HMCo #437s Vigilant

"[1893-01-18] Wed 18: ... Mr. Morgan & Mr. Iselin here [of the #437s Vigilant syndicate].
[1893-01-19] Thu 19: ... Mr. Morgan & Mr. Iselin here. [They] ordered [a] 85' wl sloop [#437s Vigilant].
[1893-01-24] Tue 24: ... Messrs. Carroll [the future owner of #429s Navahoe], Morgan, & Iselin [of the #437s Vigilant syndicate] here.
[1893-02-08] Wed 8: ... Mr. Iselin & Mr. Morgan [of the #437s Vigilant syndicate] here in Javelin [#164p]. Also Mr. Carroll [the future owner of #429s Navahoe] from N.Y.
[1893-03-09] Thu 9: ... Messrs. Iselin & Morgan [of the #437s Vigilant syndicate] here in Javelin [#164p]. ...
[1893-04-05] Wed 5: Mr. Iselin & Mr. Morgan [of the #437s Vigilant syndicate] here.
[1893-04-07] Fri 7: ... Laid keel for #437 (Vigilant).
[1893-04-08] Sat 8: ... Set up 3 frames on #437 [Vigilant].
[1893-04-17] Mon 17: ... Began plating #437 [Vigilant]. ...
[1893-04-20] Thu 20: ... 11 plates on #437 [Vigilant]. ...
[1893-04-23] Sun 23: ... 18 plates on #437 [Vigilant].
[1893-04-28] Fri 28: ... Spars received for #435 [Colonia] & #437 [Vigilant].
[1893-05-07] Sun 7: ... 59 plates on #437 [Vigilant].
[1893-06-14] Wed 14: ... Launched #437 Vigilant.
[1893-06-30] Fri 30: ... Bent sails on Vigilant [#437s].
[1893-07-01] Sat 1: Very fine. S to SW [wind]. Had 1st trial of Vigilant #437.
[1893-07-02] Sun 2: Very fine. Fog in morn[ing] & evening. Off in Vigilant [#437s].
[1893-07-04] Tue 4: ... Put c[enter] b[oard] in Vigilant [#437s].
[1893-07-16] Sun 16: Very fine & warm, fresh SW & W [wind]. Off in Vigilant [#437s].
[1893-07-18] Tue 18: ... Vigilant [#437s] delivered to Mr. Iselin.
[1894-05-07] Mon 7: ... Mr. Gould and Capt. [Hank] Haff [owner and captain of #437s Vigilant] here.
[1894-05-16] Wed 16: ... Sent off Vigilant's [#437s] boom.
[1894-05-19] Sat 19: ... Mr. Willard here. [In 1895 Edward A. Willard had been on board #437s Vigilant during the America's Cup races, as had been NGH. During the 1895 selection races Willard would be in charge of Vigilant.]
[1894-05-27] Sun 27: ... Went to NY with Sidney to see Vigilant [#437s].
[1894-06-01] Fri 1: ... Vigilant [#437s] sailed for Glasgow.
[1894-06-15] Fri 15: ... Vigilant [#437s] sighted N.W. of Ireland.
[1894-06-21] Thu 21: ... Preparing to leave for England [Unfortunately, no entries were made while NGH was in England, sailing #437s Vigilant].
[1897-09-04] Sat 4: Very fine. L[igh]t N [wind in] a.m. Mod[erate] SW [in] p.m. Clear. Went to see race between Vigilant [#437s] & Navahoe [#429s].
[1903-07-22] Wed 22: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] 3rd Cruise[, 8th day]. From Vineyard Haven towards Newport and Bristol. Fog & calm last night so very few of the sailing yachts got into port. Got underway about 9-15 and went to starting line off West Chop to see start. We leave at time of schooner [start] at 10-12, [the] 90 f[oo]t sloops starting at 10-30. Columbia [#499s] ran aground on West Chop and hung there. Strong fair tide. Pass S[ow] & P[ig[s] buoy at 11-56 and l[igh]t ship SSW 3/4 m[ile away] at 12-04 and stopped to see yachts come in. Reliance [#605s] [was] first, then Vigilant [#437s] & Ingomar [#590s]. Passed Brenton’s Reef buoy, coming in at 2-20 and breakwater l[igh]t, after stopping a few minutes, at 2-48. Fair tide and SE breeze with sails set. Home at 3-50.
[1906-08-03] Fri 3: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] 4th Cruise, 14th day. From Glen Cove towards Morris Cove. Fine easterly breeze but somewhat thick and on point of raining. Yachts had a fine beat to windward but rather hard for the small craft. Queen [#657s] made best time, beating the next schooners [by] 1/2 hour. Mimosa III [#610s] won in allowance in 2nd division. [Log:] Underway from anchorage. Waited about 15 [minutes] to see start of race off Maxwells. Passed Stratford P[oin]t. Stopped off electric[est] breakwater l[igh]t to see finish. Started into anchorage. Anchored [at 4-25]. Yachts finished as follows: Yankee [#534s], Queen [#657s], Vigilant [#437s], Rainbow [#532s], Effort, Sybarita, Weetamoe, Elmina, Neola, Irolita [#658s], Corona [ex-Colonia #435s].
[1906-08-04] Sat 4: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] 4th Cruise, 15th day. From Morris Cove towards New London. Left anchorage at Morris Cove at 9-10 and towed out 2 yachts that were becalmed. The racing yachts started at 5 min[ute] intervals beginning at 10-15. 30-footers [NY30s], J, H, C & B etc., B starting at 11-50. [Log:] Started ahead from off e[ast] breakwater. Passed Gooseberry Is[land] bell buoy. Passed Faulkners Is[land]. Stopped off l[igh]t vessel for yachts to come up. Passed Bartlett’s R[ee]f l[igh]t s[hip]. Stopped at Sarah’s Ledge. Anchored above NYYC station. Finish times: Elmina, Yankee [#534s], Rainbow [#532s], Corona [ex-Colonia #435s], Weetamoe, Queen [#657s], Vigilant [#437s], Sybarita, Humma [#553s], Irolita [#658s], Neola.
[1906-08-06] Mon 6: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] 4th Cruise, 17th day. From Bristol towards [Pt. Judith &] Bristol. Got underway at 1-42 p.m. and ran outside nearly to P[oin]t Judith to see fleet coming in from New London. Had fine afternoon and party enjoyed it very much. Home at 6-46 after a stop in Newport Har[bor]. Yachts finished race as follows: Elmina, Queen [#657s], Sybarita, Vigilant [#437s], Elmina, Rainbow [#532s], Muriel, Weetamoe, Altair [#539s], Humma [#553s]. [Log:] Left home. Passed Dumplings. Outside nearly to P[oin]t Judith and laid to off l[igh]t ship. Passed Rose Is[land] going up. Home.
[1908-08-11] Tue 11: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] 4th Cruise, 6th day, NYYC Cruise run. From Newport towards Vineyard Haven. Left Brenton’s Cove. Pass[ed] Brenton’s R[ee]f & set sails. Pass[ed] Sow & Pigs buoy. Stopped at W[est] Chop. [Took] sails in. Anchored off Eastville. [First finishers were:] Queen [#657s], Vigilant [#437s], Elmina, Corona [#435s ex-Colonia], Istalena [#663s], Aurora [#667s], Katrina, Tarmamia [sic, i.e. Taormina], Weetamoe, Irolita [#658s], Avenger [#666s].
[1908-08-12] Wed 12: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] 4th Cruise, 7th day. Vineyard Haven to Provincetown. Underway from anchorage. Start ahead from E[ast] Chop. Pass Hedge Fence l[igh]t ship. Pass Cross Rip l[igh]t ship. Pass Handkerchief buoy. Pass Bearse Shoal buoy. Pass Chatham bar buoy. Pass Nauset beacons. Pass Highland L[igh]t. Pass Race P[oin]t. Anchor [at] Provincetown. Queen [#657s] arrived first about 5-20, then Elmina, Vigilant [#437s], etc. A very fine day." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1893 to 1908. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection [1893-1897]. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection, St.Y. Roamer Logbooks [1903-1908].)

"Coconut Grove, Florida May 15, 1930
Wm. P. Stevens Esq. [corrected to Stephens] Lloyds Yacht Register, New York.
Dear Mr. Stevens- [corrected to Stephens] ... On page ten of your paper [in the June 1930 'Sportsman' titled 'The Match for the America's Cup'], VIGILANT is referred to as 'a yacht having both deep keel and a heavily weighted center-board - with no internal fittings except sail bins - and that she was a pure racing machine.'
The facts are as follows: she had a trough keel, like the NAVAHOE with all ballast designed to be inside of the keel of very moderate depth.
Before launching, it was decided to place the ballast lower, and outside lead to the depth of about a foot was added, with very round corners, as shown in photograph on page 19. (After I get home I can give you the exact depth of this lead and other exact data of the earlier yachts which I have not here.)
On page 18 you state that 'both COLONIA and VIGILANT were keel craft of ample displacement,' which is quite true. 'But the latter had a center-board of eight tons weight.' Great Guns!! And where did you get that information? And why did you not stop to think that such a weight would be impractical for only man-power to handle? She did have a heavy centerboard, and really too heavy to be practical, and it weighed (as I remember) a little over two tons [sic, i.e. 7,750 lbs]. It was about 3 l/2" thick and made of two plates of Tobin bronze 7/32" thick, with light cast bronze rim and spacing strips to take tap bolts with flush counter-sunk heads. You can figure roughly what the metal weighed. To back up the flat plates, it was filled with a concrete of broken coke and only cement enough to bind it; probably weighing under 90 lbs. per cubic foot. The board was made as light as possible [so] that it would not be too heavy to handle.
VIGILANT was entirely fitted out for living on board, with staterooms for owner and part of the afterguard, part sleeping in the berths of main cabin. Also for sailing master and mates. The partitions were of course light, being of white pine. About midsummer Mr. Iselin chartered a steam tender, a rather small and inefficient one, to carry the spare gear and pipe berths, etc., that were taken out during racing. During the Cup races part of the crew slept on board the tender. ...
Referring again to VIGILANT, you entirely ignore the fact that she crossed the Atlantic twice; and then, after serving as trial yacht for DEFENDER, was owned and used by Mr. William Iselin for many years, proving a very satisfactory cruising yacht. ...
Very truly yours,
Nathanael G. Herreshoff" (Source: Letter 1. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated May 15, 1930. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 1-5.)

"June 12, 1930 ...
Dear Mr. Stevens: [corrected to Stephens]
... Referring to VIGILANT's center-board winch, it was reasonably strong and very efficient. [It] was made by Yale & Towne, and with their patented friction device. The trouble was, the center-board man entirely lost his head, and when getting orders to give full board, neglected his instructions, to lower away only as fast as the board would take it, had given several feet of slack chain. When the board had a chance to go down, it gave such a terrific jerk on the chain that the friction device partly gave way, and the board went down, not as the center-board man reported as nearly to the end of chain and beyond his mark for full board, but only to part way down. I left the wheel and went below to superintend getting the board up to the mark in the chain for full board, fixing up a heavy deck-tackle for the purpose, and while hauling, the c-b man saying 'not to the mark yet' over and over until at last I exclaimed, I knew better! for there was not so much chain beyond the mark, and ordered the tackle made fast, and so started the race. When the outer mark was turned, and the board taken way up, there was only a little over a foot of chain to haul. In the windward work we were continually sagging off to leeward of VALKYRIE in condition of wind and sea that we should have outwinded her by nearly 1/4 point and beaten her by nearly five minutes. We demonstrated that in the triangular race. ... I want to correct myself about VIGILANT's outside lead. The original design had 8" of lead below the flat of main keel, enough to give a good round corner. Before launching or being put in, this was increased in depth to about 16" but I cannot find the exact figures. But there were 47 ton or about 2/3 the whole amount. ...
Very truly yours,
Nathanael G. Herreshoff" (Source: Letter 3. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated June 12, 1930. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 19-21.)

"Late in that fall, there was a challenge for the America's Cup and quite promptly Archibald Rogers and others gave us an order for COLONIA, which was specified to be keel and not over 14' draft. Mr. E.D. Morgan and others, believing these restrictions unwise, at about [the] beginning of 1893, gave us an order for VIGILANT.
(11) VIGILANT was the third order for large sloops this season. The first, NAVAHOE, was steel construction with a steel centerboard - a solid plate. The second, COLONIA, was steel, but [the] keel [was] of too light draft. The third, VIGILANT, was plated with Tobin bronze, and the first to be bronze plated. Her frame was steel angles and she had a bronze plated centerboard over a bronze frame. After [studying] the original design with no lead outside, it was decided to increase the draft, and place part of the lead ballast outside. Accordingly on Memorial Day, 1893, [Spencer] Rounds [Jr.], the house mover, had his raising screws ready, and with one man to help, raised the craft about a foot. In the following fortnight, we cast the lead in place 9" deep and about 3 ft. at a casting, thus increasing the draft to [14 feet]. VIGILANT's sails [were] made in Boston by Wilson & Silsby and were not very good and needed a lot of refitting and trimming before [they were] in condition to use and the mainsail was probably undersize. I tried my hand at steering several times during the summer, and during the first trial race, when not doing very well in [the] hands of the regular skipper, after a conference with the other "afterguards," Mr. Iselin asked me to take the wheel. I soon got VIGILANT in good position and we won out. I steered VIGILANT in all the following sails, including the trial races and Cup races, until about 3/4 way [on the] very last leg of the last race; I was very tired and asked Capt. Hansen, the sailing master that was hired, to take the wheel. Next year, VIGILANT was owned by George Gould and he commissioned me to refit her for an ocean voyage and to go to Great Britain and look after putting her in racing condition there, I sailed her in the first race on the Clyde when an amateur helmsman was required, and although showing VIGILANT's ability to win, lost by a fluke of wind. In several races that followed it was very evident [that] our crew, in charge of "Hank" Haff, was no match for the English crew of BRITANNIA and that VIGILANT's long keel did not permit her to maneuver as well as BRITANNIA at the starting line, so by poor starts, poor handling, and also by ill-luck, VIGILANT was beaten every time." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Boats and Yachts that I have been Especially Interested in by Sailing and Some of Which I Have Owned." Bristol, April 1932. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 109-110.)

"N. G. HERRESHOFF 6 WALLEY STREET BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND Feb. 7. 1934. {1934/02/07} Dear Francis, ... The comparison between Constitution and Reliance is interesting. Both were nearly 90' w.l. [waterline] C - about 128 ft o.a. [over all] and R - 142' o.a. [over all] R- had much fuller waterlines and a little more beam & displacment which gave her ability to carry a larger rig. R was a little faster to windward, and always faster down wind, but in reaching, and particularly in fresh winds C was the fastest. Vigilant had fuller water lines at ends and decidedly longer body than either Valkyrie or Brittannia, with rig of about same proportions, but not so refined, nor so good crew, making allowance for crew Vig - was quite as good in light weather and faster in strong breezes, and particularly reaching, and could gain 1/4 min per mile or more perhaps 1/3 min. ... Your affect - Father." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 10: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Just following Mr. Carroll's order [in the fall of 1892, for NAVAHOE], the New York Yacht Club received a challenge for the America's Cup and an order was given us by a syndicate headed by Archibald Rogers for a defender.
As Mr. Rogers had been sailing keel yachts of the English cutter type, he wanted this craft to be keel but limited the draft to be fourteen feet only! ... This was plainly not enough for an eighty-five foot waterline sloop, and it so worked on Commodore E. D. Morgan that she might fail, that he induced some of his friends to build a centerboard yacht without restrictions, making her the best we could do, and so we had three big sloops to build that winter and spring. The last one, VIGILANT, was put under the able management of C. Oliver Iselin, one of the syndicate owners, and it must have been well in[to] January, 1893 that the order was given.
NAVAHOE was launched in February and moored in a dredged hole between [the north and south] piers to have her cabins finished and COLONIA was set up in her place in the South Shop, soon to be followed by VIGILANT being set up in the North Shop. This was a busy winter for me, [and] as well for the working men. I had not time, with my force in the drafting room, to work out complete detail drawings for each yacht, so both the defenders' rigs were alike, and many of the details were the same as worked out for NAVAHOE. ...
VIGILANT was under sail in the first part of July. Mr. Iselin had wisely asked us to put some of her inside ballast on the outside. So on Decoration Day [Memorial Day], there being no Shop work, Bristol's most efficient house mover, Mr. [Spencer] Rounds [Jr.], came in with his "bed screws" and one helper, and they raised the whole craft over one foot from her original blocking, and removed all his gear before night. [This was] a wonderful job for only two men. We then cast lead nine inches deep in three foot sections for [the] whole length of [the] keel, which was straight for forty-two feet.
I was in demand by the managers of both syndicates to sail their early races. I compromised by alternating from one to the other. It became quite evident [that] VIGILANT's centerboard was an advantage whenever they came on the wind. ...
Mr. Iselin had, in the afterguard, some of the same yachting friends of Mr. Morgan when he had GLORIANA. Mr. Iselin often asked me to take the wheel and sail VIGILANT and I thus came to understand sailing the craft. [I was first asked to take the wheel] on the first set of trial races [because] VIGILANT's sailing master, who had been sailing the schooner SACHEM [and] was not doing well with her, had got back to third place. Both JUBILEE and COLONIA were ahead, but PILGRIM still a little astern. I saw Mr. Iselin having a very animated talk with his friends on the afterdeck. Then he told Captain Stone he wanted me to take the wheel, and asked me to. We succeeded in rounding the first mark of a triangular course abreast of JUBILEE, and soon took a good lead and so ended the race well ahead.
I was asked to sail VIGILANT in all the following races. This event of VIGILANT's is well shown in triplet photographs hanging over the dressing table in our bedroom.
... While [ALERION II] was building, I was induced by George Gould, who had bought VIGILANT, to go to Great Britain and oversee the sailing of VIGILANT in races there. Our shops were very busy at this time and it behooved me to get back as soon as possible. VIGILANT's first race abroad was in the Clyde, given by the Mad Hook Yacht Club, in which only amateurs steer, so I had to sail VIGILANT. The start was in a rainstorm and strong westerly wind, so only lower sails could be carried. Just before the starting gun, the deplorable fatal accident occured in which SATANITA rammed VALKYRIE and sank her. This left BRITANNIA the only competition for VIGILANT. In this strong breeze, that became moderate later, VIGILANT handsomely beat BRITANNIA and had a lead of over a half mile going up to the Clyde the last time. Then our pilot for English waters, Captain Diaper, insisted we should steer more to the south and near 'The Clock' point. We ran into a calm pocket, only to see BRITANNIA sail by us one-third of a mile to the north, and win. We understood later, a calm place was nearly always found when nearing 'The Clock' and native craft always avoided [it]. This was a clever trick of the pilot Diaper, and there were other occasions when he tried to trick us.
I think 'Hank' Haff did better in handling VIGILANT, for it was he who was skipper of her that year, than he did with COLONIA, and in a stiff breeze and by the wind, sailed her pretty well. However, he and his crew were no match for BRITANNIA, with Carter for sailing master, and they would get the best of it at every maneuver. I left VIGILANT for home after a very significant race off Belfast in a stiff breeze. [We] got nearly a mile away from BRITANNIA, and this after a bad start, only to run into a calm pocket and see BRITANNIA sail by us.
... The following fall (of 1894), a challenge for the America's Cup was received from Lord Dunraven and I was looked to [for the] design [of] another defender. No competitors came forward, so VIGILANT was sailed home from England by Charles Barr. She was put in the hands of Edward Willard as manager, with Charles Barr as sailing master, and they got her in most excellent condition and did well with her." (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. 58-63.)

"August 31 1935
Dear Mr. Stephens -
... Including NAVAHOE with our orders for steam powered craft we had before us a fair winter's work, but a little later a challenge for the "America Cup" was received, and Archibald Rogers came to us to build for his syndicate a defender which we could not refuse. It was unfortunate that he insisted on this 85 ft. w.l. yacht being keel and not to exceed 14 ft. draft, but I did as well as I could. However, with Mr. E. D. Morgan and his friends there was serious doubt of this light draft keel boat doing the trick, and this led to Mr. Morgan forming another syndicate of his friends and insisting we build another defender [Vigilant] with centreboard and do our very best to get her out in time to tune up; and he gave her management to C. Oliver Iselin. All this extra work of designing and superintending the construction put a severe tax on me, but we got through all right!
It was learned that at time of challenging, Dunraven already had the challenger behind closed doors, so we were asked by our clients to exclude all strangers and news reporters from our shops. This turned out to be annoying and a nuisance, for we were continually pestered by those young men who were sent out to gather news to fill up their columns by unprincipled persons and to steal information and even drawings if they were not given voluntarily. And if we protected shops and rights too well the young pen-wielders would attempt to belittle us and our products in their writings whenever possible. Even today this attitude is noticeable and carried on by a new generation of reporters in their columns - being instructed that way as we never advertised in the papers our business. ...
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.)

"Nov. 13, 1937
...
Dear Mr. Stephens -
... Sincerely,
Nathl G. Herreshoff
P.S. You will probably recollect Capt. "Hank" Haff had charge of COLONIA in 1893. In the notable race of VIGILANT you will recall, no Haff element could have been on VIGILANT, and certainly your references to them is false." (Source: Letter 34. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated November 13, 1937. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 203-204.)

"'Navahoe' and 'Colonia' were plated with steel, but 'Vigilant' had Tobin bronze and was the first vessel ever plated with bronze although every later cup defender was to be plated with bronze of some kind or another. The beams of these yachts were 'Navahoe,' twenty-three feet; 'Colonia,' twenty-four feet; 'Vigilant,' twenty-six feet. 'Vigilant' was built wide on deck to gain stability by using a large crew. She sometimes carried seventy men while others of that size usually carried around forty, but there was no limit on crew in those days, and of course a sandbagger racer like Mr. Iselin was very conscious of the value of shifting ballast. Just before the trial races 'Vigilant' was hauled out and a slab of lead nine inches deep was bolted to the bottom of her keel, and I believe her centerboard was quite heavily ballasted, so, together with her greater beam and more draft, she carried her sail better than 'Colonia.'" (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. 170.)

"In the first of the trial races between 'Colonia,' 'Vigilant,' 'Jubilee,' and 'Pilgrim,' the 'Vigilant' did not do particularly well with her professional captain at the helm, so after the afterguard had a conference, Mr. Iselin asked Captain Nat to take the wheel, and he handled her in all the following races of 1892, including the Cup races." (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. 171.)

"'Vigilant' was too long on the keel to turn quickly in maneuvering for the start in restricted waters, and her captain, Hank Haff, was no match for the experienced English captains, but probably 'Vigilant' 's greatest disadvantages were that her centerboard jammed and could not be used at times, particularly in the last of the season after she had taken the ground twice; and because in the first half of the season the English sail makers would not work on her sails which had become stretched and needed alterations." (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.)

"'Vigilant,' after she came back from England, served as a trial horse against 'Defender' in 1895. She won the Goelet Cup in 1894 and a great many yacht club runs. She was finally broken up in about 1910 and many of her fittings and parts used on the Cary Smith-designed schooner 'Enchantress.'" (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. 178.)

"With one large cutter [#429s Navahoe] on the stocks, another keel [#435s Colonia] ready to lay and a probable order for a third [#437s Vigilant], to say nothing of more than the usual number of small racers and steam yachts, the Herreshoff shop is a busy place just now. The Carroll cutter is nearly ready for launching, but the cold weather and the ice in the bay may make it desirable to keep her out of water as long as possible. The keel of the Rogers cutter, whose owners are reported to be Archibald Rogers, Pierpont Morgan, of the Corsair, and John E. Brooks, of the Lasca, will follow in the main slipway, and if report be true, the Herreshoffs are likely to be called upon to build still a third 85-footer. ..." (Source: Anon. "Building." Forest and Stream, January 19, 1893, p. 61.)

"Sloop Vigilant, Morgan-Iselin.
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.
137.54 net tons; 103.9 ft. x 26.4 ft. x 16.1 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, plain head, overhanging stern.
Surveyed and measured, June 10, 1893." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Vigilant.)

"A cablegram from London says that the Emperor of Germany is negotiating for the purchase of the yacht Vigilant. The authority for the statement is a German naval officer who is now in London. He says that if the Emperor is successful in his overtures the Vigilant will be taken to England next Spring and race in the English regattas against the Britannia and other crack yachts.
A member of the syndicate that furnished the money to build and run the Vigilant says that the report that the Kaiser is trying to purchase the successful defender of the America's Cup is true. A few weeks ago the agents of the Emperor made inquiries as to whether the yacht was for sale and at what figure she was held. Since then a definite offer has been made for the boat, but nothing has been settled between the agents and the syndicate, and the whole affair is still hanging fire.
Yachtsmen generally will be very much disappointed if the Vigilant is sold and is taken away from this country. They have been looking forward to a good yachting season next year and some hardfought races between the Valkyrie, Vigilant, Navahoe [#429s], Colonia [#435s], Jubilee, and Volunteer. If the Vigilant is taken away a great deal of interest in the races will be lost. One of Lord Dunraven's reasons for leaving the Valkyrie here was to be able to meet the Vigilant again next season and find out to his own satisfaction which is the better boat. If the Vigilant is sold and goes abroad it is generally thought that the Valkyrie will follow at once.
How much the Vigilant syndicate want for the boat is not known. Altogether the boat cost more than $100,000 --- this is including the running expenses for the season. One who is very close to the syndicate said that the boat cost $40,000 to build. The Tobin bronze bottom added $15,000 more to this cost, and the several suits of sails she had cost $15,000. After this outlay three hollow booms were made at a cost of $1,000 each. She had duplicate spars made and many changes were made in her rigging which was considerably strengthened.
She was hauled out and cleaned three times. A tender, the Hattie Palmer, on which were stored her sails and spars, was purchased for her, and during the cup and trial races the tug Commander was used by the boat every day. It can easily be seen that such expenses as these will soon amount to $100,000.
The running expenses of a big eighty-five footer when in racing trim are enormous. The salary of an expert Captain is $5,000 for the season. Two mates, first and second, cost $1,250 and $1,000 respectively. Seamen cost $30 a month each and their board. Some of the most expert men will be paid $40 a month. The board for the men costs 60 cents a day, so that each man will cost $45 a month. On these big boats the crews number about forty-five men. They cost $2,025 a month and for five months $10,125. The cook's wages are $60 a month, and his two assistants $30 a month each. The Vigilant's crew was paid from May until October, so that the expenses of running the boat for that time were $17,975. This would make the cost of the Vigilant about $125,000. The Colonia [#435s] cost about $100,000, the Jubilee $60,000, and the Pilgrim $55,000. So that the cost of building boats and maintaining them to defend the America's Cup was about $340,000. The London Field says that the Valkyrie cost Lord Dunraven $125,000." (Source: Anon. "Kaiser Wants The Vigilant. Emperor William Has Made An Offer For Cup Defender. His Plan To Race Her Against The Britannia And Other Crack English Yachts. The Offer Being Considered By The Syndicate That Built The Tobin Bronze Boat. Yachtsmen Hope That The Vessel Will Remain Here To Race Eighty-Five Footers." The New York Times, December 5, 1893, p. ?.)

"Bristol, R.I. June 17 [1893] --- The week has been a busy one at the Herreshoff works, but it has resulted in the giving of a trial trip to one of the cup defenders [#435s Colonia] and the launching of the other [#437s Vigilant]. Both the big shops are now empty and only a small boat or two is left in the new shop over the planing mill.
It lookod like old times at the Herreshoff works Wednesday evening at the launch of the Visitant to see the piers crowded with the townspeople. Since cup challengers and cup defenders have been in order the gates have been closed, and all that was seen of Navahoe [#429s Navahoe] and Colonia was from the shore or from a boat. The need for secrecy being over, however, the gates were ooened for the Vigilant's launching, and the result was an old-time crowd and old-time enthusiasm.
The launch was a beautiful one and waving handkerchiefs and applauding bands greeted the boat as she slid into the water. In anticipation of the possibility of her striking the north pier, well greased battens had been placed outside the spiles to fend her off. She did not come within a foot of the wharf however, but it was well to be on the safe side.
Pres. John B. Herreshoff of the company, by the way, had quite an experience in getting home for the launch and arrived in time at no little risk to himself. With Mrs Herreshoff he left at 7 o'clock Tuesday night on the steam yacht Kaloolah to deliver the yacht Kaloolah [#173p Kalolah] to Mr Hubbard at New London.
The night was spent at Newport and a start made for New London at 5 o'clock Wednesday morning in a thick fog. New London was reached at 9 though, and at 11.20 Mr Herreshoff had transferred his personal belongings to the Katrina [#163p] and had started for Bristol. It was still foggy, but the Katrina was pushed right along through it and made Bristol at 3 40 in the afternoon.
The Katrina is a high-speed yacht with a record of 19.4 miles on her trial trip, and Herreshoff will use her himself for the present, but should he find a customer for her he would probably build a new one for his own use something after the style of the Kaloolah, ouly a bit smaller. ..." (Source: "Busy Week at Bristol. Last of Big Boats Launched and Herreshoff Shops Nearly Empty." Boston Globe, June 18, 1893, p. 24.)

"Com. E. D. Morgan and Mr. C. O. Iselin have in a substantial manner recognized the designer of the boat which defeated the British challenger for the Americans Cup. It was intended to give a reception to Capt. 'Nat' Herreshoff at New York after the international cup races were over, but the Bristol designer abruptly left for his Rhode Island home and the plans of Messrs. Morgan and Iselin, the heads of the syndicate owning the Vigilant, were frustrated, at least for the time. It was still felt, however, by these gentlemen and others who composed the syndicate that some recognition was due to Mr. Herreshoff, not only as the designer of the fastest yacht afloat, but also on account of the services which he rendered in the managment of the craft during the races. The result of this feeling was that one day during the Christmas holidays a messenger arrived at Bristol from New York and presenting himself at the door of Capt. 'Nat's' residence asked to see the designer. The messenger was informed that the captain was very busy and could not be seen, but he insisted that he must have a brief interview with him. The yacht builder then presented himself and the messenger handed him an envelope and then departed. On opening the letter a handsome Christmas present of five bank bills of the denomination of $500 each met his eyes, together with a note from Messrs. Morgan and Iselin asking him to accept the sum as a tribute of their appreciation of his services. Captain 'Nat' kept the secret well and the facts did not leak out until to-day. --- New York Herald." (Source: Anon. "Yacht News Notes." Forest and Stream, January 20, 1894, p. 59.)

"VIGILANT.
Vigilant, the pride of America, was launched June 14th, 1893. She was designed by N. G. Herreshoff and built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. She is a keel centerboard yacht, and is owned by C. O. Iselin and a syndicate of yachtsmen. She is built of Tobin bronze and steel, the use of the bronze on her bottom being largely an experiment. She sails with the New York Yacht Club, and hails from New York City.
In the Second Trial Race September 9, 1893, Vigilant beat Colonia 8 min., 9 sec., also defeating Jubilee and Pilgrim. Vigilant likewise won in the Third Trial Race, beating Colonia by 6 min., 43 sec, and again defeated Jubilee and Pilgrim.
In the race for America's Cup, October 7, 1893, Vigilant beat Valkyrie 5 min., 48 sec. On October 9, 1893, Vigilant won the second race, beating Valkyrie 10 min., 35 sec, and on October 13, 1893, she won the third race by 40 seconds corrected time, thus protecting the cup.
DIMENSIONS.
Length over all, 128 feet.
Length load waterline, 86.12 feet.
Beam, 26 feet.
Draft, 14 feet." (Source: Mott, Henry Augustus. Yachts and Yachtsmen of America. New York, 1894, p. 220.)

"Vigilant (Sail, C B) owned by George J. Gould, Port: New York; LOA 126ft; LWL 86.2ft; Beam 26ft; Draft 13.3ft; designed by N. G. Herreshoff and built by Herreshoff Mfg. Co in 1893." (Source: Stebbins 1896 Yachtsmen's Album, p. 30.)

"Mr. W. E. Iselin, recent purchaser of the old cup defender yawl, Vigilant, is having the yacht overhauled and put in shape for this reason. Vigilant is laid up at New London and there are prospects of her old antagonist, the Ailsa meeting her in several contests this year." (Source: Anon. "Club House Gossip." Boating Magazine (Cleveland, Ohio), April 1906, p. 144.)

"... It is great news indeed, the announcement of the decision of Mr. William E. Iselin to place his 90-foot yawl Vigilant in commission this year [1908]. She is now fitting out on Gardiners Bay at Greenport, and will be ready in time for the first of the regattas of the New York Yacht Club. It will indeed be thrilling to see on the Sound and ocean once more the swelling, towering canvas of a ninety footer. The grand, old cup defender which defeated Valkyrie in 1893 is still as sound as when she raced against Lord Dunraven's pride of Sandy Hook, but she is, of course, not so fast. Still it is a good boat that can beat her, and this applies to any yacht of any class. She carries a jigger mast now, but her power is but little less than a sloop of her size should be. Percy Chubb had her after her cup days were ended, and she made great racing against Ailsa, an English-built yawl. Later she fell into the hands of Mr. Iselin, who has kept her on dry land for the past few seasons. She will contribute much to the interest in yachting in the East this year, and she should, if she races consistently, bring a number of cups to her owners. Just who the sailing master will be has not been announced. I wonder if Charley Barr will get her? Who knows? He could do a whole lot with her, there is no question about that. She was the first of the Herresholf defenders, a long and glorious line. Vigilant measures 126 feet over all and 86 feet 3 inches on the water line. ..." (Source: Anon. "The Month in Yachting." Yachting Magazine, June 1908, p. 340-341.)

" 'Two America's Cup yachts were sold Saturday, to be sent to the Caribbean Sea and used in the turtle fishing-trade there,' says the New York World of March 20 [1910]. - 'They were the Volunteer, the last of the old guard of racing-craft, and the Vigilant, the first of the new.
'J. Edward S. Reiss of No. 90 West street was the purchaser. He secured the Volunteer from Capt. Charles Barr. She is now in South Brooklyn. The Vigilant is at Greenport, L. I. William E. Iselin owned her. Both yachts will start for the south within a month to enter upon their ignominious but useful ending, the last leg of their career.' ... 'The Vigilant was raced abroad the following year by George Gould. When she returned here Percy Chubb bought her. He made a yawl of her. Then F. Lathrop Ames of Boston bought her and he sold her to Stephen Peabody, who cruised in her two summers and then sold her to Mr. Iselin.' [Other sources report Vigilant to have been broken up in New London in 1910.]" (Source: Anon. "Cup Yachts As Fishing Boats. The Volunteer and Vigilant, the Latter a Herreshoff Creation, will End their Days in Turtle Fishing." Bristol Phoenix, March 22, 1910, p. 1.)

"... This year [1910] will long be remembered as one when many of the most famous racing yachts of these waters were broken up. Vigilant [#437s] and Volunteer [designed by Burgess], two cup defenders; Gloriana [#411s] and Wasp [#414s], two of the best of the 46-footers, and several others have gone to the junk heap or gone into trade, and the last to disappear is Jubilee, which was built for Gen. Charles E. Paine for cup honors in 1893. ..." (Source: Anon. "Some News and a Little Gossip." Forest and Stream, December 3, 1910, p. 903.)

"July 11 1937
Dear Mr. Herreshoff:
... I have a fine watercolor by F. S. Cozzens, of the last race between VALKYRIE II and VIGILANT, showing the latter as she set the second jackyard topsail on the run home, with VALKYRIE far astern. I saw this race, running abeam of the two boats on the Committee tug, and I watched a man go out along the boom of VIGILANT and cut the reef lacing. I did not know who it was, but I met this man recently on Broad Street; he was a young Islip boy who grew up with the Haff boys and sailed with them aboard VIGILANT. While he went to the boom end and cut the lacing one of the boys, "Shouting Harry" or "Clayt," went to the topmast head and the other to the gaff end: I presume that you remember the incident? ...
Yours sincerely,
W. P. Stephens" (Source: Letter 32. From W. P. Stephens to N. G. Herreshoff, dated July 11, 1937. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 189-193.)

"Clayton Haff not only figured in this dramatic incident right in front of N. G. Herreshoff, but the very next year Captain Hank Haff signed his young relative as second mate of the VIGILANT for her season in British waters. Here again young Haff was conspicuous in the presence of Herreshoff, who was on board for the first five races, each one a losing effort. In spite of all this Capt. Nat nurtured such antipathy for Haffs of any generation that in Letter 34 he denies he ever sailed with either of the aerobatic hero Haffs." (Source: P. 202, editorial note. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999.)

"Vigilant, first of the Herreshoff defenders, built for a syndicate of the New York Yacht Club, in the Cup match of 1893 had little trouble in disposing of the British challenger, Valkyrie II. In 1894 she was purchased by George J. Gould and sent across the Atlantic for racing in British waters.
Brought back to this side by Capt Charles Barr in April, 1895, Vigilant was put in the best racing trim to act as a trial boat against Defender. That year she won the Goelet Cup, after the Defender was obliged to retire, due to a snapped gaff.
Vigilant was bought by Percy Chubb of New York in 1907, and in 1901 she was changed to a yawl rig. Mr Chubb raced her persistently and won many important contests. In September, 1902, Frederick L. Ames of Boston became her owner, and in January, 1904, Stephen Peabody of New York purchased her, using her as a cruiser.
Broken Up for Junk
Under the ownership of William Iselin in May, 1906, the big yawl was very familiar to the yachtsmen of the Massachusetts and Maine coasts. Until 1911, when she was replaced by the schooner Enchantress, Vigilant carried the Iselin colors twice yearly on cruises along the Gulf of Maine shore. That year Vigilant was sold to be broken up for junk at about the same time as Volunteer. Vigilant and the other 90-footers of her year were the last of the America Cup boats to be of any use to their owners except strictly as racers." (Source: Fowle, Leonard. "What Happened to the America Cup Defenders. Of the Famous Dozen, Only Resolute will Remain when Mischief is Buried at Sea May 26." Boston Globe, May 5, 1929, p. A57.)

"Herreshoff was always very arbitrary with his clients. If an owner of a Herreshoff boat wanted alterations made which Herreshoff did not approve of, he would simply refuse to make them. I changed the Navahoe [#429s], a Herreshoff sloop which had been built for Royall Carroll to race abroad, from a sloop to a yawl, when Herreshoff refused. At that time, yawls were not very closely defined by the rules, and they had distinct advantages in measurement. My solution for Navahoe was a light wooden mast perched on the extreme end of the counter. The only advantage, except as a matter of measurement, was that the main boom no longer extended way beyond the stern. Navahoe did very well as a yawl, and I subsequently altered the Vigilant [#437s] for Percy Chubb in the same way." (Source: Crane, Clinton. Clinton Crane's Yachting Memories, New York, 1952, p. 100.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled midship sections and calculations for an unidentified bronze-plated sailing yacht. Notes mention 19in frame spacing, 3 web frames at mast, amidships and rudder post, [steel?] bulb angle frames, and tobin bronze plating of 5/32. 6/32 and 7/32in thickness. Sections bear some similarity to those of #437s VIGILANT but do not provide a match with those drawn on June 14, 1906." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Midship Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_06400. Folder [no #]. No date.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled righting arm calculations for #429s [NAVAHOE], #435s [COLONIA], #437s [VIGILANT] and, on a separate pinned-on sheet of paper, for #427s [which would be FIN but appears to be an error]. Undated (the latest yacht mentioned, VIGILANT, was built in 1893)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Calculations. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_01410. Folder [no #]. No date (1893 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Three sets of lead ballast cutout sections, laminated in plastic [apparently for some later exhibition], showing sections of #437s VIGILANT at 10, 20, and 30 degrees of heel (to determine stability?). Undated, VIGILANT was designed in January and February 1893." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Cutout Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_05180. Folder [no #]. No date (1893-01 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary construction plan with inboard profile and general arrangement plan titled '#437' [#437s VIGILANT]. Undated, VIGILANT was designed in January and February 1893." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_07440. Folder [no #]. No date (1893-01 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled 'VIGILANT [#437s] to 86ft w.l. Spaces 8.6ft. Scale 1/2in'. Sections are marked with numbers designating areas. No further notes or calculations. Undated (VIGILANT was designd in early 1893)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00470. Folder [no #]. No date (1893-01 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled midship section marked only '#437 [VIGILANT]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0574. WRDT08, Folder 44. No date (1893-01 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled hull sections and midship section (probably not made with a pantograph). Marked 'VIGILANT [#437s]'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 306cuft = 19700lbs = 9.85tons [These may not relate to VIGILANT as VIGILANT had much higher displacement]. On verso of empty form titled 'Builder's Certificate. ... Thomas Manning'. Undated (VIGILANT was contracted for on February 9, 1893 and her design began even earlier)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09360. Folder [no #]. No date (1893-02 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled superimposed hull sections and displacement curves titled '#437s [VIGILANT]'. With calculations. Displacement curves marked as 'Corrected ...' and one curve with 'Lead 8in deeper than model'. Undated (VIGILANT was contracted for on February 9, 1893 and her design began even earlier). (Compare with MRDE04_09380 [made January 8, 1893] and MRDE04_09600 for COLONIA and NAVAHOE which show a similar analysis and may have been made at the same time.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09400. Folder [no #]. No date (1893-02 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Mimeographed specifications for #437s VIGILANT titled 'Specifications for Construction of Racing Sloop Yacht, No. 437'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.. (creator). Specifications. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_01050. Folder [no #]. No date (1893-02 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.06947 (087-073). Blueprint rig detail plan titled 'Boom End For 84' w.l. Sailing Yacht #429 [NAVAHOE]. Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Bristol, R.I. Feb 16 [18]93'. With penciled note 'also #435 [COLONIA] - 437 [#437s VIGILANT]'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT06_00580. Folder [no #]. 1893-02-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Sailmaker] Wilson writes me you have not ordered the sail for my boat [#435s COLONIA] yet, how is this. As soon as you can let me know. I will order from Wilson another mainsail of such weight as you deem best. We would be able to come pretty near the right thing by judging from NAVAJO's [sic, i.e. #429s NAVAHOE's] sail. Please don't run any risk at Wilsons. As I ordered the first boat [preceding #437s VIGILANT] I should get the first sail, but perhaps you have ordered the stuff and have not sent him the size yet.
It would be most unfortunate though if you get the boat ready & no sail was there.
What kind of a tender would that NAUTILUS belonging to Dr [Herbert M.] Howe make for my use this season. [NAUTILUS was a 56ft LOA steam yacht designed by Edward Burgess and built by Wood Bros. in East Boston in 1889.] [Incl envelope.]" (Source: Rogers, Archibald. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_78210. Correspondence, Folder 99. 1893-04-09.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sailplan of a large gaff sloop with centerboard and two different hull profiles, one being a little longer with some 2ft draft, superimposed on one another. Untitled. With calculations arriving at total sail areas of 10530sqft and 12025sqft. Visual inspection shows this to be #437s VIGILANT. Are the two different hull profiles related to the adding of 9in of lead to the underside of her keel in May 1893?" (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0512. WRDT04, Folder 41, formerly MRDE10. No date (1893-05 ?).)
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"[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).)
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"[Item Description:] Have many things to consult with you, would appreciate your visit, sail trial [apparently with #437s VIGILANT] against [Latham Fish's Poillon-built schooner] GRAYLING, Gustav Grahn making full-rigged model of VIGILANT." (Source: Iselin, C. Oliver. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_45930. Correspondence, Folder 100. 1893-07-24.)
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"[Item Description:] Doctor has forbidden me to study at all for two years and has advised me to do some mechanical work, employment in your boat building departmen in carpenters work?, will try hard to make myself useful, wage not a consideration, I do not ask this as a favor to a friend but as a workman, I fear I write at a very inopportune time as you must be overworked with the 85-footers, wishing every success to the COLONIA [#435s] and VIGILANT [#437s]." (Source: Packard, Alpheus A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_45900. Correspondence, Folder 100. (1893)-07-31.)
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"[Item Description:] Telegram 'very sorry but client here requires my services' [in response to August 7, 1893 request to sail #429s NAVAHOE in England], incl. 3 telegram envelopes addressed to NGH on #437s VIGILANT and care of E.D. Morgan on flagship MAY." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Telegram to Carroll, Royal Phelps. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_45640. Correspondence, Folder 100. (1893-08-07 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (carbon copy) regatta report titled 'The Astor Cup. First Race [held on August 14, 1893] 15 miles to Windward & return' with tabulated performance data for the America's Cup yachts JUBILEE [2nd place], PILGRIM [no finish], COLONIA [#435s] [3rd place] and VIGILANT [#437s] [1st place]." (Source: New York Yacht Club (?) (creator). Regatta Report. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE15_02000. Folder [no #]. 1893-08-07.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (carbon copy) regatta report titled 'Glen Cove, L.I. The Commodore Cups' with tabulated performance data for schooners CORONET, DAUNTLESS, CONSTELLATION, RAMONA, LASCA, ALCAEA, MAYFLOWER, EMERALD, MARGUERITE, ARIEL, DAGMAR and LOYAL and for sloops COLONIA [#435s] [1st place], VIGILANT [#437s] [lost bowsprit and topmast], HILDEGARDE and QUEEN MAB." (Source: New York Yacht Club (?) (creator). Regatta Report. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE15_02090. Folder [no #]. 1893-08-10.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (carbon copy) regatta report titled 'Newport to Vineyard Haven. Distance 37 miles. August 14th, 1893' with tabulated performance data. Herreshoff-built yachts listed are #414s WASP, #437s VIGILANT and #435s COLONIA." (Source: New York Yacht Club (?) (creator). Regatta Report. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_03480. Folder [no #]. 1893-08-14.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (carbon copy) regatta report titled 'Vineyard Haven to New Bedford. Distance 21 miles. August 15th, 1893' with tabulated performance data. The only Herreshoff-built yachts listed are #414s WASP and #437s VIGILANT." (Source: New York Yacht Club (?) (creator). Regatta Report. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_01500. Folder [no #]. 1893-08-15.)
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"[Item Description:] [Handwritten (in ink) letter on 'Love Rocks' stationery:] Will send clothes [to New York on #437s VIGILANT], have been expecting you home every day or would have written earlier, Frank has attended to the WRAITH [#424s], [her owner] Mr. Fletcher used her yesterday and has not brought her back, news from home, expected you home last Sunday, made arrangements to have the children baptized, when I found you were not coming I became your proxy and had it done in the afternoon, we were all very sorry you were not here, but I imagine you do not feel very bad, today is my birth-day, I am forty years old, it does not seem possible, do you realize we have been married ten years, I hope you will be on the VIGILANT during the races and she will be the chosen one." (Source: Herreshoff, Clara deW. [Caddie]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46580. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-09-05.)
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"[Item Description:] Envelope from NGH family addressed to 'Mr. N.G. Herreshoff, Care C.O. Iselin Esq, New Rochelle, N.J. (Yacht [#437s] VIGILANT)' and postmarked 'Bristol, R.I., Sept. 5, 1893'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (family). Correspondence (envelopes) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46850. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-09-05.)
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"[Item Description:] Sorry to hear you have a cold, sorry #437s VIGILANT lost first race, all except Agnes who remains true to #435s COLONIA, news from home, do you realize this is the longest time you have been away from me since we have been married, it seems very long to me, Agnes wanted to write but was too sleepy." (Source: Herreshoff, Clara deW. [Caddie]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46620. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-09-10.)
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"[Item Description:] Envelope from NGH family addressed to 'N.G. Herreshoff Esq, Yacht [#437s] VIGILANT, off Atlantic Yacht Club, South Brooklyn, N.Y.' and postmarked 'Bristol, R.I., Sept. 10, 1893'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (family). Correspondence (envelopes) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46892. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-09-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typed letter on 'S. Cabot. Chemist. Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street, Boston, Mass.' stationery:] There is to be published, in a series of monthly supplements to 'The American Engineer', the proceedings of the conference on aeronautical navigation, in Chicago. As there were a number of interesting papers read there by Germans, Frenchmen and Englishmen, I thought you might be glad to subscribe to it. If you so desire I will send your name to Mr.O. Chanute, who was president of the conference and who desires me to notify him of anyone who wishes the proceedings. I remain, ...
[Hand-written in ink:] P.S. Dear Nat, Hurrah!!! For you. I am heartily glad of your well-deserved success [with #437s VIGILANT]." (Source: Cabot IV, Samuel. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46120. Correspondence, Folder 101. 1893-09-12.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On 'Edward P. Allis Company, Milwaukee' stationery:] I could hardly wait to get this mornings paper. 'The VIGILANT [#437s] is chosen was the first line I saw and I take the very first moment of spare time to send you my sincere congratulations.
I know how quiet and serene you will be through it all, but that is not like me. I have got to exuberate. I cannot tell you how glad we are out here. At this distance and without knowing with which boat your sympathies lay I cared little whether it was VIGILANT or COLONIA [#435s] that won. That it would be one of them I felt very sure.
I hope the cup races will prove as satisfactory. Barring accidents they will.
After the scrimmage is all over I hope we shall see you and yours out here.
With love to wife and children,
I am as always,
Your friend ..." (Source: Phillips, Geo. P. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46470. Correspondence, Folder 102, formerly RtDB. 1893-09-12.)
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"[Item Description:] Envelope from NGH family addressed to 'N.G. Herreshoff, Care C.O. Iselin Esq, New Rochelle, N.J.' and postmarked 'Bristol, R.I., Sep. 19, 1893'. [Sent to #437s VIGILANT.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (family). Correspondence (envelopes) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46870. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-09-19.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] As you have not come home [from N.Y. on #437s VIGILANT] I suffer now, [horse] Juliette is better now, [son] Nathaniel [sic] caught an eel, Sidney said you would be so pleased that you would want to hug Nat, will send more clothes, Rob Andrews has sent Griswold silver cup." (Source: Herreshoff, Clara deW. [Caddie]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46690. Correspondence, Folder 103. No date (1893-09-24).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Envelope from NGH family addressed to 'Mr. N.G. Herreshoff, Care C.O. Iselin Esq, New Rochelle, N.J.' and postmarked 'Bristol, R.I., Sep. 25, 1893'. [Sent to #437s VIGILANT.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (family). Correspondence (envelopes) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46856. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-09-25.)
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"[Item Description:] Envelope from NGH family addressed to 'Nathaniel G. Herreshoff, Yacht [#437s] VIGILANT off Atlantic Y.C., So[uth] Brooklyn, N.Y.' and postmarked 'Bristol, Oct. 5, 1893'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (family). Correspondence (envelopes) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46854. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-10-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] It would be of much interest for me to learn from you whether the VIGILANT [#437s] type may be adopted successfully for a yacht of about 9 meter length in L.W.L. and of timber construction.
If you can recommend this suggestion it would be very kind of you to give me an estimate of the cost of such a yacht, ready built fob New York or Boston (no luxuriant fitting-up required). At the same time please inform me what you will charge for the design of such a yacht.
Awaiting your kind reply and giving you my sincere thanks beforehand..." (Source: Moritz, Edgar. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46510. Correspondence, Folder 102, formerly RtDB. 1893-10-06.)
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"[Item Description:] Telegram: congratulations on #437s VIGILANT success." (Source: Dewold, B. L. Telegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46240. Correspondence, Folder 101. 1893-10-07.)
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"[Item Description:] Delighted to have #437s VIGILANT win the race, hope she will win again tomorrow, sorry doctor has left Bristol, have tried horses, boys got me a Boston Herald, hope you received my telegram, hope the excitement is not too much for you." (Source: Herreshoff, Clara deW. [Caddie]. Telegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46770. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-10-08.)
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"[Item Description:] Envelope from NGH family addressed to 'N. G. Herreshoff, Yacht [#437s] VIGILANT off Atlantic Y.C., So[uth] Brooklyn, N.Y.' and postmarked 'Bristol, Oct. 9, 1893'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (family). Correspondence (envelopes) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46890. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-10-09.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (carbon copy) regatta report titled 'The America's Cup. Second Race. October 9th, 1893. Course Triangular, 10 miles to a leg, 30 miles' with tabulated performance data for #437s VIGILANT and VALKYRIE and note 'VIGILANT wins on corrected time [as well as on elapsed time]'." (Source: New York Yacht Club (?) (creator). Regatta Report. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_04490. Folder [no #]. 1893-10-09.)
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"[Item Description:] More than pleased with #437s VIGILANT's success, wish I could see you, am so proud of you, you know I always have been, dear Nat, this is no more than you deserve for all the hard work you have done, Flossie still in bed but better and if you had sent for me I could have gone, I read all the papers and get a good idea, your mother is pleased, hope and pray you have a good wind tomorrow." (Source: Herreshoff, Clara deW. [Caddie]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46800. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-10-10.)
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"[Item Description:] Envelope from NGH family addressed to 'N.G. Herreshoff, Care C.O. Iselin Esq, New Rochelle, N.J.' and postmarked 'Bristol, R.I., Sep. 20, 1893'. [Sent to #437s VIGILANT.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (family). Correspondence (envelopes) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46872. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-10-10.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Envelope from NGH family addressed to 'N. G. Herreshoff, Yacht [#437s] VIGILANT off Atlantic Y.C., So[uth] Brooklyn, N.Y.' and postmarked 'Bristol, Oct. 10, 1893'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (family). Correspondence (envelopes) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46874. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-10-10.)
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"[Item Description:] Envelope from NGH family addressed to 'Mr. N. G. Herreshoff, Yacht [#437s] VIGILANT off Atlantic Y.C., South Brooklyn, N.Y. - L.I.' and postmarked 'Bristol, Oct. 10, 1893'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (family). Correspondence (envelopes) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46876. Correspondence, Folder 103. 1893-10-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On 'Edward P. Allis Company, Milwaukee' stationery:] Will Allis has just brought in a dispatch saying 'The VIGILANT [#437s] wins again'. Doubtless you are getting tired by this time of congratulations, and want a rest, but I don't see old fellow how you are going to avoid them. If you will do famous things you will have to stand being favored.
I wanted to write to you after Monday's race for I knew that settled it, but concluded I'd wait till the jot was complete. It has been a great week. No yacht race ever causes so much talk and excitement. Its a good job well done. I don't see that there is a single chance for argument. And it is an added and immediate satisfaction to see that you sailed her too. I wish they would send her across the water now and rub the victory in. She's good enough to go and you should go with her.
Love and congratulations for all, and especially for your good wife for whom I am almost as glad as for you, ..." (Source: Phillips, Geo. P. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46460. Correspondence, Folder 102, formerly RtDB. 1893-10-13.)
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"[Item Description:] congratulations of [#437s VIGILANT] outcome, regret not having seen the race, was at Goelet Cup, if you come to B[oston] I hope you will visit" (Source: Dean, Thomas. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46030. Correspondence, Folder 101. 1893-10-18.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] question about VALKYRIE / #437s VIGILANT races" (Source: Wadsworth, E. D. (Boston Marine Society). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_45920. Correspondence, Folder 100. 1893-10-21.)
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"[Item Description:] re conversation we had on #437s VIGILANT, am thinking of building this winter a small boat for knocking around the Sound & racing, draft not more than 7 feet as I want the boat to be able to lie off my place in Pelham Bay, I want more of a boat than a fin keel would be & I should think that either a 30 or 35 foot waterline would fill the bill, would like some idea as to about what such a boat would cost & also some idea as to what you would consider sufficient beam & headroom below &c, hope you are all right after the exciting races we had [on VIGILANT]. [Three days later, on October 27, 1893, NGH finished a model for #439s ALERION I which was built the following winter for himself. ALERION I drew 7ft and was 32ft long on the waterline and it is tempting to see her having been designed in response to Butler Duncan's original request.]" (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46340. Correspondence, Folder 101. 1893-10-24.)
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"[Item Description:] in answer to your letter, am not interested in a fin keel but in a deep centerboard boat which would be easier to sell after I am through with it, 34-36ft size, times are hard and am afraid I am after a cheap build, think a #437s VIGILANT type would make a very good boat, am not quite ready to go ahead, how long would it take to build. [May this be a reference to #439s ALERION I which the following winter NGH would build for himself but may have been prompted by a letter from Butler Duncan from October 24, 1893 asking for the design of a boat with ALERION's dimensions?]" (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46300. Correspondence, Folder 101. 1893-10-27.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Description:] congratulations on #437s VIGILANT success" (Source: Woodbury, Capt. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_45840. Correspondence, Folder 100. 1893-10-28.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] I have received the following communication from the other side which speaks for itself, under the strictest injunctions of secrecy, the reasons for which I do not care to put into a letter but which I will give you in person and I know you would appreciate and respect the inquiry is bona fide and means business, and would have been received before but the parties were awaiting the result of the Cup Races.
'A friend of ours proposes building a yacht this winter for racing here (the other side). He wants it capable of beating VALKYRIE and all the other boats on this side.' He did favor Watson, as the designer, but since the Cup Races he wishes to build from Herreshoff's design, and wants to know the cost of full working drawings so that the yacht could be built on this (other) side. The Boat to be of VIGILANT [#437s] and VALKYRIE size; built as to frames, plates, etc. to meet the requirements of our (their) Board of Trade.'
My friends ask that the information be sent them with as little delay as possible. Kindly let me hear from you promptly and treat the matter as absolutely confidential; in fact it would probably end the matter if it were to leak out." (Source: Tams, J. Frederick. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46440. Correspondence, Folder 102, formerly RtDB. 1893-10-30.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] #437s VIGILANT poem from Brooklyn" (Source: Egg, James. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_45780. Correspondence, Folder 100. 1893-11-05.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Gustav Grahn making full-rigged model of #437s VIGILANT and my boy is anxious to have it at once, would you kindly send him a correct spar and sail plan?" (Source: Iselin, C. Oliver. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_45950. Correspondence, Folder 100. 1893-11-12.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Herewith please find a little Christmas present from Mr. Iselin & me, a token of our appreciation of the brains that gave us our great victory [with #437s VIGILANT] wishing you & your family many[?] Merry Christmas. [Part of group of letters in envelope marked 'Letters from E.D. Morgan'.] [Incl. envelope.]" (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_37250. Correspondence, Folder 73, formerly 77. 1893-12.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] I received your letter and was delighted to learn that you are building another boat [#439s ALERION I] for yourself, and I hope very much that I shall have a sail in her sometime or another with you and Mrs. Herreshoff.
I think that ALLERION or ALERION as it is spelled in the old books of Heraldry, and which I like much better, would be a very pretty name for a boat. The Alerion is an heraldic eagle, displayed without beak or feet. Displayed means in the language of heraldry what is usually denominated in this country a 'spread eagle'.
The eagles in the arms of France, Russia, Austria, and Germany are all displayed. The eagle in the arms of the United States is not properly displayed, although it was when it was first adopted and on the earliest coins it is correctly displayed. The Alerion was first found emblazoned in the arms of the Dukes of Lorrain, and of the ancient Duchy of Lorraine, and the name is supposed to have been derived from that of Lorraine. I did not intend, my dear Nat, when I started, to inflict on you a lecture on Heraldry, but I thought if you adopted the name you might like to know something of it derivation.
I was greatly disappointed at not seeing you when I was in New York. I should certainly have gone down to Bay Ridge to see you but I expected to come every day for i left so much sickness in the house that I was almost afraid to head home at all, and I had to forego seeing the last race [when [which #437s VIGILANT won against VALKYRIE].
I did not like the finish of the stern of the VIGILANT, carried out as it was to a feather edge, any more than I did when you showed it to me in the model of the NAVAHOE [#429s].
I think the neat small counter of VALKYRIE had a much more finished appearance. You know I have always liked the counters of the English yachts. But this did not hinder the whole thing from being magnificent triumph for you, and you may be sure my dear Nat, that I rejoiced in it all as much as if I had been in your jacket.
I have no doubt from what you show me of Sidney's proclivities that he will inherit the family bent.
I hope he will inherit the family ability with it.
Miss Gilmor desired me to send her kindest love to your wive and to Mrs De Wolfe and Miss Hovey[?] to which I beg that you add mine, and believe me my dear Nat,
your affectionate friend, ..." (Source: Young, William. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46370. Correspondence, Folder 102, formerly RtDB. 1894-01-30.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Description:] yachting is dull, many boats for sale, no plans for #437s VIGILANT, hear no more of 35-foot class, would please me to race with you in a 40-footer, but I cannot build one yet" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46210. Correspondence, Folder 101. 1894-02-04.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] thanks for warning me of Herreshoff imposter, would you send lines of fin keel boat for inclusion in new edition of Yacht and Boat Sailing, sending copy of Yacht Racing Calendar for 1893 as it contains convenient account of all of [#429s] NAVAHOE and [#437s] VIGILANT races" (Source: Kemp, Dixon. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_45390. Correspondence, Folder 100. 1894-04-07.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] I intended to visit you to talk over the last summer but could not get away, shall put [#429s] NAVAHOE in commission, sails, please send spar measurements, I see there are some #435s COLONIA spare spars at Poillon's, is it possible to cut them down for NAVAHOE, winches such as used on #437s VIGILANT, boat had tendency to wipe off so we cut a little off the bowsprit which was no improvement, I should not care to go to any large expense to alter the boat such as lowering her lead as she is evidently outbuilt by VIGILANT, she has had some pretty had tumbling last season but never started the paint anywhere, I believe this one reason for her lack of speed, I must congratulate you on the excellent quality of all her gear, the sails were our trouble." (Source: Carroll, Royal Phelps. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_45560. Correspondence, Folder 100. 1894-04-07.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤

"[Item Description:] nephew and marine painter Walter Dean [June 4, 1854 – March 13, 1912] intends to paint #437s VIGILANT / VALKYRIE busting-spinnaker scene, nephew has talked with photographer [Henry G.] Peabody about it, reference to NGH letter about the scene" (Source: Dean, Thomas. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_46000. Correspondence, Folder 101. 1894-04-09.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] [telegram notice?], would you build for [James Gordon] Bennett a boat [#189401es] guaranteed to beat the #437s VIGILANT" (Source: Howland, Gordon G. (general manager N.Y. Herald). Correspondence (telegram notice) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_48130. Subject Files, Folder [no #], formerly 245. (1894-04-15).)
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"[Item Description:] [Telegram from New York:] Will be pleased to see you tomorrow night at my house 857 Fifth Ave [probably to discuss racing #437s VIGILANT this coming summer in England]." (Source: Gould, George Jay. Telegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_47130. Correspondence, Folder 104. 1894-04-25.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.06954 (087-082) Plan for bilge stringers struts. Blueprint inboard profile titled '85ft w.l. Sailing Yacht VIGILANT #437. Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Bristol, R.I., May 10, [18]94'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_06840. Folder [no #]. 1894-05-10.)
①

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.06955 (087-083). Blueprint sailplan titled 'Cruising Rig for 85ft Sailing Yacht VIGILANT [#437s]. Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Bristol, R.I. May 10, [18]94. Scale 3/16in = 1ft'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0162. WRDT04, Folder O.S. 2, formerly MRDE02. 1894-05-10.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.06953 (087-081). Blueprint construction detail plan titled 'Plan of Bilge Stringer & Struts for VIGILANT [#437s]. Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Bristol, R.I. May 12, [18]94'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_06850. Folder [no #]. 1894-05-12.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled sketch of four full sections with note 'Disp[lacement] Keel 164 1/2 tons net = 147 [tons] gross. Disp[lacement] c.b. 157 1/2 tons net = 141 [tons] gross. Disp[lacement] bulb keel 141 tons net = 126 [tons] gross. Disp[lacement] VIGILANT [#437s] [blank]'. Untitled, no further notes, undated. Compare with pantograph hull sections and calculations titled '6 - May 22 [1894]. Final ... 87ft w.l.' which show #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett with a similar / same keel section and calculations which also arrive at 157.5 tons net. " (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09580. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1894-05-22).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] re NGH passage on Etruria (to England to sail #437s VIGILANT); all expenses paid by Gould" (Source: Gould, George Jay. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01470. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 236. No date (ca1894-96).)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled memorandum:] Mem. for 85ft.
Better steering gear, tiller or wheel or combination.
Winchheads for backstays and jibtopsail sheets as well as mainsheet.
Better winches at mast.
Better buffers for main sheet traveler.
Safety gear for mainsheet.
Blocks with larger sheeves generally.
Mainsheet to be rove English fashion.
Spin boom goose neck to stand farther out from the mast.
Heavier fore stay.
Jib set flying.
Double fore & topmast stays for English waters. [Size of boat and mention of English waters suggests this to be related to #429s NAVAHOE or #437s VIGILANT. NGH apparently referred to VIGILANT as a 85footer but not to NAVAHOE. This would then have been made with a view towards VIGILANT's racing in England in the summer of 1894. Compare with technical sketch titled 'Steering gear for 85ft. [Made] On board ETRURIA - June 27 [18]94' which NGH made on his way to England to join VIGILANT.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Memorandum. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04170. Folder [no #]. No date (1894-06 ?).)
①

"[Item Description:] [James Gordon] Bennet [owner of the New York Herald] would like to see NGH in Paris and will pay expenses for NGH's travel from London [where NGH was to race #437s VIGILANT] to Paris to meet him [to discuss #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for Gordon Bennet]." (Source: Howland, Gordon G. [General Manager New York Herald]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_02730. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 231. 1894-06-19.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled technical sketch titled 'Steering gear for 85ft. [Made] On board ETRURIA - June 27 [18]94'. This sketch was made by NGH on his voyage to England to join #437s VIGILANT. Compare with undated memorandum '... for 85ft. Better steering gear …' which is also believed to have been made with a view towards VIGILANT racing in England in 1894." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_00730. Folder [no #]. 1894-06-27.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] letter from home; watching #437s VIGILANT's races in Europe" (Source: (DeWolf), Florence [Griswold DeWolf, Clara's sister]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_02120. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 233. 1894-07-05.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] #437s VIGILANT" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01780. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 235. 1894-07-10.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] Lincoln, July 10 [1894]
Mr. N.G. Herreshoff
My Dear Sir,
Would it be desirable for me to meet the VIGILANT [#437s] at the Royal Ulster Regatta July 16 and 17 or at the Royal Cork July 23rd or at an[?] [p. 2] on the appended list?
With best wishes Mr. Herreshoff i remain
Very sincerely y[ou]rs
Lucian Sharpe Jr
Kindly write or telegraph
c/o Victoria Hotel
Manchester before Friday the 19t
Cbthounce[?]
Brown, Shipley & Co
London
Tel[egraph] 'Brownship' London
[p.3] Royal Ulster Belfast [July] 16-17
Royal St. George Kingstown [July] 20-21
Royal Cork [July] 23
Royal Munster [July] 24
Royal Penzance [July] 27
Royal Cornwall [July] 29
Royal with BRITTANIA [July] 31
At Cowes Aug 6
Royal Yacht Squadron [August] 8-9-10" (Source: Sharpe, Lucien, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_02740. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 231. (1894)-07-10.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Met NGH on #437s VIGILANT; would discuss with him the one-rater [proposed for his friend Mr. Ricardo, see Pritchett letter dated September 18, 1894]." (Source: Pritchett, Robert Taylor [H.M. Queen Victoria's Yachting artist]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_02180. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 233. 1894-07-11.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Description:] telegrams; #437s VIGILANT measurements" (Source: Kemp, Dixon. Telegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01070. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 238. 1894-07-14.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤

"[Item Description:] #437s VIGILANT" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01820. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 235. 1894-07-15.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] [On 'Raven Hotel, Shrewsbury' (England) stationery:] Your very welcome letter of the 12th inst. unfortunately reached me to-day the first date of the good ship at the Belfast Regatta.
As it is wholly impossible for me to meet the boat in time, it would not be too much to tire some[?] on Mr. Gould's hospitality, and Mr. Herreshoff's kindness for me to be in Dublin on the twentieth at the Royal St. Georges?
So if I do not receive a telegram at the Manor House Leamington to the contrary, I will come on that date.
I don't see any other way out of it for we are each will o'the wisps, my brother and I.
Of course, it would give me great pleasure to bring good luck to the 'VIGILANT' [#437s]. I can't understand it all, but long to give a pull at the sheet myself.
Believe me, sir,
Very gratefully yours, ... [No year, but context indicates 1894.]" (Source: Sharpe, Lucien, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01450. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 236. (1894 ?)-07-16.)
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"[Item Description:] letter from home; congratulations on #437s VIGILANT's success" (Source: Herreshoff, Agnes & Clara DeW. [Caddie]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01980. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 234. 1894-07-15 and 1894-07-16.)
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"[Item Description:] re photo of painting of Walter Dean; #437s VIGILANT" (Source: Dean, [Thomas]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01260. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 237. 1894-07-18.)
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"[Item Description:] letter from home; congratulations on #437s VIGILANT's success" (Source: Herreshoff, Clara DeW. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01960. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 234. 1894-07-20.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On 'Bath Hotel, Beamington' stationery:] My dear Mr. Herreshoff
I have just arrived here this morning July 22nd [1894] --- fresh from the second victory of the VIGILANT [#437s].
I was very sorry not to be able to meet you in the Belfast Lough[?]. But [p.2] your letter was not forwarded in time to start me on my way. I sent you an answer directed to Belfast, and explaining the situation. It probably failed to find you, and you had already 'filled away for home'.
I then hurried on to Kingstown, only to find you gone, [p. 3] but your letter to me was introduction enough, and I had a right royal time of it all. The second day 'we wet the evening and (they) 'were ours' at sundown, and a close one it was with the wind as usual from all points of the compass, at times down to the sail, at others as upright as Bristol beacon. But we beat BRITTANIA and [p. 4] fairly too.
The BRITTANIA fell off to leeward closehauled in the lightest airs, and could hardly hold us at all, when down to the rail, when thus trimmed.
I never, it seems to me, met with a better trained crew than that of the 'BRITTANIA', and her clever helmsman kept us always in doubt for the boat always seemed to have fighting chance, what [p. 5] ever the lead of the 'VIGILANT'.
If the American boat was a bit better official[?] forward I am impressed, that she would do better for even the sailors gave commands, and sails were changed when those aft consented.
I liked the way the [p. 6] sailors worked: that is they worked with a will, and lots of good will too, and not as if they were whipped to the fray by the lash of an oath, as it were.
I want to thank you, sir, for your great kindness to me, and only I so unfortunately missed you.
I have sent a copy of the 'Yachting [p. 7] World' contained a few remarks more or less true about the 'VIGILANT'.
It amuses me how as a last resort these Englishmen hang on to the flimsy pretext of the extra men on the 'VIGILANT', as a means of saving the reputation of the last VALKYRIE.
Trusting, Mr. Herreshoff that these [p. 8] jottings may be of interest, I am
Very sincerely you
Lucian Sharpe Jr
Brown, Shipley & Co
London" (Source: Sharpe, Lucien, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01280. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 237. 1894-07-22.)
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"[Item Description:] Griswold: hair cut, drawing; Clara: congratulations on #437s VIGILANT's success" (Source: Herreshoff, Griswold & Clara deW. [Caddie]. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01900. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 234. 1894-07-22.)
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"[Item Description:] #437s VIGILANT centerboard broken; telegram" (Source: Eckert, Thos. J. (Western Union Mgr.). Cablegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01120. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 238. 1894-08-22.)
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"[Item Description:] #437s VIGILANT centerboard broken; telegram" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Telegram to Eckert, Thos. J. (Western Union Mgr.). Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01140. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 238. No date (1894-08-23).)
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"[Item Description:] #437s VIGILANT centerboard broken; telegram" (Source: Eckert, Thos. J. (Western Union Mgr.). Telegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01160. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 238. 1894-08-23.)
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"[Item Description:] #437s VIGILANT centerboard broken; telegram" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Telegram to Eckert, Thos. J. (Western Union Mgr.). Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01180. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 238. No date (1894-08-23).)
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"[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.)
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"[Item Description:] Yachting editor The World and editor of new yachting weekly 'Burgee & Pennant': has excellent photo of #446s ALERION II by Child; will publish in 'Burgee & Pennant; please send a description of her and of her excellect suit of [crosscut] sails; story of [Larchmont] 21-footers and fine picture of #444s VAQUERO & #442s HOURI in the paper; could someone please write #437s VIGILANT in England article; is it true you have order from [James Gordon] Bennett for a 85-ft sloop [#189401es]; #168p VAMOOSE race challenge; #142p NOW THEN" (Source: Summers, James. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01320. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 237. 1894-09-07.)
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"[Item Description:] request for info about #437s VIGILANT and her races for publication" (Source: Nixon, Lewis. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01350. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 237. 1894-09-10.)
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"[Item Description:] #437s VIGILANT photo" (Source: Dean, Thomas. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01390. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 237. 1894-09-12.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten (in ink) letter on '21, Clarendon Road, Holland Park. W.' stationery:] London
Dear Mr. Herreshoff,
I was sorry not to have met you at Kingstown about the one rater for my friend Charles Tyrevlit[?] Ricardo, Esq.
Secretary of Upper Thames Sailing Club
Bourne End, Bucks, England (The Club has 3 Challenge Cups ...)
Private address Raymead, Maidenhead, Berks.
He has only returned from a long cruiser of over 3wo[?] months, through Holland to Friesland & Amsterdam via Calais, Dunkerque, Bruges, Ghent & Rotterdam. [p. 2]
I enclose all the data from Mr. E. T. Ricardo. Photos of present boats, or Lines from Head of the 'Challenge' which is the fastest ... [unreadable]
Please address your business letters to Mr. Ricardo as he will pay you ... in the meantime let me congratulate you on the great success of DAKOTA 10rater [#440s] on the Clyde ... [p. 3] fine one rater sailed by Miss Sutton WENONAH 2 1/2 [#415s] now GUDRUDA and the mauery[?] little WEEWINN 1/2 rater [#425s] - a very lovely little craft indeed.
Last night I was dining with Mr. Howard Gould when we had a great chat about the season's racing. I have been sailing in CARINA 40 & sailed one race in VIGILANT [#437s] at Dartmouth. Start Y[acht] Club in a dead calm [p. 4]
The lines of VIG[ILANT] are very beautiful and it was most unfortunate that just when most wanted the 'centreboard' was wound to be ;on strike'. You have no idea how this was regretted & much sympathy was felt for Mr. G. Gould. Asking your king interest in this one-rater, smooth water with much 'Hard a Sea'
I remain
Yours truly
Robt. T. Pritchett [marine artist]
[With separate sheet:]
Rating - we would suggest that she rate not less than .8 or more than .9 so that she would derive the greatest benefit from the crew of three up to windward. .8 is chosen as the lowest rating as H.M. The Queen's Challenge Cup is only open to boats of .8 and over.
Length of course 6 to 9 miles, generally a run and a turn to windward. [p. 2]
Distinguishing no. of Boats in Photographs: ...
Dimensions ... [p. 3]
Notes.
Planking ...
Ballast ...
Draft ...
Deck ...
Mast & Spars ... [p. 4]
Water smooth, no sea, must be very quick in stays, as river[?] is extremely narrow in parts, wind moderate.
Boat wanted solely for Racing purposes.
Price ? delivered in London.
Must be delivered not later than March 1, 1895. [With sketches of AILEEN, MONA and MIRAGE & FOLLY type on separate sheet of paper. With clipping from 'The Field, The County Gentleman's Newspaper' from July 7, 1894, p. 31 titled 'The Challenge 1-Rater' as well as clipping from 'The Field, The County Gentleman's Newspaper' from July 28, 1894, p. 157 titled 'Sorceress 1-Rater'. Incl. envelope from Pritchett to NGH in Bristol." (Source: Pritchett, Robert Taylor. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_03040. Folder [no #]. 1894-09-18.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Friday. Many thanks for your kind invitation for Sunday & I shall accept it the first time that I can, if it is then convenient to you, for I could not come last week I now find that I cannot this week or next.
I will see Sandeson[?] soon & hear him about building ALERION [#446s].
Our[?] meal[?] came[?] wet[?] last night. I will write you about the proposition & ask your opinion as to her means[?] of allying[?] it. We shall want boats 28/30 LWL & sail area limited perhaps 1300/1500 or 1400/1500. Lovejoy[?] to Secy[?] &[?] will write you.
Iselin has not been in town yet but I have a note from him today & expect[?] to see him soon. He[?] does not think Gould[?] manages[?] well. If a challenge[?] comes, as I expect, Gould told me in confidence that he would go in to a small Syndicate with Iselin & others 3 or 4 in all to build. I may ask Balun[?] & another to join them. Gould asked me to go over [to England] in Sprint & take VIGILANT [#437s] to Mediterranean to beat the fellows there. Is[?] might be done[?] I think.
Why I keep so busy it is hard to tell with dull trade but I do.
With kind regards to all ... [Undated, but appearing to be from a time after the season of 1894 when VIGILANT was still in England and before Dunraven formal began negotiating for a challenge for the 1895 America's Cup on October 24, 1894. Note that in response to Willards September 25, 1894 letter NGH invited Willard to the farm and that on Sunday, September 30, 1894 NGH sailed with E.A. Willard on his new #446s ALERION II, so this letter was apparently written on the preceding Friday, September 28, 1894.]" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01030. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 239. No date (1894-09-28 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] re 20-rater for brother Howard (which will be #451s NIAGARA), still haven't found #437s VIGILANT's centerboard" (Source: Gould, George Jay. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05010. Correspondence, Folder 17, formerly 113. 1894-10-16.)
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"[Item Description:] thank you for letter about #437s VIGILANT" (Source: Nixon, Lewis. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01410. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 237. (1894)-10-30.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am preparing a marine scene to be exhibited at Atlanta in 1895. The principal feature will be two yachts (American and English) under full racing sail. I have the lines of the VOLUNTEER and THISTLE to build my models from, but would much rather have the yachts of the last race VIGILANT [#437s] and VALKYRIE.
Are there any publication from which I can get any reliable information. Knowing that if there is such your firm would be likely to know when and where it was published.
I want the body, sheer, deck, rigging and sail plans.
Any information on any of the above will be very thankfully received.
Very respectfully,
Jno.?] H. Windsor
Bu. C and R. Navy Dept.
Washington D.C." (Source: Windsor, Jno.[?] H. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01680. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 235. 1894-12-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On 'Somerset Club Boston' stationery.] Do you you know anything about the A1 anti-fouling boiler fluid. It is an English or German composition & is used by the Great Eastern R.R. & other big Corporations abroad. The reason I ask is because I have a nephew who is agent for it here in Boston & he would like to know something about its reputation in the world at large before starting with it. If it would interest you I could have him forward you a gallon to try & c.
You[?] been[?] kept your[?] peomin[?] about lunching with me here --- I wish you would look me up. We can have a chat together about the old race[?] of '93 & the prospects as to the future.
I suppose you have that '95 model [for #452s DEFENDER] all finished. I hope so.
Remember me to Mrs. Herreshoff & your brother. [H.C. Leeds had sailed with NGH on #437s VIGILANT.]" (Source: Leeds, Herbert C. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01710. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 235. 1894-12-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I was sorry you did not call on us when you were in New York last Thursday. Hope you will come and see us and stay over night next you come this way. We hope to get back into the house by the end of next week or early in the second week of Jan. I saw Mr. Turner a week ago. He made most of the duck from which VIGILANT's [#437s] sails were made. He thinks you had better buy Texas cotton [for #452s DEFENDER]. He suggests that the duck for sails should be first completely wetted and then calendered with hot rolls. He says he would like to see you or you and Ind[?] and talk over the whole matter. Says he will go to Bristol to [sic] if you can't soon meet him in N.Y. May be you have already seen him or corresponded with him. Emilie's bro. Will is very skillful at making sketches with his pen. I had him make one, of interest to you. I inclose it wishing you a happy and successful new year. You will notice that 'Uncle Sam' is holding on to you with pride and confidence, when he looks across the ocean and implores to old England, 'bring on your boat'.
The children are all well. Emilie has a bad cold. Louise is here, but returns Tuesday. With much to all Your affect bro. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, John Brown Francis. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01880. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 234. 1894-12-30.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Thursday a.m.
My dear Nat
Yesterday I had no time to write you, so do it now before leaving house[?].
A Mr Shaw of the Amer. Trading Co. wanted an introduction to you, but I told him to write you direct & that I would mention it in my letter. I think that it is some business affair, but don't know. They are very nice kind of people --- as to theor financial standing I am not sure - perhaps that won't come up.
Now, what I want to ask you is how you think the VIGILANT [#437s] would do as a schooner --- would she beat [J. Roger Maxwell's Wintringham-designed 90ft schooner] EMERALD? & would you advise the change in view of racing?
How would you make sail peany[?] chane[?] ? What with ballast? Give me your views in full & tell me you could supervise changes. Don't mention it outside. How are you all at home? What a pity that Mrs Colt! What is new with yachting --- is that oppdantith[?] bhit[?] ? Do they want[?] any more recruits[?] ? [Undated. Emerald was very much the schooner to beat in 1895 and Willard may have been interested in racing against her prior to Dunraven's challenge which shifted his focus back to the America's Cup.]" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_47110. Correspondence, Folder 104. No date (after 1894 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Almost unreadable penciled table on the back of an envelope comparing a number of boats and giving data for LWL, SA, displ., etc. for a number of unreadable craft including #412s DILEMMA, #414s WASP and #437s VIGILANT. Undated (1890s?)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_71390. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F06, formerly MRDE15. No date (1890s ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled tabulated data (dimensions, rating) comparing VIG[ILANT #437s] and DEF[ENDER #452s]. On verso other unidentified calculations." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Tabulated Data. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04330. Folder [no #]. No date (1895 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled memo with calculations titled 'Hollow boom, 97ft long' and comparing weights and strength for hollow booms of steel of varying diameter and wall thickness and of yellow pine with oak ribs, and of spruce with oak ribs --- the latter being strongest. Undated, found with other papers from the 1890s. The boom length suggests an America's Cup boat for which hollow booms were discussed between 1893 and 1914. [This appears to be either for one of #437s VIGILANT's hollow booms of 1893/1895 or the 97.5ft hollow boom built by John J. Driscoll of C & R. Poillon for #435s COLONIA that was referenced by Archibald Rogers in his 1893-05-18 letter to NGH. (VIGILANT's boom of 1893 was hollowed out, not glued together).]" (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_01080. Penciled Calculations. Folder [no #]. No date (between 1893 and 1914 ??).)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On NYYC stationery] Friday eve.
My dear Nat,
Your let[ter?] re[ceive]d & I came down here to answer[?] it --- first to see if there was any gossip here to tell you & second to be sure of the letter being mailed, as I am going to Lakewood[?] to spend Sunday.
There is no one here & no news. In fact outside of my own conversations with the E. H. Brown - Oddie gang that is the 'club crowd' & Geo. Gould [owner of #437s Vigilant] I dodn't think there is any talk of new boat at all.
I think that it would be a mistake for a yacht syndicate to be formed & don't think that they could get anyone who is capable & experienced to run it --- too much boat[?] talk[?]--- If not perfectly[?] run the designer would suffer. There is not likely to be any Boston or Phila[delphia] boat. Now as to [George] Gould --- he is desirous of doing what is expected of him. I lunched with him yest[erday] & am to see him on Sunday at Lakewood[?]. He will race VIGILANT at[?] Nice[?] if I could take her or bring her over here & give her to me for season if she is needded & beside go in to a syndicate of yacht man to run it. I cannot afford to give time this year to it & don't know what to do. If a boat is much[?] I want you to get[?] it & yet[?] I want it were run. Could[?] you do the whole thing? Would Gen. Paine be a good man for it? WOuld not Cass Canfield be next? I don't know who else. It is a pity that we have a race this year. All the Nespaper gaff[?] is fake. The is no news yet. We are enjoying Florence[?] visit very much & hope that she will stay longer. Wire me to office if anyting special & they wre repeat. Regards to family ... [Undated, but this appears to be from a time after the season of 1894 when VIGILANT was still in England and before the season of 1895 when VIGILANT was brought to the USA to be used as a sparring partner for #452s DEFENDER in which role Willard would manage her during the season of 1895.]" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22490. Correspondence, Folder 66. No date (filed with 1895 corresp.).)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Sunday
Dear Nat,
It occurs to me to ask you if it would be possible to put a rochu[?] lead keel under VIGILANT [#437s] & thus lower her ballast & increase her power & make her turn more quickly. Also would a horyt[?]of Tobin bronze to put around it as proposed for new one.
I would like for your sake to see the 90 [footer] as fast as possible this year. When iean[?] keep you in any way let me know from you. [Undated. The 90 appears to be a reference to #452s DEFENDER to be built for the 1895 America's Cup season when VIGILANT served as her sparring partner under the management of Ned Willard. This suggests this letter to be dated late 1894 to early 1895.]" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22510. Correspondence, Folder 66. No date (filed with 1895 corresp.).)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Not having heard further from you I presume that you are busy enough.
Iselin [of the syndicate for #452s DEFENDER whose contract to build will be signed in two days] telegraphed me asking if I cared to race with him this season & I answered by telegraph that I could not spare the time.
Gould [owner of #437s VIGILANT] has as you know offered VIGILANT to the cup committee & they have accepted her, so I presume will race her as they wish & whether they get most out of her or not I think that it was just the best thing that Gould could do & showed his spirit. There is no chance that I can learn[?] of any other cup defender & so yo must beat the Britisher with the new one. I sincerely hope that you will.
Please tell me if you care to sell ALERION [#446s] & if so what price you would make quietly to count[?] Sanderson, also does she in to the 30 rating class L.Y.C. [Larchmont YC]?
The MEMORY [#439s ex-ALERION I] as I understand is 32 W.L. & undoubtedly over that class --- is she not? I trust that you are all well & happy & that Miss Florence reached home safely." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22150. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-01-21.)
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"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] Since receiving yours of 30th I have been so much under the weather that I have delayed answering.
Hope to hear that you are all well next time you write. I have hept[?] quick all that Iselin told me about the new boat [#452s DEFENDER] & through the same man would have liked a little bit of news the other day.
You know how I feel about keel & centerboard. While I should defer to your better judgment still[?] I feel as before that VIGILANT [#437s] could beat BRITANNIA[?] for America's Cup & the Bennett model [#189401es] would beat VIGILANT surely, so that Englishmen would have to beat BRITANNIA very much to come near Bennet[?] & co[?] while in going to a keel we are not so sure.
Regarding VIGILANT I have not seen [her owner George] Gould for a week or more as he has been away. He did right in offering her to Cup Com[mittee]. Thow[?] if they choose to name some one to run her, he cannot well object. I would have nothing whatever to do with her coming from them. He may have her back cmay[?] musing. Hpeck[?]her in threats[?], then I might take her for him. I should be afraid to immense[?] her too much more gearing[?] to fund[?] her hard to more & dull perhaps a little might do. As to the large mainsail I never steered her enough to know just how she felt. I fancy that a trifle more might do.
I don't believe that she would be better for any radical changes, but probably slight ones in the direction you suggest.
When you are coming on let me know & come here..." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22200. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-02-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] At length I have agreed to sail with Geo Gould this year & try to get the old boat [#437s VIGILANT] to go without any of the responsibility of the cup defense.
I want you to help do this & I will keep you[?] are[?] new one all that I can[?].
Please make some figures on aluminum boom, gaff & topmast & consider hollow mast of metal to see if we can have all of these.
Then tell me with[?] what sort of sails you would have & where made.
The[?] will do most anything that we think advisable.
Has Iselin decided on Haff [as master for #452s DEFENDER]? Gould wants you to come on one day this week if you can, please wire me, ..." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22170. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-02-19.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Yours of 20th remains unanswered because I have been away in Washington on business.
I hope that you will get the torpedo boats [contract], but at the same time you must not overtax your strength.
We are glad her at home to know of the save arrival of the little son [Clarence, born Feb. 22] & trust that all may go well --- give our kindest regards to Mrs. H.
As to VIGILANT [#437s] I do want new boat [#452s DEFENDER] to be a world beater & will help Iselin & you, but of course I want er to beat VIGILANT at her best & you must keep some[?] at that.
The best way to fence[?] all off satisfactory will[?] be for Ollie [Iselin
to tell me his plans & wishes so that I may not thwart them unknowingly.
As as to VIGILANT Mr Gould wants new boom[?] & owt[?] too[?] much lighter than old one --- we thought 25%. He will also want new sails & a shoe of bronze on lead & I want to consider lengthening her bow[?] out on the water line say then[?] feet, not on top. How would this come out? Could we not improve it? Would it chiout[?] her lateral plane out? I sense[?] that we might make her easier thus[?] if[?] not.
If nothing happens I shall go to Boston for next Monday & may manage to mass the middle of say Sunday with you if I can arrive in a.m[?] thence[?] for Boston in p.m.
Gould delayed answering yours to consult with me & wishes me to attend to these matters for him." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22180. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-02-25.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I wired yesterday asking you the name of the boat ones[?] hales[?]. Wh[at?] is y[ou]r opinion w[oul]d b[?] the most suitable to send to England to race in those[?] waters. I trust you will[?] soon be able to send me information. I am sorry to hear you are laid up with the grippe & hope you will soon be all right[?] again.
I have been quite ill myself for the past two days. Otherwise I w[oul]d have gone direct to Meicop[?] on arrival. Ame[?] anxiously waiting to hear the result of the test of aluminum plates. Mr. Willard writes he intends racing VIGILANT [#437s] with Mr. Gould. As he distinctly pronounced[?] to go with me on the new boat [#452s DEFENDER] I confided to him most of our secrets. Needless to say I am much annoyed but make no further comment on Mr. Willard's treatment of me." (Source: Iselin, C. Oliver. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_13780. Correspondence, Folder 38, formerly 198. 1895-03-01.)
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"[Item Description:] please recommend me to Howard Gould if he builds and sends over to England a 20-rater [#451s NIAGARA]; my work on #429s NAVAHOE and #437s VIGILANT has done me harm and I have no job" (Source: Diaper, Capt. G. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_03540. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 228. 1895-03-04.)
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"[Item Transcription:] It gives me much pleasure to think of your being well enough to write, but you must not tax your strength or do any work [on #452s DEFENDER] until you are quite strong again. I hope to come to Bristol the last of this week or the first of next. Thi[?] one[?] edlet[?] was for a friend of mine in England. I may hear from him again later.
I am sorry to lose Willard but glad he will tune up VIGILANT [#437s]; but do think he should have refused my offer when I made it. He promised to go with me when he could & it was after that I told him all about the new boat.
Not knowing any one better or as good I felt obliged to take [Captain 'Hank'] Haff as skipper & have engaged him for the season with Terry if Mr Haff wants him. Berry sailing master of old KATRINA will act as 1s mate, I consider him very good, has lots of sand[?] & did well with KATRINA.
Crew have all been secured, mostly from Deer Island, Maine & are all Yankees. I expect to have #435s COLONIA in commission May 1st & will train & race crew on her until the new boat is finished.
AILSA seems a flyer in light airs, how can she outwind BRITANNIA in light airs with only 17ft draught & outfoot her too with 26ft beam. I think much is due to larger mainsail & small head sails, small forestaysail especially. Do make outs small & long[?] the stay well inboard. I hear the Watson boat is not set up yet.
They have two models & I am I am[?] waiting to see how AILSA would do.
Have called Mr. Vanderbilt for photos & accurate draught, beam etc of AILSA they may help us. Please don't leave any more things to chance the way you did with rolls[?] for angles. Watson says he can build & finished[?] his boat in 60 days, hope you can do the same.
Hoping this will find you much better ..." (Source: Iselin, C. Oliver. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_13800. Correspondence, Folder 38, formerly 198. 1895-03-18.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] It pleased me very much to get a letter from you & to know that you were getting well so fast.
Last Sunday I went to Boston, we[?] found that you were not strong enough to see me & talk over things so did not stop.
If nothing happens I shall try & stop off Sunday next[?] & come to see you. There are matters in re VIGILANT [#437s]that I want to talk to you about.
Es, I have hired Chas. Barr. I waited till Iselin had his pick [for skipper of #452s DEFENDER]. Want to be careful & not interfere with him.
Regards to all ...
[P.S.] Don't think that JUBILEE will come[?] out[?]." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22240. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-03-21.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I hope that you are no worse for my visit --- don't worry about things or work too hard. You must think of yourself & the future, not only of this year. Get out in the air. I[?] walk & ride & let thinks go easy.
When you have time let me know if you will agree to my raking stern post some, also if you will let me have O[?] duck for mainsail [#437s VIGILANT]. I want which is best &[?] that[?] O[?] but want you to agree with me. Also if you can make sails.
I hear that Wilson & Wilson have a French[?] patent morheuse[?] for stretching duck before using.
There is letter from VIGILANT & diagram, please telegraph me what you think now as to broken ribs as I will have general[?] cable it.
I hear that Tery[?] & Leeds are both going on new boat [#452s DEFENDER] so there is talent enough without me after trials. It will come right somehow for you just how I don't see yet.
Give my best regards to all & don't worry or work all the time." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22220. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-03-26.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I intend ordering an extra hollow boom & gaff [for #452s DEFENDER] from Piepgras, the [#437s] VIGILANT's boom was 18 1/2 in diameter, would you advise making this one larger. I gave 104ft as length of boom & 64ft for gaff, is this near enough for Piepgras? I [p. 2] will have[?] some solid wood at the ends to be taken of later when I decide to give[?] enough dimensions. VIGILANT's old gaff was 56ft 6in. Would you make this one large. How far from end of boom do you intend to part[?] things[?]? Had you out[?] Belted[?] and[?] run[?] a[?] drawing to go by?
The extra mast for VIGILANT now[?] at [p. 3] Piepgras' is a splendid stick. I do wish we could use it, why can't we[?] put it up on & tilts[?]?
You had better be very careful in the sewing of the mainsail, as I hear it is then[?] the MARIA's[?] sails went[?]. --- Are you getting mast, booms, gaff etc worked, they should be started at once. [p. 4]
When do you expect boat to be on frames?
Very truly y[ou]rs ..." (Source: Iselin, C. Oliver. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_13840. Correspondence, Folder 38, formerly 198. 1895-04-05.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Thanks for your note in re VIGILANT [#437s] & I will gened[?] to cable[?]to-morrow a.m. for the sheykening[?] to VIGILANT.
Don't you worry abut her or the new boat [#452s DEFENDER]. Your first duty to yourself & family & the cup defense also is to get well & a week or two of enforced idleness of your brain & exercise of your body is the best thing that you can do. Don't use your head now, wait a little bit till your body is stronger. Willee[?] the[?] chas[?] it will we you over[?] & every others good in the end.
I won't talk shop to you again until you are strong.
Perhaps I'll come down for a sail on Sunday or the next Sunday. Now do get strong the first thing." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22280. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-04-19.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled telegram note:] New York
N. G Herreshoff
Would like very much to have you come on tomorrow and see VIGILANT [#437s]
Can you answer
E.A. Willard
4.22 P.M.
4/30/95" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Correspondence (telegram notice) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22270. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-04-30.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Yours of Wednesday with enclosure for Mr Garland[?] received & I delivered it.
I fear that in my haste to let you know what I ascertained that I must have 'wayled'[?] my letter, so as not to have stated the situation as it existed. Wile none of us could blame him for admiring Miss Florence, I am sure that it was far from his intention to ask either of her or her family any eneowaguat[?]in advancen[?]simply the privilege of calling until you might all know him better, & then Miss Florence could see for herself whether his visits were agreeable in sense[?] or not. However I wrote with the best intentions having the high esteem that I entertain[?] for Miss Florence & the warm friendship for Mr Garland, who regrets very much that he should have allowed me to do anything causing Miss Heroun[?] or Mrs DeWolf any annoyance when they were so kind to him?
He is off for Europe on Wednesday & we hope to have a visit from Miss Florence on her return from Washington.
By the papers I see that Iselin [managing owner of #452s DEFENDER] has come to Bristol & you are no doubt rushed & still I must get ahead with VIGILANT [#437s] & decide about the change of mast & sail plan. I want plenty of sail on her. Please wire me tomorrow if you will come Sat any[?] I will meet you at proposed [?]
With kind regards to all & regrets for any offences I have caused ..." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22300. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-05-02.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Will you please send me by return mail the advance[?] for the papers[?] who make that nice soft cotton rope as I want to get some for PYXIE and SANDAMAN[?]
I am going to tell Wilson to make my mainsail [for #437s VIGILANT] larger by three[?] cloths & cut staysail to suit shange of stay. If not O.K. please wire me." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22360. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-05-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Thank you for yours of yest[erday] & of course you were right in having[?] work[?] made at once. I don't want any delay that I can avoid.
I want you to give me all the new wrinkles as I don't want JUBILEE to beat us [#437s VIGILANT] & she is going to be fast this year.
Will you have the two deck winches or capstans ready when I come for c[enter] b[oard]?
" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22370. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-05-09.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Please answer my last letter & tell me also when I can expect my sails [for #437s VIGILANT]. I shall have spars ready for them.
Would have[?] being[?] done together[?] you[?] again on Sunday, but Mr. W. returned from Bennedi[?] in Sat Bre[?]
I am getting very anxious lest we be behind after all.
Do you think that we could put the 4ft vorbl[?] on topmast & still get any time from JUBILEE?" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22380. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-05-13.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] I want to get a heavier jib topsail stay for COLONIA [#435s], kindly send me length & size of the one we have now, also size of one you intend putting on DEFENDER [#452s]. I notice on COLONIA that goose neck for spinnaker pole is so short it jams against one of the gig blocks when spinnaker pole is trimmed well aft. I would suggest more pins[?] at shrouds than on COLONIA & also several more cleats on deck for mainsheet & jib tackles.
VIGILANT [#437s] was very short of tackles & snatch blocks & sheets for balloon sails & I my bill for extra blocks was over $300. This certainly should not occur again & I would be pleased to have you send me a list of blocks ordered in order that I can look it over. I enclose a drawing just received, it is intended for VALKYRIE III, perhaps you can make it out, don't return it." (Source: Iselin, C. Oliver. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_14020. Correspondence, Folder 38, formerly 199. 1895-05-16.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] Yours of yest[erday] rec[eive]d, but am in a devil of a worry over this matter for construction is not in my line. We must make her [#437s VIGILANT] strong & light, but no one here Ruins[?] her[?] to do it. We are trying the turning[?] up of bolts & will out water in to see if right --- if it is do you feel fine[?] that all will stand?
We can cut our lead if this does not prin[?]
Wire me what you think in[?] aiu[?]
Relieve my mind a little --- I am worrying anyway.
Telegraph to care of Erie Basin J. M. Rothus[?]. I will go there early in a.m.
Mrs W[illard] & I may come down Sat night & return Sunday" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22310. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-05-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Your tel[egram] [apparently about #437s VIGILANT] did not reach me here[?] this[?] p.m. & so this a.m. I took Wintringham down with me, who expressed the same view that you do & I have had the bolts turned up & calked[?] & guess all will go well. I shall not put the lap plate from garboard to lead[?] as I feared it not being tight & he approved my change.
Will copper[?] to sidly[?] of lead & put all bronze plates on hollow[?] & ligne[?].
My wife says that she will go down with me tomorrow night & pass Sunday in Bristol nelining[?] Sunday night.
With kind regards to all ...
I guess we will come idlid[?] now." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22320. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-05-17.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] I should prefer to have the bilge pumps on the DEFENDER [#452s] work from the deck same as VIGILANT's [#437s]. I note was[?] you say about pine[?] for deck & it seems a great pity we[?] should use 15ft length, as so many last[?] look badly besides causing many leaks; the bats[?] on COLONIA [#435s] cross[?] believe[?] the frames, about many of them do & we are much troubled with leaks at these points. Caulker from Piepgras is here today & caulking these places & many others.
The caulker states that Piepgras has a large quantity of well seasoned deck[?] stuff & you can no doubt get it if willing to pay for it.
I do think we should be entitled to a first class deck, so please communicate with Piepgras as soon as possible.
Your reply to my request for a sail plan as ordered for by Wilson or any other sail maker, has been submitted to Mr. Morgan & Mr. Vanderbilt. I will write you on[?] this subject when I hear from them." (Source: Iselin, C. Oliver. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_13980. Correspondence, Folder 38, formerly 199. 1895-05-20.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] We [#437s VIGILANT] are afloat again & I think tight enough for all our purposes. It will take some time to go in shop before I can bring her to Bristol for board & c.
Please write & tell me when you are sure to have the gear, also for long it will take to put board in her.
What are the legs for on the strudk[?] guys?
Are you going to rig jib stay on new boat [#452s DEFENDER] same as ours was or shall you have any way to setting up it or bobstay, do you advise me to?
Can I not save in weight of blocks aloft." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22340. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-05-24.)
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"[Item Transcription:] All right about prospent[?] at present --- the secure[?] to me that to hold it down when you want it is better than my way of tying up forth bobstay & jibstay together [on #437s VIGILANT].
It may hold up O.K.
Won't you please telegraph at once for C.B. cushings[?] --- I would like to bring[?] it.
Legs in 'strut' guys & forward of mast are only for the turnbuckles to work I guess.
I can save in weight up topmast as short as it is how don't you think I ought to try it --- how much & what saving?
Mrs W[illard] & part of family expect to go to B[ristol] this week Sat." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22350. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-05-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] The date of launching of the DEFENDER [#452s] has not yet been fixed upon, but the moment it is, I will see that you are notified. Work on the yacht is fully a week behind what I expected it would be, and I too naturally feel disappointed, but it has been my desire to have more time and is a loss to us.
I note what you say about the waterline, and will have it placed as high as possible and not intersect any of the aluminum plating. --- Above w.l. to be white.
In regard to the bottom we will certainly do all we can to get it smooth and in a measure polished,- as much or more so than the VIGILANT [#437s].
The manganese bronze seems to be a metal of fine texture, is capable of a fine polish and to get[?] a fine polish, or as you say 'as smooth and polished as human skill and care can make it' would take a considerable amount of time with skilled laborers in that kind of work, which is quite out of our line of business.
There is a large surface to go over, and when you consider that the Clarks of Cambridge will work a year or two in polishing a bronze[?] of 4 or 5 sq ft surface and that in the corser[?] material in question a man of skill might spend several days on a sq ft in giving it a fine polish, it would be rather difficult to attain a degree of polish 'that human skill is capable of' in so short a time before launching.
My brother John is now away, but immediately upon his return I will put the matter before him, as well as that of fixing the time of launching, and we will endeavor to carry out your orders to the extent of out ability.
The carpenters are now at work putting down the cabin floor beams and will begin on the floor tomorrow. Laying deck will begin Thursday. Riveting is nearly finished on the deck frame and there is thilt[?] some to be done on the outside near stern and bow. The chain plates have yet to be fitted and fastened, as well as the moving[?] chunks[?] in rail. Riggers are here fitting the standing rigging, and the work is progressing well. The outer section of the launching ways is being put down. Sailmakers have been in our own loft about a week, Mainsail was finished before they moved, and they are now doing the finishing work on the trysail,- jib topsails and club topsails. One section of the rudder framing had to be condemned and we are waiting for a new casting which is delaying that work some, the steering gear is progressing well and will be finished in good time.
The manilla for running rigging is here, and part of the blocks are expected her for testing tomorrow. There is not very much more blacksmiths' work to be done. Pattern work for capstand[sic] is nearly done, and patters will be in foundry in 1 or 2 days.
I think the spars will all be extra good ones." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Iselin, C. Oliver. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_14120. Correspondence, Folder 38, formerly 199. 1895-06-11.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Please leave[?] a jaw[?] & collar complete made at once for VIGILANT's [#437s] gaff --- & properly[?] line[?] with raw hide, vireted[?].
Make is same as last one. I suggest that the bolts where jaws fit to wire[?] work on mast collar be a trifle thicker say 1/8 that's where strain seems to be heavy.
Also please make the upper eye where throat halyard works[?] in about 2 inches further up from mast so that the block won't bear so hard on mast when up.
Kindly have[?] this for me & let me know when sails will be done." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22390. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-06-20.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Please make the jaw [for #437s VIGILANT] just as soon as you can. I would prefer waiting a week for your[?] without of taking other, but please bring it to make pin layer[?][?].
Have ordered shackle for weck[?] here.
Mainsail was not changed in Bristol --- we had other two here, one being used to pring[?] out other.
Thanks about strut wire here it kind[?] one.
I would like to try a little large rudder on V[IGILANT] --- can you make it that some[?] & would you advise it?" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22400. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-06-24.)
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"[Item Transcription:] How soon can I expect the new jib [for #437s VIGILANT]? Please advise.
The mainsail & staysail gone[?] on me & I think are in pennig[?] every day.
The hoist is too much --- what do you advise?
DEFENDER [#452s] reached[?] my[?] port[?] & I think is a speedy boat.
When shall I see you?" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22420. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-07-11.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On 'New York Yacht Club, Station No. 6, Newport, R.I.' stationery.] Sorry not to see you before leaving Bristol. Of course you must know I want you on board Saturday and will expect you to be at New Rochelle Friday morning. I trust you will also be able to go on DEFENDER [#452s] for the [NYYC] Cruise & all her races.
If you have the duck start another large jib at once.
Yr ... [Undated. This appears to be a reference to DEFENDER's first trial race against #437s VIGILANT on Saturday July 20, 1895 at Bay Ridge, N.Y. She had been towed there from Iselin's home at New Rochelle on Friday, July 19, 1895 and the New York Times had reported on July 18, 1895 that NGH was expected to be on board on Saturday. DEFENDER had left from Bristol on July 13, 1895. All this might suggest that this note was written on about July 17, 1895.]" (Source: Iselin, C. Oliver. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_14640. Correspondence, Folder 40, formerly 201. No date (1895-07-17 ?).)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] I have wired you today about our jib [for #437s VIGILANT] which I presume that you have finished as I see that you have sent your men to Providence to work.
Please let me know if you can make a gaff topsail for & how soon. I would like the suit of your sails complete. Wire me.
Yours truly ...
[P.S.] gaff jaws when?" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22410. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-07-17.)
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"[Item Transcription:] First I wish to thank you for taking the trouble of coming from Bristol for yesterday's race & I want also to congratulate you upon the complete success of DEFENDER [#452s], still I feel there is much more to be gotten out of the boat & this in the opinion of our syndicate can only be done with your help; of course we know how valuable your time is & how much you have to do at Bristol; still you ought certainly to be here a good deal to look after your sails & also the hull[,] rigging etc. To compensate you for the loss of time we would be glad to present you personally at the end of the races with $2000. If you do not consider this sufficient compensation, our syndicate will be pleased to entertain any proposition you may wish to make.
You will know how much time you devoted to VIGILANT [#437s] two years ago & I suppose it would be about the same this season.
If you accept our proposition I would very much like to have you come to Erie basin Thursday morning as there is a a leak around bostay plate & I don't want to touch it without your advice.
--- Hoping to see you Thursday,
Believe me,
Sincerely ..." (Source: Iselin, C. Oliver. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_14230. Correspondence, Folder 39, formerly 200. 1895-07-23.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Will you please give me a little advice about the mainsail that you made for VIGILANT [#437s] (by return mail).
It seems good in moderate breeze, but when it blows a big bag comes in at the leach, that I have not been able to throw[?] forward or get out.
I have cut it off a little over peak. That's all.
Will it stand without tearing in case I ..." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22450. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-08-14.)
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"[Item Description:] Table titled 'Examples of the Application of Proposed Measurement Rule for the the New York Yacht Club' providing data for Rig, Type under Water, Load waterline, Draft, Displacement, Sail area, Racing length and others for #435s COLONIA, #437s VIGILANT, #452s DEFENDER, JUBILEE, QUEEN MAB, HURON, #414s WASP, #451s NIAGARA, UVIRA, #422s HANDSEL, #449s ANOATOK, #409s GANNET, #408s PELICAN, #446s ALERION, #416s ALPHA, #406s IRIS, and #461s COCK ROBIN. With note 'Blueprint 2. Sept 20, 1895.'" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_70900. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F06, formerly MRDE15. 1895-09-20.)
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"[Item Description:] Untitled table providing data for Rig, Kind of c.b. or keel, Waterline, Draft, Displacement, Sail area, Racing length and others for #435s COLONIA, #437s VIGILANT, #452s DEFENDER, JUBILEE, QUEEN MAB, HURON, #414s WASP, #451s NIAGARA, UVIRA, #422s HANDSEL, #449s ANOATOK, #409s GANNET, #408s PELICAN, #446s ALERION, #416s ALPHA, and #406s IRIS. Much appears to be the same data as that provided in the table titled 'Examples of the Application of Proposed Measurement Rule for the the New York Yacht Club' and dated September 20, 1895, suggesting this to be the draft also dated similar. With envelope labeled in pencil 'Original N.G.H.'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_70920. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F06, formerly MRDE15. No date (ca1895-09-20).)
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"[Item Description:] please give models of #437s VIGILANT and #452s DEFENDER to Rhode Island Historical Society" (Source: Eaton, Amasa M. (cousin and lawyer). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_02230. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 233. 1895-11-18.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table comparing three America's Cup designs: 'VIGILANT [#437s] (without crew)', 'New design keel. Fall 1894. Including crew' and 'New design c.b. June 1896 (Including crew) [#189401es Unbuilt Sloop for J. G. Bennett]'. With data for Length at sheerline (126ft, 124ft, 121ft), length at waterline (86ft 3in, 89ft, 87ft), extreme beam (26ft 2in, 23ft 1in, 24ft 2in), draft, freeboard, breadth on waterline, extreme draft with c.b. down, displacement at above w.l., center of gravity, area of midship section, area of wetted surface, approx. weight for hull, equipment & spars & gear, rig, lead outside and lead inside, aproximate righting moment at different angles of heel, and sail area." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_07720. Folder [no #]. No date (1896-06 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Two sets of penciled pantograph hull sections of two different designs titled in right margin 'July 4th 1896. Figures for Capt. Converse for one 18ft 6in boat [and] one 14[ft] 3[in] boat for torpedo boats 6 & 7 [#189601es Cutter for #184p Porter, #189602es Cutter for #185p Dupont, #189603es Boat for #184p Porter, #189604es Boat for #185p Dupont]'. One set is marked 'Sections of cutter [from Model 701] designed for Nos 435 - 437 [#189301es Cutter for #435s Colonia and #189303es Cutter for #437s Vigilant]. Scale 1in' with calculations arriving at a displacement of 49.5cuft = 3180lbs and 'Disp[lacement] as per model 3180lbs. Est[imated] disp. of keel & deadwood 153[lbs]. [Sum] 3333[lbs]' and 'Estimates w[ei]ght of boat, oars & fittings 500lbs. Estimated weight of 17 persons 2833lbs. [Sum] 333[lbs]'. The other set is marked 'Sections of Rowboat, Regulation size [probably from Model 121]. Scale 1in' and calculations arriving at a displacement of 26.44cuft = 1700lbs and 'Estimated w[ei]ght of boats with oars & fittings 275lbs. Estimated w[ei]ght of 9 persons 1500lbs. [Sum] 1775[lbs]' and 'Disp[lacement] as per model 1700[lbs]. Disp[lacement] of Keel deadwood 75[lbs]. [Sum] 1775[lbs]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_05990. Folder [no #]. 1896-07-04.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled diagram titled 'Stability Curves. Oct 1898'. Labeled 'Foot Tons' on the y-axis and 'Degrees, angle of heel' on the x-axis. With stability curves for VIGILANT [#437s], DEFENDER [#452s], and [Model] No 1 and [Model] No 2 [for #499s COLUMBIA] plus a penciled curve, added later for the #711 class [NY50]." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Stability Curves. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0600. WRDT08, Folder 45. 1898-10.)
① ②

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] please let me know if any of the 70-footers are having hollow spars made, the agreement [Class Rules] calls for solid spare but has not yet been signed, although they all profess a desire to do so, I therefore see no necessity, as far as the 70-footers are concerned, in departing from our original purpose about them, for when the Astor Cup comes, it certainly will be at their mercy without having to make any changes, this is the only race in which they are liable to meet the larger boats, [#529s] MINEOLA is doing well, as you will have seen, she is rather lucky and I suppose has the advantage of being a little better tuned up, am sorry about the [#437s] VIGILANT having gone ashore the other day, for I think, boat for boat, I can beat her on the wind, reaching and running, of course, she makes a lot up on me" (Source: Belmont, August. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39830. Correspondence, Folder 81, formerly 70. 1900-06-20.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled 'VIGILANT [#437s] at 87.75[ft] w.l. Measured off June 14, 1906 for Sec[re]t[ar]y of N.Y.Y.C. (L = 84.70[ft]). (D = 5242cf.)'. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 5160cuft [= 330240lbs] and adding 82[cuft] 'for lead lowered, about' for a new total of 5242cuft [335488lbs]. (Since 1908 the NYYC has a 1/2in scale full model of VIGILANT on display in its model room. It is quite probably this model that NGH took off these sections.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_01680. Folder [no #]. 1906-06-14.)
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"[Item Description:] Four handwritten (in ink) pages with tabulated data listing 'Shop No', 'Name', '[Tons] Gross' and '[Tons] Net' for a total of 100 HMCo-built boats and classes. Tonnage data is usually precise to two digits behind the decimal. Random comparisons suggest source of tonnage data to be official Custom House data. Boats mentioned are: #664s, #663s, #625s, #665s, #634s, #658s, #657s, #646s, #641s, #617s, #626s Class, #624s, #621s, #616s, #619s, #590s, #591s, #586s, #592 Class, #618s, #605s, #578s, #560s Class, #580s, #553s, #551s, #552s, #546s, #541s, #545s, #538s, #534s, #533s, #532s, #529s, #534s, #530s, #531s, #435s, #437s, #452s, #499s, #429s, #426s, #424s, #481s, #422s, #417s, #414s, #451s, #215p, #213p, #222p, #235p, #230p, #229p, #236p, #224p, #244p, #247p, #249p, #231p, #232p, #228p, #252p, #250p, #251p, #248p, #168p, #164p, #118p, #142p, #174p, #173p, #194p, #189p, #193p, #183p, #178p, #179p, #181p, #182p, #175p, #163p, #148p, #149p, #172p, #155p, #170p, #186p, #188p, #206p, #207p, #205p, #208p, #209p, #210p, #211p, #212p, #216p. Undated (the latest boat listed, WINSOME, was launched in 1907)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Handwritten List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00220. Folder [no #]. No date (1907 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled list of steam engines titled 'Old Types' [of HMCo-made steam engines] showing fifteen steam engines:] 2 1/2 x 3 1/2
3 1/2 & 3 1/2 x 5
4 & 4 x 5
3 x 3 [crossed out]
3 1/2 x 3 1/2 [crossed out]
4 x 4 [crossed out]
2 1/2 & 4 1/4 x 5 marine engine [1881]
3 1/2 & 4 1/4 & 6 x 7 marine engine [unidentified engine]
4 & 6 1/2 & 10 x 8
8 & 14 x 9 Torpedo boat [1880]
5 & 6 & 9 x 10 [unidentified engine]
7 1/2 & 12 & 19 x 10 1/2 [1887]
12 & 21 x 12 ([#118p] STILETTO)
8 & 14 x 14 [1882]
9 + 10 1/2 & 16 x 18 [unidentified]. [With crossed out note on verso:] VIG [#437s VIGILANT ?] 87.75
R 70.14
Pl[ease] usir[?] long[?] & disp[lacement] necessary for race tomorrow
G. A. Cormack. [Undated, filed with list titled 'Modern Types' (of HMCo-made steam engines)' which is thought to be dated 1912 or later.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_00940. Folder [no #]. No date (1912 or later).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled diagram titled 'Stability curves. Scale 200ft tons per inch' comparing America's Cup yachts (from most to least stability) #605s RELIANCE, #499s COLUMBIA, #451s NIAGARA, #435s COLONIA, #437s VIGILANT and #429s NAVAHOE. Undated, mention of RELIANCE from 1903 indicates a year of 1903 or later with 1913 when #725s RESOLUTE was designed being the most likely one." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Stability Curves. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0602. WRDT08, Folder 45. No date (1913-09 ???).)
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"[Item Description:] reminiscences of #412s DILEMMA, #411s GLORIANA, sailing on #437s VIGILANT on the Solent, James Herreshoff, old workshop, roles were changed back then and Herreshoff helped Sharpe not Sharpe helps Herreshoff, hopes the war has left no scars, also postcard" (Source: Sharpe, Lucien, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_04150. Correspondence, Folder 15, formerly 107. 192(3)-04-03.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦

"[Item Transcription:] Of all the people to whom we sent Christmas cards, Mrs. Morgan and I felt very strongly that you were the most appropriate one to receive the little photograph, and I felt quite confident that without regard to the artistic effect, it would give you a great deal of pleasure in reminiscences. Dear me, what a a wonderful revelation that was! The year 1891, while not appreciated by many, is quite an indication of your part in the modern boat.
While you are basking in the sun and breathing the salt air, we are having the New York Winter, and you know what that means, but I must say, to be fair, that the Winters don't seem to me as bad as they were, and I can't get it out of my mind that these submarine volcanic actions have done something to the Gulf Stream that makes our climate different. The Weather Bureau has kindly sent me gratis the weather charts ever since first had the VIGILANT [#437s] in construction, and I have always looked with a great deal of interest to the trend of the barometric lines, and it seems to me distinctly that for the last eighteen months to two years that the weather has not gone as it used to directly from West to East, but when it gets in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh or thereabouts, has gone off diagonally towards the St. Lawrence Valley, consequently I have gotten into the habit of ignoring the predictions except when I want to
look upon them as bearing out this theory. (My family are rather tired of hearing
my views on this subject) Wishing you and Mrs. Herreshoff a very happy New Year in which Mrs. Morgan
most heartily joins, I am, as ever,
Your very sincere friend, ...
P.S. You really never get over it. I spend more time looking at the advertisements in the Yachting publication, with the definite idea that I would like to have a boat, but with the vaguest one that I ever will." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23660. Correspondence, Folder 69. 1929-12-30.)
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"[Item Description:] Typewritten copy of letter: 'I have been much interested in reading your paper in the Sportsman on the match for the America Cup. I often see some strange statements made by the ordinary reporters on yachting, concerning the products that originated in the Bristol shops, of which I take no notice. But when a paper is published by such an authority as yourself, it is supposed to be reliable. But in this paper you have made some statements that are entirely false, and as it should become standard in the History of Yachting, I hope you will put aside any prejudices you have against the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and make corrections that will give a just chronicle of the Cup defense.', #437s VIGILANT, #429s NAVAHOE, VALKYRIE II, VALKYRIE III, #435s COLONIA, #452s DEFENDER, GENESTA, BRITANNIA, PILGRIM, JUBILEE, #551s CONSTITUTION, #605s RELIANCE, #725s RESOLUTE; [This letter published as 'Letter One' in Herreshoff, Stephens. Their Last Letters 1930-1938. Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, RI, 1988, p. 1.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter (copy) to Stephens, William P. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_20570. Correspondence, Folder 59. 1930-05-13.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten letter: 'I have been much interested in reading your paper in the Sportsman on the match for the America Cup. I often see some strange statements made by the ordinary reporters on yachting, concerning the products that originated in the Bristol shops, of which I take no notice. But when a paper is published by such an authority as yourself, it is supposed to be reliable. But in this paper you have made some statements that are entirely false, and as it should become standard in the History of Yachting, I hope you will put aside any prejudices you have against the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and make corrections that will give a just chronicle of the Cup defense.', #437s VIGILANT, #429s NAVAHOE, VALKYRIE II, VALKYRIE III, #435s COLONIA, #452s DEFENDER, GENESTA, BRITANNIA, PILGRIM, JUBILEE, #551s CONSTITUTION, #605s RELIANCE, #725s RESOLUTE; [This letter published as 'Letter One' in Herreshoff, Stephens. Their Last Letters 1930-1938. Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, RI, 1988, p. 1.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Stephens, William P. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_20500. Correspondence, Folder 59. 1930-05-13.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥

"[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.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Alte's [E. D. Morgan's] death was a shock coming so soon after Butler's [Duncan], everyone connected with #437s VIGILANT, #452s DEFENDER, #499s COLUMBIA, #551s CONSTITUTION and #605s RELIANCE have passed away, as a matter of fact you and I are the only ones left that have been connected with the Cup since 1885, you before that date, yachting is slim, George Nichols telephoned that VANITIE beat #1147s WEETAMOE handily" (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_18200. Correspondence, Folder 49, formerly 76. 1933-06-19.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Third of January Nineteen thirty-four
Dear Nat:-
I was glad to get your letter. I am fairly well but more or less twisted up with rheumatism - I hope that you are in good health.
Once again I am on an America's Cup Committee and it certainly furnishes an abundant amount of occupation.
We are the only ones left of those who participated so successfully in the defense of the Gup years ago - as you say others now have the work that was allotted to you in the past. I too trust they will have the same success but they never can produce such boats as you did - you stand alone in that and if it had not been for your designs of VIGILANT [#437s], DEFENDER [#452s], COLUMBIA [#499s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RELIANCE [#605s], AND RESOLUTE [#725s], we would have had no success to-day.
When the new boat progresses and takes some definite form, weather permitting, I shall journey down to Bristol and we can have a long talk over the good old days.
With all best wishes and hoping that you will have the best of New Year's, ..." (Source: Cormack, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_04060. Correspondence, Folder 15, formerly 107. 1934-01-03.)
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"[Item Description:] tacking to leeward', when first done, always in iceboats and catamarans, one of first times on 'modern boats' by Bill Dennis with [schooner] AMORITA in winning 1899 Astor Cup, in later years this was his 'pet method' on both ELMINAs and on ELENA, #666s AVENGER could well tack to leeward as could the NY50s, but not so well the NY40s, apparently C. F. Adams in 1913 / 1914 did not know about the technique, ends with questions, did Joe Ellsworth actually steer COUNTESS OF DUFFERIN in America's Cup race, were you aboard any of the Burgess Cup defenders in an America's Cup race, did you sail #437s VIGILANT for the most part in her races with VALKYRIE III" (Source: Maxwell, Henry L. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_04010. Correspondence, Folder 15, formerly 107. 1935-01-09.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #437s Vigilant even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Chevalier, Francois and Jacques Taglang. America's Cup Yacht Designs 1851-1986. Paris, 1987.
  Vessel biographies, large-scale sail and lines plans.
• Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. "'Specifications for Construction of Racing Sloop Yacht, No. 437 [Vigilant]." No place [Bristol], no date [February? 1893]. (2,907 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes, used with permission. Copyright holder: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Detailed vessel specifications for #437s Vigilant.

• Vigilant (HMCo-made index card)
• Vigilant (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: Vigilant
Type: Cutter
Length: 86'
Owner: Iselin, C. O., Syndicate

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

• Vigilant
• 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: Vigilant
Type: 86' 3" cutter
Owner: C. O. Iselin syndicate
Year: 1893
Row No.: 721

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: Feb
Day: 9
Year: 1893
E/P/S: S
No.: 0437
Name: Vigilant
LW: 86'
B: 26'
D: 13'
Rig: Cutter
CB: y
Ballast: Lead
Amount: $55000.00
Notes Constr. Record: Tobin Bz.?;part ballast inside
Last Name: Iselin Syndicate

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.

"See also: William P. Stephens Collection (Coll. 91), Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Box 8, Folder 9. Papers pertaining to the yacht VIGILANT, including letters, notes, clippings, photographs, specifications, and schematics; 1893, 1894, plus undated." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 2, 2010.)

"Built in 125 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $440/day, 2434 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"[Sail area 11250 sq. ft.]" (Source: Chevalier, Francois and Jacques Taglang. America's Cup Yacht Designs 1851-1986, Paris, 1987, p. 227.)

"[Displacement (138 tons).]" (Source: Chevalier, Francois and Jacques Taglang. America's Cup Yacht Designs 1851-1986, Paris, 1987, p. 203.)

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