HMCo #530s Electra

"[1900-02-09] Fri 9: Rain last night & forenoon. N [wind] in PM. Began setting up #530 [Electra] 36 foot class [with] c.b. ...
[1900-02-15] Thu 15: Fair [with] SSW wind. Began ... planking #530 [Electra]. ...
[1900-02-16] Fri 16: Very fine & nearly calm. Cool. ... Cast lead keel for #530 [Electra]. ...
[1900-03-01] Thu 1: Heavy SE rain storm all day. Very high tide in evening, about 20in. over floor on the end of shop. Turned over #530 [Electra]. ... Bar[ometer] 29.20.
[1900-03-27] Tue 27: Some snow & rain last night. Very fine & springlike [with] l[igh]t NW [wind]. Launched #530 Electra in PM. ...
[1900-04-11] Wed 11: L[igh]t N to NE [wind in] AM. SE & SW in PM. Fair. Had very successful trial of Electra [#530s].
[1900-04-12] Thu 12: Rainy day with l[igh]t SE to NW [wind]. Mr. Havemeyer here & Electra [#530s] turned over to him. ...
[1900-04-13] Fri 13: Misty [with] l[igh]t N [wind]. ... Electra [#530s] sailed." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1900. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"No. 530. B-3-m [sic].
C[enter] b[oard] sloop for 36ft class.
In making moulds and patterns from these figures use scale 17" long divided into 12 parts & eights.
Frame spaces. By common rule 12 1/2" equal to 8 8/10" very nearly by long rule.
Deduct for planking 7/16 + 1/2 = 15/16".
Timbers moulded 1 3/8" at head, increasing 3/32" per ft full length by common rule.
Keel 2 7/8".
Crown [of] deck 6" in = 14' 9".
Crown [of] hosue 5" in = 8' 0"." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.120.] Undated, ca. September 1899. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"... Electra is not a very desirable type, it may be well to bear down a little hard on her [with her rating]. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. [Letter to W. Butler Duncan, Jr.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1). September 27, 1900.)

"... Electra [Name], 530 [Building Number], 44.4 [Rating], 31.25 [Waterline], 40.7 [L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule], 13.45 [B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule], 3 [d = draft of water as for Universal Rule], 313 [D = displacement in cubic foot as for Universal Rule (= 20,000 lbs or 8.9 long tons)], 1688 [Sail Area], 3010 [Sail limit Present rule], -1322 [Diff.], 1645 [Sail limit Proposed rule], 43 [Diff.], Rigged for racing only [Notes] ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule Formula." Bristol, R.I., July 13, 1907 with later additions. Original handwritten (in ink) document with penciled additions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00080.)

"Electra, sloop yacht, of [blank].
Built at [blank] [sic, i.e. Bristol at HMCo].
12 tons; 44 ft. x 14.8 ft. x 4.2 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head, overhanging stern.
Surveyed and measured, March 20, 1900." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Electra.)

"A sailing craft named the Electra is to be launched at Herreshoff's this afternoon. She is to be sloop rigged and is 36 feet on the water line. The Electra is owned by a prominent New York yachtsman." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, March 27, 1900, p. 2.)

"[License issued to vessel under 20 tons. Pos. 73:]
Electra, sloop yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1900.
12 tons; 44 ft. x 14.8 ft. x 4.2 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
No specifications shown.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) Apr. 10, 1900. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: N. G. Herreshoff.
Surrendered [license] May 31, 1900 at Patchogue. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence])." (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. Electra.)

"Special to The New York Times. BRISTOL, R.I., April 13 [1900] --- The new Herreshoff sloop yacht Electra, built for a New York yachtsman, proved in every way satisfactory on her trial spin in the lower bay this week. The Electra is an odd-looking boat, very flat-bodied and unusually broad for her length. Her peculiar appearance has earned for her the nickname of 'The Natfish.'
The new yacht is a craft, measuring 50 feet over all. She has a polemasted rig, with a very big mainsail, peaked upward to such a degree that from a distance it looks nearly upright. The cloths run from the luff to the leach. With her great beam and shoal draught she makes the least leeway in a good ten-mile breeze of any boat of her size tried for a long time, and leaves scarcely anything to indicate a wake. She seemed to have quite enough of sail spread, although she did not heel to leeward to any extent. On the contrary, she lifted out forward very much and settled aft. The Electra will shortly be taken to Great South Bay." (Source: Anon. "New Herreshoff Boats. Electra's Satisfactory Trial." New York Times, April 14, 1900, p. 10.)

"Bristol, April 14 [1900] --- The first actual sailing trial of any of Herreshoff's new sailing yachts took place here yesterday in the lower bay. The yacht tried out was the new fifty-six foot centerboard sloop Electra, and the result was eminently satisfactory, both to her owner and builder.
She appears to be of peculiar and somewhat ungainly proportions, resembling more the old American skimming dish model than a modern Herreshoff. She carries a large centerboard, is immensely beamy and very shallow. She is fitted with a pole mast, a huge mainsail, which peaks up so high that at a distance it looks almost like a leg of mutton. The center of effort is thus brought low down, and the lifting power of her headsails seems a little bit too great, as when on the wind she lifts forward and settles aft. In spite of this, which in another model would prove to be a drag, she leaves hardly a perceptible wake, and seems to glide over the waves instead of cutting through them. The last peculiarity is due more to her flat, shallow bottom and widely distributed displacement, however, than to the lifting qualities of her headsail, although something is due to that also. Sailing before the wind she holds her course well, with little yawing or burying. On the wind she stands up, if anything, a little too stiff for beauty, but makes less leeway than any yacht built by Herreshoff in some years. Her leeway, in fact, has been reduced to a minimum. She looks up well, and it will be surprising if she does not eat up to windward of future competitors, even if she cannot outfoot them. For a first trial her sail plan proved very satisfactory, although it may be improved, and probably will be. She was built for Great South Bay sailing, and she will probably go there in the near future." (Source: Anon. "Trial of the Electra. Herreshoff's Latest Creation Shows a Return to the Old Skimming Dish Pattern." Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 14, 1900, p. 13.)

"Mr. Havemeyer yesterday took from the Herreshoff yards the new centreboard sloop Electra, which 'Nat' Herreshoff was testing a few days ago. The new racer has a wide beam, and is flat, yet with well rounded bilges. She carries a polemast with a high peaked mainsail, and also a foresail and jib." (Source: Anon. "Notes of Interest." New York Tribune, April 22, 1900, p. A4.)

"Special to The New York Times. ISLIP, L. I., April 25 [1900]. --- The new sloop yacht, Electra, designed and built by Herreshoff for Henry O. Havemeyer, arrived from Bristol today, and is anchored in the Great South Bay off Islip. Trial races have been aranged for her with the Impatience, the sloop yacht recently completed for Mr. Havemeyer by Capt. Thomas Muncey, at Bay Shore. Capt. Charles Suydam will sail the Electra, and his son, Charles Suydam, Jr., the Impatience. The race will be over a ten-mile course to windward and return on Great South Bay. A bonus has been offered by Mr. Havemeyer to the builder of the swifter yacht. Local yachting men predict success for the Muncey boat." (Source: Anon. "New Herreshoff Boats. Electra at Anchor in Great South Bay." New York Times, April 26, 1900, p. 11.)

"... The sloop Electra, built by Herreshoff for H. O. Havemeyer to win the championship of the Great South Bay, which she succeeded in doing, was purchased last spring by Joseph E. Brown, of Remsen street, and is now moored opposite his beautiful place at Bellport, Long Island. She is unquestionably the fastest boat of her class on the bay, but as she draws over three feet of water she is obliged to follow the channel marks closely. Mr. Brown does not affect racing. ..." (Source: Henshaw, Herbert. "Sports of the Amateur. Racing at Patchogue." Brooklyn Life, July 22, 1905, p. 20.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled sketched mid-sections and a small sailplan sketch on both sides of an envelope from 'The Rudder' to NGH in Bristol. With calculations and note '#530 [ELECTRA]. For G[rea]t So[uth] Bay. (L*sqrt(S))/2 = 36. Measure without crew on board. 8 men is limit, to have low cabin house after stule of WANDA [#490s]. WANDA type is liked'. On verso another mideship section. Undated (this appears to be the original sketch for ELECTRA which was contracted for in September 1899)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_03270. Folder [no #]. No date (1899-09 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] One page with penciled calculations and formulas on recto, apparently related to a rating or measurement formula (L * sq-rt(S)) / (4 * cube-rt(wl ox)) which is calculated for #452s DEFENDER, #499s COLUMBIA, #529s MINEOLA, #510s PETREL, #411s GLORIANA, #414s WASP, #539s ALTAIR, #545s PLEASURE, #538s COUNTESS, #530s ELECTRA and Newport 30 Class. Another formula L * sq-rt(S)) / (7 1/2 * sq-rt([W.L.]ox) which is calculated for PETREL, GLORIANA, ALTAIR, ELECTRA and Newport 30 Class [Undated. 1900 or later given the building numbers]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Calculations. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_72140. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F08, formerly MRDE15. No date (1900 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled '2nd [trial]. Final of #530 [ELECTRA]. Scale 1/16 x 17/12 * 17/192' and marked '1900'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 290.2cuft = 18700lbs = 8.33 tons. On verso another set of penciled pantograph hull sections titled '#530. 1st trial. Scale of model 3/4in per ft. Use 17in rule in making frames & for spars. With list of particulars (LOA, w.l., beam, breadth at w.l., depth of hull in water, freeboard, rations, sail limit and displacement) for 'Model' and, enlarged by a factor of 17/12, for "#530'. With crossed out calculations." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04540. Folder [no #]. 1900.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled 'No. 530 [#530s ELECTRA]. [Three unreadable letters] 36ft South shore[?] Class. Jan[uary] 8, 1900. Scale 1/12'. With calculations arriving at 8540lbs lead, also other calculations arriving at 410lbs [unreadable]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09240. Folder [no #]. 1900-01-08.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Typewritten (carbon copy) table with penciled additions listing boats built 1899/1900 with columns labeled 'Design [in pencil]', 'Shop. No.', 'Length', 'Planking', 'Delivery', 'Owner' followed by penciled data for Boat Name and Actual Delivery Date. Relevant contents:
#530s [Design] Jan. [1899] [Length:] 36ft W.L. [Planking:] Y[ellow] P[ine] [Delivery:] April 1 [1900] [Owner:] H.O. Havemeyer [Act. Delivery:] Apr. [1900] (ELECTRA)." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.. (creator) and Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_01290. Folder [no #]. No date (1900-02).)
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"[Item Description:] saw that #530s ELECTRA was in New York, so she is evidently all done, made me long to be in Bristol and get some early morning sails, wish I could get a glimpse of the 45 and 70 footers [#531s SHARK and #539s ALTAIR and the NY70s], miss Bristol but enjoy my work here, new system of keeping drawings as in a library, 5000 men here, great opportunity to learn methods and get experience, I miss our talks, it was a very hard strain for me to leave you all in Bristol, you have always been so kind to me, I owe what I know of vessels to you, must learn self reliance, glad to hear George [Owen] is to be married [on April 26, 1900], sorry to hear about Louis deWolf" (Source: Packard, Alpheus A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_20330. Correspondence, Folder 58. 1900-04-20.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter on '117 Wall Street, New York' stationery which will lead to contract for #545s PLEASURE] I have tried the ELECTRA [#530s] and she appears to suit in every respect. I do not know what deeper draft boats are capable of, but in smooth water I would like to sail a race with them. As a class boat I do not believe she can be equaled; certainly not in the Great South Bay, where she was intended to sail. She is unsuited in every respect for lumpy water or the ocean, and since I have had her I have almost made up my mind to have you construct for me a boat [#545s PLEASURE], not exceeding 3ft draft, built somewhat on the lines above water of the ELECTRA, but with a very much increased water line length, so that she can be used in the ocean and be easy in the seaway. She is not to be a class boat in any respect. I have been advised that such a boat as I contemplate could be made 10ft longer over all, and perhaps 45ft on the water line, and built much heavier and very much stronger, and her underbody so shaped as to make her easy in the sea. It requires three men to handle the ELECTRA nicely, and I am informed that three men could handle the larger boat as readily. I am also informed that the speed of this new boat, owing to the increased length and her greater water line, will be much faster than that of the ELECTRA, boat for boat.
I would like to know whether you would undertake to construct such boat; what her length over all and her water line would be; her beam, and the amount of lead she would have on her keel, draft as [p. 2] I have already stated, not exceeding 3ft, (the ELECTRA proves to be 3f-2in) and the thickness of her shell, together with her general stability, ease in seaway and area of canvas.
The height of the ELECTRA's cabin from the floor is ample, but if the boat was made 10ft longer, I suppose the cabin would be perhaps 2ft longer, and the cockpit perhaps 4ft longer. If I build the boat I want her at once. I think you said something about being able to turn one out in two months. With all these particulars I want the price. The boat would be painted and finished like the ELECTRA.
In going before the wind and reaching, the Muncy boat is her equal in a fair sailing breeze --- the only test that has been made ---, but to windward the ELECTRA is certainly considerably her superior.
It may interest you to know that I had to add to the trunk of the centerboard of the ELECTRA one foot in height, as in going before the wind the water splashed into her cabin in considerable quantity.
Will your Mr. Nathaniel Herreshoff be in New York shortly, say the first four days of the week?
Yours truly, ..." (Source: Havemeyer, H.O. Letter to Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_01270. Folder [no #]. 1900-05-07.)
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"[Item Description:] question about position and rake #530s ELECTRA's mast, should I send her to you to have this corrected, #545s PLEASURE is a splendid boat, can beat ELECTRA in any weather, feel she could stand 400sqft more sail, she is trimmed by the stern and I would like to send her to you and have this corrected, large jib needs correcting, cost of winter storage?" (Source: Havemeyer, H.O. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_17510. Correspondence, Folder 47. 1900-08-30.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Three-page letter titled at bottom of last page 'Extract outline of letter to W B Duncan Jr., Sept 27, 1900'. Sketch of plan showing deck outline and waterline and explaining terms on top of first page.:] To obtain Mean length at 1/2 the beam beam
Measure the greatest beam A also the greatest breadth at the water line B. Take one half the mean of these (A + B) / 4 = C with the length equal to 1/2 d, find the points on the outside of the rail both foremost and aft that are equidistant from the outer line of the deck. Establish marks at these points, a and b. With a straight edge arranged to swing in an imaginary vertical plane, passing through the points a - b, mark points at the gunwhale and at the waterline in this plane as at a, d, e & f.
Measure the distance a b + D, also, with a plumb line and staff[?] measure the distances, a.c, b.d, a.e and b.f. From D subtract (ac + bf), which will be the length on deck at 1/2 beam and D subtract ae + bf which will be the length on waterline at 1/2 beam. ... ...
This mean length at onehalf mean beam (L) can be used in place of waterline length in the present formula for attaining[?] the 'Sailing length', but it is strongly recommended that, for the purpose to encourage boats of heavier displacement, the displacement should be measured in same way, and used as a divisor or negatively in the formula for obtaining the 'sailing length'. This in my opinion can best be done in the formula sailing length = (L * sq-rt(S)) / (C * cube-rt(D)) in which
L = represents Mean length of onehalf mean beam, in feet
S = represents sail area in square feet (...)
D = represents Displacement in cubic feet
C = constant which should be about (5) when the measurements are taken in feet and the sailing length to apply to the present table of time allowances.
... [possible simplifications of measurement procedure] ...
This applied to some of our own well known boats would as shown in the following list and I think it very well represents their average speed length in racing excepting, perhaps, ELECTRA [#530s]. But as ELECTRA is not a very desirable type, it may be well to bear down a little hard on her." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Duncan, W. Butler. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_70340. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F05, formerly MRDE15. 1900-09-27.)
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"[Item Description:] have placed an order for the 15ft LWL boat [#550s TOBY] for my boy [Horace Havemeyer (1886–1956)], would like to have her as slick as you can turn her out, #530s ELECTRA raced with success in Philadelphia" (Source: Havemeyer, H.O. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_17530. Correspondence, Folder 47. 1900-11-08.)
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"[Item Description:] Page (on the back of Brooklyn Warehouse and Dry Dock Company' invitation to a stockholders meeting on June 10, 1902) with densely penciled table and calculations marked by NGH in right margin 'sent in letter to Mr Cormack, June 16, 1902'. The table shows rating numbers and intermediate numbers for exisiting and proposed rating rules for HMCo-built boats (#499s COLUMBIA, #452s DEFENDER, #529s MINEOLA Class, #510s PETREL (yawl), #411s GLORIANA, #414s WASP, #539s ALTAIR, #545s PLEASURE, #538s COUNTESS, #530s ELECTRA, Newport 30 Class, Buzzards Bay 30 Class, #578s AZOR)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Correspondence (table) to Cormack, George A. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_72260. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F08, formerly MRDE15. 1902-06-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter on '117 Wall Street, New York' stationery:] I have your letter of Jan. 20th [1903], and am glad to learn of your interest in the new boat [#607s FLIGHT]. I thought I would call your attention again about the draft. I presume it is the model of the hull of the boat that occasions the suction, and with that much flatter than the present ELECTRA [#582s], it seems to me that the lead might be extended, so that the draft of the boat would be 3ft.
I might add that I would build her the limit. 25ft water line would entitle her to 1225 sq. feet of sail. However, you are the last man I would care to make any suggestions to.
The first ELECTRA [#530s] was all right, except that she might have been made a little stronger where she entered the water forward, so that her pounding would not raise her up.
Yours truly, ..." (Source: Havemeyer, H.O. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_02560. Folder [no #]. 1903-01-22.)
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"[Item Description:] Four handwritten (in ink) pages with tabulated data listing 'Shop No', 'Name', '[Tons] Gross' and '[Tons] Net' for a total of 100 HMCo-built boats and classes. Tonnage data is usually precise to two digits behind the decimal. Random comparisons suggest source of tonnage data to be official Custom House data. Boats mentioned are: #664s, #663s, #625s, #665s, #634s, #658s, #657s, #646s, #641s, #617s, #626s Class, #624s, #621s, #616s, #619s, #590s, #591s, #586s, #592 Class, #618s, #605s, #578s, #560s Class, #580s, #553s, #551s, #552s, #546s, #541s, #545s, #538s, #534s, #533s, #532s, #529s, #534s, #530s, #531s, #435s, #437s, #452s, #499s, #429s, #426s, #424s, #481s, #422s, #417s, #414s, #451s, #215p, #213p, #222p, #235p, #230p, #229p, #236p, #224p, #244p, #247p, #249p, #231p, #232p, #228p, #252p, #250p, #251p, #248p, #168p, #164p, #118p, #142p, #174p, #173p, #194p, #189p, #193p, #183p, #178p, #179p, #181p, #182p, #175p, #163p, #148p, #149p, #172p, #155p, #170p, #186p, #188p, #206p, #207p, #205p, #208p, #209p, #210p, #211p, #212p, #216p. Undated (the latest boat listed, WINSOME, was launched in 1907)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Handwritten List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00220. Folder [no #]. No date (1907 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink and) table / design rule titled 'Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule' and signed 'Nath'l G. Herreshoff. Bristol R.I. July 16, 1907'. With formula 'Sailarea not more than C * B * (L * d * D)^.025 in which C = constant depending on rig, as follows: Sloops & Yawls not carrying topsails C=8.75. Full rigged Sloops C=9.8. Full rigged Schooners and Yawls C=9.3. L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule. B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule. d = draft of water as for Universal Rule. D = displacement as for Universal Rule. The following are examples of application of the above formula to some well known yachts designed by the author. Measurements for Universal Rule'. Followed by tabulated data showing Building Number, Rating, Waterline, L, B, d, D, S, Sail limit Present rule, Diff., Sail limit Proposed rule, Diff., and Notes for Buzzards Bay 15 [#503s class], KILDEE [#460s], SIS [#536s], DOROTHY Q [#668s], SENECA [#670s], N.Y.Y.C. 30 [#626s class], NEWPORT 30 [#463s class], ELECTRA [#530s], SPASM [#538s], PLEASURE [#545s], NEITH [#665s], DELIGHT [#679s], GLORIANA [#411s], ALTAIR [#539s], AVENGER [#666s], DORIS [#625s], WINSOME [#664s class], IROLITA II [#658s], YANKEE [#534s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RELIANCE [#605s], PETREL [#510s], QUEEN [#657s], INGOMAR [#590s], WESTWARD [#692s], AND [KATOURA] [#722s]. [In an article in the March 5, 1905 Boston Globe (p40), N. G. Herreshoff argued that unless there be a stricter limit on sail area in the present Universal Rule, there would be only few cruising yachts racing. This formula is apparently an attempt to address the above issue. See elsewhere for complete spreadsheet transcription.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00080. Folder [no #]. 1907-07-13.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink) rating rule titled 'Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule' and signed 'Nath'l G. Herreshoff. Bristol R.I. July 16, 1907'. With formula 'Sailarea not more than C * B * (L * d * D)^.025 in which C = constant depending on rig, as follows: Sloops & Yawls not carrying topsails C=8.75. Full rigged Sloops C=9.8. Full rigged Schooners and Yawls C=9.3. L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule. B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule. d = draft of water as for Universal Rule. D = displacement as for Universal Rule. The following are examples of application of the above formula to some well known yachts designed by the author. Measurements for Universal Rule'. Followed by tabulated data showing Building Number, Rating, Waterline, L, B, d, D, S, Sail limit Present rule, Diff., Sail limit Proposed rule, Diff., and Notes for Buzzards Bay 15 [#503s class], KILDEE [#460s], SIS [#536s], DOROTHY Q [#668s], SENECA [#670s], N.Y.Y.C. 30 [#626s class], NEWPORT 30 [#463s class], ELECTRA [#530s], SPASM [#538s], PLEASURE [#545s], NEITH [#665s], DELIGHT [#679s], GLORIANA [#411s], ALTAIR [#539s], AVENGER [#666s], DORIS [#625s], WINSOME [#664s class], IROLITA II [#658s], YANKEE [#534s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RELIANCE [#605s], PETREL [#510s], QUEEN [#657s], INGOMAR [#590s], WESTWARD [#692s], AND [KATOURA] [#722s]. [In an article in the March 5, 1905 Boston Globe (p40), N. G. Herreshoff argued that unless there be a stricter limit on sail area in the present Universal Rule, there would be only few cruising yachts racing. This formula is apparently an attempt to address the above issue. See elsewhere for complete spreadsheet transcription.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Handwritten Rating Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00260. Folder [no #]. 1907-07-16.)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint table titled 'Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule' and signed 'Nath'l G. Herreshoff. Bristol R.I. July 16, 1907'. With formula 'Sailarea not more than C * B * (L * d * D)^.025 in which C = constant depending on rig, as follows: Sloops & Yawls not carrying topsails C=8.75. Full rigged Sloops C=9.8. Full rigged Schooners and Yawls C=9.3. L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule. B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule. d = draft of water as for Universal Rule. D = displacement as for Universal Rule. The following are examples of application of the above formula to some well known yachts designed by the author. Measurements for Universal Rule'. Followed by tabulated data showing Building Number, Rating, Waterline, L, B, d, D, S, Sail limit Present rule, Diff., Sail limit Proposed rule, Diff., and Notes for Buzzards Bay 15 [#503s class], KILDEE [#460s], SIS [#536s], DOROTHY Q [#668s], SENECA [#670s], N.Y.Y.C. 30 [#626s class], NEWPORT 30 [#463s class], ELECTRA [#530s], SPASM [#538s], PLEASURE [#545s], NEITH [#665s], DELIGHT [#679s], GLORIANA [#411s], ALTAIR [#539s], AVENGER [#666s], DORIS [#625s], WINSOME [#664s class], IROLITA II [#658s], YANKEE [#534s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RELIANCE [#605s], PETREL [#510s], QUEEN [#657s], INGOMAR [#590s], WESTWARD [#692s], AND [KATOURA] [#722s]. [In an article in the March 5, 1905 Boston Globe (p40), N. G. Herreshoff argued that unless there be a stricter limit on sail area in the present Universal Rule, there would be only few cruising yachts racing. This formula is apparently an attempt to address the above issue. See elsewhere for complete spreadsheet transcription.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Blueprint Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0169. WRDT08, Folder 16, formerly MRDE06. 1907-07-16.)
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"[Item Description:] [almost unreadable], #582s ELECTRA, #490s WANDA, incl. NGH reply: in regard of proposed new class, since advent of Universal Rule yachts have very much improved, much abler craft and pleasanter to sail, you can get this statement verified by anyone who owns a boat built under the new rule who formerly had experience in the flat ended scow formed boats, I am sure the type will sooner or later be seen in Great South Bay and if you start it it will develop and give your young people a good type of boat, [next two sentences crossed out:] I consider all the boats we have built for you excepting #545s PLEASURE and #582s ELECTRA II, freaks to beat the waterline measurement rule and WANDA is the most extreme being built to sail under the same rule in L.I. Sound, she is one of the fastest and also meanest boat I ever designed, I would like to see a better type spring up in your waters as well as elsewhere along the coast, however if you prefer the old type we can build them as well as any and I think will still be able to turn out successful ones, I cannot agree with you that WANDA, #607s FLIGHT & #530s ELECTRA I are a better type than ELECTRA II, but admit fully that comparing by waterline length when measured lying still they are much faster, they were designed to beat that way of measuring and do it successfully, they are larger boats for the waterline length and get the advantage of the size in racing but are a poor type of boat for any use but racing in your shallow water bay where moderate breezes and smooth waters prevail, ordinarily the enjoyment of yacht racing comes from sailing the yacht to wit out against your antagonist and showing greater ability in the art of sailing a yacht, there are very few who look upon it as you do and prefer a yacht that is like a race horse and of little use except for racing, when you proposed to get up a new class it seemed to me it would be better to make it a type that would be popular with the ordinary yachtsman and that in view submitted the draft of rules and restrictions that should produce a good wholesome and fast boat, probably faster than any you now have on the Bay providing they were all measured and sailed under the Universal Rule which does not use water line length as a measurement at all, I will state that I don't like the flat scow type of boats and much prefer to design and built a type of more general use, but if you desire [I] will try my hand at any type you will decide on as I have heretofore with fair success" (Source: Havemeyer, H.O. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_17680. Correspondence, Folder 47. 1907-09-07.)
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"[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 #530s Electra even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Electra (HMCo-made index card)
• Electra (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: Electra
Type: Cutter
Length: 31'
Owner: Havemeyer, H. O.

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

• Electra
• 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: Electra I
Type: 31' 2" cutter
Owner: H. O. Havemeyer
Year: 1900
Row No.: 192

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: Sept
Day: 8
Year: 1899
E/P/S: S
No.: 0530
Name: Electra
LW: 31'
B: 14' 9"
D: 3'
Rig: Cutter
K: y
Ballast: Lead O.
Amount: 4500.00
Last Name: Havemeyer
First Name: H. 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.

"Built in 200 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $23/day, 100 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"[Sail area info.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule Formula." Bristol, R.I., July 13, 1907 with later additions. Original handwritten (in ink) document with penciled additions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00080.)

"[Displacement (312.5 cubic feet = 20,000lbs).]" (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule Formula." Bristol, R.I., July 13, 1907 with later additions. Original handwritten (in ink) document with penciled additions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00080.)

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