HMCo #501s Quakeress

"[1899-01-12] Thu 12: Very fine & cold. L[igh]t NW [wind] & clear. Calm in PM. ... Set up 15 footer #501 [sic, i.e. 21-footer #501s Quakeress]. ...
[1899-01-25] Wed 25: SW rain storm last night [with] low barometer. Ch[anged] to snow with (?) [in] early AM. Clear [with] strong NW [wind] all day. Turned over #501, 21-footer [Quakeress].
[1899-05-13] Sat 13: Very fine [in] AM, SSE & l[igh]t rain [in] evening. Mr. Harrison here & ordered 12' rowboat [probably for his 21-footer #501s Quakeress]. ...
[1899-05-25] Thu 25: Very fine [with] strong SSW [wind] & cool. ... Launching ... Quakeress #501.
[1900-06-09] Sat 9: Very fine & warm. Variable [wind]. ... Quakeress [#501s] & May Queen [#514s] left to Buzzards Bay." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1899 to 1900. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"Note: #501 [Quakeress] is to have rudder attached to dead wood and aft end of lead is to made to receive deadwood. #502 [Cyrilla] is to have hollowed rudder." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Lead for #501 & 502." Plan in the Halsey Chase Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, obj. no. 2004.0001.00619. December 16, 1898.)

"... The Emmons and Harrison 21-footers [#502s Cyrilla and #501s Quakeress] for the same racing [of the Beverly Yacht Club on Buzzards Bay] are completed. Both are centerboard, double planked, mahogony boats and show an over all length of 33 feet with a reverse curve in the line of the stem at the water line, the idea being for a gain in power when heeled, while at the same time keeping the boats as narrow as allowed under the restrictions. ..." (Source: Robinson, W. E. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, April 23, 1899, p. 27.)

"... The Herreshofft are also constructing 16 boats for members of the Beverly Yacht Club of Beverly, Mass. Most of these will be used in Buzzard's Bay. Thirteen of these boats are 15 feet on the water line and have centreboards [Buzzards Bay 15]. They are exactly alike and will be drawn for by their owners by number as were the famous Herreshof 30-footers in '97 [Newport 30s]. Two [#501s Quakeress and #502s Cyrilla] of the 16 are to be 21 feet on the water line and the other is a 25-footer [#514s May Queen]. ..." (Source: Anon. "Hustling At Herreshoff's." Bristol Phoenix, April 28, 1899, p. 1.)

"The fast twenty-one footer Quarkeress [sic, i.e. Quakeress] left here Saturday [June 8, 1901] morning for Marblehead, Mass, having been overhauled at Herreshoffs Walker's Cove yards." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, June 11, 1901, p. 2.)

"Beverly Y.C.
Buzzards Bay. Saturday, June 15.
The yachting season was opened at Cape Cod Saturday by the Beverly Y. C. The race was sailed in a cold notheast gale off the club house at Wing's Neck and all yachts carried reefs. ... In the 21-footers, the Herreshoff-designed champion Quakeress [#501s] had things all her own way. She has recently been overhauled by Herreshoff, and was in perfect trim for the race. A new boat, designed by Herreshoff, Radiant [#548s], did not make much of a showing, but it was her first race, and it is expected that she will do better when she has been turned up. ... The summary:
...
21-Footers
Quakeress, W. F. Harrison, 21 [Length], 2 09 09 [Elapsed]
Amanita, L. Bacon, 21 [Length], 2 13 50 [Elapsed]
Kestrel, L. S. Dabney, 21 [Length], 2 17 02 [Elapsed]
Radiant, C. M. Baker, 21 [Length], 2 17 48 [Elapsed] ..." (Source: Killeen, John B. "Beverly Y.C." Forest and Stream, June 22, 1901, p. 496.)

"... A.C. Harrison and his brother had two more Herreshoff 21 footers. After Gadfly [#497s] came Quakeress [#501s], built in 1899 as one of two versions of the same model. The other was Cyrilla [#502s], built for noted sailor Bob Emmons who had a big summer place on upper Buzzards Bay. There were two different rudder configurations: the rudder on Quakeress was attached to the keel. Edward Wood in his book Sailing Days at Mattapoisett, 1870-1900, said that Quakeress won her class of eight at the Beverly regatta in 1899. The Harrisons' last 21 footer was Quakeress III [#676s] built in 1907 to a different rule, possibly the Beverly 21 ft. Restricted Class. ..." In: Woods Hole Historical Collection (Publisher). Spritsail, Volume 10, Number 2, Summer 1996, p. 23. http://www.woodsholemuseum.org/woodspages/sprtsl/v10n2-EarlyRace.pdf, retrieved February 10, 2011.)

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"[Item Transcription:] Typewritten (carbon copy) table titled 'Memorandum' with penciled additions listing boats built 1898/1899 with columns labeled 'No.', 'W.L.', 'Rig', 'To deliver', followed in some cases by penciled data for Boat Name and Actual Delivery Date. Relevant contents:
#501s QUAKERESS [W.L.:] 21ft [Rig:] J.&.M. C.B. [To deliver:] About June 1st [1899]. [Note:] Cabin. Restricted class." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.. (creator) and Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Memorandum. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_01300. Folder [no #]. No date (1898-04 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled '#501 [QUAKERESS]. 2nd trial. 1899'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 85.3cuft = 5480lbs. On verso a second set of penciled pantograph hull sections titled '#501. 1st trial. Nov[ember] 13 [1898]' with no further notes or calculations." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04790. Folder [no #]. 1898-11-13.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled '#501 [QUAKERESS]. 3rd trial. Nov[ember] 19 [18]99'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 86.2cuft (body) plus 7.3cuft (keel part) = 93.5cuft = 6010lbs." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04850. Folder [no #]. 1898-11-19.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled '#501 & #502. Final. 21ft c.b. [centerboard] for Buzzards Bay. CYRILLA & QUAKERESS II. Dec 4 [18]98'. With separate calculations for body and keel arriving at a displacement of 5904lbs. On verso a second set of penciled pantograph hull sections titled '#501. 3rd trial. Nov[ember] 19 [18]98' with separate calculations for body and keel arriving at a displacement of 6010lbs." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04830. Folder [no #]. 1898-12-04.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections and calculations titled 'Lead for #501 [QUAKERESS] & #502 [CYRILLA]. Scale 1/4. Dec 16 [18]98'. Showing '1st trial', '2nd trial' and '3rd trial' and annotation 'Note - #501 is to have rudder attached to dead wood and aft end of lead is to [be] made to receive deadwood. #502 is to have balanced rudder'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0619. WRDT08, Folder 46. 1898-12-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I have been thinking over for some time the advisability of having a second rig for my knockabout [#502s CYRILLA], in other words, one that would be good for the heavy weather which we have in Buzzards Bay, and I thought that perhaps a broader mainsail with a much shorter hoist thamn the present sail would be a great benefit to my boat in heavy weather. Judging from the experience I had last summer in races with the 'QUAKERESS' [#501s] her sail was considerably better for windward work in a strong breeze than mine, and although she could not point any higher she was able to carry her sail and stand up and seemed to go ahead considerably faster, while my boat would lay ever on her side and would stop. I wish you would look over the 2 sail plans and take the matter into consideration as how best you can improve the sailing qualities of my boat for a strong breeze, and if you think a mainsail such as I have suggested could be made that would be a help. Also, if this can be done without touching the present mast, which although it is a good deal longer than the 'QUAKERESS's', yet it does not add much more to the weight aloft. My idea would be to have a sail with boom and gaff attached and have a goose neck for the boom 6 or 8 inches below the present one so that I could unship one set of spars and put the other on without doing anything except unbend and rebend the hoops.
Yours sincerely, R.W. Emmons 2d
PS If you think well of it I would be obliged if the Co were to give me a price on the work. Also would it neccessitate a new No 1. jib." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42620. Correspondence, Folder 90, formerly 105. 1900-01-29.)
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"[Item Description:] Yours of Feb. 4th received, with thanks, and I agree with you that it would be best to have [for my boat #502s CYRILLA] a new mast, much shorter and much lighter than the old one, and also that the sail-spread should be not much over 400 [sic, i.e. 500 as per subsequent letter] feet total, and low and broad on the foot. I however do not incline towards a bowsprit, and although I may be wrong, I am of the opinion that ya[sic, i.e. you] will be able to draft a sail plan that will balance well with a jib to the stem which will not necessitate any alteration to the mast stem. I have always thought that the 'CYRILLA' was over light on her helm; in fact, even in a hard wind she sometimes carries it to lee, and I should much prefer to have her gripe a little if it is not likely to materially affect her speed. If you think that such a rig can be made that will be satisfactory, and still have the jib to the stem, I will get you to go ahead and get it out for me at your earliest convenience, fitting the rigging and boom and gaff so that they will unship and go together in the quickest and most convenient manner, as my idea would be to even be able to change my rig on the day of a race. Also, I should like very much to know, and I asked your Mr. John B. if he would find out whether my present sail has the full 500 feet, because Mr. Harrison [owner of #501s QUAKERESS] had a new set of sails made at Wilson & Silsbee's and had some 50 feet more sail than in his old one, as according to his statement. Wilson said that his sails were not as large as they might have been. I therefore should like to know whether he is carrying more sail than he ought, as I should like to make objections. Do you think it would be more convenient if I had a sail track instead of hoops?" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42600. Correspondence, Folder 90, formerly 105. 1900-02-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I meant to say 500 [sq] ft instead of 400 - and do not understand why I made the mistake. With regard to the steering 'CYRILLA' [#502s] always steered better as wind breezed but was a little light on her helm in light winds.
I trust you will do what you think will yield the best results in spite of my suggestions as I do not care except do not wish a bowsprit. My[?] idea is to put my boat [CYRILLA] on a par with QUAKERESS [#501s] in a breeze." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42590. Correspondence, Folder 90, formerly 105. 1900-02-15.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled 'No 573 [#573s]. 21ft Buzzards Bay Class. Jan[uary] 5 1902. TERRAPIN'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 85.5 plus 9.8cuft [= 95.3cuft] = 6097lbs and a note 'Using #501 [QUAKERESS] lead portion and keel plan[:] Disp[lacement] hull 5470[lbs]. Keel & rudder 600. Total 6070[lbs]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04210. Folder [no #]. 1902-01-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Upon my return after thinking over our hurried conversation at Bristol yesterday, I am afraid that although I did give you the idea as to the type and width of boat desired on the other hand I failed to lay enough stress upon the fact that we are looking for speed to every degree that is compatible with comfort and good construction.
I firmly believe we can arrange a set of races with the Northshore[?] boats and these are to be of the deep keel type 5ft 3in draught with displacement not[?] less[?] than 4000 lbs. Their over all length is 31ft, amount of sail 450 ft. They are to have hollow masts. The cost is about $900.
There are now two things I wish to ask you to consider and if possible embody in our bouts. One is greater over all length so as to enable lower rig without bowsprit. The other is a hollow mast with sail arranged to raise or lower as on QUAKERESS [#501s?]. In this way I think we will get more or as much speed in light weather and greater stability in heavy weather out of a boat which will of necessity be wider and more able than we would need for Massachusetts Bay. I feel very strongly on these two points and hope you will think well of my ideas in general and am very anxious to make these boats a racing success as well as good boats to our[?] daily use.
Your ...
P.S. I see no reason why we cannot have more than 450 ft sail if needed. [Two days later HMCo would record the contracts for the Buzzards Bay 18s #612s WIZARD, #613s MARGARET, #614s HINDOO, and #615s JAP in its Construction Record.]" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39070. Correspondence, Folder 79, formerly 71. 1903-12-02.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #501s Quakeress even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Quakeress (HMCo-made index card)
• Quakeress (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: Quakeress
Type: J & M
Length: 21'
Owner: Harrison, A. C.

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

• Quakeress
• 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: Quakeress
Type: 21' 6" sloop
Owner: A. C. Harrison
Row No.: 552

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

Year: 1899
E/P/S: S
No.: 0501
Name: Quakeress
LW: 21'
B: 9'
D: 4'
Rig: J & M
K: y
CB: y
Ballast: Lead o.
Amount: 2250.00
Last Name: Harrison
First Name: A. C.

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.

"[Sail number C-2 (Twenty-One Foot Restricted Class).]" (Source: Beverly Yacht Club. 1902 Yearbook. Boston, 1902, p. 61.)

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