigged, she had rather heavy, stiff battens in her sails and she proved not fast in the wind, but after changing to flexible battens, having the forward ends made up of several leaves, she was a fast craft, and I used her till sold to Mr. Whitall of Philadelphia in 1891." (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. 54-55.)

"August 31 1935
Dear Mr. Stephens -
... The piece knocked from CLARA is very interesting and I thank you for sending it me. It is pleasing to know she is still in use, and the painting on the piece indicates she is kept in good order. ...
Very truly yours,
Nathanael Greene Herreshoff
Sept. 15 1935." (Source: Letter 13. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated August 31, 1935 to September 15, 1935. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 67-80.)

"August 31 1935
Dear Mr. Stephens -
... You probably know of GLORIANA's career, but not her origin. Commodore E. D. Morgan first came here in summer of 1890 in his 40 footer MOCCASIN (or TOMMYHAWK I forget which) to see the shops, and I had the privilege of showing him about and having a very interesting talk. On leaving I said I was about to take a little sail in my cat yawl CLARA and would he like to go with me and transfer to his 40 footer down the Bay. He took the wheel and he was astonished the way we held to the 40 footer in beating to windward. He soon came again and ordered a 27 ft. steam launch and also a 27 ft. cat-yawl with fish-well (PELICAN) for his brother-in-law and soon after a 29 1/2 ft. cat-yawl GANNET for himself. The launch was ready early in November and PELICAN 11th of Nov. 1890 and CLARA was kept afloat to try her out. With fish-well corked and lead in bottom she appeared quite able to hold CLARA. ...
Very truly yours,
Nathanael Greene Herreshoff
Sept. 15 1935." (Source: Letter 13. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated August 31, 1935 to September 15, 1935. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 67-80.)

"N. G. HERRESHOFF 6 WALLEY STREET BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND September 5 1936. {1936/09/05} Dear Francis ... As I recollect Consuelo's mast was under 10" dia with a mainsail about 675 (square)' and 6 tons lead outside! Clara's mast about 10 1/2", having sail over 750 (square)'. The latter was sprung and showed weakness the 3rd year and replaced. Consuelo's was not broken till about 20 years old. These masts were entirely unstayed, but of course care was taken in rough weather. ... Your affect -Father -" (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 12: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"His next boat was the 'Clara,' a catyawl thirty-five feet O.A., twenty-nine and one half feet L.W.L., nine feet eight inches beam, and five feet draft, which was used in the seasons of 1887 to 1890. Her model was somewhat like the English cutters which at that time were popular in this country, but her sail plan was similar to the sailing canoes of that era with full length battens and a batwing sail. 'Clara' must have been carefully built for she was used on the east coast for some fifty years and is now in use as a yacht on the west coast at the advanced age of sixty-two years, and no doubt is one of the oldest American yachts now in use." (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. 116.)

"ONE of the most practical and serviceable rigs for singlehand sailing is the 'main or mizzen,' or as it is usually called in America, the 'cat yawl' rig, the same that is generally used in canoes. Though common enough on small craft in England, it is comparatively a novelty here, its introduction about five years ago being due to Mr. N. G. Herreshoff, of Bristol, R. I., at least he was the first to test the rig thoroughly and put it into working shape. In England the two sails are usually lugs, but in this country the ordinary boom and gaff is retained, the boom being shortened, but the details of rigging being the same as in the ordinary catboat. In 1883 Mr. Herreshoff built for his own use the cat yawl Consuelo [#400s], now owned by Mr. Lorillard, of Newport, a keel boat 32ft. over all. 28ft 6in, l.w.l., 8ft. 8in. beam and 5ft. 9in. draft, with all her ballast in a lead keel. ... In the same year the Romp [#401s], a centerboard boat 29ft. over all, 27ft. 6in. l.w.l., 11ft. 4in. beam and 3ft. draft, was built by the Herreshoffs for Mr. Geo. A. Thayer, her cruising ground being about the western end of Long Island Sound, where by her trim appearance and excellent performance she has attracted general attention. In 1887, after selling Consuelo, Mr. Herreshoff designed and built a similar craft, the Clara [#402s], a keel boat 35ft, overall 29ft. 5in. l.w.l., 9ft. 10in. beam and 5ft. 5in. draft. The chief peculiarity of this boat is that her sails are battened as in a canoe and of the Chinese shape. She has been used a good deal about Newport and Narragansett Bay and has proved a success --- like her predecessors. ..." (Source: Anon. "The Cat Yawl Empress." Forest and Stream, December 6, 1888, p. 399.)

"Clara.
August 16, 1889.
Owner, N. G. Herreshoff, Bristol, R. I.
Designer, N. G. Herreshoff.
Builder, Herreshoff Mfg. Co., 1887.
Material, Wood.
Length, Over All, 35.4.
Length Water Line, 29.4.
Beam, 9.10.
Draught, 5.5.
Keel." (Stebbins 1889 Yacht Portraits, p. 139.)

"The 'Clara' is a keel cat-yawl, designed by N. G. Herreshoff and built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. of Bristol, R. I., in 1887. Her length over all is 35.3 feet; length, l.w.l., 29.3 feet; beam, 9.8 feet; draught, 5.4 feet. These cat-yawls have lead ballast on the keel, and are very able and handy craft. They are designed for single-handers, and as such have proved very satisfactory. The 'Clara' is now owned by Mr. Witall of Philadelphia and Newport." (Source: Peabody, Henry G. Representative American Yachts. Boston, 1893, p. 20.

"CLARA.
A keel cat yawl, owned by John M. Whitall and hailing from Bristol, R. I. She was designed by N. G. Herreshoff and built by the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. in 1887.
Official number, 126,750.
DIMENSIONS.
Length over all, 35 feet 4 inches.
Length load waterline, 29 feet 4 inches. Depth, 5 feet 6 inches.
Draft, 5 feet 5 inches.
Beam, 9 feet 10 inches." (Source: Mott, Henry Augustus. Yachts and Yachtsmen of America. New York, 1894, p. 678.)

"... W. Barklee Henry, fleet captain of the Corinthian Yacht Club, has purchased the mahogany yawl rigged sloop Clara, formerly owned by young Herreshoff. She is fitted with bat winged sails, and is said to be very speedy in light winds." (Source: Anon. "The Margarita Has Sailed." New York Herald, August 27, 1896, p. 13.)

"June 16 1935
Dear Mr. Herreshoff: -
... By the way, I was at City Island last Monday and saw CLARA at her moorings; I met Rufus Murray and he gave me a piece of planking knocked out by a motorboat which stove a hole in her starboard bow, above water. I am sending it to you with Murray's compliments. [The piece is now at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.] I lay the condition of the planking to well-seasoned material; no great bulk of wood to retain moisture, and no ceiling. In her 48 years CLARA has experienced both use and abuse, but certainly has stood up well. There are at the City Island Y.C. a number of Corinthians, who are good mechanics, some amateur and some professional woodworkers; though not yet yacht builders. What they do is most interesting. CLARA, for instance, has been repaired and in some ways altered by Ben Barstow...
Yours sincerely,
W. P. Stephens" (Source: Letter 7. From W. P. Stephens to N. G. Herreshoff, dated July 21, 1935. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 41-45.)

"... About 15 years ago, we had just finished reading his biography when we sailed into Cabo San Lucas and anchored next to an amazing antique yawl. She seemed strangely familiar, and when we scoured the Herreshoff book we found her photograph. She was CLARA, built by the old wizard for his own use in 1887. And here she was in 1969 looking great, without the slightest hogging or wrinkling in her sheer. I was asked to do a survey on this 82-year-old lightly con- structed boat that had just cruised yet another 1,500 miles offshore, and that's when we first saw metal knees connecting each frame to each deckbeam. Instead of a massive full-length sheer clamp filling the perfect place for bookshelves and lockers, instead of closing in an area where mildew and rot can hide, CLARA's hanging knees gave her a light, airy, open feeling." (Source: Pardey, Lin and Larry. "Bronze: The Non-Timber." Wooden Boat #51, March / April 1983, p. 75.)

"CLARA
by Priscilla and Kerry Geraghty
CLARA was built in 1887 by Nathanael Herreshoff for his own pleasure and was named for his first wife, Clara DeWolf. Her design was somewhat similar to the English pilot cutters which were popular at the time. Her sail plan differed in that it was that of a sailing canoe. In a letter from his son, A. Sidney DeW. Herreshoff, she was mentioned as such: '... She is especially interesting to me because my father had her built for himself when I was one year old . . . She was originally rigged as a cat yawl with the mainmast way forward so that it could not have shrouds. Both sails had full length battens. I believe he spent considerable time adjusting them to suit himself, and apparently he came to the conclusion that the advantages resulting from full length battens were not worth the time and work necessary to adjust them --- he never designed a sail with them after that.'
CLARA was used by Nathanael during the seasons of 1887, through 1890, then sold to someone unknown. Her history between the years of 1890 and 1902 is sketchy because no records were kept, but in 1902 the first Lloyds Register of American Yachts was published and included CLARA, official number 126750. Sometime between 1890 and 1904 she was rerigged as a sloop purportedly by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. At that time, the trunk cabin was moved aft to allow for the new mast and a doghouse.
In 1904 CLARA was owned by W. H. Browning of New York. Then in the 1908 volume of Lloyds she was registered to a Mr. D. Binkhorst also of New York. The next owners we have records on included from 1914 through 1919 a Mr. James R. Merrill of New Rochelle, New York, and from 1933 through 1938, a Mr. B. A. Barstow of City Island, New York. At this point, in the Lloyds Register of American Yachts she is referred to as a Cutter, with a sail area of 968 square feet.
The late Jack Wood, formerly sailing master at M.I.T., told us that Tom Brightman, who played an important role at the H.M.C., owned and sailed CLARA on Narragansett Bay between 1924 and 1930. Then, conjecture has it, that CLARA was freighted to the West Coast sometime during the late forties or early fifties by Capt. Eddie Fink. She was then purchased by Jerry Burns who in turn sold her to Ken Olsen, the gentleman from whom we acquired CLARA back in 1973.
At some point in her travels she was again rerigged to that of a Marconi ketch; we are not sure when this happened. The mizzen mast is stepped forward of where the original mizzen was placed. The old step however, is still visible. Below decks, as far as can be determined, everything, except forward of the main bulkhead, is original. Her plans have been lost so that the only point of reference at hand is an old photograph of CLARA with Capt. Nat below, posing with a friend. That and the plans for PELICAN, a yacht built directly after CLARA using the same layout, but with a few revisisions, are all that are available. Because of her almost complete originality, CLARA is truly an example of the superior and innovative craftsmanship for which Nathanael Herreshoff and the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company were famous." (Source: Herreshoff Marine Museum Chronicle, Fall 1982, p. 4.)

"In 1995, James 'Ding' Schoonmaker became a member of the [Herreshoff Marine Museum's] Nathanael Greene Herreshoff Society with a donation of $100,000 for boat restoration. Ding, a champion Star Class sailor, designated the majority of his fund for the restoration of Herreshoff one-design classes. ... Clara's restoration has been undertaken at the Museum Annex. She is the second yacht to be restored by the James M. Schoonmaker Fund and by support from the George F. Baker Trust. Kerry Gerraghty of San Diego, former owner of Clara, has personally done the work to this point. Because she is a boat of unique design and immense historic value, her restoration will provide a major benchmark for the Museum. Additional funding in the amount of $75,000 is required." (Source: Anon. "James M. Schoonmaker Fund." Americas Cup Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program, Herreshoff Museum, September 13, 1997, p. 17.)

"Taylor & Snediker Woodworking, Pawcatuck, Rhode Island, is currently restoring CLARA, the 33' cat-yawl that Nathanael G. Herreshoff built for his own use in 1887. The boat is displayed in the collections of the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island. According to Bill Taylor, the first phase of the work was to replace die boat's horn timber, transom, and rudder. The work is done in such a way that at some future date the keel and other backbone mem- bers could be replaced without destroy- ing the work already done. She will be given all-new deckbeams, as well, and a straight-laid deck of Eastern white pine nibbed into her coveing boards, with traditional caulking and paying. The boat is the third hull listed in the Haffenreffer list ofHerreshoffs boats, and Taylor says she is believed to be one of the first --- perhaps the first --- yacht ever to have been Fitted with outside ballast. The project should be finished by summer 2004. Taylor & Snediker Woodworking, 22 Mechanic St., Pawcatuck, RI 06379; 860-599-0800; taysned@earthlink. net." (Source: Anon. "Currents." Wooden Boat #179, July/August 2004, p. 27.)

"The Herreshoff Mfg. Co.'s transition from steam to sail, and the subsequent evolution of Herreshoff sailboats into two distinct types, can be traced, in part, [to #402s Clara and #404s Coquina].
Clara was built in 1887 as a replacement for the smaller but similar Consuelo [#400s] of 1883, which NGH had been persuaded to sell. From Clara sprang the near-sister cat-yawls of E. D. Morgan (Pelican [#408s] and Gannet [#409]...), then Gloriana [#411s], Wasp [#414s], Vigilant [#437s], and the other Cup defenders through 1914, the nine great metal-hulled Herreshoff schooners, and the other major sailing yachts designed by NGH. Stemming also from Clara were a variety of practical midsized cruiser/racers, many around 30 feet LWL, such as the New York 30s and the Bar Harbor 31s. ...
Clara was similar in hull design to the English pilot cutters of the period, but carried batwing sails with full-length battens in her original cat-yawl rig. This feature, however, was not used again. Even after thinning down the battens and kerfing their forward ends for more flexibility, NGH considered that sails like this, which were inspired by sailing-canoe rigs, were too bothersome in their adjustment to incorporate into another boat. It wasn't long before he outfitted Clara with conventional gaff-headed sails.
Clara was beautifully built and had some features that were quite unusual in her day --- features such as outside ballast held on in part by bronze keel straps, a double-planked hull and deck, lift-off companionway doors, custom skylight hardware, metal hanging knees in lieu of a sheer clamp, and a specially designed anchor windlass and steering gear. These would appear repeatedly in subsequent Herreshoff sailboats.
Following the custom of his father, NGH named the boat for his wife. The Herreshoffs sailed Clara until 1890. During that time, Captain Nat experimented with the sail plan and derived much pleasure from entertaining friends on board. ..." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 50-51.)

"[Item Description:] Penciled technical drawing on brown paper showing a windlass titled 'Chain for CLARA [#402s] 2 1/2in pitch. Wheel will have 6 cogs'. With dimensions and material notes ('brass sleeve', 'brass', 'mallable iron or bronze'), casting pattern numbers (in red pencil) and numerous pinpricks indicating that shapes have been transferred for production or copying. (Compare with HH.5.09301 (112-013) Windlass for 5/16 Chain 33' W.L. C.B. Cutter [#400s CONSUELO] (1888-06-16). See also a letter from NGH to his son LFH (Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 6): 'Coconut Grove, April 15, 1930. Dear Francis, ... Do you remember of seeing drawing of windlass I designed for CONSUELO, in 1882-3, and used on several small craft afterward? I have just been counting up mentally the total number of pieces it contained, and I make it 20. Yours has 130 or more, and CONSUELO's windlass had two features that yours has not. 1st the chain could be hauled when there was a rope fast to gypsie head, - 2nd, had two cranks, and therefore could be worked by two men. I hope you will take my criticisms in good part - and they will be a benefit to you. Of course I have had long experience in these things and am glad to pass it on to you Beside it gives me something to think about, here.' CLARA's windlass has survived and is on display on CLARA at the Herreshoff Marine Museum)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_01930. Folder [no #]. No date (1882 - 1883).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled technical drawing on brown paper showing steering gear. With penciled notes and casting pattern numbers (in red pencil). On verso details of a windlass as designed for #400s CONSUELO and used on #402s CLARA and subsequent yachts." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_01940. Folder [no #]. No date (1882 - 1883).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sailplan sketch of a cat-rigged keel sloop with fully-battened sail with luff extending forward of the mast and resembling a junk sail. On verso another sketch of a similar fully-battened junk sail. Untitled, no notes, undated (filed with other sailplan sketches from the 1880s, the sail resembles somewhat the fully battened sail that #402s CLARA carried in the late 1880s.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04890. Folder [no #]. No date (1880s ???).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sailplan with partial hull profile of a catyawl. Sketched are two rigs, one with conventional gaff sails with varying amounts of roach, the other in the style of #402s CLARA's second fully-battened sails with exaggerated roach and tack fully hoisted to the mast top, the gaff becoming almost a sprit that way. With notes showing a mainsail size 610sqft and mizzen size of 198sqft (for a total of 808sqft). On verso another penciled sailplan of the same boat with a conventional, very large sloop rig with very long bowsprit and long topmast. Overlay of the hull on recto and Model 3 of #400s CONSUELO shows a fairly good match except for the stern section. Undated, NGH experimented with CLARA's full-roach battened sails between 1887 and 1890." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0450. WRDT08, Folder 36, formerly MRDE09. No date (between 1887 and 1890 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Colored ink on paper construction plan with plan view and inboard profile. Untitled, showing #402s CLARA. With penciled note '14.7[?] = 10370lbs [lead ballast weight?]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Inked Construction Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00470. Folder [no #]. No date (1887-05 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Sailplan of a fully battened catyawl with big roaches and sail areas extended above the gaff batten. Titled 'CLARA' [#402s]. With notes and calculations showing a mainsail area of 805sqft and a mizzen of 202sqft for a total sail area of 1007sqft, also trysail of 240sqft, spinnaker of 542dqft and jib of 193sqft." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00620. Folder [no #]. No date (1887-05 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) offset booklet titled in faint ink on cover 'Sailing Yachts. N.G.H. Yawl. 28 3/4ft l.w.l. June 1887. CLARA [#402s]'. From text on p. 2 'May 1887. 33 L.W.L. Centreboard cutter yacht [#188702es Unbuilt Centerboard Cutter for N. G. Herreshoff]. Scale model 1/12th. Length overall 40ft. Length water line 33ft. Beam 9ft 10in. Frames spaced 12in'. [With no offsets.] Also 'June 20, 1887: Keel Yawl for N.G.H. Frames spaced 10 1/2in. Sheer line raised 2 1/2in above figures. Top of lead 1.0.0 above zero line. Bottom of lead as by pencil figures. CLARA'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Offset Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_00330. Folder [no #]. 1887-05.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sketch of a midship section with iron hanging knees with lightening holes and folding berth with hammock-style stretched canvas. Ratio of max beam to draft is exactly 2 to 1. Untitled, no notes, undated, filed with other sail plans from the 1880s. Overlaying this section with those of #402s CLARA (which has a beam to draft ratio of 1.8 to 1 and also had iron hanging knees) shows some similarity but not a good match. Nonetheless, might this be related to the design of CLARA?" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_05000. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1887-06 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sailplan sketch of a keel sloop with long bowsprit and plumb bow. Figures and calculations show a total sail area of 1014sqft. Untitled, no notes, undated, filed with other sail plans from the 1880s. Might this be preliminary plan related to the design of #402s CLARA which is a catyawl but also has a sail area of 1000sq ft and whose profile provides a rather good match when overlaid to this plan?" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_05010. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1887-06 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sailplan sketch of a keel sloop with long bowsprit and clipper bow. Figures and calculations show a total sail area of 1045sqft. Untitled, no notes, undated, filed with other sail plans from the 1880s and with a plan believed to possibly be a preliminary plan related to the design of #402s CLARA. Might this plan also be related to the design of CLARA which is a catyawl but also has a similar-sized sail area of 1000sq ft and whose profile provides a rather good match when overlaid to this plan except for the clipper bow and the shorter stern on this plan?" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_05020. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1887-06 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sketch with sail cutting plan and note 'Finished size 202sqft' and 'Mizzen. 8oz duck. 2 bights'. Though unnamed, this is #402s CLARA's first (bat-wing) mizzen. Undated, a similar plan for CLARA's mainsail that was found together with this one required completion by July 2, 1887." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_02750. Folder [no #]. No date (shortly before 1887-07-02).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sketch with sail cutting plan and note 'Finished size 805sqft' and 'All dimentions[sic] are for cloth strethed hand tough on loft floor' and To be completed July 2rd [18]87' and 'Mainsail. 10oz duck. 2 bights'. Though unnamed, this is #402s CLARA's first (bat-wing) mainsail." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_02760. Folder [no #]. No date (shortly before 1887-07-02).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled cost accounting marked in left margin 'Times on books to June 18 [1887], new yacht [#402s CLARA]'. Names of HMCo workers mentioned are Grant, Hard, Pitts[?], Smith, Thompson, F. Almy, L. Almy, Allard, Beals, Souter, Wood and Walsh. Final amount $599.90. Concluding with note 'Paid July 6 [18]87. H.M.Co. per Y[oung] [secretary]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Cost Accounting. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00520. Folder [no #]. 1887-07-06.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink) cost accounting titled 'Mr. N.G.Herreshoff in ac[coun]t with charges to Aug[ust] 2nd. Herreshoff Mfg. Co. 29ft yawl [#402s CLARA]' with detailed day-by-day list of costs incurred during the construction of CLARA from July 6, 1887 to August 23, 1887. Names of HMCo workers who worked on CLARA are A. S. Almy, A. Anderstrom, G. Burgess, C. Davis, S. Davis, F. Fish, E. Flanigan, T. Grant, A. Hart, W.F. Hart, A. Moffett, J. Murphy, E. OBuen[?], M. Pitts, E. Reynolds, S. Smith, G. Saunders, H. Talbee, E. Thompson, T. Mowry, J. Corthell, F. Spaulding, F. Souter, C. Allen, B. Wood, E. Hawkins, C. Bugham, J. Malone, N. Potter, C.H. Hoinyon[?], A.S. Chesebro and C. Beale. Concluding with an amount of $2293.16 and a note 'Paid full ac[coun]t Aug[ust] 23d 1887. Herreshoff Mfg. Co. per Chas. W. Young [secretary]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Cost Accounting. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00530. Folder [no #]. 1887-08-23.)
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"[Item Description:] Cost sheets, payroll sheets related to building of #402s CLARA (located in Model Room)." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Documents. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Subject Files, Folder 54, formerly Secretary. 1887-08-24.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink) cost accounting, untitled, with what is clearly the final labor cost accounting for the construction of #402s CLARA. Names of HMCo workers who worked on CLARA are A. S. Almy, A. Anderstrom, G. Burgess, S. Davis, C. Davis, F. Fish, E. Flanigan, T. Grant, A. Hart[?], W.F. Hart, A. Moffett, J. Murphy, E. OBuen[?], S. Smith, H. Talbee, E. Thompson, M. Pitts and E. Reynolds. Concluding with an amount of $338.17 and a note 'Am[oun]t of check $338.77. Paid Aug[ust] 24th 1887. This sheet includes both former[?] ones or from Aug[ust] 2nd to Aug. 19th inclusive. C.W.Y. [Charles Wesley Young, secretary]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Cost Accounting. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00580. Folder [no #]. 1887-08-24.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled cost accounting titled 'CLARA [#402s]' with itemized amounts of CLARA's building costs and summaries for Lead $500, Labor $1722.54 and Materials $1009.29 [= $3231.83]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Cost Accounting. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00570. Folder [no #]. No date (1887-09 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Photograph. N.G. Herreshoff in cabin of catyawl #402s CLARA; original photo by George Owen 1890 [this copy shows only the right side of the photo, the original photo shows Lucien Sharpe sitting on the left side of the photo]." (Source: Owen, George (creator). Photograph. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.210. Box HAFH.6.7B, Folder Photographs. ca1890.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled spar plan titled 'New Gaffs for Catyawl CLARA [#402s]. June 20th, 1890'." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Spar Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0647. WRDT08, Folder 47. 1890-06-20.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled early-style (pre-pantograph) half-sections with area data and displacement curves, marked 'CLARA [#402s]' and 'E.D. Morgan's 29 1/2ft [#408s PELICAN or #409s GANNET (probably the former)]'. Undated, PELICAN and GANNET were contracted for on September 20, 1890." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Early-Style Half Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_01950. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1890-09-20 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Three groups of penciled midship sections on brown paper. Untitled. Some of the sections in the first group are marked '40ft', '23ft catyawl #424 [WRAITH]', '21[?] 1/2ft 18.6sqft Disp[lacement] 17200', 'CONSUELO [#400s] 21.5[sqft] Disp[lacement] 21400[lbs]', '29[?] 1/2[ft] [#409s GANNET ???] 24.8sqft Disp[lacement] 25000[lbs]. None of the sections in the second group is identified. Some of the sections in the third group are marked '46 foot', 'Owen's IRIS [#406s]', '22 1/2[ft] w.l', '18.6sqft 26 1/2ft w.l.', '19.0sqft CLARA [#402s]'. With note 'CLARA L / cube-root(Disp[lacement]) = 4.32'. With small sketch of block and tackle with hook. Undated (the latest boat mentioned is from 1891)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Midship Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09720. Folder [no #]. No date (1891 or later ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table comparing 'Length', '[symbol]', 'Disp[lacement] 2000' [i.e. short tons], 'Estimate of Cost' and 'Per D' [i.e. Cost per Displacement in Short Tons] for seven different designs: '69 1/2ft [probably #188603es Unbuilt America's Cup Defender for William Ziegler]', '26 1/2[ft] PELICAN [#408s]', '29 1/2[ft #409s GANNET]', '29 1/2[ft] CLARA [#402s]', '23[ft] IRIS [#406s]', '45[ft #411s GLORIANA ???]', and '45[ft #414s WASP ?]'. (Note that cost estimates differ from those in the Construction Record.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Cost Estimate. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_01730. Folder [no #]. No date (1891 ?).)
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"[Item Transcription:] I have thought over the matter of the 46-footer [#411s GLORIANA] and as I wired you today have decided to build. She is not exactly what I want but the temptation of so good a racing class was very great. I think the price high but understand she will have the best of everything. The Boston boats will be never less[?] expensive but I hope less speedy. I notice by the dimensions that[?] high[?] has exaggerated[?] the UVIRA's[?] topside fulum[?] so I am convinced more than ever that your idea is the correct one. As soon as I can I will send you a list of the racing sails I used on MOCCASIN. Don't forget the plough steel wire as I think it is good having greater strength for diameter[?]. I wish you would send me a model as I am very anxious to look it over and get intimate with it. Also a drawing of sail plan. Of course we want to carry all the sail we can. Boom & gaff should be hollow & by the way I should like to keep the matter quiet as long as possible as I particularly dislike newspaper talk. I shall not speak of the mater to anyone. Before I forget it the drawing of the steamer [#164p JAVELIN] came & I think it most satisfactory, the only thing I would like to have changed is the fore & aft diameter of stack, in the drawing it is 2ft 6in & I would like to have it 3 feet.
To return to the '46' [#411s GLORIANA] I think it will be most interesting & should she prove the winner, how fine we would feel.
I am very sorry I cannot go on to Bristol but it is an absolute impossibility just at present. I shall, however, do so when I can. In the meantime I hope you will keep me posted as to progress in the construction & any new 'wrinkles' you may have. I wish you would send me deck & floor plans & the way you would suggest cutting her up. I like a narrow cockpit & I like an after stateroom. Can they both be had. The 'CLARA's [ #402s] cockpit is large enough for anything. I have forgotten the draft you mentioned. What a draft the BARBARA has & what a raking stempost[.?] When writing if you think of any crehetsuns[?] on the other 46's mention then[?] that I may have some food for thought. Mrs. Morgan joins me in sending kind remembrances to your family & with hopes of hearing from you soon I am, ..." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77270. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-02-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) notes booklet titled in ink '33ft LWL Cutter [#188702es Unbuilt Centerboard Cutter for N. G. Herreshoff]. 1887. Mr. Nat'l Herreshoff. R.M.[?] Dunbars[?] Ast. [this name crossed out]'. Relevant contents:
§7: #402s CLARA List of Blocks
§8: #402s CLARA Patterns to Make
§8: #402s CLARA Chain Cable and Anchors (1887-06-28)
§9: #402s CLARA Equipment incl. cabin clock
§10: #402s CLARA Kitchenware
§14: #402s CLARA Cotton Rigging." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Notes Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_03290. Folder [no #]. 1887-05 to 1891-09.)
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"[Item Description:] Typewritten and penciled table with data for 'Date of Order', '[Hull] No.', 'Name', 'Length on W.L.', 'Beam', 'Draft', 'Rig', 'Keel or Centerboard Keel', 'Ballast' for #400s CONSUELO, #401s ROMP, #402s CLARA, #403s CALYPSO, #404s COQUINA, #405s ALICE, #406s IRIS, #407s BIRD, #408s PELLICAN[sic], #409s GANNET, #410s MAB, #411s GLORIANA, #412s DILEMMA, #413s SAYONARA, #414s WASP, #415s WENONAH, #416s ALPHA, #417s DRUSILLA, #418s EL CHICO, #419s COQUINA 2ND, #420s REAPER and #421s BEE. Undated (data until 1891 is typewritten, thereafter penciled, suggesting that the table was prepared in January 1892 before EL CHICO, the first boat with a penciled year, was contracted for)." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Construction Record Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_04530. Folder [no #]. No date (1892-01 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Untitled, penciled table providing data for L (WLW), D (Displacement in Tons net), T (measurement tens[? or tons?], S (Sail area), L * sq-rt(S) / 15* cube-rt(D), L * sq-rt(S) / 18* cube-rt(D), and (sq-rt(S) + L) / 2 on the X-axis for the following boats: DILEMMA [#412s], 2 1/2 rater [apparently #415s WENONAH], 35ft E.D. Morgan [#417s DRUSILLA], GANNET [#409s], PELICAN [#408s], ALICE [#405s], CLARA [#402s], CONSUELO [#400s], COQUINA [#404s], BIRD [#407s], 21' [#???s], GLORIANA [#411s], 46 Rodgers [#414s WASP], GRACIE, KATRINA, SHAMROCK, and HURON. Two penciled tables on verso: One showing max speed in miles and kots and wind required for lengths ranging from 35 to 80ft, the other appearing to show required wind speeds for max hull speeds for boats ranging from 30 to 80ft. On envelope labeled 'Immediate. United States Weather Report.' Undated, but postmarked 'Jan 19, 1892.'" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_72740. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F04, formerly MRDE15. No date (1892-01-19 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Black-and-white etching of #402s CLARA as published in Mott, Henry Augustus. Yachts and Yachtsmen of America. New York, 1894, p. 28. Based on Stebbins neg. no. 2569 taken on August 7, 1889. [Sent by H.S.S. Parsons. See letter by him dated June 4, 1936]." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT01_00060. Etching. Folder [no #]. 1894.)
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"[Item Description:] improve speed of #402s CLARA" (Source: Raborg, H.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_03180. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 229. 1895-08-20.)
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"[Item Description:] #437s VIGILANT, AMERICA, THISTLE, VALKYRIE II, TITANIA, SVERIGE, MARIA, RAINBOW, SEA WITCH, MISCHIEF, PRISCILLA, SHAMROCK I, SHAMROCK III, #412s DILEMMA, #400s CONSUELO, #402s CLARA, #409s GANNET, WHIRLWIND; [This letter published as 'Letter Four' in Herreshoff, Stephens. Their Last Letters 1930-1938. Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, RI, 1988, p. 25.]" (Source: Stephens, William P. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_20600. Correspondence, Folder 59. 1930-07-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typed letter marked 'Copy' with 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, Rhode Island' letterhead:] Referring to mine of yesterday. I have been to the shop and showed your letter and enclosed sketch to Sidney and Tom Brightman, which they highly approved. [Charles] Nystrom was away.
I questioned Tom about authority for building the boat [#193007es TERN (Aux. Weekend Cruiser)] and he said Mr. Haffenreffer said, 'So soon as plans were approved by you, Sid and me, to go ahead and get her out this fall'.
I didnot have the "GEE WHIZ's' [#1002s] plans by me in making this sketch and it covers quite satisfactorily what I consider a good cruiser should be and to cover your desires as well as I understand them, and for shallow water use, as in L. St. Clair on the South.
To carry out the conditions required and not feel cramped, I have taken a little more size than 'GEE WHIZ'. The w. l. length is 30ft, and extreme nearly 37ft and extreme breadth of planking 10ft, Draft 3ft. With the intention that the boat be hauled out Winters, and also that she will be several times duplicated, I would by all means, have lead casting include middle section of keel --- the C. b.logs and lugs for floor timbers --- so there would be no seam to shrink open below the cabin floor. You will see I have carried the raised side way to the quarter and the back rest of cockpit side seats are against the clamps, so getting a much wider cockpit. The cockpit floor to be about 9in above L. w. l. The quarter deck on which the helmsman would sit to be about 6in higher, than seats so he can look over his guests heads. Steering gear to be 'CONSUELO [#400s] type' --- that was also used on CLARA [#402s]- ALICE [#405s] and several catyawls of the old days and proved most satisfactory. The motor to be as already approved. I would advise having two openings and slides to cabin as shown, as it is often desirable to have one over galley for ventilation, and also for quick passage from cockpit. There will be, however, walking space aft of centerboard, as well as forward. Will be 3 1/2ft space for galley, with refrigerator and oilskin hanger apposite. Then settee berths 6 1/2ft with toilet room 4ft next forward to port and liberal hanging space to Starboard. To be a builtin berth, port and aft, in forecastle with a swing berth, Starboard and well forward. A high water tank over head to port of mast and probably a large reserve tank under settee Starboard side.
[p. 2] I should have rectangular windows to open, as shown on each side, fitted with removable screens. They will be quite water tight against storms and there is little danger of getting much water thru in a knock-down, if closed. To be a hatch over forecastle, a skylight over cabin, with one corner (1/4) over toilet room.
The head-room, as laid out to be 5ft 6in but could be more if topsides were made higher. Have just seen Mr. Nustrom [sic, i.e. Charles Nystrom] and he proposed having a copy of sketch made, so if you approve, please wire, so work on Model and plans can be started at once.
Your affectionate father, ... [Compare with HH.5.12760 (155-000) Day Sailing Boat] (1930-09-03).]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Herreshoff, Alexander Griswold. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.091. Box HAFH.6.2B, Folder Weekend Auxiliary Cruiser. 1930-09-02.)
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"[Item Description:] sandbaggers, Pat McGiehan and Jake Schmidt, Tom Ratsey, Herrick Duggan and the Seawanhaka Cup in 1896, on looking up Forest and Stream I find that my first visit to Bristol was described in the issue of April 16, 1885, your father showed me the operation of the ballast car of #187004es JULIA and you took me into a little boathouse and showed me #400s CONSUELO, I was at City Island last Monday and saw #402s CLARA at her moorings; I met Rufus Murray and he gave me a piece of planking knocked out by a motorboat which stove a hole in her starboard bow, above water, I am sending it to you with Murray's compliments, breaking up of WHIRLWIND, #1275s MITENA, ISTALENA, #186403es KELPIE, schooner AGNES, #187106es SHADOW, SNIKERSNEE; [This letter published as 'Letter Seven' in Herreshoff, Stephens. Their Last Letters 1930-1938. Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, RI, 1988, p. 41.]" (Source: Stephens, William P. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_20620. Correspondence, Folder 59. 1935-07-21.)
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"[Item Description:] Piece of planking of #402s CLARA labeled with pen on white paint 'CLARA DESIGNED BY N.G. HERRESHOFF 1887, FROM RUFUS E. MURRAY & W.P. STEPHENS' [sent by W. P. Stephens to NGH on July 31 1935, see Herreshoff / Stephens. Their Last Letters, 1988, p. 42-43]." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRRT_170. Artifact. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder MRRT. 1935-07-31.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sketch titled 'The CLARA [#402s off Milton Point. Sunday May 10, 1936'." (Source: Parsons, Sylvanus H.H. (sender?). Correspondence (penciled sketch) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00610. Folder [no #]. 1936-05-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Though I am quite certain that you will not remember me (I met you while I was assistant to Mr. Clinton H. Crane in 1930 and I know your son Sydney[sic] quite well), I feel sure that you will be interested in this bit of news.
This week Sunday a new boat (unique in a way, a ketch modeled to quite an extent after the old time clipper stem steam yachts as regards profile) was towed from Clausson Point to a little yard at Milton Point N.Y. be the boat that used on your honeymoon [p2] many years ago. She is still called the 'CLARA' [#402s], is owned by a man named 'Dell' Barstow of City Island N.Y. She still has her bowsprit on the starboard side of her stem head, a low rail with a mahogany cap runs the full length of her deck, she is now cutter rigged with jib headed mainsail. Her condition is good, she is well cared for by her owner [the son of an old time boat builder]. He is very proud of her age and her ancestry.
I enclose a little sketch --- my ability as an artist is most limited, but I hope to secure a photograph in the near future, which I shall send to you.
Please remember me to your son Sydney.
With my best wishes for your good health, I am sincerely yours ..." (Source: Parsons, Sylvanus H.H. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05850. Correspondence, Folder 20, formerly 136. 1936-05-11.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter:] Some days ago I received your letter, in which you described in detail the original equipment, sail plan, etc. of the CLARA [#402s].
Recently I had a long conversation with Mr. Barstow, the present owner of your boat. He tells me that the day on which I made the little sketch showing you the CLARA with her present rig was the first time in twenty years that any canvas had been spread upon her. For twenty years she has been either under cover or lying at a mooring with bare spars.
I have secured the following description from a very old book owned by Mr. Barstow. No doubt you have seen this same book. Barstow believes that he has the only copy of it now in existence.
The name of the book is 'Yachts and Yachtsmen of America', standard work of reference by Henry A. Mott, Ph.D., L.L.D., International Yacht Publishing Company, 155 Broadway, New York City, date of publication, 1894. In this book there appears the following.
'Keel Cat Yawl owned by John N. Whitall and hailing from Bristol, R.I. She was designed by N. G. Herreshoff and built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, in 1887, Official No. 126750, general dimensions L.O.A. 35ft 4in, L.W.L. 29ft 4ft, depth 5ft 6in, Draft 5ft 5ft, Beam 9ft 10in.'
A cut appears in this same book in the center of the description I have just quoted showing the CLARA. Mr. Barstow has had an enlarged picture made of this cut. Within a few days the photographer will have finished making me a mounted print of this enlargement, which I shall send you under separate cover. Of course this picture may not be at all correct, but I feel that it will be of interest to you. [This mounted picture is now in the Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.]
The CLARA was badly injured some years ago, being crushed against the side of a barge. Eighteen frames on each side, at the turn of the bilge were broken. It was necessary to remove all joiner work and ceiling inside of her. She is today in very good shape. Her fastenings appear to be in excellent condition. The keel bolts which you mention are also in good shape. The original steering gear was removed by someone years ago, but is still in the possession of Mr. Barstow. The anchor windlass remains in perfect working condition. It was used some years ago on some salvage work, raising a boat from the bottom, a boat somewhat larger than the CLARA in dimensions. The shape of the [p. 2] stem and forefoot have been altered somewhat. That portion of the forefoot which extended beyond the rabbit line has been considerably diminished. Possibly I shall be able to secure a sketch of her present profile. I have been promised, but as yet have not received, a snapshot of the boat lying at her mooring at City Island.
Please allow me to say that your memory of the details in connection with the CLARA's construction so many years ago is remarkable and very interesting.
With my best wishes for your good health, I am,
Yours very truly, ..." (Source: Parsons, Sylvanus H.H. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00590. Folder [no #]. 1936-06-04.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter:] Dear Mr. Herreshoff:
A short while ago I wrote you regarding your CLARA [#402s], and spoke of a photograph of a cut, an enlargment, that was made some time ago. This picture I enclose herewith.
The present owner of the CLARA, Mr. Barstow of City Island, is placing a new rig upon the boat. When this is done, which should be about the middle of July, I shall send you her photograph.
With my best wishes, I am,
Yours very truly, ..." (Source: Parsons, Sylvanus H.H. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00490. Folder [no #]. 1936-06-25.)
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"[Item Transcription:] In reply to your interesting letter of 13.- I am not in the way of selling any models or plans of yachts and whatever I do in that line is entirely for amusements or assisting my friends. But now, at the beginning of my 90th year, I find, with dimmed sight and general slowing up, it is almost impossible to do things I would like to do.
Since the lines on the b[lue]p[rint] you have sent me are so very good I suggest to use them for a basis in drawing for yourself a good cruiser. As a starter for this, I have attempted to indicate modifications that I believe would make a really good cruiser, either in the deep sea or shallow bays & inlets that are so much more attractive.
You will notice I have indicated a new l.w.l. 4in higher. That will give a l.w.l. length of about 28ft 8in.
The change at garboard by straightening the timbers is very simple and easy. I have indicated a tentative keel development in which I would recommend making the keel for a length considerably more than the c.b. slot, one lead casting with scarfed ends to take oak for forward and aft parts. As a guess the displacement w[ou]ld be about 260 cuft. or 17000 lbs and I would expect to have about 42% of this or fully 7000 lbs in lead keel casting leaving a reasonable amount to go inside.
Perhaps the many owners of 'PLEASURE' [#907s] didn't appreciate what they had.- For her principle[sic] ballast consisted of one hardened lead casting, that consisted of the middle section of keel, centreboard logs and beginning of floor timbers.
This required a somewhat expensive pattern for casting the lead, and increased the cost of boat, but I believed it worth while.
As I have shown the draft w[ou]ld be about [blank] and I would design rig so the boat wld gripe decidedly with c.b. up and only lightly when c.b. was fully down.
This means the c.b. more aft than is ordinary and I have found this the best.
Of course you wld leave yawl rig, with triangular sails.
You mention in the former letter you appreciate artistic beauty and see no excuse for ugly things. In which I agree and beside a[sic] fully agree the old saying that 'handsome is that handsome does'.
I should by all means make the boat a 'flushdecker', and place the sheer line about as I have shown. This will give very nearly standing height in cabin, and so very much head room and air over sleeping transoms, makes the construction simpler and stronger and better in most every way you can think of excepting being ugly to what you are accustomed to look at. - But handsome is that handsome does. -
I would run a strong oak fender strake with fully 1 1/2in projection about where the convention sheerstrake wld be and by skillful painting above & below the extreme freeboard would not look out the way.
I would have the c.b. of oak, and weighted only enough to sink readily, giving, say 50 to 80lbs pull on c.b. pennant. And be sure to have it built thick and strong enough to be very strong [and] not give trouble when grounding.
The c.b. 8 or 9 ft long and the top of casing to be about 6in l.w.l. This will accommodate a c.b. about 4ft wide which is ample. Have the aft half of c.b. casing permanently & strongly covered, with tube tube[sic] to inclose pennant near the fore end of permanently covered part and extending to deck.
The forward half of casing to be removable when necessary to take out c.b. To be a skylight in deck directly over the forward half of c.b. casing, so c.b. can be lifted up endwise and out any time when craft is in smooth water.
By the raised deck, overall length is increased about 1 ft. Fit hanging knees under each deck beam and no clamp, but the waterway substantial enough to give a bind and desired fore & aft strength. With both waterway & fender strake being substantial the planking in topside can be lighter.
I would have a windlass with wild-cat at one side for chain cable and gypsy head the other placed just aft of mast just as I had in my catyawl cruisers CONSUELO [#400s], 1883 & CLARA [#402s], 1887, and the chain locker near mast step.
I understand CLARA is still going and very sound, and is owned around New Rochelle." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Rigg, T. Linton. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_43450. Correspondence, Folder 94, formerly 137. 1937-03-18.)
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"[Item Description:] Two penciled profiles on smudged and folded paper marked 'Traced around original model of PLEASURE [#907s]. Scale 1in = 1ft' and 'Traced around original model of CLARA [#402s]. Scale 1in = 1ft. Length of CLARA was made 7/8 of this, with widths and depths unchanged. Length of W.L. should be 7/8 * 33 and spacing of stations 1/10s of this'. With further notes and calculations. Marked in lower right corner 'A. Sidney DeW. Herreshoff. 125 Hope St. Bristol, R.I.'." (Source: Herreshoff, A. Sidney deW. (creator). Penciled Tracings. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00670. Folder [no #]. No date (1950s ??).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #402s Clara even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Bunker, John. "Nat Herreshoffs Yawl Clara. Bristol Fashion In San Diego." National Fisherman, December, 1972, p. 9C. (1,061 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Vessel description and history. Provenance.
• Palmieri, John. "The Clara Trilogy. Researching Clara." In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (publ.). Proceedings. The Classic Yacht Symposium. April 1 - 3, 2005. Bristol, RI, 2005, p. 137-146. (4,041 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: John Palmieri / Herreshoff Marine Museum. Vessel history and description. Historical context. Research process. Historical photos. Partial facsimile of offset book and historical billing account.
• Taylor, Bill and David Snediker. "Restoring Clara." In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (publ.). Proceedings. The Classic Yacht Symposium. April 1 - 3, 2005. Bristol, RI, 2005, p. 147-161. (9,306 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Bill Taylor and David Snediker / Herreshoff Marine Museum. Detailed research and restoration report. Many photos.
• Taylor, Bill. "On the Resurrection of Clara and the Boston Red Sox." In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (publ.). Proceedings. The Classic Yacht Symposium. April 1 - 3, 2005. Bristol, RI, 2005, p. 162-105. (1,959 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Bill Taylor / Herreshoff Marine Museum. Philosophical thoughts on restoration of historical artefacts with a special focus on Clara.
• Taylor, Bill and David Snediker. "Restoring Clara: The Final Chapter." In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (publ.). Proceedings. The 2nd Classic Yacht Symposium. March 31 - April 2, 2006. Bristol, RI, 2006, p. 277-299. (9,549 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Bill Taylor and David Snediker / Herreshoff Marine Museum. Restoration report with emphasis on interior work and cabin house. Discussion of original shape as per original offsets and today's shape. Interpreting inaccuracies in the original drawing. Discussion and partial facsimile of NGH notes on building costs and hours.

• Clara (HMCo-made index card)
• Clara (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Clara (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: Clara
Type: Cat Yawl
Length: 29'3"
Owner: Herreshoff, N. G.

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

• Clara
• 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: Clara
Type: 29' 4" catyawl
Owner: N. G. Herreshoff
Year: 1887
Row No.: 115

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: 1887
E/P/S: S
No.: 0402
Name: Clara
LW: 29' 3"
B: 9' 10"
D: 5' 5"
Rig: Cat Yawl
K: y
Ballast: Lead
Built for: N. G. Herreshoff
Last Name: Herreshoff
First Name: N. G.

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.

"LOA 35' 3" and LWL 28' 6" from HMCo construction plan." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 2, 2008.)

"Her sails were eight hundred square feet [mainsail] and two hundred square feet [mizzen] ..." (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. 54-55.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Net Register Tons (8.62) from the 1896 Manning's American Yacht List (Gross Register Tons were reported as 9.09) 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.)

"Donated in 1990? by Priscilla and Kerry Geraghty to the Herreshoff Marine Museum." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 8, 2012.)

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