HMCo #520s Athene

"[1899-02-25] Sat 25: Very fine & cool. Mod[erate] NW [wind] & clear. Messrs. Emmons, Gay [who will soon order #520s Athene] & Gray here. ...
[1899-03-04] Sat 4: NE with some rain. Messrs. Gay & Hodges here talking about a 70 ft cruising yacht [which would become #520s Athene]. ...
[1899-03-18] Sat 18: Overcast [in] AM. Began snowing to ESE. Rain & snow all day. Mr. Gay [owner of #520s Athene] here. ...
[1899-03-23] Thu 23: NE [wind] with rain, backing to N in PM. Hail at 4:30. Made contract with Wm. Gay for a 70 ft sloop [#520s Athene]. ...
[1899-04-12] Wed 12: Overcast & light S [wind]. Rain in PM. Began lead mould for 520 [Athene].
[1899-05-12] Fri 12: Very fine. NW [wind] & clear. Cast lead for #520 (70 ft. sloop [Athene]) in 5-3/4 hours, nearly 42 tons. ...
[1899-10-09] Mon 9: Rain last night. L[igh]t NE. Launched Athene at 10:30 (#520, 70 ft sloop for Wm. O. Gay.) ...
[1899-10-21] Sat 21: Strong N [wind], fair & cold. At home. Athene (70ft) nearly ready for trial. ...
[1899-10-22] Sun 22: Very fine & clear with l[igh]t N [wind in] AM, SW [in] PM. Athene left for Marblehead in PM. Made trial of her on way down the Bay. Trial very satisfactory.
[1900-06-25] Mon 25: Very fine & hot. L[igh]t S [wind in] AM. NW [wind in] PM. Temp[erature] 87deg. in PM. Hauled out Athene [#520s] on ways in s[outh] shop to put lead on keel. [Athene was trying to become competitive against the new New York 70s.] ...
[1900-06-26] Tue 26: Fine [with] mod[erate] S [wind]. ... Athene launched after adding 2-1/2 tons lead to keel, & sailed." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1899 to 1900. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"No. 520.
70ft cruising sloop.
Frame spaces 19"
Outside planking 2 1/4"
Timbers 1 5/8 x 1 5/8
Frames, bulb angles
Rail height (R) to be underneath side[?] of rail
Sheer height (S) to be top of deck beams and sheer strake
Rabbet line on keel is 3" above under side of keel.
Back end of lead is thus: [sketch]
C.b. slot 4 3/4"
Open at bottom of lead 4 1/2 forward of [frame] # 30 to 5 1/2" aft of # 38 = 13' 6"/
Rake of forward post 1 in 13.
Radius of aft end of slot 13' 4 1/2" with [center] 6" above bottom of lead and 1 1/2 aft.
Top of cabin floor 6' 1 1/2" below and parallel to sheer." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.117.] April 1899). Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"Going back to 1899, while COLUMBIA was sailing, we built the seventy foot waterline centerboard sloop yacht ATHENE for William O. Gay of Boston. She was a fine example of a cruising yacht and had done much deep water sailing, besides successful racing about Marblehead. She went to San Francisco many years ago and has been in the Honolulu races even to recent years. This craft prompted the building of the famous Seventy Foot Class." (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. 67.)

"Nov. 16, 1935
C.H.W. Foster, Esqr.
791 Tremont St, Boston.
Dear Mr. Foster,
...
I have just heard the old Athene, Wm O. Gay's sloop of 1899, has recently had a new owner, turned her back to a yacht and restored her original name. He is fitting her out for a long cruise to China and the Orient from a California port. I hope he will have her surveyed and properly repaired --- for the lower part of steel frames must be rusted away by this time.
Very sincerely yours --- Nathanael G. Herreshoff." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Quoted in: Garland, Joseph. The Eastern Yacht Club: A History from 1870-1985. Camden, Maine, 1989, p. 206.)

"The first sizable sailboat turned out in 1899 was the seventy-foot water-line sloop 'Athene.' She was an able, wholesome yacht which lasted in use about forty years and I believe made a world cruise when she was nearly forty years old. She went in a remarkable race, however, when she was brand new. This was the Puritan Cup Race off Marblehead on June 30, 1900. It blew a living gale from the northwest that day, and when it was time to start, only six yachts showed up with no competitor for the hundred and seven foot water line 'Constellation' in the schooner class, so the Regatta Committee started her with the sloops and the race turned out to be a knockdown, drag-out contest between 'Constellation' and 'Athene.' The first leg of the course was from Marblehead to the buoy off Minot's Light, and 'Constellation' going down wind wing and wing with her hundred and seven feet of water line left 'Athene' behind. The next leg was close hauled to Graves' Whistler and 'Athene' passed 'Constellation,' rounding the buoy several minutes ahead. The last leg was a reach back to Marblehead, and 'Constellation' drew ahead again. Twice around the course they went, thirty miles in a howling northwest gale. 'Constellation' parted a halyard and 'Athene' broke her gaff jaw but they carried on and finished with 'Athene' winning seven minutes boat for boat and twenty-four minutes corrected time. As 'Athene' approached the finish line she got a heavy knockdown and became partly unmanageable. Although her topmast was housed and she was under jib and mainsail, the water came way up to her hatches; they could not get at the jib sheets to let her up in the wind and had to chop them with an ax. There was a remarkable photograph taken of 'Athene' in this race, and no doubt some of the readers have seen it at the Eastern Yacht Club. Although this race was half a century ago, I occasionally talk to two of 'Athene' 's crew in that remarkable race. One of them is Llewellyn Howland of Padenarum, who was in the afterguard, and the other is Jonathan Mason of Marblehead who was mastheadsman on 'Athene.' " (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. 214-315.)

"... Further information as to the 70-footer which the Herreshofffs are building for W. O. Gay of this city is at hand through the courtesy of her owner. The boat is to be 102 feet 6 inches over all, 70 feet waterline, 13 feet 15 inches beam and 11 feet draft, with a small centerboard under the cabin floor. Her sail plan will be not a strictly racing one, although her spar dimensions show that a liberal amount of canvas will be spread. Her mast will be 78 feet long, or about 53 feet deck to hounds while her boom will be 66 feet, gaff 40 feet, topmast 44 feet and spinnaker pole 56 feet. She is to be of composite build, with steel frames and wood planking, which will be double to the rail from about a foot below the waterline.
For interior accommodations the boat will have a large double stateroom aft, which is reached by a passage on the port side of the companionway. Off this companionway on its port side is a large-sized locker for oilskins and outer clothing, and a chart room, with table, desk and drawers. On the starboard side of the companion is a bath and toilet room, with a door at the foot of the ladder, and also one into the after stateroom. Forward of the companion is the main cabin, 16 feet long and the full width of the vessel, with the usual liftings. The owner's stateroom is on the starboard side, forward of the cabin. On the port side of a passage between them and the owner's stateroom are two guests' staterooms and a toilet room. Opposite the toilet is a bicycle room, with racks for four bicycles, and back of this is the captain's room, with an entrance from the galley. The galley runs the full width of the yacht, and forward is the forecastle.
The Herreshoffs' are getting material for the new boat together, and will start her in the north shop as soon as they can get the 56-foot yawl [#510s Petrel] for Mr Kennedy out of the way. The spars for the boat are well in hand by the Boston spar company in its East Boston shop, and will be shipped to Bristol as soon as completed, probably in a week or 10 days. ...
Mr Gay is his own captain when on board his boat, and sails her himself. His second in command is Capt Warren C. Haskell of Fort Point, Me. an able and competent sailorman, who has been with Mr Gay a number of years. Mr Gay has sold his 46-footer Milicete to Gilmer Clapp of this city, but will not deliver her until Aug 1, at which time his new boat is promised him. ..." (Source: Robinson, W. E. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, April 23, 1899, p. 27.)

"... Work has just been begun on a large sloop yacht for a member of the New York Yacht Club, whose name is not made public. She will be 70 feet on the water line and will be a centreboard craft. She is designed for comfortable cruising, rather than speed, though Herreshoff creations are never slow, and will be strongly built with high sides and ample cabin room. It is expected that she will be launched in the latter part of July. ..." (Source: Anon. "Hustling At Herreshoff's." Bristol Phoenix, April 28, 1899, p. 1.)

"Athene, sloop yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., 1899
75.70 gross tons, 67.10 net tons; 83.4 ft. x 19 ft. x 10.8 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head, overhanging stern.
Surveyed and measured, September 30, 1899." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Athene.)

"The big sloop built in the north shop of the Herreshoff works for W. O. Gay of Boston, was launched yesterday [October 9, 1899] morning. Capt. 'Nat' Herreshoff, who returned from New York Sunday, supervised the launching. The new yacht, which has been christened Athene, was warped into the slip between the two wharves to await the stepping of her mast today. Later in the week she will sail around the the Cape to Boston. The Athene is of composite build, with steel frames and double pine planking, and is expected to prove a flyer. The Athene's dimensions are: Waterline, 70 feet, over all, 105 feet, beam, 20 feet; depth, without centerboard, 10 feet." (Source: Anon. "Sloop Athene Launched." Bristol Phoenix, October 10, 1899, p. 3.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., Oct. 9 [1899]. --- Sloop yacht Athene, built for W. O. Gay of Boston, was successfully launched from the north shop of the Herreshoff company this morning, shortly before 11 o'clock.
The sloop is of the centerboard type with long overhangs and is of compposite construction, steel frames and double planking of pine. She is 70 feet on the waterline, 107 foot over all, 20 feet beam, and about 10 feet draft, without centerboard. She is painted white above the water line and green below. Besides being a very comfortable cruising boat she will also be fast. Her rig will be that of a sloop, with a short topmast and a large mainsail.
Her mast is all ready to be stepped. As soon as her trial trips are over, she will be sent around the cape to Boston, the home of her owner. The work of stepping her mast will begin tomorrow. After the launching she was hauled into the slip between Herreshoff's piers.
The yacht was not christened, and the launching was witnessed only by the workmen of the shops and a few of the Herreshoff family. It was under the direction of Nat Herreshoff, who arrived home yesterday from the cup races at New York. He will leave here again tonight to be on board the Columbia [#499s] tomorrow. The interior arrangements of the new boat are all that could be desired.
Forward are the crew quarters, furnished in hard pine. Aft of them is the galley. The captain's room is on the starboard side aft of the galley, while opposite on the port side is the ice chest and pantry. The owner has a large stateroom just aft of the captain's room. Across the passageway from the owner's room are two staterooms. The main cabin is of good size. Between that and the ladies' cabin, away aft, are closets and bathroom.
The finishing of the cabins is beautiful, the lower part being of mahogany, while the upper is of white enamel, the contrasting shades making a fine effect. Aft of the ladies cabin is a stowaway.
The yacht's keel contains about 60 tons of lead, and has a slot in it for the centerboard." (Source: Anon. "Sloop Yacht Athene Launched." Boston Globe, October 10, 1899, p. 7.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 80:]
Athene, sloop yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1899.
75.70 gross tons, 67.10 net tons; 83.4 ft. x 19 ft. x 10.8 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head [bow].
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) Oct. 17, 1899. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: N. G. Herreshoff, Bristol.
Surrendered [license] June 1, 1900 at Boston. ([Record at:] N[ational] A[rchives, Washington])." (Source: Survey of Federal Archives, Work Projects Administration. Ships Documents of Rhode Island. Bristol. Ship Registers and Enrollments of the Port of Bristol - Warren Rhode Island, 1941, s.v. Athene.)

"The seventy-foot sloop yacht 'Athene,' built by the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. for W. O. Gay of Boston, and launched Oct . 9th, was taken to Boston Sunday afternoon, under sail, being towed out of the harbor by Mr. Herreshoff's steam yacht, 'Squib' [#188p]. The dimensions of the yacht are: Over all, 102 feet; waterline 70 feet; beam, 20 feet; draught, 11 feet. A centreboard is dropped through a slot in the lead keel, and is raised and lowered by an ingenious mechanism on deck. The Athene is a handsome boat, her lines, especially those of her bow, resembling Columbia's considerably. Indeed, a number of Bristolians who saw her sailing outside the harbor on her way to Boston, thought that Columbia was returning to her birthplace, and a large steam freighter going up the river saluted the Athene, thinking she was the champion. She carries a big spread of canvas, having a boom 78 feet long and a mainmast about 85 feet above the deck. Mr. Gay is proud of his new yacht and seemed to take pleasure in showing her many good points to the editor of the PHOENIX Saturday afternoon, while [rigger] Bilman's men were rigging her and bending the sails. The Athene is intended for a comfortable cruising boat, and she is finished below decks in solid mahogany and fitted up in the most luxurious manner. There are the main cabin, the owner's cabin, the captain's and mate's cabin, the cook's galley and the crew's quarters. In speaking of the Athene Mr Gay said 'I am highly pleased with her, and I am anticipating much pleasure in cruising next season. She was not built for speed primarily, but you know the Herreshoff's never build a slow boat, and I feel sure she will be fast, though she has not been tried yet I shall not hesitate to enter her in the races of the New York Yacht Club next season, even against the 70-footers of the one-design class which Herreshoff is to build this winter for New York yachtsmen. The finish of the Athene and also of her two small boats is simply magnificent, and Bristol has reason to be proud not only of her famous designer but of the intelligent and capable men who are employed by the Herreshoff's to execute the designs inspired by their great genius.' " (Source: Anon. "The New Seventy-Footer." Bristol Phoenix, October 24, 1899, p. 2.)

"BRISTOL, R.I,. June 23. --- ... The Athene, a sloop, with a waterline length of 65 feet, and launched here last fall, arrived Wednesday from an eastern cruise. There were stories to the effect that she would not race this year, but such theories were dispelled when it became known that the owner, William O. Gay of Boston, brought her here to have additional lead ballast and to have a new suit of sails made, including a clubtopsail. There will be about three tons of lead added. ..." (Source: Anon. "New Herreshoff Boats." New York Times, June 25, 1900, p. 3.)

"... The 70-foot Athene, owned by W. O. Gay of Boston, which Herreshoff built last year, is now on the marine railway at Bristol receiving additional lead in her keel. It is understood that the Athene will also receive alterations in her rig, which will make her conform more closely to the new quartet of seventies. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes for Yachtsmen." New York Times, July 1, 1900, p. 18.)

"FOR SALE --- Crack Herreshoff sloop [#520s Athene]. 102 ft 6 in. over all, 70 ft. waterline, 10 ft. beam, 11ft, draft. Combination keel and center board. Four state rooms including one large double room. Composite construction. Splendid cruiser and fast. All modern conveniences and steam heat.
A fast Herreshoff steam launch [#211p Tramp] can also be purchased with her if desired, to be used as her tender. This launch is 82 ft. over all, 72 ft. water line, 10 ft. 9 in. beam and 2 ft. 7 in. draft. Has triple expansion engines. Speed 20 miles an hour. Galley, dining room and pantry forward.
Both these boats can be bought together or seperately at low prices, and no yachtsman desiring to purchase boats of this description should neglect this opportunity. Hollis Burgess Yacht Agency, 15 Exchange St.. Boston. Mass. [Though not explicitly identified, the dimensions, accompanying photo of Athene, and the fact that sloop and tender were advertised together clearly identify the two yachts as #520s Athene and #211p Tramp.]" (Source: Anon. "For Sale." Yachting, December 1908, p. 290.)

"... The 70-foot sloop Athene, bought last fall by T. P. Burgess from William O. Gay, is hauled out at Lawley's for painting. Many interior repairs will be made on her before as she is put into commission. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, May 1, 1910, p. 57.)

"Miller and Holton Waiting in New York for a Chance.
The first yacht to come to the Pacific Coast through the Panama canal will probably be the famous sloop Athene, which is owned by C. E. Miller and L. J. Holton of this city and is now waiting on the Atlantic coast for permission to come through Goethals' ditch.
The Athene will be a remarkable addition to local yachting, not only because she will be the biggest sloop on the Coast, but because the local yachtsmen will have a boat to meet both Lipton's twenty-three-meter Shamrock, as well as one of the America cup class, which have promised to come here next year.
Designed by Nat Herreshoff for class J (seventy-six feet), under the universal rule, the craft has won many trophies on the Atlantic. Her owners will spend the summer months cruising and racing around San Francisco bay and tend her south for the winter to Coronado.
The Athene is 104 feet over all, with 73 foot water line, 19 feet 6 inches in beam, 11 foot draft, with a gross tonnage of 11 tons. The boat is cutter rig, with spoon bow, has flush decks, steel frame and planked with wood. She is one of the most substantially constructed craft on Eastern waters, and was built for racing off shore as well as in the smoother waters of Long Island sound. Beautifully finished cabin accommodations, with main saloon, two staterooms, galley and crews' quarters can take care of a large party." (Source: Anon. "Yacht Owned Here First Through the Canal." San Francisco Chronicle, May 3, 1914, p. 68.)

"HO for Adventure and Romance! A brave New England girl and two Yale graduates have captured the honor of taking the first sailing yacht through Uncle Sam's big [Panama] canal, and have completed a cruise that should make every true yachtsman envious. The romance lies in the fact that it was the honeymoon trip of the owner, Mr. Carleton Earl Miller, and his blue- eyed bride, Mrs. .Miller was formerly Miss Delphima Hammer, and is the daughter of State Senator Alfred Hammer, of Branford, Conn., who is the head of the Branford Malleable Iron Works. Mr. Malcolm MacGregor, of Newark, N. J., who was Mr. Miller's chum at Yale and best man at his marriage, formed the third member of the party. The little racer Athene was navigated by Captain S. M. Marsters, of New London, Conn., Mate Wm. Hall, and eight men before the mast. Captain Marsters was for years the skipper of the schooner yacht Hildegarde, a famous cup racer that was owned by E. R. Coleman, of Lebanon, Pa. The cook and messboy brought the total number of souls on board up to fifteen.
And there was a mascot, too, in the shape of a wee bit of kittenhood that was not supposed to make the trip. She was standing forlornly on the wharf after the farewells had been said and the lines cast off. The yacht slowly glided away from the dock until twenty feet of open water separated her from shore. Just then one of the sailors called, "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty!" and Miss Kitten leaped into the icy water and swam those twenty long feet to the yacht's side, where willing hands pulled her aboard. From that moment her berth was secure as 'Geneviève,' the ship's mascot. And she was certainly intelligent. In no time at all she learned to scamper to the galley for 'chow' when seven bells was struck. This is a true narrative of how the adventurous trio sailed the little sloop down the Atlantic to the West Indies, thence through the Panama Canal and up the Pacific to the Silver Gate of California.
On the night of October 21, 1914, Mr. Miller gave a farewell dinner to his Yale friends on board the yacht at New Haven. Next morning, with the cabin banked high with flowers, Athene sailed down to New London, where several days were spent in taking on stores and a 'movie' outfit, and putting the last touches to the rigging. The real cruise began on October 27, 1914, when Athene spread her big white wings at New London and sailed to the South. One cold and stormy night off Cape Hatteras the sloop was plunging through the immense black seas under trysail and forestaysail. Suddenly the running lights of a great steamer blazed out dead astern and were as quickly eclipsed by a huge sea which rose up between. Next moment the approaching vessel seemed to loom mast high above the tiny yacht. Then the glare of the steamer's searchlight was turned upon Athene, outlining her vividly against the inky background of night. As the stranger rushed past, giant seas could be seen sweeping across her decks and breaking against her lofty bridge. It was just a momentary glimpse of another little world and then each had passed on into the lonely darkness of a vast ocean.
Charleston, S. C., was reached in fourteen days, the distance run being 2,400 miles. After taking on water and provisions at this port, a course was laid for the West Indies. The best run of the voyage was 325 miles in twenty-four hours, made while crossing the Gulf Stream under a reefed mainsail with a N.E. wind and beam sea.
The topmast was lost in Crooked Island Pass, off the coast of Cuba. At the time of the accident all hands were enjoying the brilliant sunshine on deck and the yacht was lazily rolling along, with ballooner set to catch what vagrant airs it could. Without warning, a single strong puff of wind struck the sails and drove the bow deep into the sea. Simultaneously the sound of splintering wood was heard up aloft and the next instant the topmast hung suspended in the rigging. The squall passed immediately and was followed by rain. The wreckage was quickly cleared away, but Athene did not set a for many days thereafter.
The run from Charleston to Kingston, Jamaica, was made in a little less than seven days. In the latter port it was impossible to get a stick long enough to replace the broken topmast. Several days were spent ashore sightseeing and kodaking the 'niggers' and their palm- thatched huts, after which the voyagers were ready once more for life on the open sea, and Athene was headed for the Canal. At Colon a good piece of timber for the new topmast was secured, but it was not sent aloft until Balboa was reached. Athene entered the Panama Canal on the 29th of November and, after numerous delays, left it when she sailed from Balboa on December 2d. The passage through the locks of the canal demonstrated the fact that the Government's towing appliances are designed to handle large vessels only, with the result that the cleats were ripped out of Athene's deck when the electric locomotives put a sudden strain on their 1 1/4-inch steel towing hawsers. Four of these powerful engines are used to tow a vessel through the locks, a line being made fast to each bow and quarter. These 'electric mules' bring up short with a jerk on the non-elastic steel cable that will carry away any ordinary yacht cleat or bitt. Masters of sailing yachts should insist on having one of the large Government launches do the towing, or else have the crew do it by hand lines. Open chocks are practically useless, for the lines will lift out of them as the vessel descends in the lock.
Athene was accompanied across the Isthmus by the three-masted schooner Zeta, the latter being the first merchant sailing vessel to pass through the big waterway. Howard Gould's steam yacht Niagara was passed, bound for the Atlantic.
After leaving Balboa, Athene raced up the coast to Acapulco in four days. In the Mexican port the price of gasolene was $1.20 a gallon and kerosene was 90 cents a gallon, while on the other hand, the finest kind of turkeys could be purchased for only 10 cents a pound. Continuing Northward, head winds and squalls were encountered, with occasional calms, so that it took three weeks for the sloop to make the run from Acapulco to San Diego. The bobstay carried away in a heavy sea off Cedros Island, Mexico, but aside from this minor accident and the loss of the topmast in the West Indies, not even a sail was ripped during the entire trip.
Christmas found the little sloop slowly beating her way up the coast of Lower California.
On the evening of January 8, 1915, Athene came to anchor in the quiet waters of San Diego Hay. The cruise was ended, and the tired yachtsmen (and yachtswoman) could view the myriad lights of the great exposition from a deck that no longer heaved to the swell of the mighty Pacific. The sloop had covered 4,200 miles since leaving Panama in thirty-three days of actual sailing, and was seventy-two days out from New London, with a total of something like 5,500 miles to her credit.
Athene was designed and built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, at Bristol, R. I. Her measurements are: Length, water-line, 73 feet; over all, 102 feet; breadth, 19 feet 6 inches; draught, with centerboard up, 11 feet 6 inches, with board down, 21 feet 6 inches. Tonnage: gross, 75; net, 65 tons. The mainboom is 75 feet long, the gaff 45 feet, and the topmast 45 feet. She carries no inside ballast, but there are 42 tons of lead on the outside of the hull. The centerboard is loaded with 1,000 lb of lead, attached in three different places. Wire gear is used throughout and all the spars are hollow. The sails were made by Ratsey & Lapthorn. Music, provided by a pianola and a victrola, and the taking of moving pictures of sea life helped somewhat to break the monotony of the last thirty-three days at sea. A practical wireless outfit is installed just forward of the cabin, the 'juice' for operating the same being obtained from a dynamo located under the floor. A 1 1/2-h.p. Edison motor, connected direct to a dynamo, supplied current for all lights on board.
Athene has a steel frame, and the planking from rails to bilge is three-ply, while her underbody is of 2 7/8-inch yellow pine. Two Swampscott dories and a dinkey were stowed on deck, the yacht's cutter and launch having been left in New London. The large owner's stateroom, under the quarterdeck, was daintily finished in white and pink for the 'honeymoon cruise.' The cabin and other accommodations are all very commodious and well arranged.
The cook managed to keep ice in the refrigerator at all times, except the last two days before Point Loma was sighted. As the capacity of Athene's tanks is but 1,000 gallons, the greatest problem of the voyage was how to obtain and conserve the fresh water. At the end of the trip both food and water were short. Once before a bride and groom sailed over the seas in the good sloop Athene. That was when her first owner, Mr. William Gay, of Boston, cruised along the coast of Maine with the girl of his choice. At that time the yacht was considered one of the finest and fastest boats of her class on the Atlantic Coast. Today she is just as good as ever, and Mr. Miller stands ready to enter her against any of the windjammers on the Pacific, not only in short contests, but in the long ocean race to Honolulu.
Mr. Gay sold Athene to Burgess, who kept her a couple of years, and then bought a large three-master, and laid up Athene for a year and a half in New London.
Mr. Miller bought Athene in March, 1914, while attending Yale University. Upon graduating last June, he immediately fitted her up for the memorable voyage which has brought him the honor of taking the first sailing yacht through the Panama Canal.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller will make their future home in San Francisco, and Athene will sail under the colors of the Santa Barbara and other Pacific Coast yacht clubs. [Illustr.]" (Source: Clark, Forrest. "From Atlantic to Pacific on Athene." Rudder, May 1915, p. 219-222.)

"... Although the 70-footer Athene, when owned by William O. Gay of Boston, was raced but little in Eastern waters, Carleton E. Miller of San Francisco, who now has the yacht, is entering the Athene in every race on the Pacific Coast for which she is eligible. Mr Miller purchased the Athene from Theodore P. Burgess of Boston and sailed the sloop early this year from New York to San Francisco by the way of the Panama Canal, ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, June 6, 1915, p. 62.)

"The big sloop yacht Athene belonging to Commodore C. E. Miller of the San Francisco Yacht Club, broke its mooring shackle early last Sunday morning and was drifting oceanward when it was picked up by a launch belonging to Gus Peterson, the boatman. The keeper and his assistant were quietly slumbering when Peterson came aboard. " (Source: Anon. "Brief Items of Local Interest." Sausalito News, June 16, 1917, p. 5.)

"Lazard Lippman brought his big sloop 'Talayha' in to Los Angeles Harbor for drydocking Friday, after striking a submerged boat off Potato Harbor Wednesday. He believed it might be one of the fishing boats unaccounted for since spring, but damage to his keel precluded further investigation.
When a wind struck Monday night, the 'Talayha' dragged anchor, and Julius Valdez, sailing master, was dispatched for shore in a launch to pick up two guests who had been hunting wild boar. Seas piled over the launch, disabled the launch, and Valdez escaped in a skiff, being picked up later, as was the launch by the 'Talayha'." (Source: Anon. "Yacht Damaged." The Catalina Islander. October 7, 1931, p. 6.)

"A sudden gale early Wednesday morning of last week did little local damage, but wrecked several yachts at various points. On the mainland it occasioned some damage to orange, lemon and avocado trees and fruit, and wrecked quite a number of derricks in the oil fields. ... Quite a bit of damage was done to small craft in and about Los Angeles Harbor. Among items reported in the daily press were the following: The principal craft damaged by the storm at Los Angeles Harbor is the 110-foot sloop 'Talahaya' [sic] belonging to Lazard Lippman, San Pedro merchant and sportsman. The yacht is aground and listing at more than forty-five degrees on Cabrillo Beach. An effort is to be made this morning at high tide to float her again. Later reports are the Lazard Lippman's yacht 'Talayha' was refloated from the beach with damage apparent only to the railing." (Source: Anon. "Sudden Windstorm Wrecks Watercraft." The Catalina Islander. January 18, 1933, p. 1.)

"... Capt. [William] Tompkins was navigator on Laz Lipman's 'Talayha' in the 1930 Honolulu race. ..." (Source: Anon ("Skipper"). "Yachting News." The Catalina Islander. June 28, 1934, p. 2.)

"... Mr. [Tay] Garnett owns the sloop Talayha, which he has outfitted for a trip around the world the coming fall. He has changed the name of the yacht to Athene, and the rig to a yawl. ..." (Source: Anon (Skipper). "Yachting News." The Catalina Islander. June 20, 1935, p. 10.)

"The noted moving picture star, Miss Loretta Young, was a guest over the week-end on the ocean-going ketch Athene, recently returned from a two-year cruise around the world. Miss Young, Jeanette Loff, and Bert Friedel were guests of Tay and Helga Garnett." (Source: Isaac, George W. "Yachting News." The Catalina Islander. September 2, 1937, p. 3.)

"In connection with the story of the loss of the old Herreshoff cutter Athene, which appeared in the October [1943] issue of Yachting, the ownership of the vessel was credited to A. A. Washton, New London. This was an error and we are informed by Mr. Washton that, while he had owned the boat at one time, he sold her on or about July 6th, 1943, to Lex Laboraties, Inc., and that since that time he has had absolutely nothing to do with the vessel or the trade in which she was operating. We regret the misstatement." (Source: Anon. "Correction." Yachting, November 1943, p. 145.)

"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:
#520s ATHENE [W.L.:] 70ft [Rig:] Sloop. C.B. [To deliver:] Aug. 5 [1899]. [Note:] Cruiser." (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 ?).)
①

"[Item Transcription:] Wooden template annotated in pencil 'Crown of deck for #520 [#520s ATHENE] 70 foot Cutter. Also for 70ft w.l. class (#529 - 532 - 33 - 34) [New York 70s #529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE]
6 1/2in vise[?] in 19ft-2in'. On verso 'Rod[?] 88 19/16[?]'." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.130. Artifact (Wooden Template). Oversize Folder, Folder Models and Diagrams. No date (1899 ?).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled general arrangement plan with plan view and inboard profile of a schooner titled '70ft w.l. Feb[ruary] 28 [18]99'. [This is for #520s ATHENE which initially was intended to be a schooner. Compare with HMCo Plan HH.5.02106 (029-011) of June 1, 1899 which is extremely similar (down to the sketched-in bicycle) but shows her as a sloop]." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Penciled General Arrangement Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0491. WRDT08, Folder 39, formerly MRDE10. 1899-02-28.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary profile and sailplan of a gaff schooner titled 'Design for 70 ft. c.b. [centerboard]. Sc[ale] 1/8in per ft. Feb[ruary] 28 [18]99'. With calculations arriving at sail areas of 4080sqft (for cruising), 5190sqft, 5460sqft, 6865sqft and 7580sqft. [This is for #520s ATHENE which initially was intended to be a schooner]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0497. WRDT08, Folder 39, formerly MRDE10. 1899-02-28.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Penciled sailplan of a gaff-rigged schooner titled '70ft c.b. [centerboard]. Scale 1/8. M[ar]ch 1, [18]99'. With note 'Sum[?] working sails. Schooner 5585[sqft]. Yawl 5540[sqft]. Sloop 4825[sqft]'. [This is for #520s ATHENE which initially was intended to be a schooner]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0496. WRDT08, Folder 39, formerly MRDE10. 1899-03-01.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan N/A (076-010) [not in Hart Nautical Collections]. Blueprint sailplan titled 'Sail Plan for Proposed 70ft W.L. Schooner. 1/8in = 1ft. Mar[ch] 2 [18]99'. With calculations arriving at sail areas of 5160sqft and 5910sqft. [This is for #520s ATHENE which initially was intended to be a schooner]." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0055. WRDT08, Folder 6, formerly MRDE10. 1899-03-02.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan N/A (076-010) [not in Hart Nautical Collections]. Ink on linen sailplan titled 'Sail Plan for Proposed 70ft W.L. Schooner. 1/8in = 1ft. Mar[ch] 2 [18]99'. With calculations arriving at sail areas of 5160sqft and 5910sqft. [This is for #520s ATHENE which initially was intended to be a schooner]." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Inked Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0483. WRDT08, Folder 39. 1899-03-02.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan N/A (096-063) (not in Hart Nautical Collections). Ink on linen sailplan titled 'Proposed Sail Plan for 70 ft. w.l. Cutter. Scale 1/8in = 1ft. Mar[ch] 3 [18]99. [This will be #520s ATHENE]." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Inked Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0479. WRDT08, Folder 39. 1899-03-03.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Ink on paper sailplan titled '70 ft. W.L. Cutter. Scale 1/8in = 1ft. M[a]r[c]h 3 [18]99. [This will be #520s ATHENE]." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Inked Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0480. WRDT08, Folder 39. 1899-03-03.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Penciled sketched sailplan and two unidentified details. Untitled, undated (this plan was filed with other preliminary plans from #520s ATHENE dated March 3, 1899 and matches these plans)." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0481. WRDT08, Folder 39. 1899-03-03.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan N/A (096-063) (not in Hart Nautical Collections). Ink on linen sailplan titled 'Sail Plan for Proposed 70 ft. w.l. Yawl. Scale 1/8in = 1ft. Mar[ch] 3 [18]99. [This will be #520s ATHENE]." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Inked Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0482. WRDT08, Folder 39. 1899-03-03.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Ink on paper sailplan titled in pencil '70ft w.l. sketch. Scale 1/8in. M[a]r[c]h 15 [18]99'. With calculations arriving at a total sail area of 5315sqft. [This is for #520s ATHENE which initially was intended to be a schooner]." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Inked Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0484. WRDT08, Folder 39. 1899-03-15.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled '#520 [ATHENE]. Preliminary. M[ar]ch 27 [1899]. ATHENE. 1899'. With no further notes or calculations. On verso a second set of penciled pantograph hull sections and displacement curve of the same design titled '70ft. 1st model, 2nd trial' with calculations arriving at a displacement of 2730cuft = 176000lbs = 78.0 tons gross." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04730. Folder [no #]. 1899-03-27.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled '70ft [#520s ATHENE]. 2nd model, 1st trial. M[ar]ch 31, [18]99'. No further notes or calculations. On verso a second set of penciled pantograph hull sections titled '70ft. 2nd model. 2nd trial. ATHENE'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 2892cuft = 18600lbs = 83 tons gross." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04660. Folder [no #]. 1899-03-31.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections and pantograph lead sections titled '#520 [ATHENE]. 70ft w.l. sloop. 2nd model, 3rd trial (Final). Ap[ril] 3, [18]99'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 2565cuft = 180500lbs = 80.5 tons gross and a group of calculations arriving at 91500lbs lead." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04620. Folder [no #]. 1899-04-03.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled 'No. 520 [#520s ATHENE] Lead. Scale 18th. Ap[ril] 10 1899'. With calculations and notes." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09440. Folder [no #]. 1899-04-10.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Lead ballast cutout with pinpricked center marked in pencil '#520 [ATHENE] lead'. Undated (NGH drew and calculated ATHENE's lead sections on April 10, 1899)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Lead Ballast Cutout. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE14_00400. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1899-04-10).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] [Telegram from Bristol, RI:] Postpone launch until Monday to facilitate completion your family all well work at shops progressing satisfactorily. I am more than pleased with [#499s] COLUMBIA. [NGH had been in New York on COLUMBIA. He travelled home on Saturday October 7, attended to the launch of #520s ATHENE on Monday October 9, then immediately went back to New York.]" (Source: Herreshoff, J.B. Telegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_52720. Subject Files, Folder 46, formerly 60. 1899-10-06.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Yours of 6th re[ceive]d. It is evident we are at cross purposes in the matter of the decks [for #207p MIRAGE and#203p SCOUT]. I do not want to sacrifice an speed or utility if[?] I can keep it but like a good appearance. I leave it to your judgment.
I am continually saying 'red' cedar when I mean Spanish cedar.
Please go ahead with the latter but send me a memorandum of extra expense.
I was sorry not to be able to get on last week to see the 'ATHENE' [#520s] but I have some director's meetings that made it impossible. I have not seen Mr. Belmont for a few days but will mention y[ou]r kind invitation to him when I do.
It is impossible just at present to say when I can go on as I've a busy season on hand. In addition to w[or]k two of the children have influenza.
With kind regards for Mrs Herreshoff I am ..." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_37670. Correspondence, Folder 74, formerly 77. 1899-11-13.)
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"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH. Relevant contents:
§10: Work Order '[For] No 520 [#520s ATHENE] Rigging. [When wanted] About 1st of July. Galv. Plow Steel Rope from Hazard Mfg. Co.' (1899-05-24)
§11: Work Order '[For] No 520 [#520s ATHENE] Cables. [When wanted] Sept[ember] 30 [1899. Galv. BB close link chain cables … Tested to 8 tons & certified.' (1899-08-31)." (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

"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (mostly in pencil but also in ink) trials booklet titled '1898 - 1909'. Relevant contents:
§12: #211p TRAMP [TENDER FOR #520s ATHENE] Contract Trial Run best mean speed 17.52kn = 20.21mph (1901-07-11)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE09_00060. Folder [no #]. 1898-09 to 1911-04.)
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

"[Item Description:] Selected penciled scantlings for #1074s SHEERNESS, #666s AVENGER, #520s ATHENE, #1131s ISTALENA and #1058s PRESTIGE. Untitled. Undated (the latest boat on this list, ISTALENA, was contracted for on October 19, 1928)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0343. WRDT04, Folder 30, formerly MRDE09. No date (1928-10 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] Will you be good enough to lend me the plans of the 'DIABLO,' ex-'HASWELL' [#743s], and the 'TALAYHA,' ex-'ATHENE' [#520s]? I am anxious to include them in a history of the Honolulu Race which I am preparing. I will take good care of them, and after the cuts are made, will return them to you in good condition, and will of course pay all expenses of postage and making of photostats or black line prints. I am particularly interested in the lines and sections, and sail plans, but if possible would like the accommodation plans also.
As you may remember, the 'DIABLO' won the race in 1923. She has also enjoyed a phenomenal racing career on this coast. Until 1929 she was undefeated here, and since that time there have been only four or five boats that could beat her at all consistently. Then, on the 14th and 15th of last month, she pulled a fine comeback by winning the 90-mile race around Santa Barbara Island against a field of fast ones. Mrs. W. W. Pedder, who owns 'DIABLO,' has not raced her much for the past three years, but states she plans to do so more next season.
The 'TALAYHA,' which has just recently become the 'ATHENE' once more, has taken part in two Honolulu Races. In them she carried a jib-headed cutter rig. Both times she had hard luck. In 1928 she carried away her bowsprit early in the race and although she finished first, did not save her time over several of the other boats. In the 1930 race the head of her mainsail ripped out soon after the start and gave her trouble all the way. She finished third.
I am trying to secure the plans of all yachts that have participated in Honolulu races and am having very good success so far. It will add greatly to the interest of the story. I will greatly appreciate anything you can do in this matter.
P. S. It may interest you to know that 'ATHENE's' new owner, Tay Garnett of Los Angeles, is fitting her out as a ketch for a voyage to China. Not bad for a yacht built in 1899!
Very sincerely yours..." (Source: Warren, H.B. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_06050. Correspondence, Folder 21, formerly 141. 1935-10-21.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled note:] ATHENE #520. Cruising sl[oop] [for] Wm. O. Gay. O.a. 101ft, w.l. 70ft, draft 9ft 10in, B 19ft 3 1/2in. Freeboard [symbol] section 79[square]. Outside lead 83932lbs. Inside (?). Ballast increased in 1900 to give nearly 71ft w.l. In 1903 sail area measurement 6970sqft.
HASWELL # (?) [#743s]. Is a duplicate of FLYING CLOUD #703 except length o.a. increased a little, an sch[ooner] rig instead cutter. Built for Mr. Tiffany of N[ew] B[edford].
#703 dimensions o.a. 58ft 6in, w.l. 44ft, draft 7ft 4in, B 14ft 0 1/2in. Freeboard 5ft 9 1/2in - 3ft 11in - 4ft 2 1/2in. Displ. 906 cuft = 26 tons gross. Sail area 2200sqft. Outside lead 27381lbs, inside (?). On verso some calculations and a midship section sketch. [Undated. This note was certainly written in preparing the letter response to H.B. Warren of October 21, 1935.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDED1_00130. Folder [no #]. No date (1935-11 ?).)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Your kindness in writing me is certainly appreciated. The very complete information you gave me about the 'ATHENE' [#520s] and the 'DIABLO' [#743s] is exactly what I want. It is possible that I may be able to secure the lines and section of these yachts from some people here. If so, I assume you would have no objections to my publishing them. I do not want to trouble you to write again, so I will put it that if I do not hear from you, I will understand that you have no objections. I think one of the owners of the 'DIABLO' had her lines taken off and I am informed that Mr. Lippman, former owner of the 'ATHENE,' has a blue print showing her lines.
The 'ATHENE' came to this coast in 1915, She was then owned by Carleton Earl Miller of San Francisco. Mr. Miller graduated from Yale in February, 1915, and was immediately married and started the trip out here through the canal as his wedding trip. She made the passage entirely under sail, and was then a gaff-headed cutter. Mr. Miller had her at San Francisco until shortly after the war. About 1921 she was sold and most of her outside ballast removed and she was given a very short ketch rig and Diesel power. One of her owners took her into- Mexican waters for the purpose of running arms and ammunition for some insurrectos and on one of these ventures a man was killed under mysterious circumstances. Finally, she came to Los Angeles to have a lot of needed repairs made, and the owner could not pay the bill. Mr. Lazard Lippman then bought her at a sheriff's sale about 1925. For several years he did not dare take her into Mexican waters, because the authorities would have confiscated her. Finally, however, he got this matter straightened out. In 1927 Mr. Lippman had her rig altered to jib-headed cutter in preparation for the Honolulu Race, in which she took part in June, 1928. She did not win, as she lost her bowsprit early in the race, but she made a very good showing. Again in 1930 Mr. Lippman sailed her in the Honolulu Race. She took third place that year, being beaten by the schooner 'Enchantress' and the yawl 'CONTENDER.' Mr. Lippman named her 'TALAYHA,' after his daughter. A few months ago he sold her to Mr. Tay Garnett of Los Angeles, who restored the name of 'ATHENE.' Mr. Garnett has cut down her mast greatly and restored the ketch rig, carrying a large yard on the mainmast, all in preparation for a cruise to China. He has build a large cabin trunk on the forward deck, which is terrible-looking, and it seems to me, dangerous. Whether she has been surveyed or not I cannot say, but such a voyage seems [page 2] a bit foolhardy. Mr. Lippman states that the boat is all right for the Honolulu Race, where about the worst winds are not over 40 miles, but he would not care to go to China, as there is a possibility of running into the real thing.
However, it will probably turn out all right. A few years ago Harvey Bis sell of Pasadena took the old schooner 'EDRIS', built of steel in 1901, out to Australia and back. The old ship had had a pretty hard life and her plates were no thicker than a dollar. We used to consider her 0. K. for running across the channel to Catalina Island, but not for longer trips. Bissell could not get insurance for the vayage, but he went anyway, taking his wife and children, the youngest only 8 months old. He went through some pretty bad weather, but had no trouble of any kind. After that he bought the old 'ARIADNE,' and took her around the world, again with no serious difficulty. So perhaps the 'ATHENE' will be lucky too. However, I should hate to go along, for the old ocean is not interested in excuses or alibis; she has a way of simply smashing things that are not. in proper condition.
The 'DIABLO' is a really remarkable boat. A. R. Pedder of Santa Barbara bought her from Jarvis in 1923 and brought her out here especially for the Honolulu Race of that year, which she won. The following year he had serious financial reverses and sold her to his brother, W. W. Pedder of Los Angeles. Both the Pedders were good skippers. W. W. Pedder entered every race theboat was eligible for, and from 1924 to 1929 he only lost once. All the yachtsmen here used to wonder if anything could be built that would beat her. She is a grand boat in any kind of weather and on all points of sailing. She can ghost marvel-ously and she can pack her canvas and travel when it breezes up too. Finally, the Class N sloop 'WESTWARD,' designed by Gardner and built in 1915, took her measure in 1929, as well as the Alden schooner 'AMORILLA,' which came to this coast in 1928, and the Twelve Meter 'PANDORA,' an Anker design which came here in 1928. There are three or four other boats that are faster now, but the 'DIABLO' gave several of them a good trouncing in September of this year. The fast ones all carried things away and dropped out, while the 'DIABLO' plugged through it without any trouble. W. W. Pedder died about a year ago and Mrs. Pedder had not raced until this time in September, when the old boat seemed to return to her old form. She has had the very best of care since she came to this coast, but now needs new sails very badly. Mrs. Pedder is thinking of ordering a new suit from Ratsey this winter and going in for racing next season. She is a clever sailor and I believe will do things.
Please let me assure, again that I value your letter very highly and appreciate the trouble you took to give me the information I needed. If my story of the Honolulu Race ever sees the light of publication, I shall certainly send you a copy." (Source: Warren, H.B. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_06030. Correspondence, Folder 21, formerly 141. 1935-11-06.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Your very kind and interesting letters are highly prized by me.
Mr. Lippman, former owner of 'ATHENE' [#520s], has a blue print of her lines and of the jib-headed sail plan which was prepared about 1927, and was used in the two Honolulu races in which she participated. These will be accurate. The lines which I hope to get of 'DIABLO,' ex-'HASWELL' [#743s], were taken off one time when she was on the ways, and may or may not be accurate. I have known of cases where lines secured in this way do not seem to bear much resemblance to the boats themselves. Therefore, if I do get the lines of 'DIABLO,' I will send on a print of them for your inspection before having them published.
The 'ATHENE' left Los Angeles on November 24th bound ultimately for Hong Kong. I believe her first stop will be Honolulu. Beyond Honolulu I do not know what route she will follow. I am told that her owner, Tay Garnett, a moving picture director and author, was not aboard. I think he plans to join her at Honolulu and make the trip from there on.
Her rig is quite small. The mainmast was reduced by almost half its length and a mizzen installed. She carries a rather large yard on the mainmast, but I think they will have trouble with it, because the braces led to the mizzen masthead, and as I did not see any backstays on the mizzen, I should think the strain might be rather heavy. I did not like the deckhouse they built on the forward deck either, but as I didn't go aboard, I don't know whether or not they cut any of the deck beams. I hope the old ship will come through all right, and imagine she will unless she runs into a typhoon, but in that case she would probably go down anyway, no matter what her condition. Those storms in the China Sea seem to be the real thing.
With many thanks for your good letters, ..." (Source: Warren, H.B. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_06020. Correspondence, Folder 21, formerly 141. 1935-12-01.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #520s Athene even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Valspar. "Sloop Yacht Athene. Varnished with Valspar." Advertisement. Motor Boating, September 1915, p. 51. (613 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No. Varnish advertisement featuring the passage of Athene through the Panama Canal --- the first sailing yacht to do so since its opening.
• Schwegler, Paul. "Around the World in a Cup Boat. Part 1." Motor Boating, October 1937, p. 38-41, 72. (2,183 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No known copyright restrictions. Travel account of a world cruise with Athene around the world.
• Schwegler, Paul. "Around the World in a Cup Boat. Part 2." Motor Boating, November 1937, p. 28-31, 80. (3,805 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No known copyright restrictions. Travel account of a world cruise with Athene around the world.
• Weintraub, Samuel. "The Loss of the Athene." Yachting, October 1943, p. 38-41, 72. (1,846 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Description of the loss of Athene following a collision with a freighter off the Florida coast.
• District Court, S. D. New York. "The Athene. 74 F.Supp. 431 (1947). The Athene. Lex Laboratories, Inc. v. United States." Court Proceedings, July 18, 1947. (119 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No known copyright restrictions. Court proceedings regarding valuation following the loss of Athene following a collision with a freighter off the Florida coast.

• Athene (HMCo-made index card)
• Athene (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: Athene
Type: Cutter
Length: 70'
Owner: Gay, Wm. O.

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

• Athene
• Talayha ex-Athene
• 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: Athene
Type: 70' cutter
Owner: Wm. O. Gay
Year: 1899
Row No.: 56

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: Mar
Day: 23
Year: 1899
E/P/S: S
No.: 0520
Name: Athene
LW: 70'
B: 19' 3"
D: 10' 10"
Rig: Cutter
K: y
CB: y
Ballast: Lead O.
Amount: 27125.00
Last Name: Gay
First Name: W. O.

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:] Wood - crown of deck for #520. In: Technical and Business Records pertaining to the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Series VI, Folder HH.6.130 (Models and Diagrams), Box Oversize Documents." (Source: Hasselbalch, Kurt and Frances Overcash and Angela Reddin: Guide to The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass., 1997, p. 63-79.)

"Universal Rule Class J." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 7, 2009.)

"In 1935 Athene was owned by film director Ty Garnett and, during a world cruise, served as a backdrop for his movie 'Trade Winds' which was released by United Artists in 1938." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. June 2, 2010.)

"See also: Mystic Seaport, Daniel S. Gregory Ships Plans Library, Cox & Stevens, Inc. Collection. 3 sheets of plans for 102 ft. yawl, ATHENE (built 1899), designed by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Date on plans is 05-07-1941. SP.1975.1.34.322." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 13, 2011.)

"A preliminary plan (obj. no. 2004.0001.0491) in the Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Museum which is just titled '70ft w.l., Feb 28, 1899" but clearly shows Athene (including her bicycle), shows her as a schooner, suggesting that her owner W. O. Gay initially wanted a schooner but then changed his mind and opted for a cutter." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 20, 2018.)

"Built in 200 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $136/day, 670 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Net Register Tons (67) from the 1902 Manning's American Yacht List (Gross Register Tons were reported as 75.7) and converting to lbs by dividing through 2000 (short tons). Note that this figure can only be a rough estimate because register tons as reported in Yacht Registers correlate only loosely with actual displacement figures." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 17, 2015.)

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