HMCo #536s Sis

"[1900-03-31] Sat 31: NE [wind and] snowing in AM. Clearing in PM. ... Began planking #536 [Sis].
[1900-04-06] Fri 6: Very fine & warm. Fresh N [wind]. Clear. ... Finished planking #536 [Sis].
[1900-04-10] Tue 10: Fine & cold. Fresh WNW. Fair. Turned over #536, 21 footer [Sis].
[1900-05-21] Mon 21: Fair, between strong SW & NW [wind] rain squalls. Cool weather[?]. ... Launched Sis (#536).
[1915-05-28] Fri 28: Strong N W & clear. ... Launched & rigged Sis [raceabout from 1900, #536s], after repairing. Launched new 15 footer." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1900 to 1915. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"... Sis [Name], 536 [Building Number], 23.7 [Rating], 21 [Waterline], 23.65 [L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule], 8.05 [B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule], 3.5 [d = draft of water as for Universal Rule], 92 [D = displacement in cubic foot as for Universal Rule (= 5,901 lbs or 2.6 long tons)], 636 [Sail Area], 1020 [Sail limit Present rule], -384 [Diff.], 653 [Sail limit Proposed rule], -17 [Diff.] ..." (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.)

"E.T. Bedford
26 Broadway
New York, Oct 21st, 1899
Nathaniel G. Herreshoff, Esq.
Bristol, R.I.
My dear Sir:-
... This summer we have been without a boat, and have been thinking of asking you whether you would not be willing to consider designing and building a little boat for us next summer. If I remember rightly, you suggested, when the WANDA [#490s] was built, that we would do very much better to have a small knockabout. Well, what we need is a boat that one man can handle, and whose draft will not be greater than that of the WANDA on account of our shallow harbor at Southport; a boat that the boys can occasionally sail in a race, with a chance of winning, for I am afraid we are rather bad losers.
If in your leisure time you will give this matter a little consideration and write to me, you will greatly oblige, ... [This will become #536s SIS.]" (Source: Bedford, E.T. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 46 (new), 60 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. October 21, 1899.)

"26 Broadway
New York
Nov 27, 1899
Mr. Nath. G. Herreshoff
Bristol, R.I.
My dear Sir:-
I have just returned from Europe and note your letter of the 1st. I shall be very glad to hear further from you, at your earliest convenience, regarding the little boat [#536s SIS] we desire to have for use in the months of June, July, August and September. What I wrote you last practically covers all that I have to say on the subject, regarding our requirements, and that letter might be considered by you, if you wish, as an order, unless you desire to suggest something different in reference either to style or size. ..." (Source: Bedford, E.T. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 46 (new), 60 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. November 27, 1899.)

"... A 21-footer fin keeler [sic, i.e. keel and centerboard] named Sis was launched from Herreshoffs' shops during the past week [between May 21 and May 24, 1900] and had a trial trip Thursday [May 24, 1900]. The Sis has a mahogany hull and is owned by T. H. Havemeyer of New York [sic, i.e. F.T. Bedford]. She is to be sent to Southport, Long Island. ..." (Source: Anon. "Launch of Virginia." Boston Globe, May 27, 1900, p. 30.)

"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] I want to be among the first to congratulate you and your company on the success achieved by the 'COLUMBIA' [#499s]. It was a great victory, and to some of our mutual friends a pleasant surprise. Just why this is so I cannot understand. Please accept from my son and myself my most hearty congratulations.
This summer we have been without a boat, and have been thinking of asking you whether you would not be willing to consider designing and building a little boat for us next summer. If I remember rightly, you suggested, when the WANDA [#490s] was built, that we would do very much better to have a small knockabout. Well, what we need is a boat that one man can handle, and whose draft will not be greater than that of the WANDA on account of our shallow harbor at Southport; a boat that the boys can occasionally sail in a race, with a chance of winning, for I am afraid we are rather bad losers. [This will become #536s SIS.] " (Source: Bedford, E.T. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_52780. Subject Files, Folder 46, formerly 60. 1899-10-21.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I have just returned from Europe and note your letter of the 1st. I shall be very glad to hear further from you, at your earliest convenience, regarding the little boat [#536s SIS] we desire to have for use in the months of June, July, August and September. What I wrote you last practically covers all that I have to say on the subject, regarding our requirements, and that letter might be considered by you, if you wish, as an order, unless you desire to suggest something different in reference either to style or size.
I had the pleasure of crossing on the 'ST. LOUIS' with Sir Thomas Lipton and found him to be a very manly fellow --- one who knew he was beaten and was not afraid to say so. He expressed a very high regard for yourself and an appreciation of what he termed your very kind courtesy in calling on Mr. Fyfe[sic, i.e. Fife]; he seemed to think that his usual good luck had deserted him. He told me that a disagreement between his sailing captains, in the first race, in some measure lost him what chance he had; and then there was the accident in the next race; and the last one, he admitted, proved conclusively that the 'COLUMBIA' [#499s] was the better boat. He seemed to think that they had but one point of superiority, and that was in their sails. He went on further to say that if the 'COLUMBIA' had had as good sails as he thought the 'SHAMROCK' had, he thought she would have lost sight of them soon after starting. I was glad to learn that he is determined to try again. He hopes that the next time his designer will be in good health so that he can have his assistance, as the 'COLUMBIA' had yours, and, with the SHAMROCK as a trial horse, to make a better showing." (Source: Bedford, E.T. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_52790. Subject Files, Folder 46, formerly 60. 1899-11-27.)
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"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter on '26 Broadway, New York' stationery:] Dear Sir:--
I beg to acknowledge receipt of yours of the 7th [December 1899]. I am very desirous of having a boat of yours, but the draft --- 3 1/2 feet ---is very great for the small amount of water we have at Southport. Could you manage to give us as good a boat, in every particular, that is, as to speed, with a 3 ft. draft? The other dimensions are of course satisfactory, that is to say, I take it that they are what you consider about right for the speed required in that class; but the greatest difficulty of all is the delay --- July the first, or after. Could you not possibly make it the 15th of June? We have but about three and a half months to use the boat in and we commence with the first of June.
Yours truly, ... [The contract for #536s SIS would be signed a week later]." (Source: Bedford, E.T. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_01800. Folder [no #]. 1899-12-09.)
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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:
#536s [Design] 1898 Knock[?] [Length:] 21ft W.L. [Planking:] Mahog[an]y [Delivery:] Early [1900] [Owner:] E.T. Bedford [Act. Delivery:] May 25 [1900] Southport (SIS)." (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 Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH. Relevant contents:
§18: Work Order '[For] #536 [SIS] [When wanted] June 1st [1900]. Sails … (To sail loft).' (1900-03-23)
§19: Work Order '[For] #536 [SIS] and re-rig of #486 (EDITH). [When wanted] #536 - May 28. #486 May 21st or before. Complete set of spars … (To construction shop).' (1900-03-23)
§20: Work Order '[For] #536 [SIS] and re-rig of #486 (EDITH). [When wanted] #536 - May 28. #486 May 21st or before. Complete sets of standing rigging … (To rigging loft).' (1900-03-23)
§21: Work Order '[For] #536 [SIS]. [When wanted] May 28. Complete set of blocks and metal work … of sstanding rigging … (To machine shop).' (1900-03-23)." (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:] 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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"N/A"

"[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 #536s Sis even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Sis (HMCo-made index card)
• Idler ex-Sis (HMCo-made index card)
• Idlex ex-Sis (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: Sis
Type: J & M
Length: 21'
Owner: Bedford, E. T.

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

• Sis
• Bess ex-Sis
• Idler ex-Sis
• 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: Sis
Type: 21' 11" sloop
Owner: E. T. Bedford
Year: 1899
Row No.: 632

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: Dec
Day: 16
Year: 1899
E/P/S: S
No.: 0536
Name: Sis
LW: 21'
B: 8"
D: 3' 2"
Rig: J & M
K: y
Ballast: Lead O.
Amount: 2400.00
Last Name: Bedford
First Name: E. T.

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.

"Sis had a keel and a centerboard as per construction drawing and Mower, C. D. 'The Racing on Long Island Sound.' Rudder, November 1900, p. 400, where she was mentioned as being the only centerboarder in the fleet." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 2, 2008.)

"LOA from 1917 Lloyds Register." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 25, 2010.)

"F[rederick] T[homas] Bedford was a son of E[dward] T[homas] Bedford who had made his money in Standard Oil and then created Corn Products, later CPC International. F.T. made his own fortune, partly in liquor of which his father highly disapproved (E.T. was a teetotaler)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 9, 2012.)

"[SIS was built from the same model and construction plan as #486s EDITH II:]
No. 486 EDITH II, also 536 SIS
Changes for #536
Draft to be decreased 4in & stern=post to be moved forward as indicated.
Planking, 3/8in cedar & 4/8in mahogany.
Deck of pine or Washington cedar, covered with canvas; 3/4in thick in all.
Cabin house, sides 3/4in butternut; top 5/8in white pine or Washington cedar.
Clamps, Oregon pine, 2inx2in (4sqin) for middle half. End, 1 3/8in x 1 3/8in
Bilge stringers, Oregon pine, 3 3/4in x 1 1/18in & 16ft long (# 13 to #34 inclusive)
To have new rigging plan." (Source: HMCo Drawing 075-048 (HH.5.05445) Sailing Yacht Edith. May 3, 1897. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"Built in 156 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $15/day, 38 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 (92.2 cubic feet = 5,901lbs).]" (Soure: 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. Original handwritten document held at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol, R.I.)

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