HMCo #664s Winsome

"[1909-05-05] Wed 5: Launched Istalena [#663s] with new lead [keel] on and hauled Winsome [#664s] into shop.
[1909-05-08] Sat 8: Cast new lead [keel] for Winsome [#664s].
[1909-05-17] Mon 17: Launched Winsome [#664s] with new lead [keel] and hauled Aurora [#667s] into shop. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1909. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"Nos. 663 and 664, 666[sic, i.e. 667] [#663s, #664s, #667s].
Frame spaces 16".
Deduct for planking 1 5/8.
Sheerline (S) is to top of deck.
Deduct for decking 1 5/8".
Top of lead see [frame] nos 32 & 42.
Thickness of keel 6 1/2".
Rabbate above bottom of keel 3".
Crown of deck 6" in 16' 0"." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.154.] Undated (October 1906). Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"... Winsome [Name], 664+ [Building Number], 57 [Rating], 62.66 [Waterline], 54.7 [L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule], 16.18 [B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule], 10.75 [d = draft of water as for Universal Rule], 1,884 [D = displacement in cubic foot as for Universal Rule (= 120,576 lbs or 53.8 long tons)], 5012 [Sail Area], 5320 [Sail limit Present rule], -308 [Diff.], 5110 [Sail limit Proposed rule], -98 [Diff.], [Notes] ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule Formula." Bristol, R.I., July 13, 1907 with later additions. Original handwritten (in ink) document with penciled additions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00080.)

"[In] the year 1907, the popular sixty-three foot class [N.Y.Y.C. 57 Footer Class] of sloops was built. They were ISTALENA, AURORA, and WINSOME." (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. 71.)

"In 1907 Captain Nat designed the one-design class of N.Y.Y.C. fifty-seven-footers which were remarkably handsome vessels. They were eighty-five feet three inches O.A., sixty-two feet eight inches W.L., sixteen feet beam, and ten feet ten inches draft, and listed below are the names of the yachts and owners:
'Aurora'; Cornelius Vanderbilt
'Winsome'; Henry F. Lippitt
'Istalena'; George M. Pynchon
As they came out they were able, easily handled sloops, but their owners, who were used to more comparative sail area with yachts built under the old rule decided to have the sail area increased. This jumped their rating up to 65, and besides making it harder for them to save their time on other yachts, in my opinion it made them less desirable yachts. The 'Winsome,' now rigged as a yawl, is still in commission, and in 1950 was the handsomest yacht that visited Marblehead Harbor during the year." (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. 270.)

"The largest one-design yachts that we had under the Universal Rule were Aurora [#667s], Istalena [#663s] and Winsome [#664s]. They came out in 1907 when Cornelius Vanderbilt was commodore of the New York Yacht Club. Mr. Vanderbilt owned Aurora, George M. Pynchon owned Istalena, and Harry F. Lippitt owned Winsome. These yachts were composite construction with a L.O.A. 85' 3"; L.W.L. 62' 8"; beam 16' 7"; draft 11'. When they came out they rated 57', but their owners, all of whom had larger yachts under the old rule, thought that they would like to carry more sail, so at considerable expense the draft of these yachts was increased with more lead, and their sail area increased so that they then rated 65', and had less chance of winning races for their rating was increased more than their speed. However, they were nice looking craft... Unfortunately [Aurora] was destroyed in the fire at City Island together with Queen [#657s] and other fine yachts. Istalena ... was acquired by E. W. Clark who had her changed to a schooner. Winsome was subsequently changed to a ketch... While both Istalena and Aurora had won Astor Cups, it is likely the smaller sloop Avenger [#666s] took from them three or four Astor Cups, and a great many other prizes." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. An Introduction to Yachting. New York, 1963, p. 169-170.)

"... It has been announced ... that Commodore Vanderbilt had joined the class of 57-footers [by ordering #667s Aurora], two of which are being built at Bristol, by the Herreshoffs. These two sloops are one for Mr. Harry F. Lippitt [#664s Winsome], the other for Mr. Geo. M. Pynchon [#663s Istalena]. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachting News Notes." Forest And Stream, January 26, 1907, p. 145.)

"The two yachts, rating at 57ft., built from the same design, by Mr. N. G. Herreshoff, are now nearing completion at Bristol. The ownership of the yachts was decided by lot. Mr. Geo. M. Pynchon has named his vessel Istalena [#663s], from the Indian, White Water Lily. Mr. Henry F. Lippit has named his vessel Winsome [#664s].
A third boat [#667s Aurora] identical with the above boats is being built for Commodore Vanderbilt, of the New York Y. C. These boats are about the same length as Neola and Wetamoe, but longer on the waterline. The accommodations consist of three staterooms and a berth in the steerage, large saloon, captain's cabin and forecastle for nine men." (Source: Anon. "Yachting News Notes." Forest and Stream, March 2, 1907, p. 344.)

"Herreshoff has practically completed all four of the new racing cutters that he is turning out for the coming season and is only awaiting open weather to fit them out. George M. Pynchon's new 57-footer Istalena [#663s] is stored in the Walker's Cove yard, and her lines indicate power and speed. She will probably measure on the waterline a trifle over 60 feet.
Harry F. Lippitt's Winsome [#664s] is finished in the north shop, and Commodore Vanderbilts boat [#667s] nearly as far advanced in the south shop. The Vanderbilt boat will be called Rainbow [sic, she was eventually called Aurora], like his 70-footer.
Not such marked progress has been made on Robert W. Emmons, third's, new 48-footer [#666s Avenger], but she is well enough along to be ready for delivery by June 1 as planned." (Source: Anon. "New Herreshoff Racers. All the Boats Building at Bristol Are Nearing Completion." New York Times, March 19, 1907, p. 6.)

"Istalena [#663s], Mr. George M. Pynchon's new 57-rater, the first of the new New York Y. C. one-design boats, built by Herreshoff, to be launched, was given a trial sail about Bristol Harbor on Thursday, May 2 [1907], and in the light breezes that prevailed at that time she proved very satisfactory not only to her owner, but also to Mr. H. F. Lippitt who will own the second boat Winsome [#664s], as she is called, when she is put over about May 20. Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt will receive his, the Aurora [#667s], the third of this class and last one now building, about June 1.
All three are expected to meet for their first contest in the New York Y. C. spring regatta on June 13 at Glen Cove. They are typical Herreshoff in appearance, the only difference from ordinary is the extremely long lower mast and very short topmast and bowsprit." (Source: Anon. [No title.] Forest and Stream, May 11, 1907, p. 742.)

"The sloop Winsome, owned by Harry F. Lippitt of Providence, was put overboard at Herreshoff's Thursday [May 9, 1907], being christened by his daughter Frances.
The Winsome is 85 feet overall, 60 feet waterline, and of 18 feet 11 inches beam." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, May 12, 1907, p. 52.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 993:]
Winsome, sloop yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1907.
49.39 gross tons, 30 net tons; 67.8 ft. x 16.8 ft. x 10.3 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head [bow].
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) May 16, 1907. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: N. G. Herreshoff, Bristol.
Surrendered [license] May 29, 1907 (enrolled) at Providence. ([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. Winsome.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., May 18 [1907] --- ... H. F. Lippitt's new 57-rater Winsome has been rigged and will soon be given her trial. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, May 19, 1907, p. 47.)

"The sails of the Winsome were bent yesterday and this afternoon the craft, which was recently launched at the Herreshoff boat shops, was given her trial spin in the harbor. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes and News of Local Interest." Bristol Phoenix, May 21, 1907, p. 2.)

"The racing sloop Seneca [#670s], recently launched at the Herreshoff boat shop, owned by Winfield P. and Charles J. Pembroke of Rochester, N. Y., and the 57 foot racing sloop Winsome [#664s], owned by H. F. Lippitt were given a trial spin in the bay Wednesday [May 22, 1907] afternoon." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, May 24, 1907, p. 2.)

"The one-design Herreshoff yachts, Aurora [#667s], owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt; Istalena [#663s], owned by G. M. Pynchon, and Winsome [#664s], owned by H. F. Lippitt, are to have some changes made that will put them in Class J instead of Class K, where they have so far raced. These changes will increase the sail area of the yachts, naturally making them faster, and what will be more satisfactory to their owners, they will get away from Avenger, which yacht, on account of the difference in size, received so much allowance that she was invariably a winner.
Under the new rules yachts are allowed more draft, and the lead of these three yachts is to be lowered and altered slightly, and this will enable them to carry more sail. Herreshoff is to make the changes and has already started work on Istalena. The keel of that yacht has been removed. About a ton of lead is to be added to the outside ballast, and this will be bolted on again in a few days. The other two ---Aurora and Winsome --- are to be taken to Bristol at once, and all three will be ready for racing as soon as the season opens. W. Butler Duncan. Jr.. is to have charge of Aurora this year, and these three yachts will again furnish some fine sport." [J-class was not always 76-foot rating. Back in 1908 the J-class was for yachts rating 65-foot and over, while the K-class was for yachts of more than 55-foot rating. By increasing sail area the three yachts increased their rating and moved from K to J-class in 1909, thus avoiding Avenger.] (Source: Anon. "To Improve 57-Footers." Forest and Stream, May 1, 1909, p. 706.)

"The record this season of the 65-footers is a remarkable one. In twenty-eight races these yachts met, and in all they sailed 1,038 miles, and at the end of the season minutes only separated them. It is the third year of these yachts, and they are better now than they ever were, and some are of the opinion that they are faster than any yachts afloat under the present rule. ...
There are three in this class, Cornelius Vanderbilt's Aurora [#667s], G. M. Pynchon's Istalena [#663s] and H. F. Lippitt's Winsome [#664s]. ...
Before the season started some radical changes were made in the yachts. Their lead keels were removed, more lead was added and the lead was remoulded and then bolted on again, giving them more ballast and more draft. This enabled them to carry more canvas. Early in the season they were rather unfortunate because of their long, thin topmasts, and six were carried away before the cruise of the New York Y. C. Just before that cruise Herreshoff put on topmasts of Oregon pine and lengthened the spreaders. New rigging of plow steel wire was substituted for the old rigging, and after that, in spite of several hard blows they experienced, they did not have an accident. ..." (Source: Anon. "The 65-Footers." Forest and Stream, October 16, 1909, p. 622.)

"BRISTOL, R I. July 30 [1910] --- Designer Nat Herreshoff returned from a cruise in the steam yacht Roamer [#215p] the first of the week. He spent several days at the head of the sound watching Cornelius Vanderbilt's 65-foot sloop Aurora [#667s], and found that the reduction in the diameter of the mainmast and topmast had helped her, and plans were at once made for treating the mast of Harry F. Lippet's Winsome [#664s] in the same way.
The Winsome came here last Sunday in tow of her tender, the Magnet, and was stripped the following morning. In two days the sloop was rigged again and was off for Larchmont on Wednesday afternoon. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, July 31, 1910, p. 37.)

"... The New York Yacht Club one-designed 60-foot class of sloops, built by Herreshoff in 1907, is well broken up. The Aurora [#667s], owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt, is the only one of the three that has not changed hands. The Winsome [#664s] was recently purchased by Philip H. Johnson of Philadelphia and the Istalena [#663s] is now the schooner Irolita, having come into the hands of E. Walter Clark last Fall. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, June 6, 1915, p. 62.)

"... Another of the one-designed 50-footers, built by Herreshoff in 1907 for members of the New York Yacht Club, has changed hands, as the Winsome has been recently sold by Philip H. Johnson of Philadelphia to Peter W. Rouss, New York Y. C. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Daily Globe, October 31, 1915, p. 58.)

"Former Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt's sloop Aurora is being rigged as a schooner at Herreshoff's, and when ready she will sail against E. Walter Clark's Irolita. Aurora, Irolita (formerly Istalena ) and Winsome were originally the 57-foot class of sloops, it is possible that Winsome may be changed and the three race again as one-design class schooners." (Source: Anon. "Spokes from the Rudder Wheel." Rudder, July 1916, p. 340.)

"... Ex-Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, colonel of the 22d Regiment, N. G. N. Y., has sold his 67-foot racing sloop Aurora [#667s] to Frank A. Egan of the New Rochelle Y. C. Built in the Winter of 1906-7 the Aurora was one of a trio of one-design sloops built by Herreshoff for members of the New York Y. C. The Winsome [#664s], like the Aurora, has been kept to her original rig and is owned by Henry W. Howe of Milton Point, N Y; but the Istalena [#663s], known as the Irolita, has been changed to a schooner and is owned by E. Walter Clark of Philadelphia...." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, July 15, 1917, p. 46.)

"... C. H. W. Foster's 62-foot sloop Winsome [#664s] arrived at Marblehead from Long Island last week. This craft is one of three one-designed sloops designed and built by Herreshoffs in 1907 for members of the New York Yacht Club. The Winsome is the last of the three to leave New York waters; the Istalena [#663s] is now the schooner Irolita, owned by E. Walter Clark of Philadelphia, and the Aurora [#667s] , the third of the class, is owned by K. Isburg of Boston. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, June 15, 1919, p. 60.)

"Speaking of big sloops, it is a decided question if they ever will be popular in American yachting. There is no getting away from the fact that they cost too much to be even playthings of millionaires. Some years ago a class of fairly large sloops was built for members of the New York Club. Originally they were called the fifty-seven footers. A change in the measurement rule gave them the name of sixty-five footors and they were raced under that title for several years.
The yachts were the Aurora [#667s], Winsome [#664s] and the Istalena [#663s]. Although of similar design, the statement would hardly seem possible if the craft were anchored together today. G. M. Pynchon' s Istalena was the first to be changed. In 1914 the yacht was purchased by B. Walter Clark of Philadelphia, who changed the sloop into a schooner and called her Irolita. A year or so later Cornelius Vanderbilt sold Aurora. The lead was taken off the craft in 1917 and a new keel recast. The change gave the sloop considerable more freeboard. Today she is owned by K. Isburgh, who has a summer home at South Dartmouth. She now has a short rig and no top-mast. These changes also disguise the craft.
Schater [sp?] Harry Lippitt' s Winsome, third of the trio, is now an auxiliary. She is owned by Charles H. W. Foster of Boston. Except for a shortened boom, the Winsome has her original rig but the auxiliary engine has brought her down into the water for a shorter freeboard. As she sits in the water Winsome hardly looks a sister ship to the Aurora, and neither would be taken as similar craft to the schooner Irolita." (Source: Anon. "Regarding the Old 65-Footers." Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 10, 1919, p. 4.)

"... C. H. W. Foster's 65-foot sloop 'Winsome' had her first trial under her 'Marconi' rig Sunday, July 4. While the sailing qualities of the rig were all that could be desired, much difficulty was found in hoisting and lowering: the mainsail. More than an hour was spent in getting the sail aloft, and nearly as much time was required to get the big spread of canvas down on deck." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, July 11, 1920, p. 53.)

"For Sale --- Herreshoff Sloop 85 ft., 62 ft. 8 in., 16 ft. 7 in., 10 ft. 10 in. Two complete rigs, Marconi and gaff. Would make exceptionally fine schooner. The yacht shown opposite [S00663 Irolita ex-Istalena] is one of the same class converted into a schooner and has been very successful. Owner will sell at very reasonable figure. Burgess & Paine. Naval Architects and Yacht Brokers. 131 State Street, Boston, 9, Mass." (Source: Anon. [For Sale Ad.] Rudder, January 1922, p. 62.)

"... C. H. W. Foster's big jib-headed mainsail-rigged cutter Winsome returned to Marblehead last Wednesday from Herreshoff's yard, Bristol. While on her way back trom the Harvard-Yale boat races Sunday, June 25, the big cutter was diamasted oft Brentons Reef Lightship in a squall, when a back stay, badly rusted under sizing, parted. Later towed to Newport and afterwards to Bristol, the Winsome has been at Herreshoff's yard for more than three weeks, waiting to have a new mast turned out. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Globe, July 23, 1922, p. 58.)

"... Winsome, one or the New York yacht Club's one-designed 65-footers, owned by C. H. W. Foster for the last two or three years, is at Lawley's, being changed to ketch rig. For the last two seasons the Winsome has carried a jib-headed mainsail, making her the largest single-sticker in American waters with this type of rig. Under her new rig the yacht will have jib-headed mainsail and mizzensail. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Globe, May 27, 1923, p. 50.)

"Actually, the changeover to the Marconi did not come all that easily. Charlie Foster had tried it back in 1899 with his raceabout Persimmon, the sixteenth in his lifetime armada, only to find his solid spar too much weight aloft. Now he tried again with the cutter Winsome, his forty-third, built for Henry F. Lippitt in 1907 by Herreshoff as one of only three of her class of New York Yacht Club 57-footers (so rated, but actually 62 feet waterline, and called '65-footers' after their draft and sail area were later increased). Foster bought her in 1919 and as usual began experimenting, first by changing her from gaff- to jib-headed with the same sail area.
'This made a very tall mast and was too much sail for comfort. I cut it down somewhat, and then a squall took the rest of it, so that when I finally had her properly rigged as a Marconi there was about seventy-five per cent as much sail as she carried originally. She was much faster even then, and of course was more easily handled by a smaller crew. Later, to cut down the number of crew and for further experimentation, I changed her into a Marconi ketch rig which she still carries [about 1933]. Her reduction in speed and general ability was astonishing, although of course she still is a fine cruising boat. This change convinced me that the Marconi rig ketch or yawl is the slowest prevailing rig that we have, and today we know the reason why this is so.
Foster owned Winsome until 1925 and claimed she was the first large, jibheaded boat in New England waters. In 1950 she was a yawl, and Francis Herreshoff thought her the handsomest yacht to visit Marblehead all season." (Source: Garland, Joseph. The Eastern Yacht Club: A History from 1870-1985. Camden, Maine, 1989, p. 146-147.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Re new class of racing sloop we talked about yesterday (NY57 class of three consisting of #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for C. Vanderbilt), for me and my friend Lippitt, very important to make offer for complete boat including everything" (Source: Pynchon, George M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23840. Correspondence, Folder 70. 1906-07-24.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled (carbon copy) preliminary plan with inboard profile marked 'A' and titled 'Preliminary Sketch for Sloop yacht to rate about 52 1/2. Approx 82ft on deck, 60ft w.l., 16 1/2ft beam, 10ft 5in draft. For Mr. Pynchon by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Aug[ust] 31, 1906. Scale 1/8in'. (NY57 class, #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for Vanderbilt)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_00100. Folder [no #]. 1906-08-31.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary plan with inboard profile titled 'Preliminary Sketch for Sloop yacht to rate about 52 1/2. Approx 82ft on deck, 60ft w.l., 16 1/2ft beam, 10ft 5in draft. For Mr. Pynchon by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Aug[ust] 31, 1906. Scale 1/8in'. (NY57 class, #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for Vanderbilt)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01710. Folder [no #]. 1906-08-31.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled tabulated data with cost estimates varying with building method and number of boats built:]
Wood [$]24500 for 2 75% off
Composite [$]25000 [for 2] 50% [off]
Steel [$]26000 [for 2] 50% [off]
T[obin] B[ronze] plate [$]28000 [for 2] 50% [off]
[Filed with preliminary sketches for the NY57 class (#663s ISTALENA, #664s WINSOME, #667s AURORAt) which were composite-built and cost $24500 each, suggesting that this note refers to this class. Undated, the preliminary sketches were from early September 1906.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Cost Estimate. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01660. Folder [no #]. No date (1906-09 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Re new class of racing sloop (NY57 class of three consisting of #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for C. Vanderbilt), like the profile you sent, is there enough sail area for racing at the head of Long Island Sound, is it possible to slightly increase headroom, interior arrangement can be improved somewhat, I liked the arrangement in IROLITA [#591s or #658s?] better, need nine berths in forecastle, crew of eleven, talked with Lippitt on the phone and can safely say you will get a contract provided the price is satisfactory, suggest if you will be down with #215p ROAMER that we all meet" (Source: Pynchon, George M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23860. Correspondence, Folder 70. 1906-09-04.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled (carbon copy) preliminary plan with inboard profile marked 'B' and titled 'Preliminary Sketch for Sloop yacht of about 54 rating. 82ft oa, 60ft w.l., 16 1/2ft beam, 10ft 5in draft. For Mr. Pynchon by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Sept[ember] 6, 1906. Scale 1/8in'. (NY57 class, #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for Vanderbilt). With list of particulars and rating data. Marked in upper right corner 'B'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_00120. Folder [no #]. 1906-09-06.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary plan with inboard profile titled 'Preliminary Sketch for Sloop yacht of about 54 rating. 82ft oa, 60ft w.l., 16 1/2ft beam, 10ft 5in draft. For Mr. Pynchon by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Sept[ember] 6, 1906. Scale 1/8in'. (NY57 class, #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for Vanderbilt). With list of particulars and rating data. Marked in upper right corner 'B'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01670. Folder [no #]. 1906-09-06.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled (carbon copy) preliminary plan with inboard profile marked 'C' and titled 'Preliminary Sketch for Sloop yacht of about 55 Rating. 82ft oa, 60ft w.l., 16 1/2ft beam, 10ft 5in draft. For Mr. Pynchon by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Sept[ember] 7, 1906. Scale 1/8in'. (NY57 class, #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for Vanderbilt)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_00130. Folder [no #]. 1906-09-07.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary plan with inboard profile titled 'Preliminary Sketch for Sloop yacht of about 55 Rating. 82ft oa, 60ft w.l., 16 1/2ft beam, 10ft 5in draft. For Mr. Pynchon by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Sept[ember] 7, 1906. Scale 1/8in'. (NY57 class, #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for Vanderbilt)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01700. Folder [no #]. 1906-09-07.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled (carbon copy) preliminary plan with inboard profile marked 'D' and titled 'Preliminary Sketch for Sloop yacht of about 55 rating. 83ft oa, 60ft w.l., 16 1/2ft beam, 10ft 7in draft. For Mr. Pynchon by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Sept[ember] 8, 1906. Scale 1/8in'. (NY57 class, #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for Vanderbilt). With list of particulars and rating data. Marked in upper right corner 'D'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_00140. Folder [no #]. 1906-09-08.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary plan with inboard profile titled 'Preliminary Sketch for Sloop yacht of about 55 rating. 83ft oa, 60ft w.l., 16 1/2ft beam, 10ft 7in draft. For Mr. Pynchon by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Sept[ember] 8, 1906. Scale 1/8in'. (NY57 class, #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for Vanderbilt). With list of particulars and rating data. Marked in upper right corner 'D'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01690. Folder [no #]. 1906-09-08.)
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"[Item Description:] After Mr. Pynchon and I left you yesterday, we talked the matter over and are very much disposed to go ahead with the boats [New York 57 Class #664s WINSOME and #663s ISTALENA], provided we can agree about the price, etc., but as I told you before doing so I want to see a plan of the quarters we shall get drawn on a scale large enough to be readily intelligible. The quarters that we had in the 'WEETAMOE' are for my purposes plenty large enough but none too large, and in getting a new boat I want to be sure that she is of a size that will give about the same accommodations below. I do not want, however, to make this so imperative as to in any way interfere with the speed of the boat. I had rather make the boat a little larger if necessary to get the quarters than to try to make some slower model on a shorter water line. If you will let me see about how the fastest boat you can build to rate at 57 will come out for accommodations, I will take the matter up as promptly as possible with Pynchon and have it settled." (Source: Lippitt, Henry F. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_21200. Correspondence, Folder 63. 1906-09-12.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled '1st model. 57ft Class. 2nd trial. Sept 26, 1906'. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 1880cuft [= 11920lbs] and wetted surface of 1140[sqft]. (This is for #663s ISTALENA and #664s WINSOME and, eventually, #667s AURORA.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_01670. Folder [no #]. 1906-09-26.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with pinpricks and radials titled '57ft Class. 2nd model. 4th [trial]. Nos 663 & 664 [#663s ISTALENA and #664s WINSOME and, eventually, #667s AURORA] from finished model. Oct 1, 1906. Scale 1/2[in]. Height to top of rail & top of deck. 62ft 8in l.w.l. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 1884cuft [= 120576lbs] and wetted surface of 1112[sqft]. On verso (with 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Established 1861, Incorporated 1879' letterhead) more calculations marked 'International Rating (Original draft & sail)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_01650. Folder [no #]. 1906-10-01.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled 'Nos. 663 [#663s ISTALENA] & 664 [#664s WINSOME]. Scale 1in & 1 1/2. Oct[ober] 4 1906'. With calculations and note 'Required 62200lbs lead with c.g. at .5955 of w.l. 62200 / .411 = 151200cuin ...' and concluding with note 'Result. 151200cuin at # 35.92 frame space = ... .5942 of w.l.'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_08670. Folder [no #]. 1906-10-04.)
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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 was very glad to see your familiar hand on arriving at the office this morning and very much interested to hear that you have a lot of new work. I suppose that those three new one design sloops [New York 57s #663s ISTALENA, #664s WINSOME and #667s AURORA] will be the best kind of fun and I envy the owners. I am looking forward with a great deal of interest to seeing the models. You do not mention what other work you have. Sometime if you are at leisure I would like to hear what it is, but I do not want to impose any extra task on you because I know what a lot of work you must have with your brother away, although I had not heard before that he was away. [JBH had been for 2 months in Europe in the spring of 1907.]
I have taken my engineer for a chauffeur and as far as I can see, I have done wisely, for he certainly has a most satisfactory character and disposition. I am therefore, treating now for a new engineer and as soon as he has been engaged, I will send him to Newport to have the VANISH [#177p] towed to Bristol with the boiler in her quite loose. When the retubing has been finished he will see to the replacing and putting the engine in order. I think perhaps it would be well after you see what work has to be done in rabbiting the sleeve of the shaft, if you would send me an outside figure.
I hear that the 'INGOMAR' [#590s] is to be out with [Charlie] Barr in charge, and I understand that Butler Duncan is to be on board of her, at least for a time. How I envy him. I am going to try to get him to take me sailing with him once, as I have never even been aboard the 'INGOMAR'.
I am sure you will appreciate how serious to me is the loss of Capt. Craven, as a friend as well as a seaman. Twenty-nine years of service speaks for itself and the whole family feel his loss most severely." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_38500. Correspondence, Folder 76, formerly 62. 1907-05-20.)
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"[Item Description:] I find the #664s WINSOME a little shorter on the waterline than #663s ISTALENA, change may be necessary to bring her into class" (Source: Hallock, William (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_34550. Subject Files, Folder 42, formerly 32. 1907-06-10.)
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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:] Business card from Morgan Barney, Naval Architect, 29 Broadway, New York with handwritten note: Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Does not Mr. Gielow exceed the conventional limits of professional advertising in the enclosed circular? [Signed M Barney.]
[Together with circular:]
Showing comparative speed of [New York 57s] ISTALENA [#663s], WINSOME [#664s], AURORA [#667s], and EFFORT [Gielow-designed] in fourteen races sailed during the season of 1907, when there was a fairly steady sailing breeze.
The three races held on June 15th, July 4th, and August 10th, were not considered on account of the very light airs and generally fluky conditions.
[Table showing dates, course lengths and racing times for the four yachts.]
[Table showing total miles sailed for the four boats, total seconds, average time per mile and corrected time per mile for the four yachts.]
In the fourteen races tabulated, the three 57-footers sailed a total of 1,150.5 miles in 167 hours, 54 minutes and 51 seconds. Had the EFFORT sailed the same length of time she would have been thirty-two miles ahead, boat for boat, or 8.58 miles on
corrected distance (time). [Undated, ca. 1908.]" (Source: Barney, Morgan. Correspondence (carte de visite) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_68360. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. No date (ca1908).)
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"N/A"

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled table listing OA, LWL, QBL, %, L = LWL + 1/2(QBL-.93LWL), and Mian[?] for Buzzards Bay 15 [#503s], KILDEE [#460s], DELIGHT [#679s], NYYC 30 [#626s], SENECA [#670s], SPASAM [#538s], NEITH [#665s], GLORIANA [#411s], ALTAIR [#539s], AVENGER [#666s], DORIS [#625s], WINSOME [#664s] class, MINEOLA [#529s] class, INGOMAR [#590s] and QUEEN [#657s]. With three formulas for L, one by 'NGH proposed', the other by Louis M. Clark and the third by NGH [apparently the old one]. On verso of printed receipt card by Callender, McAuslan & Troup Co. Undated, the latest of these boats is from 1908 suggesting this to have been prepared for the Universal Rule revision of 1908." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Calculations. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01780. Folder [no #]. No date (1908).)
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"[Item Transcription:] I enclose copy of report of the Committee which will be considered at the conference.
The sliding scale of allowance of Q.B. seems to me to be all right in the larger boats, but it does seem to me that in boats under 40 feet it is too large &, when it gets down to the small boats I think that 95% is too large altogether.
I do not like the classification either for the small boats the present 15 foot raters will measure approximately just under 17 feet & I think they should not be ruled against.
I enclose letter received from [Charles Lane] Poor as to the cube root tables of allowances. I think that the 60% of the present formula is near enough right for the present. [Incl. tabulated annotations by NGH on recto.] Incl. draft reply by NGH on verso dated Dec 3, 1908: I see by the morning paper that the Conference passed every thing to the satisfaction of the New York end of the committee, and have practically ruled out of racing some of the newest and probably best all round boats on the coast. I am sorry for Emmons [owner of #666s AVENGER] and the now past 57 owners [#663s ISTALENA, #664s WINSOME and #667s AURORA].
I see [Charles Lane] Poor calls my cube root tables[?] a 40% one[?] and condemns it in rather a shorthand way that is not all quite clear to the simple minded. I have no doubt that he can devise an empirical formula that would [result in] any desired time allowance. [Remainder of draft crossed out and annotated with 'Letter changed'.] We are all taking for granted that the difference in time per mile between two yachts differing in size is a constant no matter what the rate of speed, due to differing relations[?] in direction of wind and tide. This was an axiom[?] in yacht racing when I was a boy and although we now know it is not an always true, are still work under the same at whant[?]. My original tables were based solely on the above axiom and the statement that the speed of yachts under favorable conditions and in a fresh or 'wholesail breeze' was 2 1/2 * cube-rt(length) miles per hour. This would be nearly equivalent to 2.4 * cube-rt(R) nautical miles per hour for our modern craft. I will make a little table to compare this with the present so-called 70% formula of the NYYC tables. Its equivalent is 1.43 * sq-rt(R) + 0.65.
I wish you would tell me which is the nearer correct speed[?] for the Rating, from your own experience and observation in a good breeze, i.e. 16 or 18 mile breeze." (Source: Duncan, W. Butler (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_68690. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. 1908-11-25.)
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"[Item Description:] Agree with your proposal to increase ballast and sail area of our boats (#663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit) provided you felt quite certain that they would not spoil the present beautiful handling qualities of the boats, and also if you felt confident that the increase in speed would more than off-set the increase in rating, when we are racing against smaller boats in the open regatta" (Source: Pynchon, George M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23900. Correspondence, Folder 70. 1909-02-11.)
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"[Item Description:] please make a new club topsail yeard for #663s ISTALENA as per your advice, believe Mr. Lippitt is going to give you an order for a new topmast for #664s WINSOME to be kept at your shops ready for any emergency that may arise, and we shall probably also have one made at this end of the Sound and kept here, so that we shall always be prepared to put a new one in on a moment's notice, We have had a good chance by this time to give the boats a thorough test in all sorts of weather, and I think them wonderfully improved in every way. They certainly have a big rig, and if anything, are a little more tender than last year. With anything over a ten or twelve knot breeze, they stick their rails under very quickly, and in the race last Thursday with the wind about fifteen knots with club topsails on my boat laid over until the water came into the cockpit. There is, of course, no objection to this, I am only telling you of it to show you that they have about all the sail they can conveniently take care of" (Source: Pynchon, George M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23910. Correspondence, Folder 70. 1909-06-21.)
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"[Item Description:] I have not been able to understand this season why the 'AURORA' [#667s] and 'ISTALENA' [#663s] seem to get away from the 'WINSOME' every time the wind is light. I sent to the Measurer of the Yacht Club for the detail of the measurements which I enclose and would like to have you return. It seems to show that the 'AURORA' has nearly a foot shorter bow than the 'WINSOME' [#664s] and it is longer in the stern, which I interpret to mean that she is a little lower in the water forward and higher aft. We have thought that perhaps the 'WINSOME' was down in the stern. Do you think that can be so? The 'AURORA' has always been a little better than the other two boats before the wind in light weather, or at least both Mr. Pynchon and I have thought so. Can you give me any advice in the matter?" (Source: Lippitt, Henry F. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22810. Correspondence, Folder 67, formerly 135. 1909-07-14.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am sending you today a copy of the lines which Mr. Hyslop took off the 'WINSOME' [#664s] and 'AURORA' [#667s], and I would be very much obliged if you would look them over and let me know whether there is anything you would suggest. The only difference, as I understand it, that this investigation has discovered in the two boats is a little different position in the lead and slightly smaller displacement in the 'WINSOME', and I have been wondering whether it would be worth while to put a little additional lead on the forward end.
I was very much surprised at the feeling you seemed to have about this matter in our telephone conversation of the other day. I wish you would put yourself in my place for a minute. As you know, the 'WINSOME' was very badly beaten last year and as a sporting proposition I am anxious to see if I cannot improve that record for another season. I thought the matter all over and talked it over with my competitors and as a preliminary step it seemed to me that the first thing to do was to satisfy myself that there was no difference in the shape of the boats. I assumed, or course, that there was not, but I think you will readily see that if you had been in my position you would want that point settled for the future so that there could be no question of any kind about it. Then, of course, it remained to get an organization, the best sails, and to sail the boat as well as we could.
I am about to engage another man for sailing master, who Mr. Haff has great confidence will fill the bill and shall shortly want to arrange about a new suit of sails.
In getting these lines my intention always was to submit them to you as soon as I could get them and in fact I was on the point of coming down to talk with you about it two or three times but had been so busy that I did not get the chance. If you will consider all this from my point of view, I do not think you will find anything to criticize, and I hope that I may have, in my effort to make the boat do better another season, your cordial and sympathetic assistance to which I think I am entitled.
I am going to New York this afternoon for a couple of days but will be here again Thursday morning. Will you please return the drawings when you are through with them. [Incl NGH draft reply:] I have yours of 31 inst also the roll of drawings by later mail, and have compared the drawings of AURORA and WINSOME.
When laying the obtained lines of the two hulls together, neglecting the lines used to obtain them (which are from different base lines) there is little difference, only an inch or two at the most, and shows fairly careful work of Mr. Hyslop under the unfavorable conditions he has to work.
If you had asked me I would have been pleased to have shown you the process of laying down and construction the one design classes of yachts we have built from time to time and could have shown you that it is quite an impossibility for the form to vary 1/8in in any part. Instead you have not confidence in the work we have turned out, and take means to prove it by having two boats measured as blocked up in a shipyard where yet[?] it is impossible to measure them accurately. I have always tried to be honorable in my work and think I enjoy the reputation of being so. Perhaps if you would consider yourself in my place you would not be surprised if I felt offended at your course.
You ask for my cordial and sympathetic assistance to which you say you are entitled. Did it ever occur to you that during the time you have owned racing yachts of our build you never came here for any repairs or work if you could get it done elsewhere as other owners of our yachts do? You may have asked my advice a few times but I really do not know that it was acted on. It never was under my direction.
[Next partial sentence crossed out:] You have made many little changes
I would be pleased to give you assistance as I often do others if you if you[sic] would take it in the same way.
It is quite possible that you have not time time to look after the details of your yacht, or go by the advice of your sailing master, or leave it to him to overhaul your yacht where he likes to go.
You may or maynot know that we never in any instance pay graft to obtain work.
I am returning the drawings by mail." (Source: Lippitt, Henry F. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22860. Correspondence, Folder 67, formerly 135. 1910-01-31.)
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"[Item Description:] #667s AURORA is about one or two tons more displacement than #663s ISTALENA and #664s WINSOME and is slightly faster, Lippitt will increase lead for WINSOME, what do you advise?, we are all anxious to make the boats as nearly alike as possible, reply on verso: had Mr. Lippitt asked me we could have avoided the absurd dilemma he has thrown the class into and the unpleasant light he attempted to put the builders into, boats are one-design and itis impossible for them to differ anywhere near the amount you state, it is entirely absurd that the lead in WINSOME is in a different position than in the other boats, sand molds are exact duplicates, differences in weight of lead of 2% is possible and cannot be avoided, originally WINSOME had about 0.8% more lead than AURORA, recast lead was 66804lbs for ISTALENA, 66820lbs for WINSOME, 67350lbs for AURORA with measuring error of 1/2 of 1%, thus AURORA has 530 +/- 334lbs more lead than WINSOME, AURORA being faster in reaching or running and carrying more weight seems an anomaly and can only be explained by difference in efficiency of crew, I hardly know what advice I can give to improve ISTALENA as she now probably has a slight advantage over the other two boats" (Source: Pynchon, George M. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23930. Correspondence, Folder 70. 1910-02-16.)
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"[Item Description:] agree with NGH's conclusions and won't alter #663 ISTALENA, hope that Mr. Lippitt won't alter #664s WINSOME either, incl. envelope" (Source: Pynchon, George M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23960. Correspondence, Folder 70. 1910-02-21.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am still puzzled about the figures I get in regard to the 'WINSOME' [#664s]. I enclose communication from Hallock, to whom I went for information in regard to the trim of the boat when she was measured, and I have talked two or three times with my sailing master in regard to the matter and with Mr. Pynchon. As far as I can find out, and you will see what Mr. Hallock says about it, there was no material difference in the location of the principal movable weights on all three boats [the New York 57s #663s ISTALENA, #664s WINSOME and #667s AURORA] when measured. The unattached sails were all in the middle of the boat. One anchor and chain was in place in the forecastle and the other under the floor near the mast. The lazaret in our boat, and I am quite sure in the others, were substantially cleaned out. How would you account for the great difference in trim of the 'WINSOME' and 'AURORA' under these conditions? Do you think there was some mistake make[sic] in measuring her, or is it possible that this difference does exist?
You note what both Mr. Hyslop and Mr. Hallock say about the displacement. I understand that a portion of this displacement is in the weight of the lead. Do you think their figures are correct as regards the total difference of displacement, and if so, I should like to know one more thing and that is what the effect of this difference in displacement would be as regards speed. Ordinarily, particularly in moderate weather, we have assumed that lightening the boat tends to increase the speed and, therefore it would be presumed that the 'WINSOME' would be faster under those conditions if anything than the 'AURORA', but I think that all three owners of the boats are agreed that this is not the case.
You have not replied to my inquiry about sails.
Will you kindly return the enclosed correspondence. Yours very truly, ... [Incl NGH draft reply:] Replying yours of 28th ult. I know nothing directly of the various measurements taken of the three yachts except the first measurement of ISTALENA, which was taken here.
At that time as I recollect there were fairly good conditions for measuring and the weights in the yacht were in their natural positions and and she was almost exactly at her designed line.
Only two months later you will notice her time quite different. Also you will notice quite a change in trim in AURORA the first two seasons and nothing to account for it. The two measurements of WINSOME are not consistent and I can only say either weights were removed at time of taking measurements this year or else there was an error in measuring. I know Prof. Hallock is a very careful man, but we all are liable to make an error some time. It is quite absurd to suppose WINSOME is not so deep in water this year as originally. She certainly was deeper in the water when she left our hands last spring and apparently with as little freeboard as the other boats.
The three lead keels for these three boat were cast from the same patters and moulded in sand and cannot help[?] being exactly alike except a very slight difference due to deviations in contraction of metal in cooling. The same pattern was used in recasting the lead keels after adding 12 1/2in to the bottom and cutting of 4in from the top, giving it an increased volume calculated equal to 4600 lb of lead.
The three new casting[s] were from the same pattern and were exactly alike, as near as it is possible to obtain them from the same pattern. Small variations due to differences in lead and temperature of metal at time of casting cannot be avoided. These different[?] sutiouns[?] amount to about 1.30 of one percent in lineal dimensions and as much as 2% in weight of castings.
It happened that WINSOME got the heaviest casting the first year by less than 1%. This year WINSOME and ISTALENA's lead weight were almost exactly alike, while AURORA's happened to come heavier a little less than 1%.
I believe the better showing of AURORA is due entirely to the crew both in everyday care and in handling the craft in racing and that the slight difference in displacement due to heavier lead would not be perceptible, but w[ou]ld probably be a slight hindrance in light weather and an aid in fresh breezes.
I donot recollect any mention of sails in your letter and don't know what you refer to in the last paragraph of yours 28th ult." (Source: Lippitt, Henry F. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_21210. Correspondence, Folder 63. 1910-02-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter on 'New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street' stationery:]
Would you please to get out a topmast for the 65's --- AURORA [#667s], ISTALENA [#663s] and WINSOME [#664s]. It has been decided to have a spare topmast in case one should carry away. Would you please let me know the cost and how long it will take to finish.
Will you please tell Mr. Hathaway that we will need a new forestaysail and a jib for AURORA. There is no immediate hurry for these as it is the intention to use them later in the season.
The boats have sailed twice, both times in hard winds. The time at the finish does not indicate how evenly they seem to be matched. I think they have got WINSOME going again. Can you give me any time as to when SHIMA [sic, i.e. #694s SHIMNA] will be ready to sail?" (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_24240. Correspondence, Folder 71. 1910-06-01.)
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"[Item Description:] can it be that #664s WINSOME is lighter than either #663s ISTALENA or #667s AURORA?" (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_24250. Correspondence, Folder 71. 1910-06-03.)
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"[Item Description:] was notified of [Charlie] Barr's death this morning, it will be difficult or impossible to replace him, please make offer for two sets of sails for #667s AURORA and #663s ISTALENA, sails to be completed by same gang of sail makers and same weather (dry) as last year, #664s WINSOME is for sale" (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_24280. Correspondence, Folder 71. 1911-01-21.)
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"[Item Description:] saw in the paper you had been in Bermuda, will try to get to launch of [#706s ELENA], racing here is dead, #667s AURORA, #664s WINSOME & #663s ISTALENA all laid up, nothing in sight except P boats, have tried to get someone interested in #694s SHIMNA, but everyone is so hard up that there is nothing doing" (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42860. Correspondence, Folder 92, formerly 127. 1911-04-12.)
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"[Item Description:] #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit and #667s AURORA, owners are beginning to discuss new class of big boats if existing ones can be sold, new ones need to be fast, able to be handled and cost not more in operation than current ones, do away with current breaking of topmasts, please advise even if you recommend smaller boats, four new boats are possible, NGH reply on verso: depends on what you want, younger people with smaller boats concentrated on racing, older people with larger people, exagerrations developed in the P-class [a reference to #709s JOYANT et al] are not at all attractive to me and I would be sorry to have such craft repeated in larger classes and hope rules will be modified accordingly, current large P-boats with long overhangs and short keels cannot be good sea boats and it will be very hard to steer them in a sea, #666s AVENGER and #694s SHIMNA are very perfect models but could be outbuilt to give more speed, hollow wooden masts better than steel masts unless in very large craft, topmast being liable to accidents should be separate, PS: ISTALENA has shrunk but very little but I think it would be well to put her afloat very soon" (Source: Pynchon, George M. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23990. Correspondence, Folder 70. 1911-06-06.)
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"[Item Description:] thank you for letter and drawings, agree with you as to meaning of Rule, don't know if these matches [Manhasset Cup] will be sailed without controversy or not, the boats [#709s JOYANT and #708s CORINTHIAN] will be measured the way they should be and there should not be any bridging of notches, jogs or curves, PS: have idea about new class of boats larger than #663s ISTALENA, #664s WINSOME and #667s AURORA, new Gardner boat will meet #666s AVENGER soon, #667s AURORA's new sails are good" (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_17890. Correspondence, Folder 48, formerly 75. 1912-06-03.)
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"[Item Description:] please tell the displacement of #664s WINSOME, #663s ISTALENA and #706s ELENA" (Source: Webb, Harold C. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_43760. Correspondence, Folder 95, formerly 83. 1912-06-10.)
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"[Item Description:] how long would it take and what would be the cost of hollow spars for #667s AURORA, #663s ISTALENA and #664s WINSOME?, we are hopelessly in the minority regarding measurement rules" (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_24430. Correspondence, Folder 71. 1912-10-28.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.11529 (141-012) and HH.5.11544 (141-028). Two plans on one blueprint construction plan. One plan is a plan view titled '#663 64 [#663s Istalena and #664s Winsome]. Plan of Deck, etc. ... Oct[ober] 18, 1916' and 'Approved Dec. 12 N.G. Herreshoff'. The other plan is an inboard profile titled 'Steel Construction. #663-664. 85ft-3in o[ver]all x 62ft- 8in w.l. x 16ft-6 1/2in Beam x 10ft-10in Depth. ... Nov[ember] 13, 1916'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0088. WRDT04, Folder O.S. 2, formerly MRDE02. 1916-10-18 and 1906-11-13.)
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"[Item Description:] talked with Bob [Emmons] about reorganization of company, main point is to get management that will relieve you and at the same time make money for the Company, Henry W. Howe, a New York Partner of John Lawrence, Owner of #804s SQUAW, bought #664s WINSOME and originally intended to convert her into a yawl, I have, I think, persuaded him to cut down the size of her sails and run her next season as a cutter, he would like a sail plan from you, my personal interest in the matter is that I want to see her as good as possible and as fast as #663s ISTALENA, #725s RESOLUTE launch will probably leave Oyster Bay tomorrow for Bristol, incl. NGH reply: think you have correct idea about our works, if we can find right person for the working management, there would be little trouble in financing the stock, would like to alter WINSOME rig, she could be given a rig that would still make her as fast as ISTALENA, these boats always handled easily but were apt to sail at an uncomfortable angle" (Source: Nichols, George (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_50740. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1916-10-27.)
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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 Description:] re cruising rigs, sprit booms, staysail ketch vs yawl vs sloop. Incl. penciled reply by NGH that sloop rig is fastest but at a mooring is like a girl that is very, very naughty, description of #907s PLEASURE incl her change from sloop to yawl and the ensuing great benefits in handling and little loss in speed. Incl photo of #664s WINSOME." (Source: Foster, C.H.W. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_68050. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F01, formerly MRDE15. 1935-12-31.)
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"[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 ?).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #664s Winsome even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Winsome (HMCo-made index card)
• Winsome (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: Winsome
Type: Cutter
Length: 62'8"
Owner: Lippitt, Henry F.

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

• Winsome
• 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: Winsome
Type: 62' 8" cutter
Owner: Henry F. Lippitt
Year: 1907
Row No.: 763

Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. "Partial List of Herreshoff-Built Boats." In: Herreshoff, L. Francis. Capt. Nat Herreshoff. The Wizard of Bristol. New York, 1953, p. 325-343.

Month: Oct
Day: 2
Year: 1906
E/P/S: S
No.: 0664
Name: Winsome
LW: 62' 8"
B: 16' 6.5"
D: 10' 10"
Rig: Cutter
K: y
Ballast: O. Lead
Amount: 24500.00
Last Name: Lippitt
First Name: H. F.

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.

"Universal Rule Class K (63-rater) in 1907 and 1908, thereafter Class J." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 19, 2011.)

"Sail number K 18 in 1908." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 19, 2011.)

"Built in 219 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $112/day, 551 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

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

"[Displacement (1884 cubic feet = 120,576lbs).]" (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.