HMCo #626s Alera

"[1904-11-28] Mon 28: ... began to bend timbers for #626 [Alera] NYYC class.
[1904-12-10] Sat 10: Finished planking #626 [Alera]. ...
[1904-12-12] Mon 12: Turned over #626 [Alera]. ....
[1904-12-27] Tue 27: H[eav]y SE rain storm in AM. Fog [in] PM. Moved #626 [Alera] on to lead.
[1905-01-02] Mon 2: Overcast in PM. Took #626 [Alera] out of shop on low gear and landed [her] in cradle at N[orth] cove railway.
[1905-01-03] Tue 3: NE [wind with] l[igh]t rain early developing into h[eav]y NE [wind] with hail, sleet & snow in PM. Launched #626 [Alera] at 7:20 and all rigged for trial by 10 but weather not fit. Annual meeting at shop in PM.
[1905-01-04] Wed 4: H[eav]y snow storm clearing in PM. Very strong N [wind] and cold. Mr. [William Butler] Duncan [a member of the NYYC NY30 selection committee and subsequent owner of #631s Dahinda] here to try #626 [Alera] but weather not fit. ...
[1905-01-05] Thu 5: Very fine & cold. Nearly calm. [Temperature] rang[ing from] 8deg. to 24deg. Tried #626 [Alera] with Mr. [Newberry D.] Lawton [the chairman of the NYYC NY30 selection committee and subsequent owner of #640s Banzai] & hauled her out in PM. ...
[1905-03-17] Fri 17: Very fine. Light winds. After working 3 days in breaking ice in cove, [we] succeeded in launching 'Friday' [#234p] and 'Florence' [#213p, ex-Quickstep, steam yacht owned by A. H. Alker who would also own #626s Alera].
[1905-04-26] Wed 26: [No entry. Launched #626s Alera from north cove as per drawing 35-33.]" (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1904 to 1905. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"Herreshoff Manufacturing Company
Bristol, R.I. October 8, 1904
Mr. N. D. Lawton
40 Wall Street, New York
My dear Mr. Lawton,
I have studied over your proposition for a restricted or one design class, and keeping well in mind your P. 1, I have worked out what seems to me the largest desirable boat to be easily handled with one paid hand. The w.l. and rating are larger than you have specified, but I think not too large to make a good wholesome boat. The w.l. of 30' is sufficient to make her come within the limits of the New York Yacht Club [for representation in the club]. The items of size are as follows. Length o.a. 40ft 8in. Length of w.l. 30ft. Mean length of quarter beam 28ft 5in. Approx. displacement 245 cu.ft. and with sail area 1000 sq.ft. rating w'ld be 26ft.
Mimosa III [#610s] has rating of about 28' and sail area of over 1100 sqft. also[?] obtain a boat of not more than 25 rating and keep her in good proposition the w.l. should be about 28 1/2 and sail 925.
I believe the larger boat as above would be more satisfactory. The inclosed b[lue] p[rint] [plan 'Design for 26' rating one design class, 40ft-8in o.a., 30ft w.l., 8ft-8in beam, 6' draft', M.I.T. no. HH.5.02172, dated October 7, 1904] will give you idea of room.
If this proposition is carried through, I would like very much to design the boats, and have them built at our shops, and if you can let me know which size seems most satisfactory and in what manner they would be built --- if single or double planked and if of yellow pine of mahogany, also about finish inside, if about like Bobtail [#579s] or more complete as like the Buzzards Bay Class --- we would be pleased to give you bids.
I understand there is a movement on foot to to[sic] modify the N.Y.Y. Club measurement rules and bring the rules of other clubs to be uniform with it. The plan is an excellent one and I hope will be carried though, but I hope the modifications will be well considered before being adapted, as I think they are not quite correct.
Yours sincerely,
Nath'l G. Herreshoff." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. [Letter to N. D. Lawton.] New York Yacht Club Archive. October 8, 1904.)

"Bristol, R.I.
October 11, 1904
N. D. Lawton, Esq.
40 Wall St, New York
Dear Mr. Lawton,
Yours of yesterday is at hand, and I have discussed the building of a class of boats with my brother and he has written you, which I inclose with this.
Double planking, in my mind is the best, that is double to below the turn of the builge[sic]. On the flat of the floor single planking seems to be just as good. As the boats are a size the younger generation would cruise in a good deal it appeared to us best to have them rather completely fitted inside to make them comfortable cruisers, and in as nice shape as the Buzzards Bay Class. Of course in racing together they will be on even footing but with boats rigged for light weather they would be at a disadvantage when the winds are light.
Regarding racing rules I think it of great importance to have a limit of sail area in proportion to the principle[sic] hull factor. --- A rig that is most suitable for cruising along our coast in summer weather and not for racing in any particular location where the winds are light. If all boats were so restricted how much better racing would be! I think the riggs[sic] should be about like the [New York] 70s, Altair [#539s] and the Mimosa III [#610s], larger than the imported cutters, but less than the present limit in the NYYC rule. I would make it at 1.25L = sqrt(S) for vessels carrying topsails and 1.15L or possibly 1.12L = sqrt(S) in the smaller craft that are rigged without topsails.
This part[?] formula applied the [sic, i.e. to] the design now in consideration, it about 1050 [sqft] using 1.15 and 1000 using 1.12.
Very sincerely yours,
Nath'l G. Herreshoff. (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. [Letter to N. D. Lawton.] New York Yacht Club Archive. October 11, 1904.)

"Bristol, R.I.
Oct. 12th 1904
Dear Butler
... About the onedesign. I know the beam is not large, but it was my intention to give the boats a good strong construction and beside a good lot of ballast, and get easy lines by having a liberal waterline length. A type more like Ingomar [#590s], that would stand up well in a breeze and yet move easily in light weather. They would not sail on their ear but have stability and good controll[sic], so you might sail her home in a three reef breeze without bothering to tie down.
I agree with you about the cockpit, an open low down one would be pleasanter for me, but there is no doubt but what the high one is the safer, and I take it they will be used more by the younger generation, who will of course cruise in them a good deal, and for their use the high cockpit is best. However I see no reason why part of the boats could have high and part low cockpits, and draw in to lots. If the class materializes I would like very much to design them and feel that I could get a satisfactory boat. I am not sure if I have been suggesting too large a boat or not, if I am please let me know, and keep me posted any way.
Yours sincerely
Nath'l G. Herreshoff ... " (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. [Letter to Butler Duncan.] New York Yacht Club Archive. October 12, 1904.)

"Bristol, R.I.
Oct 19, 1904
My dear Mr. Lawton,
Referring to yours of 14th I think it would be best for you to determine just about what size and type of boats you want and the manner in which they are to be built, and then we would like to bid on the job. I know no reason why we cannot do a good class of work as cheaply as anyone who makes a living profit from it. As to cheaper work, or only partly finishing the boats, leaving it for someone else to furnish and complete I think we would not care to undertake it.
Yours sincerely,
Nath'l G. Herreshoff." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. [Letter to N. D. Lawton.] New York Yacht Club Archive. October 19, 1904.)

"Bristol, R.I.
Oct 19 1904
Dear Butler,
The head room under cabin top would be about 5ft 2in. I think under skylight of ordinary proportions not over 6in more.
To get standing room under skylights the house and skylight would have to be rather high for good looks.
Although looking clumsy, I think that is a matter of fashion rather than good taste. Please understand I have not been cutting off the ends, but lengthing[sic] the water line to get the surface a little more vertical and freer[?] from thumps from the sea. It may not add anything to the speed and costs nothing at all in the N.Y.Y.C. measurement rule, but will add a great deal to the seagoing qualities and to my eye makes a much better looking boat, and I believe most everyone will look at it that way after a fair trial under our rules.
I would not expect these boats to sail with the Alert [#581s], as Alert has a much larger rig and will sail away in light weather. In fresh breezes I think they should come with there time allowance. Under NYYC rules Alert would measure about 30ft racing length to about 26 for the proposed ones.
Yours sincerely
Nath'l G. Herreshoff" (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. [Letter to Butler Duncan.] New York Yacht Club Archive. October 19, 1904.)

"I have your note of yesterday and as we sent you the blueprint [Plan 29-24] and contract yesterday p.m. which you probably now have I have wired you. 'Can you suggest any changes before sending more blueprints. Wire answer or telephone'. If we get your reply, will be able to send two more prints today if all right. We will put snap hooks on jibs as you suggest and leave out cover for jib. We wrote you yesterday about change in breadth and also in draft which I think will be satisfactory. They will have a good lot of ballast and I believe, plenty of stability and will be mighty good boats. I have been working on a model and it is now nearly completed. It is the first model I have worked on to be under the '1/4 beam length' [Universal Rule] measurements, and I am well pleased with it, and also it has been more pleasure to work on it, as I have not had the restraint of getting the biggest boat possible for the W.L. length. I am very much pleased to know you have the eight boats, with prospect of many more. Please let us know the moment it is settled that we are to build them, for we will have a great deal of material to get together, and the time is late to start if the number of boats will be anywhere near the maximum." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. [Letter to the New York Yacht Club.] November 16, 1904. Quoted in: Davis, Gherardi. "A History of the The New York Yacht Club Thirty Foot Class." Manuscript, New York Yacht Club, ca. 1926.)

"... We took the boat out of the shop to-day and she will go over-board to-morrow and be rigged up at once, that is, if the weather is suitable which it now promises to be. ... " (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. [Letter to W. Butler Duncan, New York Yacht Club.] Bristol, Rhode Island, January 2, 1905. Quoted in: Davis, Gherardi. "A History of the The New York Yacht Club Thirty Foot Class." Manuscript, New York Yacht Club, ca. 1926.)

"Mr. Lawton turned up this AM about 9 and after looking around some in the shops we decided to go off and try the boat [Alera] afloat but by time we got under way there was not a ripple on the water, and considerable ice formed, but although there was hardly air enough to keep the sail to one side the boat moved off nicely and minded the helm perfectly.
We went off again after lunch with just air enough to ripple the surface for 15 or 20 minutes, then dead calm.
The boat behaved satisfactorily and I suppose Lawton will tell you about it. We got back to the wharf about 3 o'clock and stripped her and by 5 she was hauled out at the cove for the rest of the winter.
There were two or three little alterations in rigging suggested by the trial which will enable us to have everything in good form when the fleet is rigged in the spring.
From the feeling of this boat today I am quite sure the boats will prove to be good sailers in light airs at least." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. [Letter to W. Butler Duncan, New York Yacht Club.] Bristol, Rhode Island, January 5, 1905. Quoted in: Davis, Gherardi. "A History of the The New York Yacht Club Thirty Foot Class." Manuscript, New York Yacht Club, ca. 1926.)

"... N.Y.Y.C. 30 [Name], 626+ [Building Number], 26.4 [Rating], 30 [Waterline], 29 [L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule], 8.7 [B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule], 6.29 [d = draft of water as for Universal Rule], 276 [D = displacement in cubic foot as for Universal Rule (= 17,632 lbs or 7.9 long tons)], 1085 [Sail Area], 1530 [Sail limit Present rule], -445 [Diff.], 1132 [Sail limit Proposed rule], 47 [Diff.], quite able [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.)

"Coconut Grove, Fla - March 26 1931 {1931/03/26} Dear Francis ... I think the Newport 30s got thru their racing before the N.Y.Y.C 30s were built. I cannot recollect of their sailing togather. My impression is the Newports' might have been a little faster to windward & reaching in moderate to fresh breezes, and possibly in strong winds, for they soon found reefed boats were beaten by those with all sail, even in 2 or 3 reef breezes. ... I have not their dimensions with me, but as well as I can recollect, ... The NYYCs were; as designed, 43' 5" o.a. [over all] 30' w.l. [waterline] 8' 8" beam, 6' 3 1/2" draft. Wgt hull all above lead 5800 lbs. Rig 900. - Equipment & furnishings & c - 1850. Outside lead 9100. Total 17650. = 276 cu. [p2] The Newports had about 1000 sqft sail and the N.Y.Y.Cs 1085. ... Your affect - Father." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 7: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"In 1905, thirty-four sailing yachts were built, including the Twenty Rater SONYA, and the New York Yacht Club Class of Thirty Footers (18 boats)." (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. 70-71.)

"In mentioning the smaller yachts of that time I must not fail to speak of the N.Y.Y.C. thirty-footers which came out in 1905: they were the fourth class of one-design thirty-footers Captain Nat designed, the other classes being the Newport Thirties, 1896; Buzzards Bay Thirties, 1902; Bar Harbor Thirties, 1903. The N.Y.Y.C. Thirties, I believe, were the first one-design class built by any one under the Universal Rule, and they were safe, sane, able craft making comfortable cruisers for their size, and a few of them accompanied the N.Y.Y.C. on its cruises during the next several years. Their principal dimensions were L.O.A., forty-three feet six inches; L.W.L., thirty feet; beam, eight feet ten inches; draft, six feet three inches. They had about one thousand square feet of sail area, and cost $4,000 complete with eighty-eight separate items of equipment, which seems amazingly cheap today, but these Thirties were probably the first boats built with a carefully planned system of quantity production. There were eighteen of them and they were built in what was called the middle shop of the Herreshoff Company, which was a new shop then, and that winter was given over entirely to building these Thirties. There were generally three of them side by side in this production row, the first one upside down over her molds being planked; the next one turned right side up having her deck laid and interior built; while the last one had been set on her lead and was being finished off and painted. After they really got in production these boats shifted along in this production line at the rate of one a week, or in other words one was completed each week and was taken away to the storage yard on a special wide-wheeled low gear hauled by four horses. Of course most all the parts of these boats were prefabricated, and there was a pattern for each plank and other principal parts which were gotten out about eighteen at a time. These Thirties were double planked with cypress inner planking and yellow pine outer planking set in shellac which seems to be a very good combination; while cypress is not often used for inner planking on account of its weight, it is a wonderful wood to resist rot.
When these Thirties were rigged I happened to be working with the rigging gang and remember well that we rigged one in seven minutes, which was done as follows. As the Thirty came down the track in her cradle to be launched we had her mast, with all its rigging attached and stopped down, hanging from a derrick right over where she would be as she floated off the cradle. Her boom, sheets, and other parts were on a scow alongside. When the Thirty moved under the derrick her mast was lowered in place and about six men leaped aboard, each knowing exactly what to do as we had previously rigged several just like her. Every part fitted perfectly, and after the pins of the turnbuckles were in place we rove off her sheets and halyards as if we were setting a spinnaker in a race. Those were the days when men knew how to do things and did them.
The New York Yacht Club Thirties had a remarkable queue of owners, many of whom had had much larger yachts. ...
It would be hard to get together at any time a class of better sailor men and they raced the Thirties very hard and had few protests. Soon after they came out it was found that it never paid to reef in a race, and the Thirties were certainly great sail luggers; they often carried full sail in winds of forty-five miles per hour.
This class is said to have raced more than any other. As they raced very actively the first ten years and fairly regularly the first thirty years, this statement is probably true. They are now forty-five years old and appear structurally sound with the topsides nearly as smooth as when new. These boats no doubt have given more fun for the money than any boats ever built for their annual expense has been small as they have required almost no repairs or alterations.
The Thirties were almost exactly alike when new and it was told that the one that came in last at the end of the first year came in at the head of the class some subsequent year. Many different ones have won the season's championship in their turn. Many one-design classes have come and gone since the New York Yacht Club Thirties were built, but none of them has begun to hold its popularity over as great a term of years. These New York Thirties are a monument to Captain Nat's genius in construction, and it is very likely that if any of their parts had been either larger or smaller, or of different material, they would not have stood so many years of hard driving." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Wizard of Bristol. The Life and Achievements of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, together with An Account of Some of the Yachts he Designed. New York, 1953, p. 272-274.)

"The first one-design class built under the rule was the New York Yacht Club's Thirties. The Thirty is what they were rated, not their waterline length. Their general dimensions were LOA 43'6"; LWL about 29'; beam 8'10"; draft 6'3". Some people, and Lloyds Register, have thought these boats were 30' WL, but that is not so. They were called 30-footers because their rating was 30'. They cost $4,000.00, and I assume that several of them sold for higher figures during their long life. One of the reasons the Thirties were so cheap was that there were eighteen of them built at once. They were built in a carefully planned system of quantity production with four of them in the production line. After production settled down these boats took one month to produce, and were turned out at the rate of one a week. They even had a pattern for each plank, and, as the Herreshoff Company made all of the hardware and sails, there was no holdup in waiting for parts made by others. The builders also had the advantage of having built five or six other one-design classes. Although the Thirties were built cheaply they must have been built well for it is said some of them raced more races than any type of boat ever built, and I am told some of them are quite sound now at the age of fifty-seven years. They have probably given more pleasure and sport for the money than any yachts.
It was found in their first year of racing that it never paid to reef in a race, and these little ships carried whole sail in heavy squalls and raced during storms. The Thirties went on many New York Yacht Club runs in their early years. They were very small vessels compared to the fleets before 1917. They were very much alike in dimension and speed, perhaps more so than any class ever built, and if I remember a-right after all these years, one of the best helmsmen on the Sound bought the one which came in last in their first year's racing and brought her in first at the end of the next year. This is not so strange for, although few people seem to realize it, slight variation in size and shape have much less influence on the speed of a vessel than such things as the condition of the yacht and her sails, while helmsmanship and tactics used in the race are of much greater importance. Thus in one-design classes the same few yachts win day after day with tiresome monotony, and the indifferent or second-class sailors should never compete in one-design classes but should always race in open classes where occasionally they have a chance to win if they have a yacht that is either generally superior or a one-weather boat that has an advantage under certain conditions." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. An Introduction to Yachting. New York, 1963, p. 165.)

"Herreshoff Manufacturing Company
Bristol, R.I.
Oct. 11, 1904
Mr. N. D. Lawton, Esq.
40 Wall St,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Sir:-
Referring to the correspondence with our Mr. N. G. Herreshoff and blue print submitted you, we would be pleased to design and build for you and your associates, eight or more fast cruising sloop yachts, each having the following general dimensions:-
Length over all 40ft 8in.
Length on water line 30ft.
Beam 8ft 8in.
Draft 6ft.
To be constructed throughout in the very best manner and of the best materials of their respective kinds. The outboard planking to be double. Main deck to be left bright or covered with canvass as may be preferred.
Deck house to be of mahogany. Inside finish to be in white with mahogany trimmings.
To have water closet, basin, stove, cushions, mattresses, pillows, bed clothing and a moderate quantity of dishes.
Yacht to be rigged complete, having hollow mast, gaff and boom. Each yacht to have a Mainsail, # 1 Jib, # 2 Jib, Balloon Jib and Spinnaker.
All painting and varnishing to be done in the most thorough manner. Bottom to have the Herreshoff Anti-Fouling paint. To be painted white above water line and to have a gilt name on stern. The boats to be steered by a tiller. Each boat to have one anchor with suitable cable, deck lines, 2 fenders and 4 life preservers. Also running and anchor lights and spirit compass with light.
If ordered soon we can build a lot of eight boats for the sum of Thirty-five Thousand Two Hundred ($35,200.00) dollars. First payment to be Eighty-eight Hundred ($8800.00) dollars, payable upon the signing of the contract. Second payment to be Eighty-eight Hundred ($8800.00) dollars, payable when the first four boats are completed. Third payment to be Eighty-eight Hundred ($8800.00) dollars, payable when the second four boats are completed. The fourth and final payment to be Eleven Hundred ($1100.00) dollars on each boat, when it is delivered alongside of our dock at Bristol, R. I.
Yours respectfully,
Herreshoff Mfg CO.
John B. Herreshoff. Prest.
[Signed for JBH:] N.B.S. [Newell B. Sheldon].
[With hand-scribbled calculation in lower left corner: 8 / $35200.00 - $4400.00.]" (Source: Herreshoff, John B. [Letter to N. D. Lawton.] New York Yacht Club Archive. October 11, 1904.)

"Bristol, R. I., Nov. 5. 1904. ... The Herreshoffs are preparing to build new boats in the 30-foot classes." (Source: Anon. "X.P.D.N.C. Is A Flyer." Boston Herald, November 6, 1904, p. ?.)

"W. B. Duncan, Jr.
Havemeyer Building,
Cortland Street,
New York
Dec. 23d, 1904.
Dear Nat, ...
I expect now to be in Bristol next Thursday morning [December 29, 1904] & will come & breakfast with you unless I telegraph to the contrary. I will also come on if you get the boat [Alera] in the water.
A merry Christmas to you all.
Yours sincerely,
W. B. Duncan Jr." (Source: Duncan Jr., W. Butler. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff. Herreshoff Marine Museum Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F03 (new), MRDT # 15 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. December 23, 1904.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., Dec. 25 [1904]. --- ... The lead keels are being cast for the new class of thirty-foot racing boats for the members of the New York Yacht Club. It will require a large quantity of lead, from the fact that there are seventeen of the boats to be built on one design. Three of these yachts are nearly finished; in fact, one boat [#626s Alera] has been turned over and is having her cabin built." (Source: Anon. "Yacht Building At Bristol. Racing Sloop for Germany Not to be Shipped Until Spring." New York Times, December 26, 1904, p. 5.)

"John B Herreshoff entertained at lunch Wednesday at the Belvedere hotel Mr and Mrs. Cord Meyers and Mr and Mrs. A. H. Alker of New York City. Mr. Meyers is a prominent politician in New York and owns a fast yacht built at the Herreshoff shops some time ago. [Cord Meyer was the owner of #539s Altair and #628s Atair then under construction, A. H. Alker the owner of #208p Florence and #626s Alera which had just been built for him.]" (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, February 3, 1905, p. 2.)

"[License issued to vessel under 20 tons. Pos. 6:]
Alera, sloop yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1905.
8 tons; 34 ft. x 9 ft. x 5.3 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
No specifications shown.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) Apr. 25, 1905. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: N. G. Herreshoff, Bristol.
Surrendered [license] June 28, 1906 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. Alera.)

"A large number of boats have been overhauled at Herreshoff marine yards, Walker's Cove, and Malcolm McNaught's boat yards, preparatory to being put in commission for the summer season.
Among the boats overhauled are the Steam Yacht Florence [#208p], owned by A. W. Aiken [sic, i.e. A. H. Alker] of New York; Steam Yacht Tramp [#211p], owned bv William O. Gay of Boston; Steam Yacht Augusta [#155p], owned by J. B. Herreshoff; the 30-footer Alera [#626s], owned by A. W. Aiken; the 40-footer Cock Robin [#617s], owned by Mr. Eaton of Long Island; ..." (Source: Anon. "Boats Overhauled for the Season." Bristol Phoenix, April 13, 1906, p. 1.)

"Alera, the Herreshoff 30-footer owned by Com. A. H. Alker, of the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, will be a challenger this year for the Manhasset Bay Cup which Mimosa III [#610s], Com. Park's crack 33-footer, has won for two successive years. The fact that Alera was launched Dec. 29, 1904, and that she will make a slight change in rig, allows her to assume an actual rating of 27 feet and will give her a handicap over her larger rival of 29.26 seconds per mile. Alera is the only one of the New York thirties that was put into the water prior to Jan. 1, 1905, and according to the rule on Long Island Sound, is the only one eligible to take her actual rating." (Source: Anon. "Club House Gossip." Boating Magazine (Cleveland, Ohio), April 1906, p. 144.)

"Under conditions particularly gratifying the yachting season on Long Island Sound was formerly opened with the special spring regatta sailed Saturday [May 28, 1910] afternoon under the auspices of the New Rochelle Yacht Club. The day was an ideal one for racing and Echo Bay probably never appeared to better advantage for thisinvigorating outdoor sport. There were over fifty starters, and when the first boats were sent away an eighteen mile breeze was blowing from the north northwest. ...
The Alera, Messrs. A. and J. W. Alker, one of the two starters in the Newr York Yacht Club's 30-foot class, had her mast carried away five hundred yards after crossing the starting line, leaving the race to the Rowdy, Mr. H. S. Duell.
The Lady M. was dismasted while jockeying for the start." (Source: Anon. "Racing Craft Open Season. New Rochelle Y. C.'s Spring Regatta Provides Excellent Sport --- Over Fifty Starters. --- Wind Fresh And Frolicsome." New Rochelle Pioneer, June 4, 1910, frontpage.)

"The ... annual regatta of the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club was sailed yesterday afternoon starting from a line off the clubhouse in Manhasset Bay. ...
The wind was strong from the east-northeast and caused two mishaps. While sailing across the bay to the starting line the New York Thirty Alera, owned by A. W. and E. P. Alker, carried away her mast, and during the race, when near the Gangway buoy, the Sally IX lost her mast. ..." (Source: Anon. "Two Yachts Dismasted." New York Tribune, September 17, 1910, p. 10.)

"A yacht new to a majority of those who now race on Long Island Sound but older than any others that do any active racing is to make her appearance this summer. She is the Alerian [sic, i.e. #446s Alerion], owned by Mr. James W. Alker, who has sold his N. Y. Y. C. 30 Alera [#626s] to Mr. John L. Cutler, N. Y. Y. C. The Alerian was built by the Herreshoffs twenty-one years ago, as a model for a cup defender, and despite her age will give other yachts in the handicap class a good tussle. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachting Notes, New York Herald, May 29, 1913, p. 12.)

"... Although the Eastern Yacht Club fleet was accompanied from Boothbay Harbor to Ilesboro by three of the Manchester Yacht Club one-designed 17-footers, the smallest craft taking part in the regular port to port runs was the N. Y. Y. C. 30-footer Alera, owned by F. W. Belknap of the New York Y. C. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, July 13, 1919, p. 51.)

"... The roster of the yachts which will race this year, as compiled by Frank Bowne Jones, Vice President of the association [Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound], is headed by six of the New York Yacht Club fifty-footers, all of which were in seclusion last year, and from these all the way down through the list come classes which have provided able competition in these events in the past.
The list of the boats by classes, with sailing number and owner's name, follows : ...
New York 30-Footers, D. R. Richardson, Secretary ---
1, Alera [#626s], F. W. Belknap;
2, Silhouette [ex Ibis #627s], R. H. Amberg;
4, Houqua [ex Maid of Meudon #629s], W. G. Low Jr.;
5, Lena [ex Pintail #630s], O. Reid;
7, Alice [ex Tabasco #632s], G. Davis;
9, Amorita [ex Adelaide II #635s], F. B. Bragdon;
11, Oriole [#637s], S. C. Pirie;
12, Rowdy [ex Neola ll #638s], H. L. Curry;
13, Minx [#648s], W. H. Hoffman;
15, Banzai [#640s], E. Lang;
16, Nautilus [#642s], M. E. Hatfield;
18, Adois [sic, i.e. Adios ex Anemone II #647s], F. L. Richards;
19, Mizpah [ex Cara Mia #639s], D. R. Richardson. ..." (Source: Anon. "N. Y. Fifty-Footers Head Yachting Roster." New York Times, May 24, 1921, p. 23.)

"Another boat to change hands on the eve of [Larchmont] race week was the New York thirty-footer Alera, sold by Francis W. Belknap, New York Yacht Club, to Howard Whitney, 15 Wall Street, who will race the boat. Alera was one of the original thirty-footers built in 1905 and continues to race in good form with the rest of the class, fifteen of which are in commission this year.
It was said Alera sold for almost as much as she cost in the first place. Their building price was $4,500." (Source: Lawrence, Seabury. "Thirty-Footer Alera Sold to Howard Whitney." New York Evening Post, July 20, 1923, p. 7.)

"... Alera, a New York Yacht Club thirty-footer, was sold by Francis W. Belknap, New York Yacht Club, to Howard Whitney, a broker with offices at 15 Broad Street. The prize was not made public, but N. Y. Y. C. thirties are said to bring almost as much now as they did in 1903, the year they were turned out by Herreshoff. Their building cost then was $4,500.
Alera will be raced by Mr. Whitney, who is an enthusiastic yachtsman. This boat was one of the original thirties and was raced for some years by J. W. and E. P. Alker. There are fifteen of this class in commission this year and many of them will be seen at Larchmont. ..." (Source: Anon. "Alera And Cygnet Change Ownership. Howard Whitney Buys Thirty-Footer and Paul Hammond the Six-Meter Yacht." New York Times, July 20, 1923, p. 11.)

"HAVING passed through their twentieth racing season, it may be said that the New York Yacht Club Thirty-footers offer the finest example in American racing annals of what it means to have a good class hold together. Leaving the building ways at the famed Herreshoff yards at Bristol in the spring of 1905, eighteen of these fine racing sloops took a lively part in the sport of that season. Now, a score of years later, we find that sixteen of the 'Thirties' were in commission during the past season and that many of them took part in the racing and cruising throughout the season on Long Island Sound. Considering the age of the class, this is truly a remarkable showing. ...
A roster of the original owners of the Thirties contains names that have loomed large at times in American yachting. To begin at the beginning with No. 1, Alera (a name that has never been changed) was built for those noted young skippers, J. W. and E. P. Alker; ...
In gathering data for a record of this truly remarkable yacht racing class the writer received valuable assistance from W. P. Stephens, recorder of the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound, and Harry L. Maxwell. The following complete list of the Thirties and their many owners was compiled from the records of Mr. Stephens:
1. Alera. Built for A. H. and J. W. Alker. E. P. Alker part owner, 1910. 1914 [sic; note that Cutler sailed Alera already in the summer of 1913], John L. Cutler --- 1919, Francis W. Belknap --- 1924, Howard F. Whitney. ..." (Source: Lawrence, Seabury. "The New York Thirties. An Interesting Sketch of America's Most Famous One-Design Class." Yachting, January 1925, p. 28-30.)

"The following is a complete list of the Thirties, with record of their various changes of names and of owners:
1. Alera. Built for A. H. and J. W. Alker. E. P. Alker part owner, 1910. 1914, John L. Cutler --- 1919, Francis W. Belknap --- 1924, Howard F. Whitney. 1927, Howard F. Whitney, Jr. 1927, name of yacht (Alera). ..." (Source: Schoettle, Edwin J. "The New York Thirties." In: Sailing Craft, New York, 1928, p. 579-588.)

"N. Y. Y. C. 30-FT. CLASS Secretary S. C. Pirie
[#626s], NY-1, Alera, Howard P. Whitney, Jr.
[#627s], NY-2, Liza, D John Dallett
[#628s], NY-3, Atair, Charles T. Stork
[#629s], NY-4, Interlude, Melville R. Smith
[#630s], NY-5, Lena, Ogden Reid
[#632s], NY-7, Alice, Gherardi Davis
[#633s], NY-8, Mermaid, Leo Friede
[#635s], NY-9, Amorita, Howard C. Brokaw
[#636s], NY-10, Linnet, Charles H. Talcott
[#637s], NY-11, Oriole, S. C. Pirie
[#648s], NY-13, Phantom, A. H. Renshaw
[#640s], NY-15, Banzai, Edmond Lang
[#642s], NY-16, Taurus, W. L. Inslee
[#643s], NY-17, Phyrne, J. P. Morgan" (Source: Anon. "Racing Numbers Long Island Sound Yacht Racing Association." Rudder, August 1928, p. 102.)

"At a meeting yesterday of the owners of the 30-foot sloops, popularly known as the New York Yacht Club Thirties, it was ascertained that five of them will be out for racing this Summer. Only four raced last year in the regular regattas. The increase is in line with the last-minute commissioning of many racing craft this Spring.
The quintet named are G. N. W. McNaughton's Nachtan [ex Atair #628], W. A. W. Stewart Jr.'s Phantom [ex Minx #648s], H. A. Calahan's Old Timer [ex Cara Mia #639s], the Interlude [#629s Maid of Meudon], which has been purchased by C. F. Smithers, and the Mermaid [ex Carlita #633s], purchased by F. W. Woodworth and renamed Variant.
In addition three others may race, including S. C. Pirie's Oriole [#637s], champion of the class last year; the Alera [#626s], owned by E. H. Leslie, and the Minx [ex Neola ll #638s], owned by Ward Meyer.
Gherardi Davis again was reelected chairman of the 30-foot class. Mr. Pirie was elected secretary and Mr. Calahan treasurer." (Source: Robbins, James. "Five 30-Foot Sloops To Compete Regularly. Increase In 30-Foot Class." New York Times, April 19, 1933, p. 20.)

"LARCHMONT, N. Y., June 18 [1933]. ---In a lively northwest breeze that kicked up Long Island Sound this afternoon, fifty-two craft sailed in the special regatta of the Larchmont Yacht Club. One of them, Harold Palmer's thirty-footer Alera, landed on Rooster Rock on the westerly side of Hen and Chickens Reef.
The mishap occurred before the racing started. Alera sat up high and dry. Launches were unable to budge her and the tide fell under her. When the flood tide came in again it lifted her free with her jib aiding.
On board the Alera were Edward H. Leslie of Port Chester and Donald Worth, who have her under charter, and the former's brother, Victor Leslie.
Nachtan Sails Course Alone. Just before she struck, the Alera was bowling along under a new suit of sails and hit the reef hard. This left G. N. W. McNaughton's thirty-footer Nachtan without a competitor. She sailed alone around a triangle of 14 1/2 miles. ..." (Source: Robbins, James. "The Alera Goes Aground. Floated Off Rooster Rock by High Tide." New York Times, June 19, 1933, p. 20.)

"GREENWICH, Conn., July 8 [1933]. ---Starting in a light air and a thin fog and finishing in a good breeze and a clearing, ninety-one craft participated on Long Island Sound today in the Indian Harbor Yacht Club's forty-fifth annual regatta.
When the breeze increased it did not reach anything like what appeared to be breaking strength, but E. H. Leslie's thirty-foot class sloop Alera was dismasted. ... [Note: Two weeks later, on July 14, 1933 Alera was sailing again and won the second regatta of the Larchmont Yacht Club's race week against #629s Interlude ex Maid of Meudon and #635s Amorita ex Adelaide II.]" (Source: Robbins, James. "Mouette Victor In Race On Sound. Leads 12-Meter Craft Home in the 45th Annual Regatta of Indian Harbor Y. C." New York Times, July 9, 1933, p. S3.)

"The amazed committee of the Indian Harbor Yacht Club when they saw Alera, a New York 30, being towed with her mast on her deck... In such light weather it seemed impossible for such a thing to happen ... however, Alera has the knack of doing strange things ... a short time ago she ran aground on the rocks which make up Hen and Chickens Reef ... a shudden shift of the wind on Saturday [July 8, 1933] gave the skippers something to alibi ... boats reaching home from the Long Island shore suddenly found themselves compelled to beat the last hundred yards in a light wind ... having purchased plenty of charges for the starting cannon and having polished up the battered Satanstoe, Larchmont is ready to open its annual race week, the high point of the racing calendar. [During Larchmont Race Week, Alera would make headlines again, being unbeaten for the first few days.]" (Source: Anon. "Items From The Log Book." Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 10, 1933, P. 19.)

"LARCHMONT, N.Y., July 18 [1936]. --- There was a fresh northeast breeze that called for working head sails to usher in the Larchmont Yacht Club's race week this afternoon, and through it came Henry C. Taylor's fifty-foot sloop Barbara, Van S. Merle - Smith's international twelve-meter Seven Seas and John B. Shethar's Valencia for victories among the large yachts.
It was a case of jumping through seas with rails under. The breeze only registered between fifteen and eighteen miles an hour, but when it blew up against the ebb tide the Sound kicked up. ...
Two Boats Lose Masts
Two yachts lost their masts. The 30-footer Alera [#626s], owned by Harold Palmer and E. H. Leslie, lost hers before the start. Shortly after the getaway the stick went out of H. S. Gardner Jr.'s handicap-class sloop Ariel, one of the old Buzzards Bay 30-footers. [Note: This boat could not be identified.] Her crew went overboard and gathered in the wreckage. Then she chugged back into harbor, having an auxiliary motor. Alera was towed in. ... [Note: Two weeks later, on August 1, 1936, Alera was back, winning her class against Variant #633s and Oriole #637s in the 14th Championship Regatta of the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound.]" (Source: Robbins, James. "Taylor's Barbara Leads 50-Footers As 250 Yachts Sail. Many of Small Craft Remain in Harbor Because of the Threatening Weather." New York Times, July 19, 1936, p. S1.)

"... A record of present ownership follows:
Alera, No. 1., built for A. H. and J. W. Alker. Now owned by S. C. Slaughter, Larchmont Yacht Club. Present name Alera ..." (Source: Slaughter, Sam C. "Class Will Tell. The New York Yacht Club 'Thirties' Celebrate Another Anniversary." Yachting, Vol. 66, November 1939, p. 43-45, 107-108.)

"From the Buffalo Canoe Club comes word that Jim Daniels, who was Irving Johnson's second mate aboard Yankee, has bought the N. Y. 30 Alera with Clifford Baker. This will make three of these famous racers in this section and should afford fine racing. All are hoping that it will make another class at the L.Y.R.A. The organization's requirements are that it takes three boats of a class to make a division, so, with Amorita [#635s ex-Adelaide II], Blue Moon [#647s ex-Anemone II] and Alera --- there you are." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, Vol. 67 [p. 190?].)

"Indian summer offered a welcome temptation and a few hearty skippers stayed in commission later than usual. Nelson Pauley and syndicate, in the New York '30' Alera, take the title and will be awarded a new icepick, payable after the war. ..." (Source: Daniels, James H. "Yachting on the Niagara Frontier." Yachting, Vol. 74, (Jul - Dec) 1943, [p. 116?].)

"... The Ten Meter sloop Charlotte has been sold ... through the office of Eldredge-McInnis, Inc. Other sales inlude the ... auxiliary sloop Alera from R. J. Lewis and Nelson A. Pauly to Fred Benton Bjarnow, of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; ..." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, Vol. 75, (Jan - Jun) 1944, [p. 112?].)

"Percy J. Hunt of BBC and BYC has recently purchased Alera, the New York Thirty so well known in Lake Erie, from Fred Bjarnows. 'P. J.' has plans to re-rig the boat with a modern marconi rig, possibly using the rig of an Eight-Metre ..." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, Vol. 80, (Jul - Dec) 1946, [p. 144 & p. 145?].)

"... Alera, from Youngstown, PJ Hunt's NY 30, defeated Stranger, P. Waddell, of the Royal Hamilton YC, to retain the Mott Memorial ..." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, Vol. 82, (Jul - Dec) 1947, [p. 76?].)

"... P. J. Hunt, Buffalo Y.C. and Y.Y.C., took first place with Alera in the Twelve-Metre Class, Mist, W. O. Roberts, of Y. Y. C., was tied for second in the Six Metre group and Demoiselle, Y. Y. C., Chuck Spaulding's recently acquired 40-footer, took fifth in the Large Cruising Division. ... " (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, Vol. 82, (Jul - Dec) 1947, [p. 116?].)

"Bill Cannon's Xanadu, Youngstown Yacht Club, was winner of this small cruising division and the championship Nichols Cup... Alera, PJ Hunt skipper, YYC, won the division 1 championship and the Mott Cup. Seneca II was second. A sailor's dinner, attended by 300, at the Clayton Yacht Club on Saturday night saw the various cups and trophies awarded, ... " (Source: Rudder, 1948, [p. 54?].)

"[?]" (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, Vol. 83, (Jan - Jun) 1948, [p. 114?].)

"... Two boats started in the large racing division, with P. J. Hunt's jib-headed N. Y. Thirty Alera showing the way each time to win the Mott Memorial Cup." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, Vol. 84, (Jul - Dec) 1948, [p. 68?].)

"[?]" (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, Vol. 84, (Jul - Dec) 1948, [p. 128?].)

"... Youngstown Y.C. won its share of L.Y.R.A. trophies at Clayton. Alera, skipper P. J. Hunt, won in the large cruising class; Chuck Spaulding's Damoiselle, medium cruising; and Will Cannon's Xanadu in the small cruising class." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, September 1948, p. 131.)

"... Boats from the Frontier Clubs were successful in the L.Y.R.A. Regatta at Toronto. ... Percy J. Hunt's Alera, of Youngstown Y.C., was first in the 12 meter group ..." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting Magazine, Vol. 86, (Jul - Dec) 1949, p. 110? [and p. 93, 94.])

"... Percy J. Hunt of Youngstown YC in Alera was the winner in the group of racing type yachts ..." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting Magazine, Vol. 86, (Jul - Dec) 1949, [p. 122?].)

"... P. J. Hunt won the Tycona Trophy in Alera and also the Cock o' the Walk Trophy in his new boat Chance. ... [Percy J. Hunt was the owner of the Hunt for Chevrolet automobile dealership on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo]." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting Magazine, Vol. 88, (Jul - Dec) 1950, [p. 120?].)

"1950 Alera became a party boat for the syndicate of Bob Canavan, Will Cannon Jr., Joe Cannon and Harry Dent." (Source: Hooker, Thomas. Sixty Five Years of Beautiful Sailing, a Journal of the Youngstown Yacht Club. Youngstown, New York, 1996. Cited in: Doyle Jr., Elmer J. Email to Claas van der Linde, February 2, 2012.)

"Trophy: The John C. Mott Trophy
First Awarded: 1936
Deed of Gift: Division Winners PHRF
Donated By: John C. Mott
[19]37 Patricia
[19]38 Patricia
[19]39 Nutmeg II [sic, i.e. Nutmeg III ex-Corinthian?]
[19]1940 Eleanor E.
[19]41 Spindrift
[19]42 No Race
[19]43 No Race
[19]44 No Race
[19]45 Seneca
[19]46 Alera
[19]47 Alera
[19]48 Alera
[19]49 Alera ..." (Anon. "The LYRA Annual Regatta Day Races PHRF-LO Trophies." Source: http://www.lyrawaters.org/Trophies/DayRaces2.html, retrieved December 14, 2010.)

"... The Cock O' the Walk was taken by Alera, owned by the Canon-Dent Syndicate. " (Source: Pegrum, Reginal H. "On the Niagara Frontier." Yachting Magazine, Vol. 92 [after September], 1952, [p. 116?].)

"... Some [owners] liked the Thirties so well they came back into the class after dropping out. For instance Jim and Teddy Alker, at different periods, jointly owned No. 1 [#626s Alera] and No. 18 [#647s Anemone II]. ...
To attempt a complete history of these amazing old yachts would be a prohibitive and probably a thankless undertaking. But here are a few details from their life stories:
No. 1. Built as Alera, for the Alker brothers, of Manhasset Bay, she migrated to Lake Ontario some years back and is now owned by W. A. Cannon, Jr., of Youngstown, N.Y., still called Alera. ..." (Source: Taylor, William H. "The Thirties Are Fifty. A Salute To The First Class Of One-Design Racing Yachts To Reach The Half Century Mark." Yachting Magazine, March 1955, p. 55-57, 120-122.)

"Mr. and Mrs. Will A. Cannon and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Phillips spent the weekend touring aboard the 'Alera' in the Thousand Islands." (Source: Anon. "Personals." Niagara Falls Gazette, August 4, 1959.)

"[Alera mention.]" (Source: Anon. [Title?] Rudder ???, vol. 76, 1960, p. 80?)

"... The rebuilding of Alera, #1, has been taken up again in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Her owner hopes to finish this year." (Source: Kiremidjian, David. "NYYC Thirty News." Full Sea Inc. Newsletter 1982, p. 3.)

"By the time the eighteen New York 30s were ordered by New York Yacht Club members in the fall of 1904, the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. was well equipped to build them, having already delivered about a dozen each of the somewhat similar Buzzards Bay 30s and the Bar Harbor 31s. Still, it seems remarkable that all eighteen New York 30s could be built in such a short time and on such short notice. The first boat [#626s Alera], in fact, was tried out only six weeks after the contract was executed, and all eighteen were ready in time for their first race at the end of May 1905.
The popularity and longevity of the New York 30s is astonishing. Naturally, racing was most active before World War I, when the boats were still quite new and were similarly rigged. Fifty-one races, for example, were held in the first season. However, the class was still active in 1930, its twenty-fifth year, and many were still racing when their Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 1955.
When WoodenBoat magazine honored the New York 30s on the occasion of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the class (1980), some two-thirds of the fleet ... could still be accounted for! It is a record unsurpassed, and substantiates why the New York 30s are considered by many to be the all-time favorite of the racer/cruiser one-designs.
Created under the aegis of the Universal Rule that calls for measuring waterline length at some distance (one-fourth of the boat's beam) out from the centerline, the New York 30s were leaner lined than their predecessors, especially forward. This made them more seakindly (the hulls pounded less when sailing to windward) and generally more desirable. For eighty-five years now, New York 30s have been raced and sailed in all kinds of weather, and, with their original gaff-sloop rigs, enjoyed a reputation for never having to be reefed, no matter how hard it blew. In her seventy-third year, Cockatoo II (New York 30 #5, ex-Pintail), was daringly sailed --- singlehanded, in fact, by her owner Lloyd Bergeson --- across the Atlantic to Norway. Had Cockatoo II not had the bad luck to fall off a wave and take a fatal blow to her hull on the return trip, she'd still be with us.
NGH was right when, after completion of the New York 30 half model in the fall of 1904, he wrote, 'I am well pleased with it. It has been more pleasure to work on, as I have not had the restraint of getting the biggest boat possible for the waterline length.... They have a good lot of ballast and, I believe, will be mighty good boats.' " (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 77.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with pinpricks and displacement curves titled 'N.Y.Y.C. 30ft w.l. class. Nos. 625 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 30 - 1 - 2 [sic, i.e. #626s, #627s, #628s, #629s, #630s, #631s, #632s, #633s and eventually also #635s, #636s, #637s, #638s, #639s, #640s, #642s, #643s, #647s and #648s] Nov[ember 20, 1904'. With calculations relating to rating and quarter beam length, sail area ('S = 1105[sqft] = limit for S with 27 rating'), displacement total (275 1/2cuft = 17650lbs, displacement variations (325.4[cuft = 20825lbs] at 3in deep or 31.55[ft] w.l. and 229.8[cuft = 14707lbs] at 3in light or 28.40[ft] w.l.) , and wetted surface (309sqft). On verso (with 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Established 1861. Incorporated 1879' letterhead) another set of (probably earlier) penciled hull sections with calculations arriving at a total of 286cuft = 18300lbs." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_01820. Folder [no #]. 1904-11-20.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled '626 Class 30ft. [New York 30 class: #626s, #627s, #628s, #629s, #630s, #631s, #632s, #633s and eventually also #635s, #636s, #637s, #638s, #639s, #640s, #642s, #643s, #647s and #648s]. Scale 1/4 & 1/6. Nov[ember] 27, 94[sic, i.e. 1904]'. With calculations and note 'Required 9100lbs with c.g. at .573 of w.l.' and concluding with note 'Final result ... = 9130lbs with c.g. .573 of w.l.'. Calculations show three trials to arrive at final result." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_08030. Folder [no #]. 1904-11-27.)
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"[Item Transcription:] The Harmonizing Committee finished up last night & while I am not at all satisfied with several of their conclusions, still as it was a case of compromise or lose everything, I think that it is a very good result to have obtained. I think all the clubs will adopt it & then if we find it does not work out exactly as they expect it to the details can be changed. We have accomplished one thing & that is to get all of them to agree on the general principal & also to all come in on a general conference & that is something.
They adopted Crane's system of sail measurement & while it does tend to lower the peak, I dont believe that will be done very much as personally I should rather have the high peak & lose the sail.
The only other thing that I am not satisfied with is the draft penalty, they removed it from all boats built prior to this coming Jan. 1st & made it apply, on L.
I expect now to be in Bristol next Thursday morning [December 29, 1904] & will come & breakfast with you unless I telegraph to the contrary. I will also come on if you get the boat [#626s ALERA] in the water." (Source: Duncan, W. Butler. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_69630. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F03, formerly MRDE15. 1904-12-23.)
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"[Item Description:] Printed list titled 'List of Equipment. New York Yacht Club One Design Thirty Foot Class Built By Herreshoff Manufacturing Company' [NY-30 Class: #626s ALERA, #627s IBIS, #628s ATAIR, #629s MAID OF MEUDON, #630s PINTAIL, #631s DAHINDA, #632s TABASCO, #633s CARLITA, #635s ADELAIDE II, #636s LINNET, #637s ORIOLE, #638s NEOLA II, #639s CARA MIA, #640s BANZAI, #642s NAUTILUS, #643s PHRYNE, #647s ANEMONE, #648s MINX]." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.072. Equipment List. Box HAFH.6.2B, Folder One Design 30 Foot. No date (1905 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten signed letter on 'New York and Cuba Mail Steamship Company. Ward Line. James E. Ward & Co., Inc, Agents' stationery:] I should like to know the 'l' of ALERION [#446s ALERION II, then owned by the Alkers], also her displacement in order that I can figure out what sail she could carry and remain in the 27ft class. The present 27 foot class consists mostly of old raceabouts and if ALERION could get in she would unsubtly win out and I would like very much to see the old boat in the game again with a chance of winning.
Thanking you for your trouble I am, Sincerely yours ... [Incl. penciled NGH draft reply note on verso:] Roughly about 750 sqft with is intirmechal[?] between two original rigs.
Would do well in a breeze but dull in light airs. [Note that the Ward Line's house flag depicted on the stationery, a blue 'W' in a blue circle on a white background, is visually identical with the private signal carried by #626s ALERA when owned by the Alker family, indicating that ALERA's private signal was modelled on the Ward Line's house flag. The Ward Line of steamships was owned by the Alker and Ward families.]" (Source: Alker, James W. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_00570. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly (84). 1906-03-08.)
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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:] I have spent most of the day in making of study of Lloyd's Rules for International Classes and comparing with our own practice.
I find there is a vast difference in some of the details. In the smaller sizes in particular Lloyds requirements are absurdly heavy and if adopted in our small classes would make them so logy that half the pleasure of sailing them would be lost.
I have made two special comparisons. Taking in one case the N.Y.Y.C 30s [#626s class] as representing a good type of for our waters, strong enough for any use a yacht should be put to and built so they will probably need no repairs in 20 years.
Detaching[?] some of the parts Lloyds require in keel & c about 180%, timbers 230%, floor 1.38[sic], clamps 180%, bridge, stringers 280%, planking 107%, deck beam 1.53[sic], hatch & mast heavier 300%. Hanging knees about 1.50, deck 122%, lead bolts 122% of the wgts designed for the class.
This would make the weight of bare hull about 150% [heavier] and change the schedule of weights as follows:
[Actual vs Lloyds requirements]
Hull & interior completion .345 [vs] .440
Rig, equipments, stores & c .160 [vs] .161
Ballast .495 [vs] .399
[Total] 1.000 [vs] 1.000
[Detailed table with itemized comparison on verso.]
For a composite boat I selected one [#624s SONYA] we sent abroad, which would rate in the 15 meter class. She is intended for racing & has complete cruising accomodations so owner & crew can live on board continually.
Although a lightly constructed vessel she has proved perfectly staunch in every way and is said to be the staunchest of her class of modern racers.
Actual weights are about as follows. As compared to this vessel Lloyds would require
Keel 87%
Steel frames 190%
Floor plates 133%
Web frames 175%
Sheer & deck stringers 220%
Flat keel plate (has none)
Vertical side keel plate 190%
Diag. straps planking 140%
Diag. straps deck 1.10
Keel angles (has none)
Deck & bilge angles (has none)
Planking 143%
Deck beams 139%
Deck 120%
Lead bolts 100%
The bare hull would be about 175% of present weight to comply to Lloyds and loprectul[?] of weights as follows:
[Actual vs Lloyds requirements]
Hull bare .210 [vs] .370
Interior fittings .070 [vs] .070
Righ & equipment in racing .108 [vs] .108
Ballast .612 [vs] .452
[Total] 1.000 [vs] 1.000
[Detailed table with itemized comparison on verso.]
This craft is full bodied and rather small in deck, consequently the ballast ratio to hull is unusually large.
I don't think it wise to adapt such rules as those of Lloyds, but it is possible the Lloyds Committee could be induced to formulate rules the the[?] would be more in keeping with the practice and requiements of yachtsmen of our waters. They should be much simpler, not one quarter the detail that they have, but giving the design & construction a freer hand in the modern of constructions. On a yacht of certain proportions the Rules should dictate what percentage of weight should go into hull construction without fittings, equipment, ballast & c, and in the hull construction should the percentage of weight in keel & frame stapping and outside covering[?]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Duncan, W. Butler. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_68260. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. 1907-03-03.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤

"[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.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink) rating rule titled 'Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule' and signed 'Nath'l G. Herreshoff. Bristol R.I. July 16, 1907'. With formula 'Sailarea not more than C * B * (L * d * D)^.025 in which C = constant depending on rig, as follows: Sloops & Yawls not carrying topsails C=8.75. Full rigged Sloops C=9.8. Full rigged Schooners and Yawls C=9.3. L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule. B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule. d = draft of water as for Universal Rule. D = displacement as for Universal Rule. The following are examples of application of the above formula to some well known yachts designed by the author. Measurements for Universal Rule'. Followed by tabulated data showing Building Number, Rating, Waterline, L, B, d, D, S, Sail limit Present rule, Diff., Sail limit Proposed rule, Diff., and Notes for Buzzards Bay 15 [#503s class], KILDEE [#460s], SIS [#536s], DOROTHY Q [#668s], SENECA [#670s], N.Y.Y.C. 30 [#626s class], NEWPORT 30 [#463s class], ELECTRA [#530s], SPASM [#538s], PLEASURE [#545s], NEITH [#665s], DELIGHT [#679s], GLORIANA [#411s], ALTAIR [#539s], AVENGER [#666s], DORIS [#625s], WINSOME [#664s class], IROLITA II [#658s], YANKEE [#534s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RELIANCE [#605s], PETREL [#510s], QUEEN [#657s], INGOMAR [#590s], WESTWARD [#692s], AND [KATOURA] [#722s]. [In an article in the March 5, 1905 Boston Globe (p40), N. G. Herreshoff argued that unless there be a stricter limit on sail area in the present Universal Rule, there would be only few cruising yachts racing. This formula is apparently an attempt to address the above issue. See elsewhere for complete spreadsheet transcription.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Handwritten Rating Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00260. Folder [no #]. 1907-07-16.)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint table titled 'Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule' and signed 'Nath'l G. Herreshoff. Bristol R.I. July 16, 1907'. With formula 'Sailarea not more than C * B * (L * d * D)^.025 in which C = constant depending on rig, as follows: Sloops & Yawls not carrying topsails C=8.75. Full rigged Sloops C=9.8. Full rigged Schooners and Yawls C=9.3. L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule. B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule. d = draft of water as for Universal Rule. D = displacement as for Universal Rule. The following are examples of application of the above formula to some well known yachts designed by the author. Measurements for Universal Rule'. Followed by tabulated data showing Building Number, Rating, Waterline, L, B, d, D, S, Sail limit Present rule, Diff., Sail limit Proposed rule, Diff., and Notes for Buzzards Bay 15 [#503s class], KILDEE [#460s], SIS [#536s], DOROTHY Q [#668s], SENECA [#670s], N.Y.Y.C. 30 [#626s class], NEWPORT 30 [#463s class], ELECTRA [#530s], SPASM [#538s], PLEASURE [#545s], NEITH [#665s], DELIGHT [#679s], GLORIANA [#411s], ALTAIR [#539s], AVENGER [#666s], DORIS [#625s], WINSOME [#664s class], IROLITA II [#658s], YANKEE [#534s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RELIANCE [#605s], PETREL [#510s], QUEEN [#657s], INGOMAR [#590s], WESTWARD [#692s], AND [KATOURA] [#722s]. [In an article in the March 5, 1905 Boston Globe (p40), N. G. Herreshoff argued that unless there be a stricter limit on sail area in the present Universal Rule, there would be only few cruising yachts racing. This formula is apparently an attempt to address the above issue. See elsewhere for complete spreadsheet transcription.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Blueprint Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0169. WRDT08, Folder 16, formerly MRDE06. 1907-07-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I can see that some steps are to be taken towards correcting the method of measuring sails and displacement according to the rule, but I do not think there will be any tampering with the rule itself.
The first suggestion that has been made is in the measuring of the fore-triangle, so that the raising of the boom would not reduce the sail area. It seems to me that the proper thing to do is to measure the perpendicular of the fore-triangle to the deck, and then taking a certain percentage, 85 instead of 90, or whatever size might be found advisable.
Another objection is in the measuring of foresails of schooners. But this is very easily corrected. The base line should be the distance between the masts.
Can you suggest any better method of measuring displacement? No two measurers in this particular part of the world have ever been able to get displacement the same. In case of small boats, I should advise that they be weighed, that is, boats up to 30 feet water line.
This could be very easily done and would be very satisfactory. But with the big boats you can readily see the trouble. Incl. NGH reply dated Oct 23:
However weighing is more accurate when it can be done, which is quite practicable in the 27' rating class only. The larger ones will have to be measured either from the designers' plans or take off sections and calculate from them. I feel quite sure it is practicable [to] do that and within the personal error. I find in measuring from the model, also I could arrange apparatus to take off the lines of a large yacht in drydock in 3 hours time or less.
In regard to hollow lines, I think 1/2 the excess of wl over 115 per cent will protect going to extreme in that direction. I now regret L had not been taken at 1/5 breadth of wl instead of 1/4 . It would have given all types a fair chance in racing, and there would not have been any need of the 115% limit. The present rule has been a harder knock to the scow type than I had any idea it would be. However since the boats under the new rule have been so satisfactory and the scows, or I should say, boats of an unseaworthy type, are now practically out of it from now on it will make little difference if L is taken at 1/4 or 1/5 breadth.
You say nothing about making a change in the sail limit. To future racing, I think that is more important than any other subject you have brought up, and shall be attended to. You will never have good racing until every competitor is rigged properly for cruising and up to a correct standard of cruising [remainder of sentence crossed out:] as exemplified in the NYYC 30s [#626s New York 30 Class], also the [New York] 70s [#529s Class]. That plan of limit sail area of which I gave you b[lue] p[rint] last summer requires no other measurements than are already taken for rating, and works out in a very satisfactory manner. You better look into it. I developed it last summer when there was talk of another challenge, but I donot think that will interfere with any changes in sailing rules now." (Source: Cormack, George A. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_69330. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. 1907-10-19.)
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"N/A"

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections and calculations titled 'N.Y.Y.C. 30ft [#626s, #627s, #628s, #629s, #630s, #631s, #632s, #633s, #635s, #636s, #637s, #638s, #639s, #640s, #642s, #643s, #647s, #648s]. Measured June 22 [1908] for measurements sent by [N.Y.Y.C. measurer] W[illiam] Hallock of 'DAHINDA' [#631s] June 17 vis. o.a. 43.5 / 1[?]7.03 / 96.10 / wl. 30.37'. No year, but June 17, 1908 Hallock date is confirmed by an entry NGH made in his NY30 design notebook." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0395. WRDT04, Folder 34, formerly MRDE08. 1908-06-22.)
① ② ③

"[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).)
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"[Item Transcription:] Answering yours of June 21st, would say that the breeze in the race on Saturday was not by any means excessive, as all the 'L' 'M' and 'N' boats easily carried club topsails, so we have not yet had an opportunity to stretch the sail out of shape. The entire trouble with the mainsail is I think that the principal draft is too near the center of the sail, helping to cause a tight leach. It may be that by correcting this draft or in other words bringing it further forward. We may be able to change the center of effort somewhat. The objection to reducing the sail and our rating is that we did not get any corresponding allowance as we must go to the top of the class, and the stepping of the mast might be done, but the question then arises how far in advance should we place it. What bothers me is that I never heard that the SENACA [sic, i.e. #670s SENECA] who had a high narrow rig had any trouble of this character.
Mr. Hallock took the measurement yesterday, and I am awaiting his figures to see if we have any great latitude to help us to make any change.
Regarding the fixing of the present sail, we naturally would very much like to have you do it, and we would hate to entrust it to anybody else, but we do not see how this can be accomplished, unless we have you pass on the sail when the boat is under way in a good breeze. At the moment, we cannot think of sending the boat round to Bristol, as we want to practice in all the local races.
Upon having Mr. Hallock's final figures, we will again communicate with you.
Yours very truly, ... [The letter appears to be referring to #687s NAULAHKA, the P-boat just delivered to challenge #670s SENECA for the Manhasset Bay Challenge Cup. The previous weekend, on June 19, 1909, at the Larchmont Yacht Club's spring regatta, Naulahka had sailed her first race with disappointing results, having been beaten on actual time by the smaller #626s ALERA as reported by Forest & Stream of June 26, 1909, p. 1021. The next year, in 1910, Wainwright would acquire NAULAHKA and rename her CARA MIA.]" (Source: Wainwright, Stuyvesant. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22990. Correspondence, Folder 67, formerly 135. 1909-06-23.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten signed letter on 'Sales Office Pennsylvania Cement Company. Manufacturers Pennsylvania Portland Cement, 26 Cortland St. New York' stationery:] I have your favor of the 12th [August 1909] and thank you for same. The measurement I wanted was that of ALERT [#581s] formerly BOGEY. I figure her rating as 28.40 and if that is correct I can easily beat the new 31 foot boats on the allowance. The new Gardner 31 footer [WINDWARD] is over and [I] raced her with ALERA [#626s] on Sunday [August 15, 1909?], she beat us 10 minutes over a 12 mile course, ALERT could beat the ALERA 5 to 8 minutes so that she would have a good show. [No evidence of this race has been found. At the time it was not the custom to race on Sundays. ALERA did race on August 14, 1909 (taking 1st at the Huguenot YC regatta, but WINDWARD did not compete in that race. The next weekend, on August 21, 1908, at the Stamford YC's annual regatta, ALERA took second in her class with an elapsed time of 2:21h over 15 nautical miles, compared to WINDWARD's 2:13h. That regatta was reported to have been WINDWARD's first regatta, suggesting the race alluded to by James Alker may have been a private race.] There is talk at Manhasset about building a one design class either in the 25 or 39 foot class or may be both, so I want to get rid of ALERT in order to go in this new class. I will let you know if anything develops in this class.
Sincerely yours ... [With penciled notes and calculations, probably by NGH:] LWL 28.33
QBL 30.21
D 257
sqrt(S) 34.7
L = (28.33 + 30.21 - 26.85)/2 = 30.01
R = 1.8 * ((30[.01] x 3[.]47)/6.19) = 30.25." (Source: Alker, James W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22760. Correspondence, Folder 67, formerly 135. 1909-08-16.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink) rating rule-related table on two pages with dimensions LOA, LWL, overhang fore & aft, mean length, freeboard fore & center & aft, breadth deck & w.l., draft, cube-root (displacement), 1st mast mean length, 1st to 2nd mast, J, P1, H1, B1, G1, V1, T1, P2, P2a, H2, B2, Q2, Y2,T2, sail area, sqrt(SA), sqrt(SA - NYYC Rule) for #605s RELIANCE, #499s COLUMBIA, #725s RESOLUTE, #529s MINEOLA, #663s ISTALENA, #666s AVENGER, New York 50s (#711s, #712s, #713s, #714s, #715s, #716s, #717s, #720s, #721s), #411s GLORIANA, #685s ADVENTURESS, #617s COCK ROBIN II, #586s NELLIE, #709s JOYANT, #708s CORINTHIAN, #670s SENECA, Bar Harbor 31s (#592s, #593s, #594s, #595s, #596s, #597s, #598s, #599s, #600s, #601s, #602s, #603s, #604s), New York 30s (#626s, #627s, #628s, #629s, #630s, #631s, #632s, #633s, #635s, #636s, #637s, #638s, #639s, #640s, #642s, #643s, #647s, #648s), Newport 29s (#727s, #728s, #737s), #691s MORE JOY, #446s ALERION II, Buzzards Bay 550s (#733s, #734s, #736s, #738s, #741s), #617s COCK ROBIN II, #493s JILT, #732s SADIE, #460s KILDEE, Buzzards Bay 15s (#503s Class), Buzzards Bay 12 1/2s (#744s Class), #703s FLYING CLOUD, #669s ELEANOR, #722s KATOURA, #692s WESTWARD, #657s QUEEN, #719s VAGRANT II, #698s VAGRANT, #663s ISTALENA, and #743s HASWELL. With penciled note 'Measurements in ft & inches. Results in ft & decimals'. Undated (the youngest boat on this list is from 1914/1915 and this was probably prepared in preparation for NGH's sail area rating rule of 1914/1915)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Handwritten Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE15_00100. Folder [no #]. No date (1914 / 1915 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sailplan sketch of two superimposed yachts with two different rigs (gaff and marconi). With calculations comparing 'P class' (LWL 34ft, LOA 54ft, displ. 390cuft [= 24960lbs], sail area = 1365sqft) and 'NYYC 30 [#626s class] = 1000lbs[?]' (LWL about 30ft 8in, QBL about 30.7ft, L about 31.0ft, displacement 291cuft [= 18624lbs], sail area 1340sqft and 1300sqft). With note 'CARA MIA [#687s ex-NAULAKHA] 3.60, CORINTHIAN [#708s] 3.80, JOYANT [#709s] 3.74'. On verso of an envelope to NGH in Bristol postmarked January 27, 1916." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01220. Folder [no #]. No date (1916-01-27 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] I thank you very much indeed for your letter received just before I sailed on the Eastern cruise, giving me rating of my brother-in-law, Jackson's 'PETREL' [#510s].
The old 'PETREL' sailed very well on the cruise with her new sails, and when we got a good, strong breeze and a beat to windward from Boothbay to Port Clyde, we easily caught and passed the 'SQUAW' [#804s] and another 40 footer, as well as beating such schooners as 'SHIYESSA' of the 62 foot schooner class and Batchelder's 'DORELLO','now rigged as a yawl, and we even got two runs away from the N.Y. 30 footer 'ALERA' [#626s], after giving full time allowance.
I was much surprised to see a boat 20 years old sail so well. There were a number of men who were greatly impressed with the performance of the schooner 'VAGRANT' [#698s], now 'QUEEN MAB', and think she is an ideal type for men whose means are limited. The only thing I can see that might be improved upon with one who wanted to save in the number of crew when racing, is a yawl rig which might be preferable and faster than a schooner, while requiring less men to handle the sails." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39250. Correspondence, Folder 79, formerly 71. 1919-07-15.)
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"[Item Transcription:] You spoke on the telephone last night of being able to reduce the price of 'R' boats if you got two to build. As they are not one-design, I do not quite follow Tom [Brightman]'s reasoning, but would say that I am ready --- in fact, would like to sign a contract now --- for a racing Class 'R' boat to be designed by Mr. Herreshoff and built by the Company in the best manner and at the market price [this will be #932s GAMECOCK].
Mr. Herreshoff wrote me in response to my telegram of January 31st that he could produce the design in six weeks, and it seems to me ridiculous that such a boat could not be built by a Plant equipped as the Bristol Yard is in two months, which would bring the date of delivery May 15th. During Mr. John Herreshoff's life-time, contracts of this sort were what he liked and what really made the reputation of the Yard. To sign a contract at approximately 25% above what would be regarded as the going price for a firstclass boat is of course another matter.
I am putting no restrictions of any kind on Mr. Herreshoff, though of course expect the buyer's usual opportunity to approve the general dimensions and type of design. Remember that the first of the new York 30 Footers [#626s ALERA] --- considerably larger boats --- was designed, completed and sailing inside of seven weeks after the placing of the order. Until we can repeat performances of this kind, I personally shall not be satisfied with our organization." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to Haffenreffer (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.77. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 178. 1925-02-16.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table titled 'Comparative Elements to study 70 footer Design. Fall of 1926' showing data for LOA, LWL, WBL, Beam, Breadth, Draft, Freeeboard, Displacement, Wetted Surface and Sail Area for '1st VAGRANT [#698s]. Enlarged as 12 to 15 = 120%', 'Study model [Model 1322 ?] of Fall 1922. 68ft w.l. Enlarged', 'WILDFIRE [#891s] Enlarged [with added figures in red pencil marked 'immersed 3in deep']', 'Model of 1911 for a 55ft rating enlarged as 12 to 16 = 125%', 'NYYC 50s [#711s Class] Enlarged 140%', 'RESOLUTE [#725s] Reduced to 93.3%', 'WINSOME Class (Original) [#664s NY57 Class]', and 'NYYC 30s [#626s NY30 Class] Inc[reased] l to 233%. Increased b & d to 220%'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00070. Folder [no #]. Fall of 1926.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Printed circular, two sheets of paper:] New York Yacht Club The Cruise 1927
Additional Racing Instructions Run From Huntington To New London—16Th August
In case of no wind at Huntington at the proposed time of the Start on the 16th August, the following signals will be made by the Flagship: etc. ... [Plus printed circular:] New York Yacht Club
List of yachts, measurement certificates of which were on file with the Race Committee on August 1, 1927, which will be valid for the Cruise.
SCHOONERS: C Class
C 2 OHONKARA [#827s]
C 7 VAGRANT [#719s]
C 3 VANITIE
D Class: D 25 ADVANCE
D 7 CONSTANCE
D 22 WILDFIRE [#891s]
D 5 LYNX
E Class: E 4 AURELIA
E 9 QUEEN MAB [#698s]
E16 SHAWNA
F Class: F3 CURLEW
F 4 MARY ROSE [#954s]
F 1 PLEIONE [#714s]
F 11 CACHALOT
G Class: S.C. 11 CLYTIE
S.C. 12 NADJI
S.C. 9 NOKOMIS
S.C. 6 SEVEN SEAS
G 1 WANDERER IX
G 7 MALABAR VII
H Class: H 3 FLYING FISH
H 2 ADVENTURER
KETCH: H 7 ANGELICA
SLOOPS
J Class: J 1 KATOURA [#1050s]
L.0. Class: L.0. 1 GEORGIA
L.0. 4 GREY DAWN
L.0. 5 MIRAGE
L.0. 3 NIMBUS
M Class: M 5 CAROLINA [#721s]
M 3 CHIORA [#713s ex-IROQUOIS II]
M 38 DOLLY
M 4 IBIS [#715s ex-GRAYLING]
M 1 PRESTIGE [#1058s]
M 6 SPARTAN [#712s]
10 Meter Class: 10M 9 BLAZING STAR
10M 7 BRANTA
10M 4 CYTHERA
10M 11 DRAGON
10M 8 ESQUILA
10M 6 NARCISSUS
10M 14 NAUTILUS
10M 10 RAEBURN
10M 12 REDHEAD
10M 10 REVENGE
10M 13 SHAWARA
10M 3 SYNTHETIC
10M 1 TWILIGHT
10M 5 VALENCIA
N Class: N 2 ALICE
P Class: P 1 BUTTERFLY [#586s ex-NELLIE]
50 Class: N. Y. Y. C. 52 ANDIAMO [#716s ex-SAMURI]
40 Class: N. Y. Y. C. 42 COCKATOO [#775s ex-DOLLY BOWEN]
N. Y. Y. C. 50 MARILEE [#955s]
N. Y. Y. C. 46 MISTRAL [#774s]
N. Y. Y. C. 47 PAMPERO [#781s ex-PAMPARO]
N. Y. Y. C. 45 TYPHOON [#773s ex-MAISIE]
N. Y. Y. C. 49 ROWDY* [#776s]
30 Class: N. Y. 1 ALERA [#626s]
N. Y. 7 ALICE [#632s ex-TABASCO]
N. Y. 9 AMORITA [#635s ex-ADELAIDE II]
N. Y. 15 BANZAI [#640s]
N. Y. 4 INTERLUDE [#629s ex-MAID OF MEUDON]
N. Y. 5 LENA [#630s ex-PINTAIL]
N. Y. 11 ORIOLE [#637s]
N. Y. 13 PHANTOM [#648s ex-MINX]
N. Y. 17 PHRYNE (Rig changed to jib-headed mainsail.) [#643s]
Q Class: F. I. S. 3 CHANCE [#1059s]
F. I. S. 1 CYRILLA II [#1054s]
F. I. S. 2 JUDY [#1055s]
F. I. S. 4 MAMEENA [#1060s]
YAWLS M Class: N. Y. 51 REVERY [#720s ex-ACUSHLA]
M 1 RUGOSA II [#983s]
... August 1, 1827. [Compared to the equivalent list from 1924 the number of boats has increased from 49 to 73, while the number of Herreshoff-built yachts has shrunk from 37 to 32 or 44%.] [Incl envelope from Race Committee NYYC to NGH, labeled in red 'Rating & allowance' and postmarked August 4, 1927.]" (Source: NYYC. Correspondence (circular) to Members. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_73330. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F07, formerly MRDE15. 1927-08-01.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Penciled table showing LOA, LWL, Beam, Draft, QBL, Stem, [symbol], sft[?] and Displ[acement] for KATOURA [#722s], WESTWARD [#692s], VAGRANT, QUEEN MAB [#698s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RESOLUTE [#725s], WINSOME [#664s], 2nd IROLITA [#658s], DORIS [#625s], AVENGER [#666s], 50 Footers [#711s], ADVENTURESS [#685s], IROLITA [#591s], FLYING CLOUD [#703s], BELISARIUS [#1266s], NEITH [#665s], AZOR [#578s], NAULAKHA [#687s], SENECA [#670s], NY30s [#626s], SENTA [#688s], DOROTHY Q [#668s], FLIGHT [#607s], PLEASURE [#907s], QUAKERESS [#676s], KILDEE [#460s], and the 12 1/2ft Class [#744s]. With formulas for mean length L, Draft limit by rule and freeboard at three positions. Undated, on verso of NYYC invitation dated December 11, 1933 but listing of BELISARIUS which was built in 1934/1935 indicates that this was written at that time or later. Filed close to and possibly related to what appears to be an early version of NGH's 'Observations on the Proportions of Sailing Yachts' from July 1936." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Tabulated Dimensions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_03040. Folder [no #]. No date (1936-07 ?).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled 'June 12, 1956. N.Y.Y.C. 30 Footer AMORITA [#635s ex-ADELAIDE II]. #626 Class. Waterline as measured in fresh water by A. J. Giovagnoli, Measurer for Sandusky Yacht and Sailing Clubs. Freeboard at forward end L.W.L. 3.00ft. Freeboard at aft end L.W.L. 1.83ft, 1ft 10in to top of deck. Model is bottom of deck, allowed 1in for thickness. Scale 3/4in = 1ft'. Section is marked 'W.L. 31.115ft. Draft 6.52ft'. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 312cuft." (Source: Herreshoff, A. Sidney deW. (?) (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_06550. Folder [no #]. 1956-06-12.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with pinpricks and radials titled 'NYYC 30 [#626s, #627s, #628s, #629s, #630s, #631s, #632s, #633s, #635s, #636s, #637s, #638s, #639s, #640s, #642s, #643s, #647s, #648s] for model for N.Y.Y.C. Apr[il] 1958, scale 3/8in = 1ft'. With no further notes or calculations. (NYYC has two New York 30 half-models made by ASdeWH, one from 1905, the other inscribed on its back with 'this model by A. Sidney DeW. Herreshoff. June 1958')." (Source: Herreshoff, A. Sidney deW. (?) (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_06570. Folder [no #]. 1958-04.)
① ②

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #626s Alera even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Perry, Lawrence. "The New York Yacht Club One-Design 30-Footers." Yachting Magazine, February 1908, p. 71-74. (649 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No. Class appreciation including a good overview of NY30 design precedents, the boats and their races. Photos by James Burton, James Huntington and others.
• Lawrence, Seabury. "The New York Thirties: An Interesting Sketch of America's Most Famous One-Design Class." Yachting Magazine, January 1925, p. 28-30. (599 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No. Twentieth anniversary class appreciation.
• Davis, Gherardi. "A History of the The New York Yacht Club Thirty Foot Class." Manuscript, New York Yacht Club, ca. 1926. (285 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. The best history of the NY30 class with detailed description of the interchange between N. G. Herreshoff and the New York Yacht Club as the boats were built. Written by then owner of Alice ex #632s Tabasco.
• Schoettle, Edwin J. "The New York Thirties." In: Schoettle, Edwin J. Sailing Craft, New York, 1928, p. 579-588. (1,734 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No known copyright restrictions. Class description and history.
• Taylor, William H. "New York Y. C. Thirty-Foot Class to Celebrate its Silver Jubilee. Twenty-Five Years of Active Racing Mark the 'Thirties' as One of the Best Classes Ever Built." Yachting, May 1929, p. 61-62, 112, 114. (2,169 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Tweny-fifth anniversary class appreciation.
• Slaughter, Sam C. "Class Will Tell. The New York Yacht Club 'Thirties' Celebrate Another Anniversary." Yachting, Vol. 66, November 1939, p. 43-45, 107-108. (2,665 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. NY30 history and whereabouts summary, written by then owner of #626s Alera on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the class.
• Taylor, William H. "The Thirties Are Fifty. A Salute to the First Class of One-Design Racing Yachts to Reach the Half Century Mark." Yachting Magazine, March 1955, p. 55-57, 120-122. (749 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Fiftieth anniversary class appreciation.
• Bray, Maynard. "The New York Thirties." Kiremidjian, David. "Then, But Mostly Now Also." Taylor, William H. "At 25, One of the Best Classes Ever Built." (Reprinted excerpts.) Taylor, William H. "A Salute to the First One-Design Yachts to Reach the Half-Century Mark." (Reprinted excerpts.) Davis, Gherardi. "How It All Began: An Extraordinary Chronology." (Reprinted excerpts.) Wooden Boat #35, July/August 1980, p. 20-34. (1,423 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. New York 30 class portrait written on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the class. Plans, photos, history, partial reprints of older class appreciations.
• Taylor, Roger C. "Fourth Book of Good Boats." Camden, Maine, 1984, p. 201-207. (717 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. New York 30 class portrait. History, plans, photos, sailing characteristics with special emphasis on #630s Cockatoo ex-Pintail. Partial reprint of Taylor, Roger C. Recollections under Sail. Wooden Boat #35, July/August 1980, p. 27-29.
• Kiremidjian, David. "The Thirties Are Twice Fifty." Typescript, n. p., 2004. (118 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: David Kiremidjian. New York 30 class portrait with special emphasis on post-WW II vessel histories.
• Doyle, Bill. "New York 30 Class. 100 Years Young." In: Restoration Quarterly. International Yacht Restoration School: Newport, Fall 2005, p. 6, 8, 11. (213 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Short class history, NY30 whereabouts summary.
• Erwin, Daniel. "The New York 30s. A Century of One-Design Sailing." Wooden Boat #184, May/June 2005, p. 76. (5,324 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. New York 30 class portrait written on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the class. Detailed vessel-by-vessel biographies.
• Stimson, David (Benjamin Mendlowitz, photographer). "Il Ritorno di Alera." Arte Navale, Italy. August, September 2005, p. 62-68. (3,835 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Restoration story.
• Stimson, David. "The Restoration of New York 30 #1." In: Restoration Quarterly. International Yacht Restoration School: Newport, Fall 2005, p. 7. (69 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Short restoration report with additional details regarding keel and frames compared to Symposium report.
• Stimson, David. "Restoration of the New York Thirty Alera." In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (Publisher). Proceedings. The 2nd Classic Yacht Symposium. March 31 - April 2, 2006. Bristol, RI, 2006, p. 11-29. (7,064 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: David Stimson / Herreshoff Marine Museum. Detailed restoration report.

• Alera (HMCo-made index card)
• Alera and other NY30 class (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Alera and other NY30 class (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: Alera
Type: J & M
Length: 30'
Owner: Alker, A. H.

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

• Alera
• Alera
• 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: Alera
Type: 30' 1" sloop
Owner: A. H. Alker
Year: 1905
Row No.: 12

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: Nov
Day: 15
Year: 1904
E/P/S: S
No.: 0626
Name: Alera
LW: 30'
B: 8' 9"
D: 6' 3.5"
Rig: J & M
K: y
Ballast: Lead O.
Amount: 4200.00
Notes Constr. Record: 27' rating N.Y.Y.C.
Last Name: Alker
First Name: A. H.

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. 1." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 2, 2008.)

"Alera's owners were:
1905 - 1909: A[lphonse] H. Alker (8 Oct 1851 - 12 Jan 1913) and son J[ames] W[ard] Alker (30 Jan 1883 - 7 Mar 1931); New York YC, Larchmont YC, Manhasset Bay YC, Seawanhaka Corinthian YC
1909 - 1912: J[ames] W[ard] Alker (30 Jan 1883 - 7 Mar 1931) and brother E[dward] P[aul] Alker (23 Aug 1887 - 18 Nov 1938); New York YC
1913 - 1919: John L[ysander] Cutler, Jr. (ca1866 - 23 Feb 1926); Rye, N.Y.; New York YC, American YC; (laid up 1918/1919)
1919 - 1923: Francis W[heelwright] Belknap (26 Jan 1874 - 22 Sep 1932); New York YC, Knickerbocker YC, Sachem Head YC, Harlem YC, Corinthian YC Philadelphia, Eastern YC, Larchmont YC; (laid up 1922)
1923 - 1927: Howard F[rederic] Whitney Sr. (1 Dec 1874 - 30 Jun 1927); Glen Cove, N.Y.; New York YC
1927 - 1928: Howard F[rederic] Whitney Jr. (5 Jan 1906 - 14 Sep 1988); Glen Cove, N.Y.; New York YC, Larchmont YC
1929 - 1930/7: Harold Palmer (ca1887 - ) and Stanley R[iddle] Latshaw (Sep 29 1884 - Jan 1968); Rye, NY
1930/9 - 1932/7: Harold Palmer; Rye, N.Y.; (laid up 1931)
1932/7 - 1933: E[dward] H[arold] Leslie (and Donald Worth), in charter from Harold Palmer, Milton Point (Rye), N.Y.
1934 - 1935: Harold Palmer and E[dward] H[arold] Leslie (Jan 1, 1896? - Feb 2, 1945); Milton Point (Rye), N.Y.; American YC
1936 - 1939: Sam C. Slaughter (19 Nov 1887 - 4 Dec 1969) and brother C. Denton Slaughter (ca1885 - 17 Apr 1952); Milton Point (Rye), N.Y.; Larchmont YC
1940 - 1942?: Clifford F. Baker (8 Jun 1898 - 20 Jul 1967); Kenmore, N.Y., Lake Erie; Buffalo Canoe Club (fitted with a Universal gasoline engine in 1941)
1942? - 1944: R. J. Lewis and Nelson A. Pauly (9 Mar 1915 - Jan 7, 1998), Lake Erie, Buffalo YC, Buffalo Canoe Club
1944 - 1946: Fred B[enton] Bjarnow (Apr 18, 1904 - May 1987), Niagara Falls, N.Y., Youngstown, Lake Ontario
1946 - 1950: Percy J. Hunt Sr. (ca1887 - Dec 27, 1965), Youngstown, Lake Ontario, Youngstown YC (altered from gaff to 8mR marconi rig in 1946/47)
1950 - 1961?: Will Alban Cannon Jr. (Apr 10, 1918 - Sep 2, 2003), Joseph [Joe] A[llen] Cannon (Dec 25, 1918 - Oct 28, 2002), Harry M. Dent Jr. (May 17, 1924 - ) and Robert [Bob] Canavan (1921ca -); Youngstown, Lake Ontario, N. Y. (Youngstown YC)
1961? - 1973?: Alan L. Holmes; St. Catharines, Lake Ontario, Canada (apparently laid up last or last two years)
1973? - 1978: Art Mason; Gillingham's Marine, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lake Ontario, Canada, Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club (rebuilt, new and higher deckhouse, then sailing again)
1978 - 1982: Pierre & Therese Belcourt; Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lake Ontario, Canada; (laid up from 1978 to 2005)
1982 - 2004: Dan & Diane Donovan; Hamilton, Lake Ontario, Canada; (laid up)
2004 - 2011: Terry McClinch; Boothbay Harbor, Maine; (first sail again July 2, 2005; laid up 2010)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 29, 2010.)

"In 1903, #446s Alerion II (said to have been the Newport 30 prototype) was owned by Alphonse H. Alker, while #581s Alert (ex Bogey built in 1902 for H. M. Sears) was owned by his son James W. Alker. In 1904 father and son ordered the New York 30 #626s Alera. It thus seems to have been a family tradition to name Alker-owned boats beginning with 'Aler.' An exception were the steam yachts #208p Florence, which had been built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in 1899 for A. H. Alker and named after both his wife and daughter Florence, and #213p Quickstep which Alker acquired in March 1905 and renamed Florence II. It appears that after the sale of Alera to John L. Cutler in 1913, the brothers J. W. and E. P. Alker felt a need to race a NY30 again, for between 1915 and 1916 they owned #647s Caprice ex Anemone II which they renamed Alerion II. Note that in 1916 the brothers sailed the class P boat Aleda and in 1920 the Sound Schooner Allure." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 3, 2010.)

"See also: Mystic Seaport, Daniel S. Gregory Ships Plans Library, Henry M. Devereux Collection. 11 sheets of plans for re-rig of 43.37 ft. NY 30 sloop, UNIDENTIFIED (built 1905), design #259 by Henry M. Devereux. Original designer, Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Dates on plans range from 05-23-1939 to 06-12-1939. 4 sheets are duplicates. SP.1991.11.120.65." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 13, 2011.)

"See also Mystic Seaport Museum:
SP.1982.10.53.3151.5.41; ALERA: Sail; ; SHIPS PLANS; Gore book page
SP.1986.23.53.3002.1.168; ALERA: Sail; ; SHIPS PLANS; Gore book page
SP.1986.23.53.3002.2.19; ALERA: Sail; ; SHIPS PLANS; Gore book page
SP.1986.23.53.3002.2.48; ALERA: Sail; ; SHIPS PLANS; Gore book page
SP.1986.23.53.3002.6.114; ALERA: Sail; ; SHIPS PLANS; Gore book page
SP.1986.23.53.3287.5.8; ALERA: Sail; ; SHIPS PLANS; Gore book page
SP.1995.1.1.410.1; ALERA: Lines; Stephens, W. P.; SHIPS PLANS; Stephens, W. P.; Ink, pencil on heavy yellow paper
SP.1995.1.1.410.2; ALERA: Lines; ALERA: Detail, Hull; Hyslop, John; SHIPS PLANS; Hyslop, John; Ink, color ink, pencil on tracing paper
SP.1995.1.1.410.3; ALERA: Lines; ALERA: Detail, Hull; Hyslop, John; SHIPS PLANS; Hyslop, John; Ink/color ink/pencil on hvy yellow paper" (Source: van der Linde, Claas. November 16, 2011.)

"See also: Mystic Seaport, Daniel S. Gregory Ships Plans Library, Ratsey & Lapthorn, Inc. Collection.
SP.1982.10.53.3152 New York Yacht Club Thirty/ sloop
SP.1982.10.53.3156 NEW YORK YACHT CLUB THIRY
SP.1982.10.53.3161 New York Thirty /sloop
SP.1982.10.53.3187 New York Yacht Club Thirty / sloop
SP.1982.10.53.3204 New York Yacht Club Thirty / sloop
SP.1982.10.53.3205 New York Yacht Club Thirty / sloop
SP.1982.10.53.3206 New York Yacht Club Thirty / sloop
SP.1982.10.53.3235 New York Yacht Club Thirty / sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3000 New York Thirty Class sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3002 New York Yacht Club Thirty Class
SP.1986.23.53.3003 New York Yacht Club Thirty
SP.1986.23.53.3012 NYYC Thirty class, racing sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3019 New York Yacht Club Thirty
SP.1986.23.53.3022 New York Yacht Club Thirty - sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3051 New York Yacht Club Thirty/ sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3060 New York Yacht Club Thirty/ sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3076 New York 30
SP.1986.23.53.3078 New York Yacht Club 30' sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3089 New York Yacht Club Thirty/ sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3093 New York Yacht Club Thirty/ sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3096 New York 30
SP.1986.23.53.3098 New York Yacht Club Thirty/ sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3218 New York Yacht Club Thirty / sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3320 New York Yacht Club Thirty / sloop
SP.1986.23.53.3451 New York 30
SP.1986.23.53.3455 New York 30
SP.1986.23.53.3534 New York Thirty, Old Class." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 13, 2011.)

"The NY30s were a one-design class, but designed according to the then-brandnew Universal Rule. With their racing length of between 26ft 8in and 27ft 2in (depending on length of spinnaker boom and sail area) they were at the top of Universal Class P (over 22ft and not over 27ft rating). By the mid-1920s their rating was at 27ft 7in which put them at the bottom of Class N (over 27ft and not over 33ft). When the Universal Rule was originally adopted in the New York area it was intended to have boats built after January 1, 1905 race against one another without time allowance within their respective classes. N. G. Herreshoff opposed this stipulation because it forced the building of boats at the 'top of their class', which later, when their rating increased due to modifications or increased displacement as was almost always the case, caused them to be inelligible for their class and thus racing. Of the New York Thirties, only Alera which had been finished before January 1, 1905, was allowed to race with time allowance --- a fact which enabled her to compete for the Manhasset Bay Cup in 1906 when the other New York Thirties were prevented from doing so." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 30, 2011.)

"For more information about the New York 30 class, see ny30.herreshoff.info and the NY-30 Class Website." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. June 21, 2016.)

"According to newspaper reports (Boating Magazine of Cleveland, Ohio, April 1906, p. 144.) Alera was launched on December 29, 1904 while N. G. Herreshoff reports her to have been launched on January 3, 1905. The difference is significant, because yachts launched before December 31, 1904 were allowed to particpate in the Manhasset Bay Challenge Cup and benefited from a more advantageous rating. It appears both dates are right: Alera was substantially completed on December 29, 1904 and launched into water for the first time on January 3, 1905." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. November 4, 2011.)

"Built in 49 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $86/day, 361 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Sail area 1085 sqft from untitled two-page rating-rule-related table handwritten (in ink) by N. G. Herreshoff with multiple dimensions for the most important Herreshoff-designed yachts. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. MRDE15, Folder [no #]. Undated (the most recent boat dates 1914/1915 and the table was probably prepared in preparation for NGH's sail area rating rule of 1914/1915)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 16, 2020.)

"[Sail area 1085 sq.ft.]" (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 276.5 cu.ft. [= 17,696 lbs] from untitled two-page rating-rule-related table handwritten (in ink) by N. G. Herreshoff with multiple dimensions for the most important Herreshoff-designed yachts. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. MRDE15, Folder [no #]. Undated (the most recent boat dates 1914/1915 and the table was probably prepared in preparation for NGH's sail area rating rule of 1914/1915)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 16, 2020.)

"[Displacement (276 cubic feet = 17,664 lbs).]" (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.