HMCo #666s Avenger

"[1907-06-15] Sat 15: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] From Bristol towards Bristol. Went into commission about 2-30 p.m. and started off for afternoon trip in Bay, having onboard Dr. & Mrs. Williams, Sally, Julia, Flossie, and part of the children. Followed Avenger [#666s] making trial, then up Prov[idence] R[iver] as far as Sassafras P[oin]t. ... Fine day [with] mod[erate] S & NE wind.
[1907-07-24] Wed 24: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] [3rd Cruise, 6th day]. From Larchmont towards Hempstead & return. At anchor until 5 p.m. then ran over to Hempstead Har[bor] and anchored off Mr. Duncan’s at 6, running at 1/2 speed. Went onboard Avenger [#666s] at 11 with Francis and had a good but fluky race, which we won. The rest of company off in Swiftsure [#243p].
[1907-07-25] Thu 25: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] 3rd Cruise[, 7th day]. From Hempstead & Larchmont towards Black Rock. Underway from Hempstead Har[bor] about 9-30 and ran over to Larchmont at 1/2 speed & anchored outside. The owner went onboard Aurora [#667s] and Francis & Griswold in Avenger [#666s], but on acc[oun]t of news of death of relative of Mr. Emmons, Avenger did not race but started to Bristol and Francis went in her. ...
[1907-07-26] Fri 26: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] 3rd Cruise[, 8th day]. From Black Rock towards Bristol. Thunder showers at 4 a.m. Underway, Swiftsure [#243p] in tow. Passed buoy. Passed Stratford Shoal buoy. Passed Stratford P[oin]t. Showers. Passed south of Faulkner’s Is[land], Avenger [#666s] towing in company. Sail set and drawing away from Avenger. Cornfield L[igh]t s[hip] bearing S. We are close to edge of shoal. Passed 1/2 m[ile] n[orth] of Bartlett’s R[eef] l[igh]t s[hip]. Passed to n[orth] of [North] Dumpling. Passed s[outh] of Latimer R[eef] L[igh]t. Passed Watch Hill L[igh]t. Passed P[oin]t Judith, close in. Passed Dumpling. Arrived home [at 4-58].
[1907-08-15] Thu 15: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] Astor Cup day. From Bristol towards Ocean & return. Very fine day. L[igh]t NW [wind] early, ch[anging] to SE & SW by noon. Very smooth outside. Have Adm. Isherwood, Mrs. Zeller, James B. H[erreshoff], Grace, and all our family. [Log:] Leave home. Pass[ed] Dumplings. Slow[ed] down abeam [of] Brenton’s R[eef] buoy. Follow[ed] yachts around course at reduced speed. Yachts entered [numbered] 18; of our build, 13. Winners [were] Elmina of schooners & Avenger [#666s] of sloops. Queen [#657s] was a long distance ahead at windward mark but ran into [a] calm. Leave l[igh]t s[hip]. Pass[ed] Dumplings & [ran] thru [Newport] harbor. Stop[ped at] P[oin]t Pl[easant]. Home [at 7-03].
[1910-07-17] Sun 17: [No entry.] [From the #215p Roamer log book:] 3rd Cruise, 2nd day. From Saybrook towards Sea Gate, Coney Is[land]. Underway. Pass breakwater l[igh]t. Pass 3/4 miles s[outh] of Faulkner’s Is[land]. Pass to n[orth] of Stratford Shoal l[igh]t. Pass Eaton’s Neck. Pass Matinicock P[oin]t. Ran off towards Larchmont about a mile, then decided to go to Glen Cove 1st. Stopped a few minutes to leave sail onboard Avenger [#666s], then at 12-45 left for Larchmont & left gear with Shimna [#694s] & Winsome [#664s], then to City Is[land] & left sail with Aurora [#667s], then down East River against [the] tide. Took in sails at Throgs Neck. ...
[1911-06-03] Sat 3: Avenger [#666s] here for overhauling." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1907 to 1911. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"No. 666 [#666s].
Jan[uary] 1907.
Frame spaces 15".
Composite construction.
Sheerheights are to upper side deck.
Deduct for planking 1 5/16".
Deduct for decking & straps 1 7/16".
Keel plank 4 7/8".
Forward overhang sided 5 7/8".
Forward overhang above rabbate 3 1/2".
Forward overhang in rabbate sided 5 1/2".
After overhang depth 3 7/8" tapering to 3" at aft end.
Sided aft of # 48 6 1/2".
Sided forward of # 48 as required.
Top of lead # 25 4.0.0, # 38 3.3.0." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.156.] January 1907. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"... Avenger [Name], 666 [Building Number], 48 [Rating], 53 [Waterline], 46.3 [L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule], 14.06 [B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule], 9.47 [d = draft of water as for Universal Rule], 1,218 [D = displacement in cubic foot as for Universal Rule (= 77,952 lbs or 34.8 long tons)], 3696 [Sail Area], 3910 [Sail limit Present rule], -314 [sic] [Diff.], 3730 [Sail limit Proposed rule], -34 [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.)

"[Responding to famous yacht designer and artist A. Cary Smith's closing his November 23, 1908 letter with 'I wish to say that the Avenger to my eye is a beautiful model, and, after looking over the record of the Races, see that she has sailed wonderfully fast, judged by length of water line, irrespective of Rating. I note that, the alterations proposed in the measurement [rule], small as if the alterationists are scheming to do by voting what they fail to do.':] ... I want to thank you for your very pleasant words about Avenger. I too think she is a splendid boat,- not only for racing but for cruising,- proving to be a very easy boat at sea and is under control with most any rag that may be set. It seems a shame to be framing the new rules to practically rule out a boat that has no bad tricks excepting coming in first too often. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. [Draft letter to A. Cary Smith.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 55 (new). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. Undated, reponse to a letter dated November 23, 1908.)

"Coconut Grove, Fl. Mch 21 1927 {1927/03/21} N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. Dear Francis, ... Bob Emmons found [#411s Gloriana] too much for 'Avengir' [sic, i.e. Avenger] in light weather when some 18 years old. ... Your father -- Nathl G. Herreshoff. " (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 3: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"[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. Also [built was] AVENGER, fifty-three feet waterline, and nearly a dozen other smaller [craft]." (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.)

"... Avenger [was] in my opinion the finest all around sailing yacht ever built. She was not excessively lofty or deep but was a fine yacht in which to cruise and a most successful cup winner. I happened to race on Avenger in most of her races in the first two or three years of her life. Not only did she win most of the races she started in, but several times on New York Yacht Club cruises she would win two cups in a race --- one, the cup for her class, and the other the cup for the whole fleet under time allowance. I remember one morning her owner, Robert Emmons, came aboard and said, 'Boys, we won two cups yesterday and one of them is most big enough to use for a dinghy.' During the time I raced on Avenger she was handled by Bob Emmons, Charles Francis Adams and Captain Charlie Barr. Strange to say, she felt the best and went the best when Mr. Emmons was steering." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Common Sense of Yacht Design. Vol. II. New York, 1948, p. 47.)

"The same year, 1907, Captain Nat designed the sloops 'Avenger' and 'Adventuress.' Although they were smaller than the fifty-seven-footers, they were of composite construction as were the Fifty-sevens. But 'Avenger' and 'Adventuress' had all hollow spars excepting the bowsprit, while the Fifty-sevens had solid mainmasts. 'Avenger' was built for R. W. Emmons and was seventy-four feet nine inches O.A., fifty-three feet W.L., fourteen feet six inches beam, and nine feet two inches draft, and rated at the very bottom of the class in which the Fifty-sevens raced. As the three fifty-seven-footers rather interfered with one another in luffing, the 'Avenger,' with her lighter spars, usually slipped in and beat them with time allowance. In fact the 'Avenger' was one of the most successful yachts Captain Nat designed, and besides winning the Astor Cup four times she won countless other large and valuable trophies. The author raced on 'Avenger' many times and was in her afterguard twice when she was winning the Astor Cup." (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. 270-271.)

"Avenger was one of our greatest prize winners of any time. Her story was something like this: Robert W. Emmons had owned the sloop Humma [#553s] in 1906 when it was thought that she won the Astor Cup, and this cup had been awarded to him, but during the winter the great mathematician, Charles Lane Poor, reckoned the measurements and times of Humma and the Gardner-designed Weetamoe and showed that the Gardner boat really had won the race, so the New York Yacht Club took back the 1906 Astor Cup. This rather disturbed Mr. Emmons and he decided to avenge himself, so he ordered from Mr. Herreshoff a fast sloop to be named Avenger. She was designed and built right after the 57-footers the same winter and she too was a composite yacht but rated at the bottom of Class K, or, with a change of trim, could race in Class L.
Avenger's general dimensions were LOA 74' 9"; LWL 53'; beam 14' 6"; draft 9' 6" and, while she was not very different from the 57-footers in model, she did have all hollow spars except, of course, the bowsprit, while the 57's had rather heavy, solid Oregon pine masts.
However, there were several reasons why Avenger did so well, and one of them was that two gun starts were still being used. At the first gun the three 57-footers (later 65-footers) [663s Istalena, 664s Winsome and 667s Aurora], went over the line together and did more or less luffing through the race, while Avenger made a later start all clear of the other yachts and could then concentrate on making the best time over the course. It is my opinion (and I raced on Avenger in many of the races of her first two years), that the thing that helped her most was a flat cut balloon jib that Mr. Emmons had made for her, and we carried this sail even close hauled sometimes in light weather. So I claim Mr. Emmons was the first to make practical use of what is now called a lapping jib, or Genoa jib. It is also interesting that Mr. Emmons told me he had used such a sail (we then called them flat-cut balloon jibs), on his Buzzards Bay Thirty [#569s Mashnee] in 1902. While I agree with the old saying that there is nothing new under the sun, and that English cutters have carried what is called a balloon forestaysail since about 1850, still I like to credit Bob Emmons with the first practical use of large jibs when close-hauled. I also remember that my father, who designed Avenger and followed her closely in the races, said rather crossly to me, 'If you are not careful you will carry the topmast out of Avenger,' but we generally had the jib set in stops so if it breezed up we could break it out and lower away this great jib topsail in its lee.
... In 1908, there had been a financial panic of short duration and Mr. Emmons decided to sell her that summer, so he hired Charlie Barr to put her in commission and sail her in the New York Yacht Club cruise as the best way to sell her. I was a guest and the only amateur aboard Avenger while we were standing by at Newport for a few days before the [1909] Astor Cup race, when a nice looking, middle-age gentleman came out in his steam launch to look at Avenger. Captain Barr gave me the job of showing the gentleman around and I showed him all her parts so enthusiastically that the gentleman, who turned out to be Alexander S. Cochran, bought her on the spot and took her over, crew and all, inviting me to be his guest for the next few days, so that I had the pleasure of being on Avenger when she was winning the three successive Astor Cups of 1907, 1908 and 1909. As she won this cup again in 1911 I believe that she has won the Astor Cup in the sloop class more times than any other vessel." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. An Introduction to Yachting. New York, 1963, p. 170-171.)

"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.)

"The 48-footer Avenger, designed and built by the Herreshoffs for Robert W. Emmons 2d of Boston, is completed in the north shop, and will be launched in a few days. While somewhat smaller on the waterline than the Winsome [#664s], she will be raced by Emmons in the same class with the Effort [#552s], owned by E. M. Smith, the Irolita [#658s], owned by Commodore E. W. Clark, the Istalena [#663], Winsome [#664s] and the new 57-footer Rainbow [sic, i.e. #667s Aurora] now under construction at the Herreshoff shops." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, May 12, 1907, p. 52.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., May 18 [1907] --- ... The 50-footer Avenger, built for R. W. Emmons 2d of Boston, is still in the north shop at Herreshoff's. She will be turned over to her owner June 1 [1907]. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, May 19, 1907, p. 47.)

"The new racing sloop Avenger built for Robert W. Emmons of Boston was launched at the Herreshoff boot shops Wednesday afternoon. The craft which is a fine one, will sail in the L class and is 79 feet over all in length, a water line of 60 feet, a draft of 10 1/2 feet and a narrow beam. The boat is built of oak frames and hard pine planks and has a flush deck. She carries about 5000 square feet of canvas." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, June 7, 1907, p. 2.)

"BRISTOL, R I, June 6 [1907] --- The new sloop yacht Avenger, designed by Capt Nat Herreshoff, was launched from the south shop at Herreshoff's this afternoon without accident or ceremony. The new racing craft was built for Robert W. Emmons of Boston. Mr Emmons is well known in racing circles as owner of several 30-footers and also of the Humma [#553s] of the 46-foot class.
The Avenger is 79 feet overall, has a waterline of 60 feet, a draft of 10 ft 6 in, and has a narrow beam. She is built of oak frames and hard pine planks, and has a flush deck very similar to the Canadian cup defender Seneca [#670s], launched at Herreshoff's this season. She has a moderate size cockpit and a wide hatchway for entering the cabin, which is of moderate size.
The Avenger is of the regular style of a sloop-rigged craft, with a mainmast and topmast, the topmast doubling over the head of the mainmast and having a spreader of the Herreshoff type.
The new boat will carry about 5000 square feet of sail and will be sailed in class L this summer. She is painted white above the waterline and green below. She is steered with a tiller and is equipped in every way for racing, even to the extent of having two suits of sails. The craft is of the keel type and has a short bowsprit.
Later in the day she was taken alongside the Herreshoff pier, where her mainmast was stepped and rigging hung. She will be ready for a trial in a day or so." (Source: Anon. "Sloop Avenger In Water. Yacht Built for Robert W. Emmons of Boston Launched at Bristol --- Is 79 Feet Over All." Boston Globe, June 7, 1907, p. 7.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 90:]
Avenger, sloop yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1907.
34 gross tons, 21 net tons; 58 ft. x 14.3 ft. x 9.1 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head [bow].
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) June 13, 1907. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: N. G. Herreshoff, Bristol.
Surrendered [license] Sept. 25, 1907 at Hyannis. ([Record at:] N[ational] A[rchives, Washington]).
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] (temporary) ([as] yacht) May 24, 1910 (change of hailing port - New York). Owner: Henry S. Maxwell of New York, N.Y. Master: Thomas E. Eaton, Deer Isle, Maine.
Surrendered [license] June 2, 1910 at New York. ([Record at:] N[ational] A[rchives, Washington])." (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. Avenger.)

"... There was a splendid race between the K boats [#663s Istalena, #664s Winsome and #667s Aurora], Avenger not sailing owing to a freeze out arrangement against her among the 57-footers. ...[Note: The owners of the NY-57s had their private axes to grind against Avenger and tried to prevent her racing against them --- not always successful.]" (Source: Anon. "Seawanhaka Y.C. Race." Forest and Stream, September 7, 1907, p. 386.)

"NEWPORT, R. L, Aug. 8 [1908]. --- In the race for the Astor Cups, sailed over the course off Newport to-day, the Avenger made luminous her name, and the Queen [#657s], despite the efforts that were made to depose her, is still Queen in her class. The Queen defeated all of the competitors of her class, and possessed herself of the cup that goes to the fleetest schooner, Avenger taking for the second time the one which sloops had fought to capture. The triumph of Avenger gives point to the name she bears, as she was built to avenge what her owner deemed a wrong.
It was three years ago that Robert W. Emmons, second, of Boston, entered Humma [#553s] in the race for the Astor trophy. Humma won, but before the victor had time to admire the cup he received a letter from the official measurer of the New York Yacht Club, in which it was stated that there had been a mistake in measurement, and that, therefore, he must surrender the cup. Emmons protested and asked for a remeasurement. This was refused. Then he demanded a remeasurement of the yachts he sailed against. This was also denied. Then he set about the building of a new yacht, and savagely naming her The Avenger, sent her into this race last year to retrieve the cup. Avenger won last year and has now repeated the triumph.
The event to-day was over a 38-mile triangular course and was sailed in fast time to a freshening wind from the southward and westward. But, owing to the smaller boats realizing that it was futile to continue, only six of the yachts finished. These were Queen, Vigilant, Elmina, Istalena, Aurora, and Avenger, all in the order named. Avenger, although last to cross the finish line, was adjudged first in the sloop class, her time allowance making this apparent defeat a signal triumph. ..." (Source: Anon. "Avenger and Queen Win Astor Cups." New York Times, August 9, 1908, p. S1.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., August 29 [1908] --- ... Francis Herreshoff, son of N. G. Herreshoff, has had considerable experience this summer racing on Robert W. Emmons' sloop Avenger. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, August 30, 1908, p. 39.)

"... Yachts of over forty feet rating, launched after Jan. 1, 1909, will race [hereafter] at the highest limit of their classes in class racing.
This rule has governed yachts of 40-foot rating and under for several years, but the larger yachts have raced at their ratings, with time allowance in accordance thereto. Hence Avenger and her numerous victories, which cannot be repeated in the future." (Source: Anon. "Load Water Line Rejected. Yacht Conference Decides to Make No Radical Changes." New York Times, October 9, 1908, p. ?)

"Professor William Hallock, measurer of the New York Y. C, has prepared an interesting table, which shows the changes that the present rule of measurement makes in the ratings of yachts that have raced in club events. The changes in the rule make waterline length a factor instead of quarter beam length. This change rather favors the older boats, and some of those that were made to rate quite high under the old rule now have their ratings lowered, which, in some instances, may give them chances of success. ... Under the new rating Avenger no longer measures in K class, but in L, and will race against Altair [#539s], Doris [#625s], Humma [#553s], Petrel and Mimosa II.
The old and new ratings are shown in the following: ...
Avenger L [Class] 48.20 [Old Rating] 53.18 [New Rating] ..." (Source: Anon. "New Ratings of Old Yachts." Forest and Stream, May 8, 1909, p, 743.)

"... Harry L. Maxwell's racing sloop Avenger, which he purchased from Alexander S. Cochran last winter, sailed from here Wednesday morning early for New London. The craft looks oddly, but trim, in her new coat of black paint on topsides --- a change from white. It will be easy to distinguish the Avenger from Humma [#553s] and Shima [sic, i.e. #694s Shimna] in the races. Avenger sailed out of the harbor under storm trysail and forestaysail in order to spare her racing sails from the wet weather. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, May 29, 1910, p. 51.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., June 14 [1913] --- The famous racing sloop Avenger, built here for Robert W. Emmons 2d several years ago, has undergone such a change in her tophamper that one would hardly recognize her. Changed to sail in the new 50-foot class this season, the Avenger's sail area has been reduced forward and aft and made more lofty.
Like the rig of the new 50s, the Avenger's has been made tall and narrow. She now has only a mere stub of a bowsprit, five feet of the original spar having been cut off, and the same number of feet have been taken off the main boom, while the lowermast and the topmast have been lengthened four feet by splicing. The sail area on the whole is less, although the mainsail has a bigger hoist. There will be but one head sail to allow for steadying, in accordance with the shortening of the rig aft. The Avenger, which is in charge of Capt Wells, will get away the middle of next week. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, June 15, 1913, p. 53.)

"... Charles K Cummings, recently elected rear commodore of the Eastern Yacht Club, has purchased through the agency of John G. Alden the Class L racing sloop Avenger [#666s] from Henry L Maxwell of the New York Yacht Club. Thus next Summer there should be interesting racing between the Avenger and Commodore Paine's sloop Shimna [#694s]. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, April 12, 1914, p. 60.)

"... The sloop Avenger, which is owned by-Rear Commodore Charles K. Cummings and Royal Robbins of the Eastern Yacht Club, will appear this season under her original rig. The last season that the sloop was owned by Harry Maxwell her rig was cut down and the bowsprit much shortened so as to race against the New York Y. C. 50-footers. With this rig the Avenger was raced against the Shimna [#694s] in 1914 and did not make a very good showing, so that with the original and larger sail-spread Commodore Cummings and Mr Robbins expect to do better this Summer. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, May 2, 1915, p. 61.)

"The sloop Avenger has changed hands again. She has been sold by C. K. Cummings, of the Eastern Y. C., to Howland Twombly, of the same club. Avenger was built by Herreshorf for Robert W. Emmons 2d, and has been a big winner." (Source: Anon. "Spokes from the Rudder Wheel." Rudder, November 1916, p. 532.)

"The Hollis Burgess Yacht Agency has sold the following yachts: ...
52-ft. waterline Herreshoff racing sloop Avenger, owned by Charles K. Cummings and Reginald L. Robbins, of Boston, to Howland Twombly, of Boston. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts Change Hands." Rudder, March 1917, p. 34.)

"No. 56a --- For Sale --- Keel sloop, 74 ft. 9 in. by 53 ft. by 14 ft. 6 in. by 9 ft. 2 in. Designed by N. G. Herreshoff and built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. One double state-room, four berths in main cabin, large toilet room and galley. Complete suit of racing sails, made by Ratsey. Acetylene lighting system, copper water tanks, large Shipmate range, complete set of racing hatches, brass winches. Has raced very successfully as a sloop and would be a very desirable yacht to convert into a schooner. For further information apply to the G. W. Ford Yacht Agency, 30 East 42d Street, New York City. [Though not identified by name, her dimensions clearly identify her as #666s Avenger.]" (Source: Anon. "For Sale." Rudder, March 1920, p. 50.)

"Once more the famous sloop Avenger, queen of the American yachting fleet 20 years ago, has changed hands. Her new owner is W. W. Watson of Philadelphia, who has purchased her from Howland Twombly of Boston. Mr Twombly has owned the sloop for almost 10 years, but she has not been in commission for a number of seasons, being laid up at Camden, Me.
Mr Watson, the new owner, will have the Avenger thoroughly overhauled at the Camden Yacht and Railway Company, Camden, Me. Included in the work will be a new jib-headed mainsail rig, designed for the sloop by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. She also will have a gasoline engine installed for auxiliary power. The sale of the Avenger was made through the joint agencies of Howard & Munro and John G. Alden.
Avenger has more Astor Cups to her record than any existing sloop, as she captured these well-known trophies of the New York Yacht Club cruises in 1907, 1908, 1909 and 1911. Her second year out, 1908, was the greatest in her racing career, for that Summer the sloop won 17 cups, including, in addition to the Astor Cup, the King's Cup, and the Hauoli Cup in the New York Yacht Club events.
Avenger was built in 1907 for Robert W. Emmons 2d, who was manager director of the America Cup sloop Resolute in 1914 and 1920. Mr Emmons had raced the 46-footer Humma [#553s] the previous year and fancied he had a grievance against the race committee of the New York Yacht Club because of a ruling on a protest.
The next year he waited until the one-design 57s Aurora [#667s], Istalena [#663s], and Winsome [#664s] ordered by members of the New York Yacht Club were well advanced at Herreshoff's and then ordered a sloop to rate at the bottom of the class in which the other three raced. He named her Avenger, and while under 'Bob' Emmons' colors she well lived up to her name, capturing a couple of Astor Cups, a King's Cup and many other trophies from the 57s in the two years of his ownership.
In August, 1909, the Avenger was sold to Alexander S. Cochran and the same month won another Astor Cup. A couple of months later Mr Cochran sold the sloop to Harry L. Maxwell. The following season the Avenger had as a competitor Commodore Plant's Shimna [#694s, built from the same model as Avenger], designed and built by Herreshoff to beat the older boat. In their 11 meetings the Avenger took four of the races.
Again in 1911 the Avenger changed ownership, purchased by Daniel Bacon from Mr Maxwell. That season another Astor Cup was added to her collection and she was also winner of the ocean invitation race of the Eastern Yacht Club around Cape Cod from New London to Marblehead.
In 1912 the Avenger was not raced, and once more in 1913 passed on to Harry L. Maxwell. Up to and including the 1911 season, the sloop had as her sailing master Capt Tom Eaton of Deer Isle, Me.
Avenger came to the Massachusetts Bay fleet in 1914 when purchased by Charles K. Cummings, then rear-commodore of the Eastern Yacht Club. After a couple of years under the Cummings' colors, the sloop passed on to Howland Twombly, who sold her last Friday to W. W. Watson." (Source: Fowle, Leonard M. "Avenger, Famous In Yachting, Changes Ownership Again. W. W.Watson to Have Her Fitted With New Jib-Headed Mainsail Rig. Winner of More Astor Cups Than Any Existing Racing Sloop." Boston Daily Globe, December 19, 1927, p. 18.)

"... At Herreshoff's ... the Class L sloop Avenger, built in 1907 for the late Robert W. Emmons 2d. arrived at the yard from Camden, Me, May 1. She is now owned by William W. Watson of Philadelphia, a member of the Conanicut Yacht Club of Jamestown, R I, and is at the [Herreshoff] yard to be given a jib-headed mainsail rig. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, May 13, 1928, p. B27.)

"... Two more of the old-timers have gone, or are on the way, to the scrap heap. Avenger [#666s], designed and built by Herreshoff for Bob Emmons, and E. Walter Clark's Resolute [#725s], America's Cup defender against Shamrock IV in 1920. Avenger was stove and sunk at the end of Williams and Manchester's pier at Newport during the September [1938] hurricane and was sold, under water, raised and towed to Fall River where several others, including Aloha and Uvira, have been broken up. ..." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, Vol. 65, 1939, [p. 94?].)

"Remember Bob Emmons' Avenger? Wait a year or so and mebbe she'll be sailing again. Avenger was sunk during the 1938 hurricane and was sold to the wreckers, who took about 20 tons of lead off her keel and sold the hull to John Silva. He plans to put about 12 tons of cast iron ballast into her, put a short rig on her and sail her, ..." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting, Vol 68, 1940, p. 121?)

"... Frank Silva and his brother John, noting the awakened interest in a Cape Verde packet service bought the old auxiliary sloop Patsy [#1074s] at New London and had her towed to Providence for refitting, as the first boat of a proposed new line. The sloop, a former Class M racer, was built by Herreshoff, at Bristol, in 1928, and measured 82 feet over all with a beam of 15 feet. At about the same time the brothers bought Avenger [#666s], another Herreshoff sloop which had been built back in 1907. The Silvas figured they could convert the boats to carry 20 or 25 tons of freight and as many as a dozen passengers each, and counted heavily on fast passages. Refitting work was well under way when the United States entered the war. Several fittings from Vanitie, Weetamoe, Yankee and Ranger, were worked into the refitting of both boats, and the mast from Shimna [#694s], once owned by Chandler Hovey, of Boston, was to go into Patsy, when the Government clamped down on all such ventures.
Future prospects are not too bright. Many there are who believe the Providence to Cape Verde packets will not return to the Atlantic sea lanes. The Providence Portuguese colony well remembers the old schooners aboard which they traveled to this new land. ..." (Source: Hanks, Carlos C. "No More Packets to the Cape Verdes." Yachting, May, 1944, p. 108.)

"1940. ... John Silva bought three old Herreshoff sloops, the Avenger [#666s], Patsy [#1074s] and Shimna [#694s], with the intention of starting a packet line from Providence to the Cape Verde Islands, but the war prevented that and two of them, Avenger and Patsy, have been laid up at Warren ever since. ..." (Source: Davis, Jeff. Yachting in Narragansett Bay. Providence, 1946, p. 96-97.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Handwritten notebook. This booklet had two lives: In 1907-1908, 1908-1909 and 1909-1910 it was used for winter storage records, listing name of boat, owner, storage location, billed amount, and dates of storage. Listed were for the winter of 1907/1908: #235p MIST, ORIANA, #571s LARIKIN, EAGLET, #453s VAQUERO II, #580s TRIVIA, #663s ISTALENA, COSSACK, #666s AVENGER, #220p ATALA (for sale), #207p MIRAGE, #224p EUGENIA, #146p AUGUSTA, #247p SEA URCHIN, #105p COSETTE, ARLINE, #213p FLORENCE, #208p FLORETTE, #249p SISILINA, #591s IROLITA, #481s SPALPEEN, DUCHESS, #669s ELEANOR, #460s KILDEE, #647s CAPRICE, #408s PELICAN, #243p SWIFTSURE, #617s COCK ROBIN, #177p VANISH, #446s ALERION, and #591s IROLITA I, for the winter of 1908/1909: #666s AVENGER, #663s ISTALENA, #481s SPALPEEN, #580s TRIVIA, #617s COCK ROBIN, COSSACK, #177p VANISH, #242p #242, #243p SWIFTSURE, SKIP, #446s ALERION, CHEWINK II, DUCHESS, #571s LARIKIN, #460s KILDEE, #679s PEPITA, EAGLET, #408s PELICAN, #453s VAQUERO, #146p AUGUSTA, #224p EUGENIA, COYOTE, #264p SARAH WEBB, #207p MIRAGE, ARLINE, #213p FLORENCE, #208p FLORETTE, #249p SISILINA, #591s IROLITA I, CASSANDRA 27ft Launch, and #263p CASSANDRA 34ft Launch, and for the winter of 1909/1910: #252p WANECHE (no further boats were listed). At some later time, the same book was turned upside down and inscribed with a new title in ink '200Ft Submarine Destroyer [#191802ep Unbuilt 200ft Submarine Chaser]. Data + Calculation Book. Herreshoff Mfg Co.' on its now-new front cover (formerly its back cover), followed by weight data estimates and calculations for this submarine destroyer." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Notebook. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.087. Box HAFH.6.2B, Folder Submarine Destroyer 200-Footer. 1907-1908, 1908-1909, 1909-1910, 1918-06.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖

"[Item Description:] Penciled tabulated data titled '90ft w.l.' with comparative data for o.a., w.l. beam, bwl, draft, displacement, L, S., d, cube-root(D)/wl, rating and 9.8B * cube-root(L*q*D) for 'AVENGER [#666s]', 'AVENGER enlarged', two untitled designs and two designs named '82 rating' and '68 rating'." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_00220. Penciled Table. Folder [no #]. No date (1907 or later ?).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Ink on paper preliminary plan on brown paper with inboard profile and plan view titled 'Sketch for 48 Rating yacht. O.A. 74ft. w.l. 53ft. Beam 14. Draft 9ft-4in. Jan. 13 [19]07'. This plan precurses HMCo Plan HH.5.02132 (029-037) 'Preliminary drawing for 48ft Rating Yacht' for #666s AVENGER from January 22, 1907." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_06610. Folder [no #]. 1907-01-13.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary plan on brown paper with inboard profile and plan view titled 'Sketch for 48 Rating yacht [#666s AVENGER]. O.A. 74ft. w.l. 53ft. Beam 14ft. Draft 9ft-4in. Jan. 13 1907'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_06620. Folder [no #]. 1907-01-13.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary plan on brown paper with inboard profile and plan view titled 'Sketch for 48 Rating yacht. O.A. 74ft. w.l. 53ft. Beam 14 [corrected to] 14 1/2ft. Draft 9ft-4in. Jan. 17 [19]07'. With penciled note '#666 [AVENGER]'. This plan precurses HMCo Plan 29-37 (HH.5.3132) 'Preliminary drawing for 48ft Rating Yacht' from January 22, 1907." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_06600. Folder [no #]. 1907-01-17.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph sections with pinpricks titled 'No. 666 [#666s]. From finished model. Scale 1/2. W.L. 53.00[ft]. Jan. 27, 1907 AVENGER'. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 1218cuft = 77860lbs and a wetted surface of 825sqft. Also calculations [apparently added later] '#694 [SHIMNA]. Displacement 1218[cuft]. [add] Estim[?] on[?] Keel 8[cuft]. [Sum] 1226[cuft]. [Subtract] Light of design[?] 31[cuft]. [Total] 1195[cuft = 76480lbs]'. Also some calculations marked 'Lloyds'. On verso (with 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Established 1861. Incorporated 1879' letterhead) more calculations marked 'International rating'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0389. WRDT04, Folder 34, formerly MRDE08. 1907-01-27.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled '#666 [AVENGER] Lead. Also #694 [SHIMNA] as deepened (Oct[ober] 1905). Scale 1in & 1 1/2. Jan[uary] 28, 1907'. With calculations and note 'No. 666. Required 41000lbs lead with c.g. at .5835 of w.l. l.w.l. 53ft. Frame spaces 15in. ....'. With another note 'For no. 694. with addition of 8 12/ to bottom of lead. Required 42750lbs with c.g. of .572 or original 53ft l.w. ...'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_08590. Folder [no #]. 1907-01-28.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.12132 (146-020). Photostat sailplan with profile titled 'No 666 [#666s]. AVENGER'. With list of sail dmensions." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Photostat Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0196. WRDT08, Folder 15, formerly MRDE02. 1907-02-02.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.00469 (001-048). Photostat construction plan with sections and inboard profile titled 'No 666 [#666s] AVENGER. No 694 [#694s] SHIMNA' with note '#694 - 10/22 [19]09'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Photostat Construction Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0194. WRDT08, Folder 15, formerly MRDE02. 1907-05-02.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Mr. Emmons' boat [#666s AVENGER] will be at Bristol until June 25, is it ready for measurement?" (Source: Hallock, William. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_34510. Subject Files, Folder 42, formerly 32. 1907-06-15.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph sections with calculations titled 'AVENGER (666) [#666s]. At trim as measured by measurer of NYYC. overhang forward 12ft 1in, w.l. 51ft 3in'. With calculations arriving at a draft of 9ft 7 7/8in when draft limit was 9.33[ft]. Undated, possibly June/July 1907 when William Hallock, NYYC measurer, was scheduled to measure AVENGER (see letter by Hallock to NGH dated June 15, 1907)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0390. WRDT04, Folder 34, formerly MRDE08. No date (ca 1907-07 ?).)
①

"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink and) table / design rule titled 'Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule' and signed 'Nath'l G. Herreshoff. Bristol R.I. July 16, 1907'. With formula 'Sailarea not more than C * B * (L * d * D)^.025 in which C = constant depending on rig, as follows: Sloops & Yawls not carrying topsails C=8.75. Full rigged Sloops C=9.8. Full rigged Schooners and Yawls C=9.3. L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule. B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule. d = draft of water as for Universal Rule. D = displacement as for Universal Rule. The following are examples of application of the above formula to some well known yachts designed by the author. Measurements for Universal Rule'. Followed by tabulated data showing Building Number, Rating, Waterline, L, B, d, D, S, Sail limit Present rule, Diff., Sail limit Proposed rule, Diff., and Notes for Buzzards Bay 15 [#503s class], KILDEE [#460s], SIS [#536s], DOROTHY Q [#668s], SENECA [#670s], N.Y.Y.C. 30 [#626s class], NEWPORT 30 [#463s class], ELECTRA [#530s], SPASM [#538s], PLEASURE [#545s], NEITH [#665s], DELIGHT [#679s], GLORIANA [#411s], ALTAIR [#539s], AVENGER [#666s], DORIS [#625s], WINSOME [#664s class], IROLITA II [#658s], YANKEE [#534s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RELIANCE [#605s], PETREL [#510s], QUEEN [#657s], INGOMAR [#590s], WESTWARD [#692s], AND [KATOURA] [#722s]. [In an article in the March 5, 1905 Boston Globe (p40), N. G. Herreshoff argued that unless there be a stricter limit on sail area in the present Universal Rule, there would be only few cruising yachts racing. This formula is apparently an attempt to address the above issue. See elsewhere for complete spreadsheet transcription.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00080. Folder [no #]. 1907-07-13.)
①

"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink) rating rule titled 'Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule' and signed 'Nath'l G. Herreshoff. Bristol R.I. July 16, 1907'. With formula 'Sailarea not more than C * B * (L * d * D)^.025 in which C = constant depending on rig, as follows: Sloops & Yawls not carrying topsails C=8.75. Full rigged Sloops C=9.8. Full rigged Schooners and Yawls C=9.3. L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule. B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule. d = draft of water as for Universal Rule. D = displacement as for Universal Rule. The following are examples of application of the above formula to some well known yachts designed by the author. Measurements for Universal Rule'. Followed by tabulated data showing Building Number, Rating, Waterline, L, B, d, D, S, Sail limit Present rule, Diff., Sail limit Proposed rule, Diff., and Notes for Buzzards Bay 15 [#503s class], KILDEE [#460s], SIS [#536s], DOROTHY Q [#668s], SENECA [#670s], N.Y.Y.C. 30 [#626s class], NEWPORT 30 [#463s class], ELECTRA [#530s], SPASM [#538s], PLEASURE [#545s], NEITH [#665s], DELIGHT [#679s], GLORIANA [#411s], ALTAIR [#539s], AVENGER [#666s], DORIS [#625s], WINSOME [#664s class], IROLITA II [#658s], YANKEE [#534s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RELIANCE [#605s], PETREL [#510s], QUEEN [#657s], INGOMAR [#590s], WESTWARD [#692s], AND [KATOURA] [#722s]. [In an article in the March 5, 1905 Boston Globe (p40), N. G. Herreshoff argued that unless there be a stricter limit on sail area in the present Universal Rule, there would be only few cruising yachts racing. This formula is apparently an attempt to address the above issue. See elsewhere for complete spreadsheet transcription.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Handwritten Rating Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00260. Folder [no #]. 1907-07-16.)
①

"[Item Description:] Blueprint table titled 'Formula for Obtaining the Limit of Sail-Area in Yachts when Measured by the Universal Rule' and signed 'Nath'l G. Herreshoff. Bristol R.I. July 16, 1907'. With formula 'Sailarea not more than C * B * (L * d * D)^.025 in which C = constant depending on rig, as follows: Sloops & Yawls not carrying topsails C=8.75. Full rigged Sloops C=9.8. Full rigged Schooners and Yawls C=9.3. L = length at 1/4 beam as for Universal Rule. B = breadth of waterline as for Universal Rule. d = draft of water as for Universal Rule. D = displacement as for Universal Rule. The following are examples of application of the above formula to some well known yachts designed by the author. Measurements for Universal Rule'. Followed by tabulated data showing Building Number, Rating, Waterline, L, B, d, D, S, Sail limit Present rule, Diff., Sail limit Proposed rule, Diff., and Notes for Buzzards Bay 15 [#503s class], KILDEE [#460s], SIS [#536s], DOROTHY Q [#668s], SENECA [#670s], N.Y.Y.C. 30 [#626s class], NEWPORT 30 [#463s class], ELECTRA [#530s], SPASM [#538s], PLEASURE [#545s], NEITH [#665s], DELIGHT [#679s], GLORIANA [#411s], ALTAIR [#539s], AVENGER [#666s], DORIS [#625s], WINSOME [#664s class], IROLITA II [#658s], YANKEE [#534s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RELIANCE [#605s], PETREL [#510s], QUEEN [#657s], INGOMAR [#590s], WESTWARD [#692s], AND [KATOURA] [#722s]. [In an article in the March 5, 1905 Boston Globe (p40), N. G. Herreshoff argued that unless there be a stricter limit on sail area in the present Universal Rule, there would be only few cruising yachts racing. This formula is apparently an attempt to address the above issue. See elsewhere for complete spreadsheet transcription.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Blueprint Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0169. WRDT08, Folder 16, formerly MRDE06. 1907-07-16.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] [Typewritten letter on 'Lawrence Gas Company, R.W. Emmons, 2d, Treasurer, No. 40 Water Street' corrected to '79 Milk Street, Room 518' stationery:] The enclosed letter will explain itself. I have written the Club that I have requested you to make a model [of #666s AVENGER] and ship to them as soon as completed. The Eastern Yacht Club also require in their regulation a model before prizes are delivered. I have told them I would ask you to make one for them and I had no doubt you would do so for me, but would probably prefer to wait at least a year before delivering same, as I can readily appreciate your unwillingness to distribute models broadcast over the country. If you can assure me in a year or so you will make me a model to satisfy their regulations it will be sufficient for me to get them to deliver the five or six prizes that are due me." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39200. Correspondence, Folder 79, formerly 71. 1907-09-05.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with displacement curves titled '#666 AVENGER measured from 3/8in scale model but measured at scale of 1in for a 15 rating (keel deepened 9in) w.l. 19.87[ft]. B w.l. 5.25[ft]. d = 4.33[ft]. L = 17-7 1/8 = 17.59[ft]. Nov 6, 1907'. (This appears to be a preliminary design for what will eventually become #679s DELIGHT.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_01600. Folder [no #]. 1907-11-06.)
①

"N/A"

"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] I have taken up the question of having the draft rule amended as soon as possible, but of course it will mean calling another conference which we will try to get through early in October.
As far as I can learn the opinions of the yachting men I think the following changes will be brought up for discussion.
1. Amend the draft rule.
2. Make every yacht built after Jan. 1st 1908 rate at the top of her class in class racing.
3. Go back to the 60% time allowance scale.
4. Straighten out the measuring of sail area. The present method of measuring spars alone does not give satisfaction. One suggestion is to measure the diagonal from throat to clue instead of calculating it as we now do. The Club topsail as at present measured can be easily beaten by making your working topsail tack very low.
5. Allow the 33 foot class to carry Clubtopsails.
There is also some talk of bringing in the W.L. into the formula as you suggested to me the other day. I hardly think this will materialize though as I am afraid to touch the rule itself as it would mean an entire change of classification which we do not want.
Why would a 70 foot schooner cost so much more than the old [New York] 70s. That matter is still in the air but I hope to pull it off if I can get some one other boat built in the class. Incl. NGH reply: I hope you will be able to put the changes thru. It is very important to future building. It would be a shame to be obliged to build all the larger boats with centre boards if you wished to race them successfully. I[?]wrote[?] [George] Cormack about it a few days ago, that is about draft restriction and sail restrictions. I didn't mention the proportion of modifying the L by taking mean of quarter[?] beam[?] length and waterline for it might seem as if I was asking too much. I am however of the opinion that it would put our measurement in more perfect form and cause the rating to be index[?] of the racing speed of a yacht. The fact that there would have to be no new measurement taken than the measurer has at present is very much in its favor, and as for classification that would be very easy fixed by allowing all craft now built to remain in their present classes, but to give time allowance as by their new measurement.
I cannot agree with in abolishing time allowance in classes. It would be a big mistake, and has always proven so. Build your one design classes when it can be carried out, but to ask every one to build to the class limit will never hold for any length of time. Take the Ram bu the horns and straighten our the time allowance rules so the little end of the class will have as nearly as possible only[?]an equal chance of wining as the big end. Just because there happened to be two or three exceptionally fast boats that got in at the bottom of the classes this year and sweeped many of the prizes is no reason to abandon time allowance altogether. The little boats merited part of their winning --- not all. Part is due to the fact that the new boats are much larger than their rating, while the new allowance tables have been based on the performance of the older type which were much smaller than their rating. The time allowance table wants adjusting, which is an easy matter. But in making adjustments don't forget the fat that AVENGER [#666s], DORELLO, SENECA [#670s] all have features that gave them an advantage over their larger rivals. The smaller craft were allowed all the draft they need. The larger were not. The smaller were the latest productions and having hollow spars & c. Is it wise to allow hollow spars? I am about ready to say yes, having in mind the fact that it is getting more and more difficult to procure timber for solid ones and the day will soon arrive when all spars will be built up and then it will be just as easy to have them hollow as solid.
At first I was opposed to the spar measure and ruled for calculating the maximum area. I have come to like it excepting the fact of swinging the end of swinging the end of mainboom too long for open water sailing. Measuring the actual diagonal will help this, but you cannot measure it alike two different days. Perhaps you could establish a minimum height for the mainboom to swing, say when resting on a crotch take the measure there and then hoist sail and let the measurer see that it is not lower when correctly set. The topsail trouble can be easily got over by assuming the area of the working topsail the difference between [formula] and [formula], or say any club topsail < [formula]. The coefficient 15 may not be correct but I think nearly so.
I know no reason why the 33ft class or 27ft class should not carry club topsails if the rig is measured to topsails, using P instead of H in the formula for after sails. I believe in it if one wants to pull the little strings, as it educates the younger set for handling larger craft.
About the cost of the [New York] 70s [#529s MINEOLA, #532s RAINBOW, #533s VIRGINIA and #534s YANKEE]: They were built at $32600 about --- a set of four in one design. There was little profit at that price. A single one would cost thus at least $36000. Today labor and material are about 10% higher which would bring it to 39600. Then if schooner rigged add 5% which would bring one of the 70s built today & schooner rigged at $41580. The proposed 64 rating schooner would have a little less over all length and breadth, but would have from 5 to 15% more displacement and consequently more lead." (Source: Duncan, W. Butler (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_68850. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. 1908-08-21.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] Butler [Duncan] gave me a letter of recent date in which you suggest that something should be done in the way of alteration in rules of measurement to permit additional draft in yachts to be built in the future.
I have always considered that the tax on draft was too great, and I think that we agree that we have dealt with the penalties on canvas rather leniently. So I fancy if we permitted an increase of draft we must be careful not to allow the increase in sail; otherwise the intention of the rule would be destroyed.
On the increase of draft as suggested by you, would it be possible to build a centre-board boat that would have an equal chance under certain conditions to meet successfully a keel boat. I merely ask this question for the reason that if such a case was possible it would be interesting again to get back to the two types, keel and centre-board; but as I am not at all in sympathy with the centre-board, do not care much about that consideration.
Another matter to be considered is if the draft limit should be increased, would it not be unfavourable to QUEEN [#657s], ISTALENA [#663s], AURORA [#667s] and AVENGER [#666s]? and could AURORA and ISTALENA's lead be lowered to the advantage of these boats? It would seem to me that it would benefit them.
It looks at present as if we were on the eve of a revival in racing. I sincerely trust that such may be the case. When you have time I hope you will write me fully.
Incl. NGH reply: Aug 28. I am pleased to hear from you and trust you are in better health, and that your eyes are not giving you so much trouble.
There seems to be a possibility as Butler may have told you, of some yachts being built to race in the larger classes. It seems to me a shame to build to to [sic] restrictions that handicap the craft from being the most perfect creation conceivable, for good wholesome and fast sailing yachts.
It is very evident that the present restrictions on draft detract from the best qualities being obtained &[?] yachts of over about 35 ft wl. and the restriction on sail area is never[?] approached except in freak craft or racing machines fit for light winds only.
Aside from these two restrictions I think our present rules have developed an extremely good type of yacht, and compared with the type in vogue five to ten years ago, decidedly faster than I ever expected.
I have spent some little time in trying to perfect the measurements & restrictions rules. (It seems desirable to have restrictions to prevent freak designs) and I have some formula that I am quite sure will prove satisfactory. For restriction of draft ans[?]
Draft < (L + 2 1/2 B = 10 ) / 9, and another one which is better but takes logarithms to work it, is < .666 (L * B^2)^(3/10). This allows a little more draft in the intermediate sizes such as AVENGER & AURORA and just about what they should have.
I would recommend that centre-boats should be restricted to 3/4 the draft of keel boats of equal size and that the centreboards be constructed of wood and weighted only enough to sink them.
I worked out a formula for the limit of sail area last year [see document and blueprint dated July 16, 1907] and have not been able to improve on it. It would allow a sail area on some of our well known yachts as follows a little more than QUEEN actually has and slightly over AURORA & AVENGER, slightly less than SENECA [#670s] and a little more than the NYYC 30s [New York 30s].
It is Sail area , C * B * 4th root of (L * d * D) in which I is a constant = to 8.75 for sloops & yawls with topsails = 9.8 in full rigged sloops & = 9.3 in full rigged schooners & yawls. L = quarter beam length, d = draft of water, D = displacement, all as used in the Racing rules. It is worked out easily by aid of logarithms, or with the slide rule.
Replying to your questions. I think it quite possible to build a centreboard boat with the proposed restriction in draft that would under certain conditions compete with the keel type, but in the larger yachts centre-boards are a nuisance that should only be put up with when it is absolutely necessary to use the yacht in shallow waters.
If the QUEEN was allowed more draft and the lead lowered, she could carry a larger rig which would make her faster. Probably enough faster to pay for the increased rating. But still it is a question if the extra 2ft of draft would hold her to windward as well as the board.
AURORA and ISTALENA would be improved by lowering the lead, and the same would apply to AVENGER but not in so marked degree." (Source: Cormack, George A. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_68810. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. 1908-08-27.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] I enclose herewith a copy of the amendments proposed for the Atlantic Coast Conference meeting called for the 8th. No doubt you have already received copies direct from headquarters. I have marked the author of these amendments insofar as I know (with exception, of course, of yourself).
I effect to be present at this meeting as a delegate from the Y.R.A. of Massachusetts, together with Charlie Adams. What do you think of these proposed amendments? Do you think the practical operation of the Rating Formula, so far, demands any change[?] in some or any change in L or L.W.L.? It seems to me that until some winning boat is produced under present rules that shows radically wrong or dangerous features that we should let 'well enough alone' and not go about mixing[?] up the innards[?] of the 'laity'[?] with continual changes. Surely, my own personal experience in sailing on and against such yachts as your AVENGER [#666s], SENECA [#670s] and ELEANORA [#552s ex-EFFORT II], and my own DORELLO show them to be magnificent sea boats always under perfect control. In model and structure they seem perfect, hence why change? I wish I could hear from you on this subject before this meeting.
We are getting pretty well settled in our new home in Newton and are much pleased with the change. We hope to see you or yours here at a not distant date. [Incl. envelope.]" (Source: Owen, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_69100. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. 1908-10-03.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Description:] beg to acknowledge receipt of the two models [probably of #666s AVENGER and #667s AURORA] which you kindly presented to the Club" (Source: Sparkman, J. Drake (NYYC Model Committee). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_34670. Subject Files, Folder 42, formerly 32. 1908-10-28.)
①

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

"[Item Transcription:] I went to the meeting in New York, and the entire evening was occupied in the discussion of amending the rule on length. Louis Clark, unfortunately, could not leave at the last moment, and I was the only member from Boston. I told the other three that Clark and I had agreed if a change from the rule was necessary, and all the New York men and others favored it that we were not prepared to object, and would favor amending to A as suggested by you. This does not seem to satisfy Poor and the New York men. Their formula which they desire adopted is 'The L in the formula shall be load water line length, but if the quarter beam length shall exceed 93% of the L W L, 2/3 of such excess shall be added to the L W L'.
The Committee have very strong letters from young Maxwell and others, owning some of the older type of boats, and while I do not want to suggest that they are influenced, it seems to me they are very anxious to have the change in order to make the old boats more nearly equal, while I do not care to appear to be favoring the other side on account of 'Avenger' [#666s], as I intend to sell her, and would in the course of time probably build another boat.
The New Yorkers are very anxious now to come to Boston this week and meet Charlie Adams, Howard, Clark and one or two others and myself, representing the Eastern Club here, with the idea of trying to convince us of the advisability of the change. This would then, be suggested by joint Committee as a change that was going to be adopted by the New York and Eastern Clubs regardless of the Conference.
I would like very much your opinion on the above change in the rule, and if you really think it is better to make a change now or leave the rule as it is. I would be pleased to have you come to the meeting if you could get away, which will probably be Friday night at the Somerset Club. Incl NGH reply: I have your very interesting letter of 2nd. It has been my endeavour to have a yacht measured for what is valuable to give her speed for racing --- putting a limitation on nothing but the proportion of sail area to size of hull so that any yacht so limited will be fit for cruising any where in summer weather. I donot believe in laying down rules that will define the proportion or form of a yacht in any way, but to take account of each measurement taken in such a way. That will give for example a HUMMA [#553s] the same chance as an AVENGER [#666s] for winning, when rigged so that each could carry sail equally well in outside sailing.
I realize that our present rule had developed yachts which prove too fast for the older type, but are splendid craft in every way. I see no reason for putting a limitation on ratio of QBL to LWL. Of course, if L is limited to 93% of LWL, with penalty to over reaching, every new boat designed will be stereotyped by having QBL = 93% of LWL and boats now built with ratios lower will be outclassed.
There are these[?] highly scientific men on the New York end of the Committee, and it is strange that they would propose a limitation rule instead of searching for the correct value of the relationship[?] of QBL to LWL and appetry[?] it in the rule so that a design is not tied down to any pro potion.
It appears to me that proportion[?] of making L = (QBL + LWL) / 2 will in the end prove very much more satisfactory[?] then making L = LWL + (2(QBL - .93 * LWL))/3, minus value neglected, and is certainly much simpler.
I have made a study of these things for many years and have spent a good deal of time trying to introduce my ideas to the yachting rule committees, but with little use & really feel it is time for the younger ones to try a hand at it. I thank you most kindly for your invitation to meet the committee but decline.
I am sending you the dimensions of a few yachts of our build, so you can see how the proposed changes in the rules will work. I have not the figures for Mr. [Charles Lane] Poor's yacht [MIRA, a Class M sloop designed by William Gardner and built by B. F. Wood in 1899], but think my number[?] of QBL & LWL will work a little more favorable to her than the 93% limit does --- as is the case with HUMMA and MINEOLA [#529s].
[Incomplete table listing SENECA, New York 30s, Newport 30s, SPASM, GLORIANA, ALTAIR, HUMMA, AVENGER, DORIS, WINSOME, MINEOLA, QUEEN, INGOMAR, but not providing data for them.]" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_69290. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. 1908-11-02.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] As I wrote you, I forwarded our report to the New Yorkers, recommending if any alteration in the racing rule was made that it be the change you suggest. They immediately sent one of their representatives, Mr. [Clinton] Crane, over here to say they could not under any consideration agree to that, and expressed themselves that it was very unfortunate we should split on this matter.
Now, of course as you can readuly see I am only placed on the committee from the fact that my boat has been the chief cause of all the excitement, and I do not propose to stand in the way of the New York Yacht Club if they wish to change the racing rule, just in order that my boat [#666s AVENGER] may not suffer by any change that is likely to be made. I had much rather sell her for what I can get and give up racing rather than have them feel that I am grinding my own axe in the matter. I, therefore, told them that as far as I was converned I should be prepared to stand by anything that the other four members of the committee agreed upon. [Louis M.] Clark is strongly in favor of your change and very decided ideas of his own.
These are guided more by what he feels is best for the smaller class, as those are the boats around here in which he is chiefly interested, and he proposed the following sliding scale formula, which I enclose on his card as he had made it out. This will probably be the compromise and the New Yorkers will accept it.
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 dees 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. NGH reply: I have ready carefully your letter of 20 and I must say I admire the honorable stand you are taking, in not considering your own vested interests in the matter, but it appears to me you are being made a martyr, and that at least one of the N.Y. end of the Committee has vested interests that is the principal[?] cause of the present[?] attack on the rating rule and if that is the case I am afraid I would not give in to them so readily. Besides, I cannot convince myself that the rule proposed by the the[?] New Yorkers or by Mr. Clark is a correct measure of racing speed as it only deals with quarter beam length above a certain prescribed ratio to waterline length. The effect of shortening QBL in return[?] rule is same (nearly) as shortening[?] waterline[?] down[?] still showing[?] Q.B.L. stops which is not rational. If Q.B.L. has value when its length is between 93 & 94% of L.W.L. it certainly has nearly the same value when it is between 92 & 93% of w.l. and it[?] will almost[?] it[?] has a proportional value when it is down to below 85% of L.W.L. Both AVENGER[?] [#666s] and SENECA [#670s] have low freeboard, but both have won a reputation as fine able sea boats, and it is unjust to frame a rule that will force[?] them to a disadvantage in racing.
Why don't the N.Y. designers try to beat them, instead of framing a rule that will give them little chance. I am sending you a comparison of the formulae[?] for value of L as suggested by New Yorker[?], Clark & myself.
You will see that in New Yorker's L is increased over mine by .035 LWL and Clark's by (LWL^(3/2))/200[?], a small amount in each case, which I would willingly accept if the minus values of QBL - .93 LWL or QBL - (LWL 100*sq-rt([?])/100 be not dropped out. but my formula is simpler to work and better.
I have had in mind for several years, there could be devised ideal values for L and D in the mean[?] formula which were entirely independent of the load water line and actual displacement of a vessel. - L to become a mean length of the entire hull and D and exponent of the cubical content of the entire hull. Then the measurer would do his work, once for all when the vessel in on the stocks, and after afloat they[?] can change the ballast or trim until the vessel sails best. Of course prohibiting changing ballast within a day before a race. I have taken this scheme up again and have it quite well contrived and will send you a detail of it in a few days. Don't you think it will be a grand thing it it can be carried out?
I think I am right in saying the object of the measuring rule is to measure a yacht for what she is worth in racing and to give preference to 'good wholesome yacht' over a racing machine. The size but not the personal equation of the crew should be one of the factors, in anything the equation we have adopted in passing fair one size of yacht to with (R + L * sq-rt(S)) / (c [unreadable]. The L is really the speed factor and sq-rt(S) / cube-rt(D) are the factors that stand for[?] a good wholesome yacht. But to keep yachts in the wholesome form and proper for sailing in open waters as well as to enter harbors, limitations of draft of water and to the size of usual sail area, are found to be missing.
The present question that vexes is How shall the measurements of the factor L be taken? It must be a length measure of the hull of the vessel that most correctly represents the speed for racing. Experience has taught us that one single measurement will not do. That whatever one is taken the form will be distorted in such a way that more speed will be obtained and generally to the disadvantage of good simic[?] general[?] qualities.
Length of keel alone has been tried and abandoned. In the same way length of water line, length over all, have found[?] when used alone to distort the form for[?] that of a good wholesome yacht. Now the last length measurement, length at quarter beam at one tenth breadth along load water line plane is found not satisfactory. That although it gives a vessel of good form it does not correctly measure the racing speed.
If we know what proportion overall LWL QBL should be to each other to give the best results in every vessel one way would be smooth and a rule of length [crossed out: like that proposed by Mr Clark on our N.Y. friends] would answer, but unfortunately we don't know the correct proportion and probably never will, be[?] for it would verie[?] in for[?] vessels of different proportions of breadth & depth & amount of sail & c. [Incl. envelope.]" (Source: Duncan, W. Butler (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_68730. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F02, formerly MRDE15. 1908-11-20.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥

"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten signed letter on 'Cary Smith & Ferris' stationery:] I trust that you will find time to write a few words to me about large boats made from the models of small ones.
In 1860 I built an 18 foot boat called 'COMET' and won many races with her. About 15 years after I made a measurement of her and had one built 24 feet long and sailed her with great success, and then she changed hands, and was equally hard to beat.
I have always had an idea that a small boat should not be modeled like a big one and yet am not able to say why she should not be.
Now I am writing to you as the Master of the Art to hear what your experience has been in that line. The few small boats I have seen of yours hauled out look very much like the big ones, but a few minutes examination is not much to go by.
I wish to say that the 'AVENGER' [#666s] to my eye is a beautiful model, and, after looking over the record of the Races, see that she has sailed wonderfully fast, judged by length of water line, irrespective of Rating.
I note that, the alterations proposed in the measurement, smell as if the alterationists are scheming to do by voting what they fail to do
on the water.
[Incl NGH draft reply:] First I want to thank you for your very pleasant words about AVENGER. I too think she is a splendid boat,- not only for racing but for cruising,- proving to be a very easy boat at see and is under control with most any rag that may be set. It seems a shame to be framing the new rules to practically rule out a boat that has no bad tricks excepting coming in first too often.
As well as I can understand the 'Law of Comparison' in relation to sailing vessels, if you took two similar vessels (as to both hull & rig). The speeds would be proportional to the square root of lineal dimentions[sic]. When the velocity of wind is proportional to the square root of lineal dimentions, i.e. as example[?] when a 25ft yacht is at her best in say a 16 mile wind and doing 7 1/2 miles, a similar 50 foot yacht would be at her best with 22.6 mile wind and making 10.6 miles while a similar 100 foot yacht would do her best in a 32 mile wind and then do 15 miles. As the the[sic] large yacht seldom gets her 32 mile wind but has to sail in the same wind that the smaller ones are rigged for, she might carry a much larger rig, but this would require too large crew and would be in many ways impracticable, so experience has taught us that it is better to design the hull in the large craft to have less proportional stability, fining the lines and reducing proportional[?] the wetter surface.
Another thing that results in changing the model of a large boat from that of a small one is that a much smaller proportion of the displacement is taken up in 'live ballast' in the large craft, with the result that the large craft has to be content in rough weather with practically no ballast to windward and cannot be steered[?] to abord[?] a bad sea or to hand sheets to every squall or veering puff.
My observation is that the only change[?] necessary due to large & small having to sail in the same strength of wind, is overdone[?], and that our small craft would be better if they were like the larger ones to be able without crew to windard and non capsizable by having low ballast and tight decks. Also the larger ones better if they were nearer similar to the smaller ones, with more beam & stability than is the ordinary practice.
This is a very interesting subject and I would be glad to know if this explanation meets your views." (Source: Smith, A. Cary (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_20050. Correspondence, Folder 55. 1908-11-23.)
① ②

"[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.)
① ② ③

"[Item Transcription:] Someone called me from your office the other day, but I was out. I write to say that I wish you would make an inspection of the 'AVENGER' [#666s], and have her launched and laid to a safe mooring in Walker's Cove as soon as you deem it desirable and necessary. Also make whatever covering you think should go over her deck to protect it from the sun and weather. I still have hopes of perhaps putting her in condition the middle of July for the New York cruise, but cannot tell about my plans just yet.
I sailed on the 'ADVENTURESS' [#685s] last Thursday, the day she lost her topmast. This, I must say, was unnecessary, and was caused by a defective block, the hook straightening and letting the topmast runner go. Upon looking into the matter, however, I found that Mr. Rumrill had taken off your tackle, and substituted one of his own, or his captain's invention, and used two blocks bought at New London. It was one of these that went. I judge they will now go back to what you originally gave them, and it may be a lesson to 'let well enough alone.' The boat seems to me fast, though I prefer 'Avenger's' type better as a racing proposition. Its mainsail, for some reason, I don't know what the cause may have been, has become quite baggy already, and I am afraid that there will be too much draft in it for best results in strong breezes, before long. I could not stay for the race on Saturday, but I understand she beat the 'GARDENIA' easily.
Will you let me know what you think advisable for me to do about keeping 'AVENGER' in best condition." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39170. Correspondence, Folder 79, formerly 71. 1909-06-21.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Yours of June 23rd at hand. Thanks for your prompt attention to AVENGER [#666s]. I entirely approve of what you are doing, and in either event of her being purchased or of my putting her in commission, I think the dryer we can keep her, without harm, for the present, the better.
[Ralph] Ellis has made me an offer, but not sufficient to induce me in any way. I am thinking of perhaps putting her in myself, later on, but will let you know." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39190. Correspondence, Folder 79, formerly 71. 1909-06-24.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH titled 'Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Orders from N.G. Herreshoff'. Relevant contents:
§78: Work Order [For] #666s. [When wanted] Middle of May. Rig same as for #625s (1907-02-05)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Order Book. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_03460. Folder [no #]. 1900-02 to 1909-10.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵ ㊶ ㊷ ㊸ ㊹ ㊺ ㊻ ㊼ ㊽ ㊾ ㊿
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵ ㊶ ㊷ ㊸ ㊹ ㊺ ㊻ ㊼ ㊽ ㊾ ㊿
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕

"[Item Description:] am glad to know #666s AVENGER's model will be with us soon, I think the model of #667s AURORA very handsome, America's Cup challenge from Sweden may be all talk, have you any thoughts on the theme of handicapping yachts?, incl NGH reply: have not given thought to handicapping yachts, in ordinary class racing have variables size, design and luck, in one design racing you have crew and luck, job of the handcapper is to equate some of these variables, size and design if you want to find the best crewm or size and crew if you want to find the best design, if luck is eliminated, sport dies" (Source: Cormack, George A. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_34630. Subject Files, Folder 42, formerly 32. 1909-10-17.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter on 'Columbia University in the City of New York. Department of Physics, Fayerweather Hall' stationery:]
I have just remeasured the 'AVENGER [#666s]' and find her water line practically identical with that measured last year. There is however a slight difference of trim, the measurements being as follows:
Over all 74.70[ft]
Overhang, forward 10.93[ft]
Overhang, aft 11.40[ft]
L.W.L. 52.37[ft]
Will this alter the displacement any from that corresponding to last year's measurement, 1171 cu. ft. Thanking you for your kindness,
Yours truly...
Acting Measurer, N.Y.Y.C." (Source: Webb, Harold C. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22960. Correspondence, Folder 67, formerly 135. 1910-06-17.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten (in ink) letter on 'Henry L. Maxwell, 30 Broad Street, New York' stationery:] AVENGER [#666s] has just been remeasured and now rates at 53.40. Could you advise me if this approximates your figures?
Yours …" (Source: Maxwell, Henry D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22980. Correspondence, Folder 67, formerly 135. 1910-06-23.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter on 'Hanan & Son, Front, Bridge & Water Streets, Brooklyn, New York' stationery:]
The luff pole on the 'SHIMMA's'[sic, i.e. SHIMNA?] [#694s] club topsail is so limber and it bends in a breeze so far back that the club topsail will not stand. Please make another luff pole for her about one inch bigger in diameter than the old one. Of course this extra size would only be needed from about two feet below the Scotchman to about five feet above it. 'SHIMMA' does not seem to be sailing as fast as she should, and I am rather disappointed in her performances. She seems to be able to get away from AVENGER [#666s] a little running before it with a spinnacker or on a broad reach, but close hauled or to windward 'AVENGER' seems to be just as fast as 'SHIMMA'.
Was 'SHIMMA's' designed waterline only 52.33? It seems to me that she is above hear lines at the present time, and I thought possibly she would be to windward faster, if more lead was added to her keel. Even with her extra beam, she does not seem to be quite as stiff as [p. 2] 'AVENGER', and when a puff strikes her, she rolls down, and does not seem to have any stopping place. SHIMMA' only rates 54.60, but has to give 'AVENGER' time allowance from the top of the 55 foot class. Would you advise lengthening the topmast enough to bring her rating up to the 55 feet, and if so how much could it be lengthened?
We have had 'SHIMMA' hauled out twice, but as the putty keeps squeezing out of the seams, she has not yet had, what I call, a good smooth racing bottom, and I noticed yesterday that the seams were squeezing out l/8 of an inch in many places, and the paint on her bottom seems to foul quickly.
As we are having some new sails made, I would like to get your answer in regard to lengthening the topmast as soon as possible, also any other information you could give that you think would improve her speed.
Yours very truly, ...
P.S. --- 'AVENGER' now rates 53.40. We allow her 4.32 seconds per mile. Ship luff pole to Larchmont, N.Y." (Source: Hanan, A.G. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22930. Correspondence, Folder 67, formerly 135. 1910-07-05.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] I have yours of 28th ult. [July 28, 1910], also cable of August, and want to congratulate you on the fine racing [with #692s WESTWARD] in British waters. I see by the papers that you declined sailing with such heavy handicap as they tried on you and I sympathize with you entirely and I notice you have the support of public opinion.
I am a little sorry that WESTWARD will be laid up before the season is over but I quite realize your feeling. It is an awful strain on one racing a big yacht like WESTWARD and is very wearing on ones nerves.
You have a glorious string of winning which were honestly earned, and now if they are going to handicap you, it is perhaps best to withdraw at the present time.
I think the sea rig put in WESTWARD was a very effective one, as far a[s] driving the vessel with a small sail plan goes, but of course rather ill proportioned for gracefulness, and if you really want to make a permanent change, and give up racing entirely I would recommend making several changes, which would include --- shorting both masts --- topmasts --- bowsprit --- fore gaff, main gaff, a new mainboom, with changes in rigging to correspond, and many of the sails recut.
If you want to have this work done in England, if you wire me I can make a general spar & sail plan and forward it to you.
[Unreadable word] & asking about WESTWARD's qualities as a cruiser. She has demonstrated to you her abilities as a seagoing craft and I am quite satisfied they are fully up to or beyond the average of a racing type of model, but probably not what is possible in a design made specially for a cruiser.
The draft of water is not any too much or a vessel of WESTWARD's size, but more than is advisable in a cruiser, as many harbors will not receive[?] her. There is only one sailing craft in the N.Y.Y.C. fleet that has an equal draft.
Under the condition if you could get a good offer for her, it might be advisable to build anew. But I would not sacrifice, for you are sure of her qualities, besides having attachment for her for the victories you have won with her.
For the pleasure yacht racing, I am quite sure you would find it better in a small craft, the size of AVENGER [#666s] or smaller.
Racing in large schooners here appears to [have] died out. QUEEN [#657s] is laid up and I understand is for sale and ELMINA has really no competition.
With kindest regards and hoping you are quite well, ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Cochran, Alexander Smith. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_31970. Subject Files, Folder 32, formerly 17-20. 1910-08-06.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] penciled table titled 'L1 by formula ...' and listing data for #706s ELENA, #657s IROLITA [ex-QUEEN], #698s VAGRANT I, #532s RAINBOW, #663s ISTALENA, #666s AVENGER, #685s ADVENTURESS, #703s FLYING CLOUD, #709s JOYANT and #708s CORINTHIAN, #687s CARA-MIA [ex-NAULAKHA] and NY30s" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_67730. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F01, formerly MRDE15. No date (1911 to 1915).)
①

"[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.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧

"[Item Description:] English vs Universal rule, need your advice re #709s JOYANT and #708s CORINTHIAN to prevent extreme changes to measurement rule, racing between #706s ELENA and #692s WESTWARD, #657s IROLITA ex-QUEEN quite as fast, Baker and Dodge consider building in #666s AVENGER and #694s SHIMNA class, incl. NGH reply: International Rule inferior to Universal Rule because too many measurements are taken, thus restricting design and because it leads to yachts to as well suited to general yachting purposes, JOYANT and CORINTHIAN show how well our rule works (fine showing of JOYANT due to good handling), alternative rating formulae, WESTWARD vs ELENA vs QUEEN, SHIMNA has not been beaten yet and it will be hard to do so" (Source: Cormack, George A. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_24300. Correspondence, Folder 71. 1911-08-26.)
① ② ③ ④

"[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.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled tabulated data showing 'Base/w.l.', 'Base/P1', '% J&B Base', '% Mast stop to w.l.', '% Sq-rt(S) to w.l.', 'Stability moment[?] / Water L[?] outboard' and 'Rating' for 'RELIANCE [#605s]', 'CONSTITUTION [#551s], 'COLUMBIA [#499s], 'AVENGER [#666s], 'AURORA CLASS [#667s New York 57 Class], '711 Class [#711s New York 50 Class], '725 D (9150 S) [#725s RESOLUTE with 9150sqft sail area]' and '725 D (8225 S) [RESOLUTE with 8225sqft]'. On verso of printed card from Browning, King & Co. acknowledging 'receipt of your favor'." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0599. WRDT08, Folder 45. No date (1913 ??).)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Replying to yours of July 5th, you need have no feeling over not devoting any more time to me when I was in Bristol. I only dropped in there incidentally; there was really nothing very definite to talk about.
I saw 'AVENGER' [#666s] out yesterday in a very heavy wind, so I imagine you fixed the mast up in good shape.
I also saw eight of the 'fifties' [New York 50s] in a very heavy squall on Saturday. About half of them took in their club top-sails and two lowered away everything. Two more tried to get in their top-sails after the squall struck, with the result that one of them was torn to pieces and the other left it thrashing around, until the squall was over; fortunately with no serious results. The others went through with top-sails up and were handled in a sea-man like way and got through without any trouble. They seemed a bit tender but everything held.
I know exactly how you feel about the Lipton challenge and we all regret that he is coming over again.
I am sorry you do not feel quite up to designing the new boats, but I am sure you will feel differently about it when you get to work. After the matter is all settled, I will communicate with you again." (Source: Pynchon, George M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_24660. Subject Files, Folder 2, formerly 96-100. 1913-07-07.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Wed 23.
Dear Capt Nat.
I have seen Bob Emmons and have arranged for you to sail on BABARA [sic, i.e. #717s BARBARA] today and will see [George] Baker and arrange for you to sail on VENTURA [#711s] to-morrow. Emmons will wisk[?] you up so keep an eye out for him. I regret I cannot be at Larchmont before Friday or Sat on account of my eyes that are none too good, this is a disappointment as I should liked to have sailed with you during the week. I will arrange with Harry Maxwell about AVENGER [#666s]. I want to see you before you go back so please to call me up home some night after the race. I hope you have good sport and that we may sail together on Sat.
Sincerely, G A Cormack
am sending this from N.Y. and it will be delivered by Butler [Duncan]'s launch. [No year and month, but NGH]s diary shows this to have been in July 1913 when he sailed at Larchmont on BARBARA on July 23, 1913.]" (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_24560. Subject Files, Folder 2, formerly 96-100. (1913-07)-23.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH. Relevant contents:
§62: Work Order [For] #666s (Mr. Murray). [When wanted] June 15. Rig Change (1913-05-12)
§63: Work Order [For] #666s (Mr. Chase). [When wanted] June 15. Rig Change (1913-05-12)
§64: Work Order [For] #666s (Mr. Hathaway). [When wanted] June 15. Rig Change (1913-05-12)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Order Book. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_04730. Folder [no #]. 1909-10 to 1914-11.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵ ㊶ ㊷ ㊸ ㊹ ㊺ ㊻ ㊼ ㊽ ㊾ ㊿
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵ ㊶

"[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 ?).)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] As lately there has been talk about changing the rule for rating measurement for yachts and, if changed, to make it a 'sail area rule', I have tabulated some of the data on file with the Race Committee and enclose a copy thinking that it might be of interest. [NP] The tabulation shows the relationship between RM and the square root of sail area, as well as between racing length and the cube root of displacement. From the tabulated figures it would seem that rating measurement might be determined directly from the square root of sail area, as shown in column headed 'X', which is about 0.85 for sloops and 0.78 for schooners, provided a consistent relationship was maintained between L (see column Y) and also between the square root of sail area divided by the cube root of displacement (see column Z). [NP] As displacement is an element troublesome to determine, it would seem as if it might be possible to use Coefficient times (LWL x beam x draft), in place of displacement. She Coefficient is shown in the column headed 'Coef.' which is approximately 0.16 for sloops and 0.18 for schooners. [NP] The product of dividing the square root of sail area by the cube root of displacement is shown in column '2', and the result is approximately 5.3. [NP] It would seem from a study of these figures that a simplified rule might be obtained.
[Incl. blueprint table titled 'Relation between R.M. and sq-rt(S.A.) & L, also between sq-rt(S.A.) & cube-rt(D) in Racing Formula for Rating Measurement for Sloops New York Yacht Club. September 1919. H. de B. Parsons, 22 Williams Street, New York.' and providing comparative data for N.Y.Y.C 30 (New York 30 Class), #709s JOYANT, ALEDA, NAHMA, JOSEPHINE, ALICE, DORELLO, #685s KALINGA (ex-ADVENTURESS), MEDORA, DORELLO II, N.Y.Y.C 40 (New York 40 Class), N.Y.Y.C 50 [New York 50 Class), #666s AVENGER, #694s SHIMNA, #625s DORIS, N.Y.Y.C 65 (New York 65 Class).]
[Incl. blueprint table titled 'Relation between R.M. and sq-rt(S.A.) & L, also between sq-rt(S.A.) & cube-rt(D) in Racing Formula for Rating Measurement for Schooners New York Yacht Club. September 1919. H. de B. Parsons, 22 Williams Street, New York.' and providing comparative data for Sound Schooner Class, VENONA, MILADI, SIMITAR, AMORILLA, #698s QUEEN MAB (ex-VAGRANT I), TIMANDRA, FLYING CLOUD, RADIANT, #663s IROLITA (ex-ISATLENA), TAORMINA, KATRINA, PRINCESS, IRIS, MURIEL, #719s VAGRANT, #772s MARIETTE, SAVARONA, ARIEL, SEA FOX, ENDYMION, #435s CORONA (ex-COLONIA), INVADER, ENCHANTRESS, #706s ELENA).]
[Incl. envelope postmarked Oct 2 (1919) and labeled in pencil by NGH 'Letter from H. deB Parsons about sailarea rule'.]
[Incl NGH reply:] Your very interesting letter of 2nd inst came while I was away on a little cruise, and since my return I have been so very busy that I have not found time to make a study of the tables you inclosed.
There are some good reasons for using sail area as a foundation for rating and I have been much interested in the scheme for several years, and, in fact, spent considerable time in the winter of 1914-15 in making a thorough study of the subject and formulating rules and restrictions necessary with using the sail area rating.
Your study considers existing racing yachts which, with only few exceptions were built since the present measurement rule went into effect. In my studies I also condiered the possible modifications in form and proportions that would arise under the sailarea rating.
To prevent abnormal and unwholesome types being constructed, I found it absolutely necessary to make restrictions or limitations in a number of elements, to wit over all length, and cube root of displacement, in relation to square root of sailarea, freeboard in relation to mean length ((oa+l2)/2), draft up water in relation to square root of sail area but modified in larger sizes for conveniences[?] of navigation.
So by[blank?] in safeguarding the sailarea rating I found it was necessary to take practically the same number of measurements as we do now. Therefore the gain in making a change from our present formula (C * ((L*sq-rt(S) / cube-rt(D)) to (K * sq-rt(S) is a doubtful one.
The problem of getting the most speed with least driving power or crew, would be an interesting one, but if it becomes necessary to enact restrictions & limitations to keep yachts in wholesome form you are really driving designers to work to stereotyped proportions.
If a few slight changes were made in our present [Universal] measurement rules and our present formula (C * ((L*sq-rt(S) / cube-rt(D))used without any limitations it would be good enough for universal adoption and without time limit as it has already been well tried out." (Source: Parsons, Harry DeBerkeley (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_72930. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F05, formerly MRDE15. 1919-10-02.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤

"[Item Transcription:] I was very glad to have your letter of the 16th, and more sorry than I can say that the storm wiped out your little house. Commodore Monroe is doubtless insured and I feel sure will provide an equally good one; but it is most distressing to lose all your belongings. It looks as if Providence intended that I should some day have that model of 'GAME COCK' [#932s] when you are through with it.
Charles came in last night and showed me the 55 foot model [Model 1319 for #192607es]. She is a very nice looking boat, but I rather think they are trying to get too much of both sail and accommodation for the water-line length, and that, as in the case of 'AVENGER' [#666s], someone will come along and order a racing yacht without limitation, which will win the important races and consequently breed dissatisfaction. I wish that prospective builders would name their sail area and number of crew, and leave the dimensions and design to you. They would, in my opinion, get better and more satisfactory boats." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29770. Subject Files, Folder 26, formerly 10-15. 1926-10-21.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled telegram notice:] Telegram from Geo. Nichols, Nov. 3.
Would a yacht, say 50ft w.l. composite construction to Lloyds have smaller or greater percent of lead than same yacht all wood constriction to your [scantlings] table?
What is date of Lloyds Rules you have used? Would like immediate reply for use at Committee meeting 4-30 this p.m.
Geo. Nichols
[Incl NGH reply:] Ans.
Have never constructed to Lloyds composite rules, but quite sure hull would be heavier than my rules for wood. AVENGER's [#666s] hull much lighter than 50s [New York 50s] --- having 55 percent ballast to 50s 50 per cent. I considered AVENGER's hull more rigid, of equal strength but not so lasting except by special care." (Source: Nichols, George (incl NGH reply). Correspondence (telegram notice) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_73100. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F06, formerly MRDE15. 1927( ?)-11-03.)
①

"[Item Description:] Selected penciled scantlings for #1074s SHEERNESS, #666s AVENGER, #520s ATHENE, #1131s ISTALENA and #1058s PRESTIGE. Untitled. Undated (the latest boat on this list, ISTALENA, was contracted for on October 19, 1928)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0343. WRDT04, Folder 30, formerly MRDE09. No date (1928-10 or later).)
①

"[Item Description:] tacking to leeward', when first done, always in iceboats and catamarans, one of first times on 'modern boats' by Bill Dennis with [schooner] AMORITA in winning 1899 Astor Cup, in later years this was his 'pet method' on both ELMINAs and on ELENA, #666s AVENGER could well tack to leeward as could the NY50s, but not so well the NY40s, apparently C. F. Adams in 1913 / 1914 did not know about the technique, ends with questions, did Joe Ellsworth actually steer COUNTESS OF DUFFERIN in America's Cup race, were you aboard any of the Burgess Cup defenders in an America's Cup race, did you sail #437s VIGILANT for the most part in her races with VALKYRIE III" (Source: Maxwell, Henry L. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_04010. Correspondence, Folder 15, formerly 107. 1935-01-09.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤

"[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:] Brokerage listing (File No. 1373) for #666s AVENGER. Dimensions, particulars (Rig: Aux. M-Class Sloop, Location: Wm + Manchester, Price: $7500), with remark 'Has been completely re-rigged in a most modern style, with a single headsail and permanent headstay, summer 1935'. Undated, a penciled note in the upper right corner suggests 'Jan, 38' (although this may also be a reference to the date she was sold)." (Source: Belknap & Paine, Yacht Brokers (creator). Broker Listing. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.111. Box HAFH.6.3B, Folder Brokers Listings. No date (1938-01 ?).)
①

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #666s Avenger even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Avenger (HMCo-made index card)
• Avenger (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: Avenger
Type: Cutter
Length: 53'
Owner: Emmons, R. W.

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

• Avenger
• 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: Avenger
Type: 53' cutter
Owner: Robert W. Emmons
Year: 1907
Row No.: 65

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: Jun [sic, i.e. Jan]
Day: 21
Year: 1907
E/P/S: S
No.: 0666
Name: Avenger
LW: 53'
B: 14' 5"
D: 9' 5"
Rig: Cutter
K: y
Ballast: O. Lead
Amount: 18500.00
Last Name: Emmons
First Name: R. W

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.

"Until 1909 Universal Rule Class K, then Class L." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 7, 2009.)

"See also: William P. Stephens Collection (Coll. 91), Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Box 1, Folder 9. Clippings pertaining to the sloop-yacht AVENGER of Boston, Robert A. Emmons II, owner, including newspaper clippings and a photograph; 1907." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 2, 2010.)

"Avenger was under charter for the N.Y.Y.C. to W. F. Ingold in August 1935 as per the New York Times of August 18, 1935, p. S1 and owned or sailed in 1937 by John J. Daly as per the Boston Globe of June 26, 1937, p. 8." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 13, 2010.)

"Built in 136 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $136/day, 573 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.)

"Sail area 3850 and 3482 sqft on 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 (1218 cubic feet = 77,952lbs).]" (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.