HMCo #431s Morwena [Mirwena]

"[1893-04-15] Sat 15: Launched #431 [Morwena]." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1893. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection.)

"For #431. Nov[ember] 1892.
Use 9" scale for all dimensions except for planking [which is] to be 7/16" total, instead of 3/8"." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.084.2.] Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"March 16th, 1893.
#431 Morwena. One rater for Miss Sutton.
Built on model of #438 [Meneen] (2 1/2 rater) originally intended for self made in July 1892.
Scale at 2 times size of model.
Disp. to 18ft w.l. 2470lbs. [Disp] to 18ft 9in w.l. 2735lbs.
Length o.all 28ft. Beam 5ft 2in.
Will use lead bulb pattern made for #427 [Fin], which will weigh 960lbs.
18ft 9in will allow 318 [sq ft] sail by Y.R.A. rule." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene. [Design booklet entry.] March 16, 1893.)

"Miss Sutton, owner of Wee Win, has ordered a 1-rater [#431s Mirwena (Morwena)], a fin-keel, and another [#436s Bubble] has been ordered by an Austrian yachtsman." (Source: Anon. "Building." Forest and Stream, January 19, 1893, p. 61.)

"The Rogers cutter [#435s Colonia] is now well advanced at the Herreshoff shops, the plating completed ready for painting, the decks laid and the joiners at work below. Navahoe [#429s] is nearly completed and will soon leave the yard. Miss Sutton's one-rater Morwena [#431s] was launched and tried last week, and will soon be shipped. The Austrian one-rater [#436s Bubble] is completed, and the Southampton 2 1/2-rater [#438s Meneen] is well along." (Source: Anon. "Yacht News Notes." Forest and Stream, April 27, 1893, p. 372.)

"Morwena, the Herreshoff one rater built for Miss Sutton, arrived safely in England and sailed her first race on May 18. She was beaten by Wolfhound and Sacharissa. On May 20 she started again with Javelin and Vickendor. Javelin soon gave up, and at the end of the first round Vickendor had a lead of 45 seconds. On the second round she began to leak so badly that Morwena towed her home and then finished the race alone." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, June 11, 1893, p. 23.)

"From The Pall Mall Gazette.
Sir: ... let us not lose sight of the fact that American-built boats in other classes and without centreboards are more than holding their own. The wonderful fin-keel and bulb ten-rater Dakota [#440s], which has never yet been beaten on sheer sailing, still keeps up her marvelous form on the Clyde, and adds each week more 'firsts' to her long string of flags, and this in of the best efforts of our greatest designers. In the Solent, too, Meneen [#438s] and Wee Win [#425s], up to July 31, stood at the head of their respective classes, which plainly proves them, although built on American lines and in America, superior to boats of English design and build. In the one-rater class Mr. Herreshoff is certainly not so successful, although he is a good second. But in this case the Morwena [#431s] is always sailed by a lady. ..." (Source: Anon. "Warning To Crowing Britons. 'Old Salt' Does Not Think Ill of American Designers of Yachts." New York Times, September 10, 1894, p. 5.)

"THE complete superiority of Americans as yacht builders does not depend upon races for the America's Cup for demonstration. Lord Dunraven has been as thoroughly and satisfactorily beaten in the smaller classes as he has been with his ninety-foot boats. The yachting season of 1895, which was one of the most notable In the history of the sport, has clearly demonstrated two things:
1. That the greatest yacht-builders of the world are the Herreshoffs, of Rhode Island, and
2. That the day of 'big boats' is about over, and future yacht races will be chiefly between much smaller yachts than Defender [#452s] and Valkyrie III. ...
The success achieved by Herreshoff boats in England has been phenomenal. For the first season or two they have always beaten their competitors badly in their respective classes. Then John Bull, who is nothing if not persistent, has gone to work turning out boat after boat until he has finally succeeded in equaling those of the Yankee wizard, and in some instances in the smaller classes has proved that he has bettered the instruction and is ready for a new lesson, which it may be said Herreshoff stands prepared to administer whenever somebody gives him the order. ...
BEATEN BY HER SISTER.
Among the boats that Miss Winifred Sutton beat in the Wee Winn [#425s] was the Pique, a half-rater built for her sister, Miss Maud, by Payne, an English designer. Naturally this rather piqued Miss Maud, so she threw patriotism to the winds and sent Herreshoff an order for a one-rater, that is a boat of between 18 and 20 feet on the water line.
She named her the Morwena [#431s]. She was quite as successful as the Wee Winn had been in the class below. She finished the season of 1893 a long way ahead of any of her class competitors. Like the Defender [#452s] she was equally good in any sort of weather.
And Miss Maud Sutton knew how to handle her to perfection. In a regatta one day last summer it blew so hard that all the men in British-built boats opposed to her got scared and refused to start, and she sailed over the course alone, getting drenched with spray, of course, but not minding it a bit. She didn't know it, probably, but she was delivering a more convincing argument in favor of the equality of the sexes than had ever been uttered by the most voluble of the short-haired sister-hood. ...
Great is Herreshoff and great will he continue to be. And any Britisher who wants a boat that will beat any boat of her class afloat can get one from him. Give him the cash and he will do the rest." (Source: Anon. "Our Yachts Lead The World. This Year's Record Shows How They Won in All Classes. Beat Englishmen in England. Here Are Some American-Built Yachts Even More Remarkable For Speed Than Defender." New York World, November 17, 1895, p. 28.)

"... The season of 1892 will also be remembered by the success of the little Herreshoff boat, 'Wee Winn,' in the 1-rating class. ...
Although 'Gareth' [designed by Nicholson in 1892] was the best boat of the year [1893 in the 2 1/2-rater class], 'Meneen' [#438s] a Herreshoff production, made a great name as a light weather flier, and created quite as much sensation as did the Herreshoff 1-rater 'Wee Winn,' [#425s] in the previous season.
On the Clyde an interesting class of 2-raters continued in fashion, but 'Wenonah' [#415s] the American crack, still held the sway.
The Herreshoff boats about this period played an important part in British waters, for Miss Sutton's 'Morwena' [#431s] more than held her own against the Solent fleet of 1-raters, of which the Payne-designed 'Sacharissa,' and the Sibbick-designed 'Tartar' were the most conspicuous. The little American fliers were very light displacement craft, and their success to a great extent precipitated the introduction of the 'pram' bow in our waters, as this was a prominent feature in all the Herreshoff designs. ...
In [1894 in] the 2 1/2- and 1-rating classes it is curious to note that British designers, having made a study of light displacement craft, turned out some boats that could completely outsail the representatives from Mr. Herreshoff's board, 'Vaquero' [#453s] 2 1/2-rater. and 'Lagopa,' [#454s] 1-rater, that were shipped across the Atlantic to compete in Solent waters. The Sibbick 2 1/2-rater 'Lorette,' which, as an all-round performer, was about on a par with 'Gareth,' and Mr. Nicholson's 1895 production [p. 415] 'Corolla,' met 'Vaquero,' the Herreshoff boat, five times, defeated her on four occasions, and was some distance ahead when she took the ground during the fifth match. ..." (Source: Henry Charles Howard Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire (ed.). The Encyclopaedia of Sport & Games - Volume 4. London, 1911, p. 414-415.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled construction plan with plan view, midship section, inboard profile and list of scantlings. Titled '24[ft] wl. Scale 3/4in per foot. #431 [MORWENA], 18 w.l., scale 1in per ft, Nov[ember] 1892. #436 [BUBBLE], 18 w.l., scale 1in per ft, Dec[ember] 1892. #438 [MENEEN], 24 w.l., scale 3/4in per ft, Feb[ruary] 1893'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0218. WRDT04, Folder 21, formerly MRDE08. 1892-11 to 1893-02.)
① ② ③

"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled list of sailing boats built by HMCo in the winter of 1892/1893:]
428 [#428s] MERRY THOUGHT. 25ft w.l. Cat. Crozer
429 [#429s] NAVAHOE. 84ft w.l. Sloop. Carroll
430 [#430s] BONNIE DOON. 30ft w.l. Sloop.
431 [#431s] MORWENA. 1 Rater. England
432 [#432s] VIOLA. 176t w.l. Cat. Boston
433 [#433s] MOJAVE. 20ft w.l. Cat. Murray
434 [#434s] KITE. 20ft w.l. J[ib] & M[ainsail]. Peet
435 [#435s] COLONIA. 85ft w.l. Sydicate
436 [#436s] BUBBLE. 1 Rater. One-Rater. Sail New Draft. Austria
437 [#437s] VIGILANT. 85ft w.l. Sydicate
438 [#438s] MENEEN. 2 1/2 Rater. Jackson." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Penciled List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04410. Folder [no #]. No date (1893-07 or later).)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [On 'Hotel Bristol, Berlin, Unter den Linden' stationery:] Berlin, den 26th [no month] 1894
My dear Mr Herreshoff
Through the kindness of Captain [Hank] Haff and his son Clayton I again embarked on the 'VIGILANT' in the race of August month[?] off Cowes but[?], of course as usual had a most inspiring good time.
It was the second day of the R.Y. I. regatta the Thursday of Cowes week and the meeting of the two rivals after the BRITTANNIA[sic] defeat in the race [p. 2] around the isle, when both yachts distinguished themselves in a wind-jamming contest upon the rocks.
The race on buoy 8 was fastformed[?], you remember to enable the 'BRITTANNIA' to haul out and fix bottom' a privilege which the 'VIGILANT' [#437s] did not allow herself and perhaps unfortunately as results proved for ever so little a rock-rub[?] seems to endanger the balance between the chances of two much closer rivals.
There was a cracking breeze blowing directly up [p. 3] the Solent, and both yachts started under jack-yarders, mainsail, jib and staysail close-hauled westward to East Lepe[?] buoy.
But as usual Haff was caught napping and swung across the line with the 'BRITTANNIA' luffing dean in the wind, and bore away on the port tack 10 yards under the lee of his rival. Of course it was very close work on both boats, and we all worked fiercely at the head-sails to remedy our error and get [p. 4] about and away from out the grasp of our quick-handling rival.
But though we Norwegians, heterogeneous lot that we were tumbled over each other like fiends beneath the glance of Mr. Iselin, in our eagerness, yet there stood the Briton handled by as magnificent a British crew as ever trod deck 'fasted squarely on our head-sails.'
And[?] this position, the result of our gun[?] starts is quite where Carter[?] [p. 5] wanted us to be placed and there we were handily kept until we turned the E. Lepe[?], when he was far ahead of us on a flowing tide.
I cannot accurately tell why we were not the faster that day. In running the hurricane[?] boat[?] always went like a mad-horse. But in close windward work we were no match for 'BRITTANNIA' and clever Carter. We perhaps outfooted her when hauled by the wind, and certainly on the [p. 6] last leg of the course to the finish-line when we gained about w minutes.
But we never could out-wind the slippery Briton. If he ever found us working out from his lee he always bore down on us to blanket.
Of course that made Haff and Iselin nervous, but what could they do? For when we again settled down to luffing away creeped the Briton to windward again and what made us all so mad was that [p. 7] there was a cracking wind aloft, and we were expected to win by on shore.
I believe myself if you will allow me to venture an opinion, that the removal of many tons (I believe 3 or 4) of ballast, and the heavy anchor and chain the previous night was a big mistake. For we didn't Carry our club topsail at all easily, while 'BRITTANNIA' was as stiff as Captain Lawless' flag pole, and her sails were a [p. 8] sight to see. Twice did our sails fail --- our staysail broke at the clew twice, and one spinnaker tore itself loose in a mad run to leeward. But this was not because we didn't want to win, or misled[?] to with withdraw (as honest Captain Lawless was proverbially supposed to do in the FELICITE[?] sloop).
Mrs Iselin was on board with us, and the Prince and the [p. 9] Duke of York on the BRITTANNIA. Mr Iselin's present on the boat was salutary, he put a good deal of energy into matters didn't swear once and stopped unnecessary talking. He vastly improved the 'esprit DE corps' and harmonized under his leadership the actions of Jeffrey Diaper and young Haff. I do believe [p. 10] Mr Herreshoff, that Haff has not been well supported by good under officers and a trained crew. You will pardon my presumption in criticising. But outside of the fail[?] of waters, climate, conditions, lack of knowledge of British methods of yacht racing, it seems to me that the VIGILANT measured[?] by a raw[?] crew, as she is, can be perhaps justly pardoned her defeats.
[p. 11] Englishmen themselves are a but surprised at her defeats for the wholesome defeat administered by the little Bristol boats the 'WEE WINN' [#425s], 'MORWENA' [#431s], 'WENONAH' [#415s] and 'DACOTAH' [#440s] have sunk deep in their hearts.
That they still fear the VIGILANT is evidenced by the tendency to still receive the BRITANNIA virtuous[?] as indecisive.
[XII] If you will kindly show this to Mr Charles [Herreshoff, Jr.?] as I think he will be interested.
Please tell Mr. Lewis [Herreshoff] whose article in the Badminton Library has attracted much attention and which I have read that little Mr Wilson [sailmaker] of New York begs to take exception to his remarks about the American sail-making as compared with Lapthorne. I had much amusement with him on this head. With best wishes
I am Sincerely yours ...
Lucian Sharpe
Muuwex[?] Cie[?] Paris" (Source: Sharpe, Lucien, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_00840. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 239. 1894- ??-24.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥

"[Item Description:] Printed leaflet titled 'Rules For the Class of One Rating Centre Board Boats'. Undated. [HMCo built only two One-Raters for export to England: #431s MORWENA (1892/1893 and #454s LAGOPA (1895). Both had fin keels, not centerboards. Nonetheless, one might speculate that this document was related to one of them.]" (Source: Royal Mersey YC (creator). Leaflet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_76080. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F18, formerly MRDE15. No date (1895 ??).)
①

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #431s Morwena [Mirwena] even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Morwena (HMCo-made index card)
• Morwena (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: Mirwena
Type: J & M
Length: 18'3"
Owner: Sutten, Miss

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

• Mirwena
• 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: Mirwena
Type: 18' 3" J & M
Owner: Miss Sutton
Row No.: 439

Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. "Partial List of Herreshoff-Built Boats." In: Herreshoff, L. Francis. Capt. Nat Herreshoff. The Wizard of Bristol. New York, 1953, p. 325-343.

Month: Oct
Day: 3
Year: 1892
E/P/S: S
No.: 0431
Name: Mirwena
LW: 18' 3"
B: 5' 2"
D: 4' 6"
Rig: J & M
K: FK
Ballast: Lead
Amount: $1,350.00
Notes Constr. Record: Biddeford, Eng.
Last Name: Sutton
First Name: Miss

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.

"Exported to England." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 2, 2008.)

"Owned in Finland by E. Kraaz, WLS, apparently after 1900." (Source: Hanyi, Mike. Email to Claas van der Linde, December 11, 2008.)

"Figure for LOA from NGH design booklet entry dated March 16, 1893." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 29, 2014.)

"Sisters Winifred (#425s Wee Winn) and Maud (#431s Morwena) Sutton were daughters of Sir Richard Sutton, who had unsuccessfully challenged for the America's Cup with his cutter Genesta in 1885. Both were extremely successful with their respective boats, Winifred dominating her class on the Solent in 1892 and Maud achieving the same on the Clyde in 1893." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. November 12, 2018.)

"Built in 194 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $9/day, 13 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Sail area 310sq ft estimated from from NGH design booklet entry dated March 16, 1893 which states that a LWL of 18ft 9in 'will allow 318 [sq ft] by Y.R.A. rule'." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 29, 2014.)

"Displacement 2550lbs estimated and interpolated from NGH design booklet entry dated March 16, 1893 which provides preliminary displacement estimates for LWL 18ft (2470lbs) and LWL 18ft 9in (2735lbs)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 29, 2014.)

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