HMCo #533s Virginia

"[1900-03-22] Thu 22: Strong W to SSW [wind]. Clear. ... Cast lead [keel] for #533 (70 footer) [Virginia] in 5 h[ours] 10 m[inutes].
[1900-03-28] Wed 28: Fine with fresh NW [wind and] cool. Unloaded spars. Began setting up frames for #533 (70 ft) [Virginia].
[1900-04-28] Sat 28: Fair & cooler [with] N & SE [wind]. Finished planking #533 [Virginia]. ...
[1900-05-12] Sat 12: Very fine & warm [with] mod[erate] S [wind]. ... Deck on 533 [Virginia is] laid & caulked.
[1900-05-26] Sat 26: Fresh NE [wind]. Cool & cloudy. ... Launched Virginia #533 & stepped mast.
[1900-05-31] Thu 31: Fine & warmer. [#533s] Virginia’s spars & rigging all in place.
[1900-06-06] Wed 6: Very fine [with] l[igh]t S [wind in] AM. Fresh SSW [wind in] PM. ... Bent sails on Virginia [#533s]. ...
[1900-06-07] Thu 7: Very fine [with] fresh SW [wind]. Made trial of Virginia [#533s] in forenoon. ...
[1900-06-12] Tue 12: Very fine & warm. Light variable [wind]. Virginia [#533s] delivered to W. K. Vanderbilt Jr. and sailed for Newport. ...
[1900-06-16] Sat 16: Very fine. Fresh SW [wind] in PM. ... Virginia [#533s] hauled out to smooth. ...
[1900-06-26] Tue 26: Fine [with] mod[erate] S [wind]. ... Virginia here & sailed in PM. ...
[1900-06-30] Sat 30: Very strong WNW [wind] all day. Owners of 70 footers have a meeting here. ...
[1900-07-05] Thu 5: Very fine [with] l[igh]t variable [wind] & clear. ... Hauled out Virginia [#533s] on ways for painting. ...
[1900-07-17] Tue 17: Very fine ... Yankee [#534s] won over Mineola [#529s], Virginia [#533s], Rainbow [#532] in[?] race[?] of Newport ...
[1900-07-25] Wed 25: H[eav]y rain with t[hunder] & l[ightning] between 5 & 9. Rain much needed as everything is drying up. 70’s at Newport had a bad shaking outside and Virginia [#533s] & Yankee [#534s] withdrew. Mineola [#529s] 1st but protested.
[1900-07-25] Wed 25: H[eav]y rain with t[hunder] & l[ightning] between 5 & 9. Rain much needed as everything is drying up. 70’s at Newport had a bad shaking outside and Virginia [#533s] & Yankee withdrew. Mineola 1st but protested.
[1900-07-26] Thu 26: Heavy rain nearly all day. Very (?) wind. Have begun to fix up the 70s [which were displaying severe structural weaknesses and beginning to acquire a reputation as leakabouts]. Carpenters began on stable at [the] farm yesterday.
[1900-08-18] Sat 18: Very fine & hot. Went outside in Squib [#188p] in PM to see race of 70 footers." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1900. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"... Yankee [Name], 534 [Building Number], 78 [Rating], 70.48 [Waterline], 70.8 [L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule], 18.47 [B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule], 14 [d = draft of water as for Universal Rule], 2,606 [D = displacement in cubic foot as for Universal Rule (= 166,784 lbs or 74.5 long tons)], 6945 [Sail Area], 9120 [Sail limit Present rule], -2175 [Diff.], 7260 [Sail limit Proposed rule], -315 [Diff.], [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.)

"Going back to 1899, while COLUMBIA was sailing, we built the seventy foot waterline centerboard sloop yacht ATHENE for William O. Gay of Boston. ... This craft prompted the building of the famous Seventy Foot Class.
...
The famous Seventy Foot Class of sloops came out in 1900: MINEOLA, RAINBOW, VIRGINIA, and YANKEE ..." (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. 67-68.)

"... The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company has engaged J J Wall & Co, building contractors, to do the planking and deck planking of the special 65-footers, and the work was begun yesterday. Three of the boats are now under way, and the rush at the Herreshoff shops is almost unprecedented at this season of the year. ... [Though not mentioned by name (and stating a wrong size), this is apparently a reference to #529s Mineola, #532s Rainbow, #533s Virginia and #534s Yankee, the class of four NY-70s then under construction.]" (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, December 12, 1899, p. 2.)

"The schooner Mary Augusta arrived at the Herreshoff dock from Boston Tuesday [March 27, 1900] afternoon, loaded with spars for the four 70 footers [#529s Mineola, #532s Rainbow, #533s Virginia, and #534s Yankee] and the two 46 footers [#531s Shark and #539s Altair]. The spars are all of Oregon pine, and are smoothed up ready for use. They consist of lower masts, topmasts, booms, gaffs, bowsprits, spinnaker poles, clubs and yards. [The spars had been made by the East Boston Spar Company.]" (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, March 30, 1900, p. 2.)

"BRISTOL, R. I. April 21 [1900]. --- ... The seventy-footer [#533s Virginia] in the north shop is planked to a point above the turn of the bilges, each strake becoming longer. The remainder of the planks will not be fastened so quickly as the lower ones have been. Progress is being made in framing the last of the seventy-footers [#534s Yankee] in the south construction shop, but there is yet a month's work to be done on the hulls of these two boats. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts near Completion." New York Times, April 22, 1900, p. 12.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., May 5 [1900]. --- ... In the north shop, William K. Vanderbilt's 70-footer Virginia [#533s Virginia] is planked, and her planking is being smoothed up. In the south shop the fourth 70-footer [#534s Yankee] has considerable of her planking on. ..." (Source: Anon. "Mineola Ready for Trial." Boston Globe, May 6, 1900, p. 29.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., May 12, [1900] ... The third of the 70-footers [#533s Virginia] is having her deck laid in the north shop. It was about completed last evening. The outer planks have been smoothed up for the coat of priming. ..." (Source: Anon. "In The Bristol Yards. Work on the Seventy-Footers Progressing Rapidly. New Small Craft." New York Times, May 13, 1900, p. ?)

"BRISTOL, R. I., May 19 [1900]. --- ... In the north shop at Herreshoffs' William H. Vanderbilt's 70-footer Virginia [#533s] is nearly ready for launching. The third coat of paint was put on her yesterday, and she presents a fine appearance.
Workmen are busy on her interior, and her hatch coamings of mahogany are being fastened.
In the south shop the other 70-footer [#534s Yankee] is planked, and some of the deck planking is laid.
The spars for these two 70-footers are being made ready for stepping, and the standing rigging is being made up. ..." (Source: Anon. "Rainbow Ready for Trial." Boston Globe, May 20, 1900, p. 25.)

"BRISTOL, R.I., May 26 [1900]. --- William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.'s, boat, the Virginia, the third of the seventy-footers built at Herreshoffs', was launched from the north shop at 5:40 o'clock this evening.
Neither the owner nor any of his personal friends was present at the launching, which was witnessed only by the members of the Herreshoff family and the English crew of the Rainbow.
The Virginia was launched on greased ways by the aid of a steam windlass, and as soon as launched lines were made fast to her, so that she did not go beyond the end of the slip. She was then hauled up and made fast to the north dock, and by means of a large shear the lower mast was stepped by 6 o'clock. The standing rigging was fastened to the masthead when the mast was stepped, and was in order before dark. The rigging will go on next week, and by Saturday it is expected the Virginia will be fully rigged. She will not be able to leave here, however, for three weeks, as there is a good deal of work to be done on her interior.
Her Captain will be John Hansen, formerly Captain of the racing schooner Iroquois. Her crew are here and are quartered at one of the hotels.
The fourth of the seventy-footers, owned by Harry Payne Whitney, but as yet unnamed, will be launched next week." (Source: Anon. "Vanderbilt's Yacht Launched. Neither Her Owner Nor His Personal Friends Were Present." New York Times, May 27, 1900, p. 8.)

"Virginia, sloop (532), of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.
74.36 gross tons, 66.35 net tons; 81.6 ft. x 19.4 ft. x 14.2 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head, overhanging stern.
Surveyed and measured, June 4, 1900." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Virginia.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 960:]
Virginia, sloop, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1900.
74.36 gross tons, 66.35 net tons; 81.6 ft. x 19.4 ft. x 14.2 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head [bow].
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) June 9, 1900. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: N. G. Herreshoff, Bristol.
Surrendered [license] June 20, 1900 at New York. ([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. Virginia.)

"NEWPORT, July 31 [1900]. --- The fleet of [New York] seventies will be repaired and overhauled and made ready for the cruise of the New York Yacht Club, despite reports to the contrary, and the remainder of the series for the cup offered by the Newport Yacht Racing Association will be sailed as soon as the former function has concluded.
The seventies will be temporarily repaired, and in the Fall they will be placed out of commission and practically rebuilt by the Herreshoffs." (Source: Anon. "Yacht News of Newport. The Seventy-Foot Yachts Will Be Made Ready for the N. Y. Y. C. Cruise." New York Times, August 1, 1900, p. 5.)

"In several of its aspects the yacht racing season of 1900 has been a notable one. With no great international yachting event to distract attention from local affairs, interest has been concentrated upon the development of promising racing classes at home, and in the results success and failure have been so closely joined that the year is likely to be long remembered by yachtsmen as unique among the rather colorless seasons that usually intervene between the all-absorbing contests for the America's Cup. ... The development of practical interest in the larger classes of racing sloops and cutters has been unprecedented in previous years, and the most closely observed boats of the season have been the four one-design [New York] 'seventies' which Herreshoff built to measure within the newly created eighty-foot racing length class. The seventies have, indeed, given the feature to the yachting season of 1900, which may distinguish it from a score of 'off' years past and to come. This feature lies in the mixed success and failure of the quartet. Undoubtedly the fastest yachts ever built, their unseaworthiness has sounded the imperative note of warning against further advance in the way of light construction that designers have been fearing to hear in the last half dozen years. The same fault of unseaworthiness due to excessive lightness in construction has marked the two fifty-one footers Altair [#539s] and Shark [#531s], and in a lesser degree the thirty-sixes Countess [#538s] and Effort [#541s], which were launched from the Herreshoff yards this year. When the danger-mark, toward which designers have been hastening of late, has thus been reached by the foremost member of their profession, it is only natural to look for a reaction toward more safely constructed racing craft, and the season of 1900 may mark the beginning of an era in the sport wherein even the mere racing machines will obtain speed by some trick of design other than the sacrifice of rational substantiality. Necessity is the clearly proved mother of invention, and when the ingenious brains of designers forsake the absorbing search for speed by means of the minimum weight in construction they may draw nearer the lines of least resistance in the model of sailing craft. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notable Yachting Season. Development of the Larger Racing Classes Unprecedented. Herreshoff Reaches Limit. Unseaworthiness of Seventies Warns Against Further Sacrifice of Substantial Construction to Speed." New York Times, September 9, 1900, p. 22.)

"[Race results.]" (Source: Aldridge, A. F. "The Seventy-Footers." Rudder, December 1900, p. 449-450.)

"The 70-footer Virginia [#533s], owned by Mr. W. K. Vanderbilt, Jr., is being strengthened at Burlee's yard, Staten Island, under the direction of Tams, Lemoine & Crane. Yankee [#534s] and Rainbow [#532s] were practically rebuilt at the Herreshoff's." (Source: Anon. "Yachts News Notes." Forest and Stream, April 20, 1901, p. 314.)

"BRISTOL, R. I. , July 20 [1902] --- ... The 70-foot sloop Virginia, owned by William K. Vanderbilt, came off the ways at the Herreshoff shops the first of the week [July 14, 1902], after a general overhauling and painting, and was towed soon afterward to Newport to be rigged and placed in commission for the season. The fitting out of the Virginia will bring all the 70-footers to the line, off Newport. ..." (Source: Anon. "Herreshoffs Anticipate an Order for Another Cup Defender." New York Times, July 21, 1902, p. 8.)

"... Commodore W. K. Vanderbilt Jr's 70-footer Virginia has been rebuilt in the bow under the direction of Tams, Lemoine & Crane, and will soon be in shape for refitting. The Virginia will be the flagship of the Seawanhaka-Corinthian yacht club the coming season. ..." (Source: Anon. "Knots, Bends and Splices." Boston Globe, March 12, 1905, p. 40.)

"WILLIAM K. VANDERBILT JR.'S 70-footer Virginia is the first of those famous craft to undergo a complete transformation. This great racer has been purchased by Robert Barrie, of the Corinthian Yacht Club, and she is having her rig cut down and will be used as a houseboat. ..." (Source: Anon. "Driftwood." Yachting, December 1908, p. 320.)

"W. K. Vanderbilt, Jr., recently sold the 70ft. sloop yacht Virginia to Henry M. Smedley, who, after removing the lead on the hull, sold the hull to Robert Barrie, a member of the Corinthian Y. C. of Philadelphia. The yacht is now at the yard of Robert Jacob at City Island. She is to have inside ballast put in. altered to a house boat, have her rig cut down and then sent to the Delaware. Virginia was one of the four yachts built by Herreshoff in 1900." (Source: Anon. "Sloop Virginia Now a Houseboat." Forest and Stream, 1908, vol. 71, [p. 705].)

"No man, except the suicide, knows what his end will be, and I could foresee that I would own Azalea, the oldest schooner yacht in America, and end up with turning Herreshoff's Virginia into a yawl." (Source: Barrie, Robert. My Log. Philadelphia 1917, p. 82.)

"... My first view of the schooner was in Fredericksted, St. Croix, and at first glance I thought she was a fisherman type, but on going aboard at St. Thomas on the following evening, I found the original paint on her stern and the name Virginia --- Providence R.I. [sic, a homeport of Providence, R.I. has not yet been confirmed for Virginia], and I could see at once that she was all overhang and yacht built. Her cockpit had been decked over, her rig cut down and altered to a schooner, and no doubt other changes made.
... Before turning into my dog cabin I wished to get a fresh film for my camera from my trunk and made my way below and forward to what was the original main saloon of a once respectable yacht. It was an unforgettable sight and, being more or less immune to seasickness, I took it all in. To do so I needed to be immune. Try to picture it: a square room with transoms running around the sides, nicely panelled in expensive woods. The skylight had been removed and I could see the stars and the swell of the close-hauled foresail. Baggage of all kinds had been hastily lowered and lay piled in heaps on the floor, trunks of ancient vintage, bags, suitcases, packages of all kinds. From the hatch combing hung an oil lantern, swinging as she rolled and lurched over the short swells to the music of creaking gaff or boom. The lantern and open hatch gave all the light there was.
While I was finding my trunk, my eyes became accustomed to the dim light and I could appreciate the scene. Instantly it came into my mind, what would the builder and designer think of this main saloon as I see it? What would the well groomed men and women that perchance in other years made merry here, think of it now? ...
... I got my film and went on deck into the cool, clean air of the open sea, and as I tucked myself into my little dog cabin and lay there listening to the wash overside and the creaking boom, I thought: no doubt Virginia was born a lady, but to what poor estate is she fallen!
[With photo as a schooner, captioned:] What becomes of the old yachts? Some of them stray into the paths of trade and earn their livings. Virginia was one of the well-known 70-foot sloops and raced hard for a season or two." (Source: Daniel, W. S. "A West Indies Run in a Windjammer. A Trip from the Virgin Islands In A Converted Racing Yacht." Yachting, April 1920, p. 145.)

"The Seventies, one of Herreshoff's famous one-design classes built in 1900, with long ends, began to go out of shape. Herreshoff advised the owners to send them back to Bristol to have metal straps fitted between planking and frames, the work to be done at cost but the owners to pay the cost. One of our clients, W. K. Vanderbilt, Jr., felt it should have been done for nothing by the builder as it was his fault. He was so annoyed that he commissioned me to have the work done in City Island, though I assured him that even without my fee it would cost more." (Source: Crane, Clinton. Clinton Crane's Yachting Memories, New York, 1952, p. 100-101.)

"The four boats of this, Herreshoffs largest one-design class, went at it tooth and nail in their first season, driving their long-ended hulls way beyond their structural limitations and earning for them the nickname 'Leakabouts.' Mineola [#529s], Rainbow [#532s], Virginia [#533s], and Yankee [#534s] were their names, and the fact that the owners, afterguard, and crews had, for the most part, been groomed aboard the intensely competitive Newport 30-footers established their hard-driving attitude toward sailing these far bigger craft.
There was some ethnic rivalry between the professional crews as well: two of the boats were manned entirely by Englishmen, while the other two had Scandinavian crews and American skippers.
Herreshoff's reputation suffered as much as the 'Leakabouts' themselves did, with numerous jibes coming from the yachting press and considerable owner dissatisfaction. Internal metal trusses were added during their second season which cut down on the leaking, but these scowlike monsters continued to demonstrate the ills of the prevailing Length-and-Sail-Area rating rule.
(The New York 70s also demonstrated that racing craft this big should be plated with metal rather than planked with wood.) Owners and observers alike became convinced that the New York Yacht Club and other leading clubs should consider a new rule that favored less-extreme hull shapes. Within two or three years, the Universal Rule was adopted." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 100.)

"N/A"

"[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 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled midship section sketch titled "#529 [New York 70 class: #529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE] 65ft w.l. With a few calculations noting 'Girth[?]'. (Is this an original sketch to facilitate making the model?) Undated (a first set of pantograph hull section was drawn on September 8, 1899)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09080. Folder [no #]. No date (1899-09-08 or earlier ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled '529 [New York 70 Class: #529s, #532s, #533s, #534s]. 1st trial. Sept[ember] 8, [18]99'. No further notes or calculations. " (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04600. Folder [no #]. 1899-09-08.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections and pantograph lead sections titled '2nd trial. Final. #529. 65ft Class [New York 70s: #529s, #532s, #533s, #534s]. Sept[ember] 11, 1899'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 2372.4cuft = 152620lbs = 68 tons gross and a group of calculations for 'Keel. 3ft 0in deep from bottom line'. " (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04580. Folder [no #]. 1899-09-11.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled '#529s [New York 70 class: #529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE] Lead. 65ft w.l. Sept[ember] 17, 1899'. With calculations arriving at 72750lbs of lead at 58.1% of w.l." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09020. Folder [no #]. 1899-09-17.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled calculations titled 'Memo[randum]. Sept[ember] 29 [1899]'. With calculations dividing 28000 'C Price' by 64 'Tons D' = 437.50 'Portion[?] D' and multiplying this with 74 1.2 'per[??] D' = $32,593.75. With note 'Gross price for Sloop 32,593.75'. 4 boats usin[?] ordered, deduct discount of 4000 making price net per sloop = $28,593.75'. (These are price calculations for #529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA and #534s YANKEE of the New York 70 class, whose LWL had been increased fom 65ft to 70ft and which were contracted for on October 11, 1899 for $32,593.75 each)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (??) (creator). Cost Estimate. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_03290. Folder [no #]. 1899-09-29.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary specifications and class rule beginning with 'Rules for One Designed Class of 65ft w.l. General approximate dimensions. W.L. 65ft. Overall 99ft. Beam 19 1/4ft. Draft 13ft. Disp[lacement] 2240cuft [= 143360lbs]. Sail by NYYC rule 5625sqft. Outfit to include 16ft cutter, 12 foot dinghy, complete rig & gear for cruising & racing, including 20 life preservers, 2 life rings, 2 anchors & chain cables, 1 kedge anchor & warp. Total sleeping accomodation 17. Galley capable to feed 17. Water tanks of 425gals. Ice box of 950lbs capacity. In One Design Class Races ... ' and continuing with 'Mem[orandum] of sails which may be used in One Design Class Races', 'Spars to be of wood ...', 'Docking for cleaning, painting bottomes to be done only between 1st & 7th of each months unless by special permit ...'. [Filed with material relating to the NY70s of 1899/1900 (#529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE) and a preliminary, smaller, design for this class]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Specifications and Class Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_02750. Folder [no #]. No date (1899-10 ???).)
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"[Item Description:] Typewritten class rule titled 'Rules for One Design Class of 65 [corrected in pencil to 70] feet water line [New York 70 class of 1899/1900 #529s: MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE]'. With sections beginning with 'General aproximate dimensions', 'Outfit', 'Memo of sails which may be used', 'Spars to be of ...', 'Interior. One of three plans submitted, in either pine painted or butternut shellace finished or policked', 'Decocking for cleaning to be done only' and, in pencil, 'One ton of inside ballast is placed on board by the builders and this is not to be added to or taken out ...'. With numerous penciled changes reflecting the increase of waterline length from 65ft to 70ft which the New York 70s design underwent in October 1899." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Class Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE12_00460. Folder [no #]. No date (1899-10 ?).)
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"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) table titled 'Block List # 529 - 532 - 533 -534 [New York 70s #529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE]. Marked in red pencil 'see 91-68' [HMCo Plan HH.5.07340 (091-068) Block list for 70' w.l. class from December 21, 1899]. With penciled note 'Changes made in Main Throat Hal[yard] [and] Jib halyard'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_01510. Folder [no #]. No date (before 1899-12-21).)
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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:
#533s [Design] Oct. [1899] [Length:] 70ft W.L. [Planking:] Y[ellow] P[ine] [Delivery:] June 1 [1900] [Owner:] W.K. Vanderbilt (VIRGINIA)." (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:] HMCo Plan HH.5.05837 (079-026). Blueprint rig detail plan titled '#529 [New York 70] Class. Bowsprit & topmast end Cones. Feb[ruary] 3, 1900'. (Other boats referenced on this plan are #532s, #533s, #534s, #590s, #657s, #719s, and #772s)." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT06_01220. Folder [no #]. 1900-02-03.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten in ink specifications and class rule marked 'Copy' and titled 'Rules for One Designed Class of 70ft Water Line'. With penciled note 'Apr[il] 7, 1900. Design by N.G. Herreshoff for no. 529 and class [#529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE]. Fall of 1899'. Text begins with 'General approximate dimensions w.l. 70ft, o.a. 106ft, Beam 19 1/2ft. Draft 14ft. Displacement 2564cuft [= 164096lbs]. Sail area by NYYC rule 6980sqft. Outfit to include 16ft cutter, 14 foot dinghy, complete rig & gear for cruising & racing, including 20 life preservers, 2 life rings, 2 anchors & chain cables, 1 kedge anchor & warp. Total sleeping accomodation 17. Galley capable to feed 17 and stove to weigh not less than 295lbs. Water tanks of 535gals. Ice box of 950lbs capacity. In One Design Class Races ... ' and continuing specifications for spars, sail areas and materials, hull construction, interior, docking for cleaning, marking of waterline, demanding remeasurements, yacht club rules in conflict with these reulations, etc." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Specifications and Class Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_02770. Folder [no #]. 1900-04-07.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled racing rule notes with two sections titled 'Championship' and 'Protests'. Otherwise untitled and undated. [These two sections were new in the final version of the specifications and class rule titled 'Rules for 70ft One Design Class (Design of N.G. Herreshoff for #529 and class [#529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE])']." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Class Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_03350. Folder [no #]. No date (1900-04-08 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten (carbon copy) note:] Suggestion for extra spars for 70 footers [New York 70 class: #529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE]. To be owned jointly by the four owners and available for either vessel in case of accident. If two, or more, vessels want one spar, it is to be drawn for by owners of crippled vessels.
1 - Mast.
1 - Boom.
1 - Spinnaker boom.
2 - Bowsprits.
2 - Gaff's.
2 - # 2 Topsail spars.
4 - Topmasts.
1 Pair spreaders.
N. G. H." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Class Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_03370. Folder [no #]. No date (1900-04-08 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten (carbon copy) note:] Suggestion for extra spars for 70 footers [New York 70 class: #529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE]. To be owned jointly by the four owners and available for either vessel in case of accident. If two, or more, vessels want one spar, it is to be drawn for by owners of crippled vessels.
1 - Mast.
1 - Boom.
1 - Spinnaker boom.
2 - Bowsprits.
2 - Gaff's.
2 - # 2 Topsail spars.
4 - Topmasts.
1 Pair spreaders.
N. G. H." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Class Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_03380. Folder [no #]. No date (1900-04-08 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten in ink specifications and class rule titled 'Rules for One Designed Class of 70ft Water Line [#529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE]'. Text begins with 'General dimensions: Overall 106ft. waterline 70ft 3in, Beam 19ft 4in, Draft 14ft 0in Sail area by NYYC rule about 6980sqft. ...' With further sections specifying 'Construction', 'Outfit', 'Inside Ballast', 'Changes', 'Docking', 'Ice, Water & Provisions', 'Special Races', 'General Races', 'Championship', 'Merit of Amateur Helmsman', 'Time Keeper', 'Amendment of Rules' and 'New Rules'. Undated (this appears to be a new version of a subsequent draft dated April 7, 1900)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Specifications and Class Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_02810. Folder [no #]. No date (1900-04-08 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Typewritten mimeographed specifications and class rule titled 'Rules for 70ft One Design Class (Design of N.G. Herreshoff for #529 and class [#529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE])'. Text begins with 'General dimensions: Length Overall 106 feet 0 inches. Length on waterline 70 feet 3 inches. Beam 19 feett 4 inches. Draft 14 feet 0 inches. Sail area by New York Yacht Club Rule about 6980sqft. ...' With further sections specifying 'Construction', 'Outfit', 'Inside Ballast', 'Changes', 'Docking', 'Ice, Water & Provisions', 'Special Races', 'General Races', 'Championship', 'Merit of Amateur Helmsman', 'Time Keeper', 'Protests', 'Amendment of Rules' and 'New Rules'. Undated (this appears to be a new version of a subsequent draft dated April 7, 1900)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Specifications and Class Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_02860. Folder [no #]. No date (1900-04-08 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH. Relevant contents:
§12: Work Order '[For] # s 529 - 532 - 533 - 534 [New York 70s #529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE]. [When wanted] Soon. Galv. Plow Steel Rope. Very best quality. Well galvanized with good zinc coating. 7 wires per strand …' (1899-11-04)
§13: Work Order '[For] # s 529 - 532 - 533 - 534 [New York 70s #529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA, #534s YANKEE]. Change in order of Nov[ember] 4 [1899]. … [With crossed out] Note. We can probably use about 140ft of 9/16 dia [steel rope] in No 531 [#531s SHARK]. ...' (1899-11-27)
§14: Work Order '[For] Yachts building. Chain Cables. [When wanted] # 529 - 532 - 533 - 534 [#529s, #532s, #533s, #534s] - #204 [#204p] - 205 [#205p] Ap[ril] 1 [1900]. #531 - 207 [#207p] Ap[ril] 20 [1900]. #204 [#204p] - 205 [#205p] May 1st [1900]. 533 [#533s] - 534 [#534s] May 26 or earlier. All cables of BBB galvanized ...' (1899-12-04)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Order Book. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_01320. Folder [no #]. 1897-01 to 1905.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵

"[Item Description:] Four handwritten (in ink) pages with tabulated data listing 'Shop No', 'Name', '[Tons] Gross' and '[Tons] Net' for a total of 100 HMCo-built boats and classes. Tonnage data is usually precise to two digits behind the decimal. Random comparisons suggest source of tonnage data to be official Custom House data. Boats mentioned are: #664s, #663s, #625s, #665s, #634s, #658s, #657s, #646s, #641s, #617s, #626s Class, #624s, #621s, #616s, #619s, #590s, #591s, #586s, #592 Class, #618s, #605s, #578s, #560s Class, #580s, #553s, #551s, #552s, #546s, #541s, #545s, #538s, #534s, #533s, #532s, #529s, #534s, #530s, #531s, #435s, #437s, #452s, #499s, #429s, #426s, #424s, #481s, #422s, #417s, #414s, #451s, #215p, #213p, #222p, #235p, #230p, #229p, #236p, #224p, #244p, #247p, #249p, #231p, #232p, #228p, #252p, #250p, #251p, #248p, #168p, #164p, #118p, #142p, #174p, #173p, #194p, #189p, #193p, #183p, #178p, #179p, #181p, #182p, #175p, #163p, #148p, #149p, #172p, #155p, #170p, #186p, #188p, #206p, #207p, #205p, #208p, #209p, #210p, #211p, #212p, #216p. Undated (the latest boat listed, WINSOME, was launched in 1907)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Handwritten List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00220. Folder [no #]. No date (1907 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] I have taken up the question of having the draft rule amended as soon as possible, but of course it will mean calling another conference which we will try to get through early in October.
As far as I can learn the opinions of the yachting men I think the following changes will be brought up for discussion.
1. Amend the draft rule.
2. Make every yacht built after Jan. 1st 1908 rate at the top of her class in class racing.
3. Go back to the 60% time allowance scale.
4. Straighten out the measuring of sail area. The present method of measuring spars alone does not give satisfaction. One suggestion is to measure the diagonal from throat to clue instead of calculating it as we now do. The Club topsail as at present measured can be easily beaten by making your working topsail tack very low.
5. Allow the 33 foot class to carry Clubtopsails.
There is also some talk of bringing in the W.L. into the formula as you suggested to me the other day. I hardly think this will materialize though as I am afraid to touch the rule itself as it would mean an entire change of classification which we do not want.
Why would a 70 foot schooner cost so much more than the old [New York] 70s. That matter is still in the air but I hope to pull it off if I can get some one other boat built in the class. Incl. NGH reply: I hope you will be able to put the changes thru. It is very important to future building. It would be a shame to be obliged to build all the larger boats with centre boards if you wished to race them successfully. I[?]wrote[?] [George] Cormack about it a few days ago, that is about draft restriction and sail restrictions. I didn't mention the proportion of modifying the L by taking mean of quarter[?] beam[?] length and waterline for it might seem as if I was asking too much. I am however of the opinion that it would put our measurement in more perfect form and cause the rating to be index[?] of the racing speed of a yacht. The fact that there would have to be no new measurement taken than the measurer has at present is very much in its favor, and as for classification that would be very easy fixed by allowing all craft now built to remain in their present classes, but to give time allowance as by their new measurement.
I cannot agree with in abolishing time allowance in classes. It would be a big mistake, and has always proven so. Build your one design classes when it can be carried out, but to ask every one to build to the class limit will never hold for any length of time. Take the Ram bu the horns and straighten our the time allowance rules so the little end of the class will have as nearly as possible only[?]an equal chance of wining as the big end. Just because there happened to be two or three exceptionally fast boats that got in at the bottom of the classes this year and sweeped many of the prizes is no reason to abandon time allowance altogether. The little boats merited part of their winning --- not all. Part is due to the fact that the new boats are much larger than their rating, while the new allowance tables have been based on the performance of the older type which were much smaller than their rating. The time allowance table wants adjusting, which is an easy matter. But in making adjustments don't forget the fat that AVENGER [#666s], DORELLO, SENECA [#670s] all have features that gave them an advantage over their larger rivals. The smaller craft were allowed all the draft they need. The larger were not. The smaller were the latest productions and having hollow spars & c. Is it wise to allow hollow spars? I am about ready to say yes, having in mind the fact that it is getting more and more difficult to procure timber for solid ones and the day will soon arrive when all spars will be built up and then it will be just as easy to have them hollow as solid.
At first I was opposed to the spar measure and ruled for calculating the maximum area. I have come to like it excepting the fact of swinging the end of swinging the end of mainboom too long for open water sailing. Measuring the actual diagonal will help this, but you cannot measure it alike two different days. Perhaps you could establish a minimum height for the mainboom to swing, say when resting on a crotch take the measure there and then hoist sail and let the measurer see that it is not lower when correctly set. The topsail trouble can be easily got over by assuming the area of the working topsail the difference between [formula] and [formula], or say any club topsail < [formula]. The coefficient 15 may not be correct but I think nearly so.
I know no reason why the 33ft class or 27ft class should not carry club topsails if the rig is measured to topsails, using P instead of H in the formula for after sails. I believe in it if one wants to pull the little strings, as it educates the younger set for handling larger craft.
About the cost of the [New York] 70s [#529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA and #534s YANKEE]: They were built at $32600 about --- a set of four in one design. There was little profit at that price. A single one would cost thus at least $36000. Today labor and material are about 10% higher which would bring it to 39600. Then if schooner rigged add 5% which would bring one of the 70s built today & schooner rigged at $41580. The proposed 64 rating schooner would have a little less over all length and breadth, but would have from 5 to 15% more displacement and consequently more lead." (Source: Duncan, W. Butler (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_68850. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. 1908-08-21.)
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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)
§4: Work Order [For] #529s, #532s, #533s, #534s. [When wanted] Sept. 15, 1900. For strengthening 70-footers (1900-08-15)
§7: Work Order [For] "547s, #548s, #549s, #551s, #552s, #533s. [When wanted] Soon as possible. Running rigging 3-strand (1901-02-07)." (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 #533s Virginia even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Anon. "The Seventy-Footers." Rudder, June 1900, p. 284-287. (5,341 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No. Detailed report on the 70-footers with special emphasis on Mineola, showing many photos and sketches.

• Virginia (HMCo-made index card)
• Virginia (HMCo-made index card)
• Virginia (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: Virginia
Type: J & M
Length: 70'
Owner: Vanderbilt, W. K.

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

• Virginia
• 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: Virginia
Type: 70' cutter
Owner: W. K. Vanderbilt, Jr.
Year: 1900
Row No.: 728

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: Oct
Day: 11
Year: 1899
E/P/S: S
No.: 0533
Name: Virginia
LW: 70'
B: 19' 4"
D: 14'
Rig: Cutter
K: y
Ballast: Lead O.
Amount: 32,593.75
Notes Constr. Record: Original length 28000.00 Extra length 4593.75
Last Name: Vanderbilt, Jr.
First Name: W. K.

Source: Vermilya, Peter and Maynard Bray. "Transcription of the HMCo. Construction Record." Unpublished database, ca. 2000.

Note: The transcription of the HMCo Construction Record by Peter Vermilya and Maynard Bray was performed independently (and earlier) than that by Claas van der Linde. A comparison of the two transcriptions can be particularly useful in those many cases where the handwriting in the Construction Record is difficult to decipher.

"Sail no. H7." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 8, 2009.)

"The HMCo name index card for #533s erroneously lists the names Princess ex-Virginia. This is wrong, this vessel was never named Princess. The confusion arises because #658s Irolita II was named Princess between 1911 and 1912, Virginia between 1912 and 1922 and again Princess between 1922 and 1934." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 25, 2014.)

"Built in 227 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $144/day, 735 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 (2606 cubic feet = 166,784lbs).]" (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.