HMCo #502s Cyrilla

"[1899-01-27] Fri 27: Very heavy W to NW [wind] all day, clearing and growing cold. ... Set up #502, 21-footer [Cyrilla].
[1899-02-08] Wed 8: Snow storm last night. Strong NE to E [wind]. Snow & sleet all day. Wind ch[anged] to NW in PM [then] clear & cold. Very high tide this AM & low barometer. Turned over #502 [Cyrilla].
[1899-06-07] Wed 7: Very hot last night with (?). Lowest [temperature] in night 72deg. and 80deg. in forenoon. Wind fresh E in PM with falling temp[erature], 57deg. in evening. [Illegible]. Launched #502 Cyrilla ...
[1899-06-11] Sun 11: Very fine. ... Delivered ... Cyrilla [#502s] ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1899. 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.)

"... Sec Emmons of the Beverly club will name his Herreshoff 21-footer the Cyrilla [ #502s]. Mr Baker's 25-footer will be the Blazing Star [#515s], and Mr Whittemore's will be the May Queen [#514s]. These Herreshoff boats, together with the 10 one-design 15-footers for the club, will be towed to Buzzard's bay and delivered io their owners there. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, May 28, 1899, p. 29.)

"[Cyrilla, renamed Peterkin and owned by G. Kissel won the 1901 season championship at Islesboro, Maine.]" (Source: Anon. "A Season's Racing at Islesboro, Maine. Rudder, June 1901, p. 300-302.)

"N/A"

"[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:
#502s CYRILLA [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 Transcription:] Your long and valuable letter of Sept. 27th I received with many thanks upon my return from Canada. Since that time I have been sick a good part of a week and have not been able to answer you before.
Our committee has had its meeting and have also had a consultation with members of the knockabout association, but we have been unable to come to any decision about any farther change in the 21-foot knockabout class. The most likely change which is now still in discussion, is to allow both centreboard and keel boats to have a minimum beam at the waterline of 7ft, and carry 3500 lbs., and then from then up have a sliding scale for every increase of an inch in beam, a reduction of 55 lbs. in weight of keel. This, however, is doubtful of adoption and I, for one am not in favor of it. I had hoped that they would allow us to build centreboard boats with a minimum beam of 7ft 6in instead of 7ft 9in as the present measurement is. You can see that I have made up my mind that there will be no change of any consequence in the boats for another year, so I will, therefore, at the end of this letter request you to draw up the contracts and begin my boat [#502s CYRILLA] at once.
Regarding the 18' Class, they have adopted your figures in toto so far as they coincide with our general classifications for 21-footers, as to the 15-foot class. We have decided that it is best to build the boats all of one design, and we have drawn up the following dimensions and requested different men to submit whatever drawings, specifications, and contracts they are willing to for our Club to consider at its meeting next Friday. The dimensions are as follows: 22ft over all, 15ft waterline, 5ft 10in beam at waterline, draft without centreboard 2ft 3ft, outside lead 1000 lbs., free-board 16in, sail area 320 sq. ft., 256 sq. ft. in the mainsail, no house, air tanks sufficient to float the boat when full of water, no bowsprit. These are roughly what we are after. If you would see fit to send me any drawings and figures for me to submit, I would gladly do so. [These will become the Buzzards Bay 15s.] Your figures which you sent me before were for a boat with a house. This boat has none. Perhaps you can at least revise those figures and let me turn them in.
Regarding my new knockabout [#502s CYRILLA], I will leave the matter entirely with you, but will say that I have decided that I want the boat to be a centreboard. As to the rest, I have at present nothing to suggest. If you consider that mahogany planking would increase the weight to such an extent as to be a disadvantage, I will do away with it. I will write you again in a day or two, when I am feeling better, more fully. In the meantime if your Mr. John B. would draw up his contracts and mail them to me, I would be much obliged." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_71200. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F06, formerly MRDE15. 1898-10-13.)
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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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"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled 'No. 573 [#573s TERRAPIN] R(21ft Buzzards Bay). Have decided to use keel & lead patterns of #502 [CYRILLA]. Jan[uary] 5, [19]02'. With no further calculations or notes." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09340. Folder [no #]. 1900-01-05.)
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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 Transcription:] [Signed handwritten (in ink) letter:] The new rig for the small boat [#488s ALPHA???] arrived in good order and worked first rate. We had to put on two mahogany blocks to raise the traveller above the tiller. I never enjoyed sailing a boat so much as this one and all the people at our place are pleased with her. She is a wonder. If it were only possible to make something in the 21 foot class that would act as this little boat does! But I am afraid the restrictions interfere.
[p. 2] I enclose a memo of our restricted classes as they stand today.
I think that a boat than can go well in a strong wind and a heavy short sea will win the most races in Buzzards Bay. We finished up the whole season as follows:
QUAKERESS, CYRILLA [#502s], AMANITA. EDITH [#486s], with the KESTREL, BOHEMIAN & SYLVIA next in what order I have forgotten.
Yours truly ...
[P.S.] A friend of mine wanted to know if the BLAZING STAR [#515s] could be changed to suit him and I referred him to you." (Source: Baker, Charles M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_00160. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly (84). 1900-09-11.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH. Relevant contents:
§22: Work Order '[For] CYRILLA (#502). [When wanted] Early in June. For new Rig. Mast …' (1900-05-16)
§23: Work Order '[For] CYRILLA (#502). [When wanted] Early in June. For new Rig. Shrouds …' (1900-(05-16))
§24: Work Order '[For] CYRILLA [#502s]. [When wanted] Early in June. New Rig. Peak halyards … Lignum Vite fairlead & strap for spinaker halyards.' (1900-05-16)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Order Book. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_01320. Folder [no #]. 1897-01 to 1905.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵

"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH titled 'Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Orders from N.G. Herreshoff'. Relevant contents:
§2: Work Order [When wanted] Before April 1st. Mast hoops for #529s, #532s, #533s, #534s, #531s, #532s, #530s, #538s, #541s, #536s, #486s, #502s, #585s, #540s (1900-02-19)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Order Book. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_03460. Folder [no #]. 1900-02 to 1909-10.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵ ㊶ ㊷ ㊸ ㊹ ㊺ ㊻ ㊼ ㊽ ㊾ ㊿
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵ ㊶ ㊷ ㊸ ㊹ ㊺ ㊻ ㊼ ㊽ ㊾ ㊿
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #502s Cyrilla even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Cyrilla (HMCo-made index card)
• Cyrilla (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Mystery ex-Cyrilla (HMCo-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: Cyrilla
Type: J & M
Length: 21'
Owner: Emmons, R. W.

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

• Cyrilla
• Cynthia ex-Cyrilla
• Mystery ex-Cyrilla
• Peterkin ex-Cyrilla
• Sorceress ex-Cyrilla
• 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: Cyrilla
Type: 21' sloop
Owner: R. W. Emmons
Year: 1899
Row No.: 142

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.: 0502
Name: Cyrilla
LW: 21'
B: 9'
D: 4'
Rig: J & M
K: y
CB: y
Ballast: lead o.
Amount: 2150.00
Notes Constr. Record: Moulds 501. Blanaced rudder. Peterson [sic, i.e. Peterkin] Mystery
Last Name: Emmons
First Name: R. W.

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 10 (Twenty-One Foot Knockabout).]" (Source: Beverly Yacht Club. 1902 Yearbook. Boston, 1899, p. 55.)

"See #501s Quakeress for comment on different rudder configurations for Quakeress and Cyrilla shown on the same construction plan." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 13, 2011.)

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