HMCo #538s Countess

"[1900-05-03] Thu 3: H[eav]y rain all the forenoon. L[igh]t NE [wind in] PM. Fair, fresh N & [then] calm. Began setting up #538 (32 ft wl) [Countess].
[1900-05-05] Sat 5: Strong WNW [wind] & cold. Clear. Mr. [Oswald] Sanderson [owner of #538s Countess] & Mr. [A. Bryan] Alley here in afternoon.
[1900-05-06] Sun 6: Fresh SSW [wind &] fair, ch[anging] to NW in evening. Mr. Sanderson [owner of #538s Countess] & Alley here.
[1900-06-09] Sat 9: Very fine & warm. Variable [wind]. ... Turned over #538 'Countess'. ...
[1900-06-28] Thu 28: Fine [with] mod[erate] S [wind] in AM. Launched #538 Countess & stepped mast. ...
[1900-06-30] Sat 30: Very strong WNW [wind] all day. ... Countess [#538] left in PM in charge of [Larchmont Y. C. member A.] Bryan Alley." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1900. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"No. 538 [#538s Countess] & 541 [#541s Effort].
M[ar]ch 1900.
Keel 36ft Class.
In making mould in all cross sections use scale 14/12 of figures given.
In fore & aft measurements use scale 16/15 = 12.8/12.
Frame spaces 11 1/2" by long rule = 12 by common rule.
Sheer height is to under side of deck (deck 1 1/8").
Allow in making moulds:
for planking 1 1/8".
for timbers 1 3/8".
[Sum] 2 1/2".
Make moulds for saving lavin[?] numbers only (except # 22 & 40 (24 & 38)? make every mould)?" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.123.] Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"... Spasm [Name], 538 [Building Number], 34.2 [Rating], 32 [Waterline], 34.3 [L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule], 10.7 [B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule], 8 [d = draft of water as for Universal Rule], 400 [D = displacement in cubic foot as for Universal Rule (= 25,600 lbs or 11.4 long tons)], 1633 [Sail Area], 2140 [Sail limit Present rule], -507 [Diff.], 1705 [Sail limit Proposed rule], -72 [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.)

"Oswald Sanderson, of the Larchmont Yacht Club, is having Herreshoff turn out a 36-foot sloop for him, by which the Anoatok will be superseded" (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." New York Tribune, March 4, 1900, p. 6.)

"A thirty-six-foot sloop has been ordered of the Herreshoffs by Oswald Sanderson of the Larchmont Yacht Club. This sloop is expected to prove very much speedier than the Anatok [sic, i.e. Anoatok, Sanderson's previous boat]." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." New York Tribune, March 18, 1900, p. 10.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., May 5 [1900]. --- ... The first of the 35-footers [apparently #538s Countess, the second one being #541s Effort] was set up in the shops Friday [May 4, 1900]. These boats are to be built bottom side up until planked, when they will be-turned right side up for finishing. ..." (Source: Anon. "Mineola Ready for Trial." Boston Globe, May 6, 1900, p. 29.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., May 12, [1900] ... The first of the 35-footers [apparently Countess #538s] is being pushed along very rapidly. The work of planking was started the middle of the week. She now has half a dozen stakes fastened. The planks now used are one-and-a-quarter inch cypress. She will be double planked from just below the water line to the rails. The outside skin on top is to be of mahogany. ..." (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]. --- ... The new 35-footer [apparently #538s Countess, the second one being #541s Effort] which is being built bottom up in the shops is about half planked. ..." (Source: Anon. "Rainbow Ready for Trial." Boston Globe, May 20, 1900, p. 25.)

"BRISTOL, R I, June 2 [1900] --- There has not been a great deal of activity in new boats here during the past week. ... In the north shop the men are at work on a mold for the lead keel which is to be run for the first of the 35-foot sloops [apparently #538s Countess, the second one being #541s Effort]. The hull of this sloop is well along, and will be fastened to the lead keel when the latter is run and smoothed up." (Source: Anon. "Rainbow And Virginia. Herreshoff 70-Footers About Ready for Trials at Bristol." Boston Globe, June 3, 1900, p. 26.)

"Sloop Countess.
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.
9.92 net tons; 41 ft. x 11.3 ft. x 8.3 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
Overhanging head, overhanging stern.
Surveyed and measured, June 28, 1900." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Countess.)

"... Oswald Sanderson's new Herreshoff designed keel sloop yacht Countess has been hauled out on the marine railway at the Woods yard to remedy the leak caused by strain in bringing the craft from the eastward. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts at City Island." New York Times, July 6, 1900, p. 8.)

"... Oswald Sanderson's new Herreshoff keel sloop Countess has been hauled out on the marine railway at the Woods yard to remedy a slow leak caused by striking on Hen and Chickens Bocks, off Larchmont. ..." (Source: Anon. "City Island Yacht News." New York Times, July 11, 1900, p. 8.)

"... CITY ISLAND, July 31 [1900]. --- Oswald Sanderson's new keel sloop Countess is having a new mast constructed at the Jacob yard and her sails altered at Herreshoffs'. ..." (Source: Anon. "City Island Yacht News." New York Times, August 1, 1900, p. 5.)

"... 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. ... 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.)

"It is now learned that an addition must be made to the long list of partly wrecked racers. Early in the year the new yacht Countess [#538s], designed and built by the Herreshoffs for Oswald Sanderson, of the Larchmont Y. C., struck a sunken rock, but, as she soon afterward continued racing, it was thought the damage had been slight. Yesterday, however, an expert in yacht construction said that the effects of her wrenching still existed, and could not be put right without a large expense. Effort [#541s], a sister ship to Countess, produced at the same yards for F. M. Smith, did not, like Syce and Countess, try to measure strength with rocks, but she is reported to be almost a wreck as a result of her short summer's sailing. The boat is recorded as having entered five races, and though it is not known whether or not she was unduly crowded with canvas, it appears that she did not stand the strain. She is now hauled up at Bristol. Another new yacht that must be repaired is the 45-footer Shark [#531s], which the owner, F. Lathrop Ames, had to leave in Bristol because he could not get a crew to sail her back around the Cape to Boston." (Source: Anon. [No title.] Forest and Stream, October 13, 1900, p. 294.)

"N/A"

"[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:] Mimeographed typewritten (carbon copy) specifications titled 'Specifications for A Cabin, Keel Racing Yacht to the upper limit of the 36 foot Class, and to conform to the existing rules of L.I. Sound Y.R. Association. Specifications included with, and taken from contract dated January 4th, 1900, with Oswald Sanderson. Shop Number 538 [#538s COUNTESS]'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.. (creator). Specifications. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_01820. Folder [no #]. 1900-01-04.)
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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:
#538s [Design] M[ar]ch [1900] [Length:] 36ft class [Planking:] Mahog[an]y [Delivery:] July 2 [1900] [Owner:] Oscar Sanderson (COUNTESS)." (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:] [Handwritten (in ink) letter on 'Sanderson & Son. Steamship Agents. New York' stationery:] I have yours [of the] 2nd [February 1900]. So far as my inclination goes I should prefer having a little handicap due to extra accommodation as the boat [#538s COUNTESS] will sell much better. As the time passes & our conditions arise[?] it would be my wish to sell & build. Your ability to turn out speedy boats as compared to this, is so well known, that I felt it but[?] necessary to give you names of probable competitors to assume[?] my having not only a roomy boat but one at least equal in speed to the best. I presume you you must build to the requirements of the L.I.Y.R. Ass. or know[?] which provide anyway for headroom etc. sufficient I think to give didn't[?] space? She will have a raised or watertight cockpit & companionway of course.
What dimensions have you in mind?
Yours truly ..." (Source: Sanderson, Oswald. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_01810. Folder [no #]. 1900-02-07.)
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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:] Since writing you last I have received a letter from Mr. A. Cary Smith, a copy of which, I enclose to you herewith.
I have also had a talk with Mr. Gardner and he has acquiesced in the recommendation of M.Q.B.L. for L with LWL eliminated from the rule.
I have prepared a measurement rule in harmony as far as possible with your own views and the views of Mr. Smith and Mr. Gardner and enclose to you herewith a copy of the same.
The classification suggested, reduces the number of the present classes and seems to me to fit the measurements as far as practicable of the present racing boats.
I have appended a few examples giving the approximate ratings of the racing boats which though not strictly accurate are near enough for our purposes.
I would esteem it a very great favor if you would furnish me the exact measurements under the rule, of the MINEOLA [#529s], HUMMA [#553s] OR ALTAIR [#539s], EFFORT [#552s], LEDA [#541s] or COUNTESS [#538s].
The measurement of sail as you know by the present system reduces the ratings of all the boats to lower figures than if the sail were measured by the English method, and as I desire to make up a correct table under the rule suggested I would like to have the accurate measurement of these boats under the suggested rule as figured by you.
I would also like to know if the suggested rule comes near enough to your ideas to be recommended by you for adoption.
I regret the necessity of troubling you further in this matter but I am very anxious that whatever is recommended by our Committee shall go before the Club with your approval. [Incl NGH draft reply:] I have yours of 16th inst and am glad to know that you as well as Mr Smith and Mr Gardner have looked into the 'MQBL' again and approve of it as I recommended it.
As to the matter of measuring sails, I cannot agree with Mr Smith, that it cannot be improved upon. I certainly think it can be and be improved, but the bad results of the present method are not so important as other things under consideration are. Yawls are very unfairly measured under the present method. In the English method they are correctly measured and in the English method there is no occasion to monkey with throat or peak halyard blocks to give all possible sail spread for the measurement. They (the Englishman) can put in as long or short mast head as they please and have all the drift they want on the throat halyards, or as much doubling to the masts as is necessary to hold them, without affecting the measurement of the sails. There is one thing, however, I think your committee should do if they do not think it wise to change the present method of measuring sails, and that is to add the excess of area of club topsails over the maximum size of the working topsail and not rule club topsails out when racing.
In using 5. as a constant in the formula (L*sq-rt(S)) / (5*cube-rt(D)), the resulting racing length is larger than we are accustomed to, and I would suggest using instead 5.5 for the present measurement, or 5.5 (possibly 6) for the Y.R.A. measurement or the NYYC with clubtopsail added as an illustration I present the following calculations for some of our one-stickers: [Table with data for DEFENDER [#452s], COLUMBIA [#499s], MINEOLA [#529s], (NEOLA), ALTAIR [#539s], WASP [#414s], GLORIANA [#411s], EFFORT [#552s], COUNTESS [#538s], Newport 30s, Buzzards Bay 30s follows.]
In closing I hope your committee will not overlook the importance of changing the time allowance tables to the full theoretical amount as I have already suggested. You[?] it is very important that the present idea that the largest boat in the class is the best one should be exploded." (Source: Lawton, N.D. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_71670. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F07, formerly MRDE15. 1902-09-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Four-page typed letter on HMCo stationery:] I have yours of the 16th, and am glad to know that you as well as Mr. Smith and Mr. Gardiner[sic, i.e. Gardner], have looked into the M. Q. B. L. again and approve of it as I recommend it.
As to the method of measuring sails I cannot agree with Mr. Smith that it cannot be improved upon. I certainly think it can be and should be improved, but the bad results of the present method are not so important as other things under consideration are. Yawls are very unfairly measured under the present method. In the English method they are correctly measured, and in the English method there is no occasion to monkey with the throat and peak halyard blocks to get all possible sail spread for the measurement. They (the Englishman) can put in as long or short mast head as they please and have all the drift they want on the throat halyards, or as much doubling to the masts as is necessary to hold them, without affecting the measurement of the sails. There is one thing, however, I think your committee should do if they do not think it wise to change the present method of measuring sails, and that is to add the excess of area of club topsails over the maximum size of the working topsails and not rule club topsails out when racing.
In using 5. as a constant in the formula (L*sq-rt(S)) / (5*cube-rt(D)) the resulting racing length is larger than we are accustomed to and I would suggest using instead 5.5 for the present measurement or 5.75 (possibly 6) for Y.R.A. measurement or the N.Y.Y.C. with club topsail added. As an illustration I present the following calculations from some of our one-stickers.
[Table with data for DEFENDER [#452s], COLUMBIA [#499s], MINEOLA [#529s], (NEOLA), ALTAIR [#539s], WASP [#414s], GLORIANA [#411s], EFFORT [#552s], COUNTESS [#538s], Newport 30s, Buzzards Bay 30s follows.]
It would be a mistake to limit sail area to 5% excess of racing length instead of by M.Q.B.L. The object of limiting it at all is to prevent rigging small hulls with big sails which would be suitable for light weather racing only and worthless for cruising.
As an example suppose we take the formula (M.Q.B.L.)*sq-rt(S) / (5.5 * cube-rt(D)) and substitute for sq-rt(S) its equivalent 1.05 R[acing]L[ength] as per your recommendation, then RL / (1.05*RL) = MQBL/(5.5*cube-rt(D))
Now suppose RL is fixed, then M.Q.B.L. can be made as large or small as you please as long as D is changed so that cube-rt(D)is always a certain ratio of M.Q.B.L. Or in other words, having racing length and sail area fixed you are at liberty to choose any size hull you think best suited to the weather conditions.
The possible limit of speed of any vessel having no great propelling force than can be obtained from the wind by the sail she can carry, is governed by the speed of the wave she can generate and this is never longer than her body. The speed of a wave is depended on its length in the well known law S=sq-rt(L). Now the length of vessel for generating the wave is measured very fairly by M.Q.R.L., and this factor is the ruling one in the formula, which perhaps would be better understood if written RL=(MQBL)* (sq-rt(S)/(5.5*cube-rt(D)). In this way you may consider that sq-rt(S) / (5.5*cube-rt(D)) is only a correction of M.Q.B.L. for the amount of sail carried in relation to the displacement. It is very obvious that sq-rt(S) should be limited to the (M.Q.B.L.) and also that the classification should be by M.Q.B.L. and not by RL. as has been the popular way for the last few years.
I am still of the conviction that it would be wiser; better for the present generation and the coming one to make the class limits in ratio 5 to 4 (nearly) as I proposed in scale 100-80-64-50-40, both for schooners and sloops and based on W.Q.B.L.
In closing I hope your committee will not overlook the importance of changing the time allowance tables to the full theoretical amount, as I have already suggested. It is very important that the present idea that the largest boat in the class is the best one should be exploded." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Lawton, N.D. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_71530. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F07, formerly MRDE15. 1902-09-19.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table, untitled, listing schooner classes (from A to EE) and sloops & yawls classes (from F to Q [and R and S]) and their ratings. With separate note showing rating factors 'with excess of rig' for CORONA [#435s ex-COLONIA], GLORIANA [#411s], WASP [#414s], IROLITA [#591s], HUMMA [#553s], COLUMBIA [#499s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RELIANCE [#605s] and SPASM [#538s]. On verso unidentified sketches. Undated (the latest boat on this list was built in 1903)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01380. Folder [no #]. No date (1903 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] If you can do so without too much trouble will you kindly send me as soon as practicable the measurements of the MINEOLA [#529s], HUMMA [#553s], EFFORT [#552s?], COUNTESS [#538s] and INGOMAR [#590s] under the formula (L * sq-rt(SA)) / (5.5 * cube-rt(D)) or any of the other[?] boats of these named in the place of the ones mentioned, also the area of the working topsail and of the largest clubtopsail.
I only want approximate figures as nearly accurate as possible.
The Measurement Com. of the NYY Club and the Com. on Rules require these figures to determine the questions of classification and rules to be recommended to the club for adoption at the next meeting.
I am particularly anxious to get the MINEOLA & HUMMA classes and the INGOMAR and if I could have these it would be that I would require although I would be glad to get the others as well. I am... [Incl penciled NGH reply / notes:] [Penciled table with data for MINEOLA, ALTAIR [#539s], EFFORT, COUNTESS, INGOMAR showing quarter beam length, sail area, displacement in cubic feet, and measurement using above quoted formula.]" (Source: Lawton, N.D. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_69740. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F03, formerly MRDE15. 1904-01-26.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled calculations and diagram originally titled but then crossed out 'Running Rigging. No 538 & 541 [#538s COUNTESS and #541s EFFORT]. With note 'July 10, 1905. 16 x 25 x 16in @ 250 R[evolutions] and 200lbs Boiler press[ure] to represent full load. Cutoff about 1/2 stroke' and diagram and numerous calculations. On verso another diagram, some steam engine sketches and calculations and a note '16 & 25 x 16 at 240 rev, 100lbs boiler [pressure] & non condensing[?]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Penciled Calculations. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_02560. Folder [no #]. 1905-07-10.)
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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 Transcription:] [On HMCo stationery, marked 'Copy':] Since receiving your letter of 20th I got interested and have spent considerable time in trying to devise perfect rules to give sail area limit. I have tested a number of formula and have finally settled on one that gives very good results in any type of model.
The old rule would allow as much sail for length on a shallow boat as on a deep heavy ballasted one, which is not right if you want to protect a good cruising boat.
This becomes very apparent in working to the new rule for L is reduced and D increased[?] as compared with the older type, and plainly needs more sail for length of L.
I have taken into the formula the elements principally affecting the sail carrying power, but nothing more than is now recorded in taking measurements to obtain the Racing length, i.e.
L = ft length at 1/4 wl breadth and 1/10 of breadth above
B = ft breadth of waterline in widest place
d = ft draft of water
D = cu ft of displacement.
then
Sail area limit in rigs with topsails = 10.8 * L * 1/4 * cube-rt(B * B * d * D) in sq ft
Sail area limit in rigs without topsails = 10 * L * 1/4 * cube-rt(B * B * d * D) in sq ft
This formula is very easily worked with the aid of a slide rule or table of logarithms and gives very good results in any siye of type of model.
Here are a few of our yachts that are well known in the NYYC:
[Actual vs Limit rule]
NYYC 30s [#626s New York 30s] 1035, 1160
Newport 30s [#463s Class] 1017.5, 960
SPASM [#538s ex-COUNTESS] 1633, 1740
PLEASURE [#545s] 1808, 1830
GLORIANA [#411s] [blank], 3500
SHARK [#531s] and ALTAIR [#539s] 3410, 3480
YANKEE [#534s] 6945, 7030
QUEEN [#657s] 11000, 12000
As a penalty I would add to Racing length, twice the excess of sq rt of sail area over the sq root of sail limit by rule." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter (copy) to Cromwell, Oliver E. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_68390. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. 1907-03-24.)
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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.)
①

"[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.)
①

"[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.)
① ②

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled table listing OA, LWL, QBL, %, L = LWL + 1/2(QBL-.93LWL), and Mian[?] for Buzzards Bay 15 [#503s], KILDEE [#460s], DELIGHT [#679s], NYYC 30 [#626s], SENECA [#670s], SPASAM [#538s], NEITH [#665s], GLORIANA [#411s], ALTAIR [#539s], AVENGER [#666s], DORIS [#625s], WINSOME [#664s] class, MINEOLA [#529s] class, INGOMAR [#590s] and QUEEN [#657s]. With three formulas for L, one by 'NGH proposed', the other by Louis M. Clark and the third by NGH [apparently the old one]. On verso of printed receipt card by Callender, McAuslan & Troup Co. Undated, the latest of these boats is from 1908 suggesting this to have been prepared for the Universal Rule revision of 1908." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Calculations. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01780. Folder [no #]. No date (1908).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled table titled '38ft Class (N)' listing Universal Rule-related dimensions 'O.a., w.l., q.b.l., Beam, B, d, cube-rt(D), D, sq-rt(S), S, Rating, sq-rt(D)/wl and Dollar Prices' for DORELLO [George Owen design], COCK ROBIN [#617s], NEITH [#665s] and COUNTESS (SPASM) [#538s] as well as for another six unnamed designs of between 38ft and 40ft LWL. Undated, NEITH, the newest of the listed boats, was built 1906/1907." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_02030. Folder [no #]. No date (1907 or later).)
①

"[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 #538s Countess even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. "Specifications for A Cabin, Keel Racing Yacht to the upper limit of the 36 foot Class, and to conform to the existing rules of L.I. Sound Y.R. Association. Specifications included with, and taken from contract dated January 4th, 1900, with Oswald Sanderson. Shop Number 538 [Countess]." No place [Bristol], January 4, 1900. (349 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes, used with permission. Copyright holder: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Detailed vessel specifications for #538s Countess.

• Countess (HMCo-made index card)
• Countess (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: Countess
Type: Cutter
Length: 32'
Owner: Sanderson, O.

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

• Countess
• Spasm ex-Countess
• 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: Countess
Type: 32' sloop
Owner: O. Sanderson
Year: 1900
Row No.: 136

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: Jan
Day: 4
Year: 1900
E/P/S: S
No.: 0538
Name: Countess
LW: 32'
B: 10' 10"
D: 8'
Rig: Cutter
K: y
Ballast: Lead O.
Amount: 5450.00
Last Name: Sanderson
First Name: 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.

"Data for LOA from 1903 Lloyd's Register." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. November 17, 2009.)

"Built in 175 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $31/day, 146 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"[Sail area info 1633sqft.]" (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.