HMCo #706s Elena

"[1910-12-05] Mon 5: ... Have order for B class schooner for Mr. Plant, (#706) [Elena].
[1910-12-06] Tue 6: First snow storm of season. ... Began work on #706 [Elena].
[1910-12-08] Thu 8: Lead for #706 [Elena] arrived. Started furnace on [sic, for?] bending frames.
[1910-12-23] Fri 23: Received shipment of plating for #706 [Elena], 2 carloads. ...
[1910-12-24] Sat 24: Cast lead keel for #706 [Elena] in 6 hours, finishing at 2:25. About 87 tons. H[eav]y SE storm in forenoon that interfered with draft of fires.
[1910-12-31] Sat 31: ... All deck beams and 2/3 of frames for #706 [Elena] have been furnaced. Sticks for masts &c arrive on a barge from NY & [were] placed on N[orth] wharf.
[1911-01-06] Fri 6: #706 [Elena] lead about ready for steel plate keel. About 4/5 of frames & all deck beams bent & 1/2 are ready to bolt up.
[1911-01-16] Mon 16: Set keel on lead of #706 [Elena].
[1911-01-18] Wed 18: Put up first frames on #706 [Elena] in forenoon. 5 [frames] up at night.
[1911-01-19] Thu 19: ... 17 frames up [on #706s Elena].
[1911-01-21] Sat 21: Have 24 frames on #706 [Elena]. ...
[1911-01-26] Thu 26: ... #706 [Elena] frames up for length of keel & sternpost. Preparing to plate.
[1911-01-27] Fri 27: 2 plates on #706 [Elena]. ...
[1911-01-29] Sun 29: #607 [sic, #706s Elena]---Frames 26 to 69 inclusive in place. 5 plates of outside plating on & aft of cabin sole stringers in place.
[1911-02-01] Wed 1: Fine & cool. ... 18 plates on #706 [Elena] & nearly all frames.
[1911-02-05] Sun 5: Fresh NW [wind &] clear. 23 shell & 8 stringer plates = 31, and all frames in place on #706 [Elena].
[1911-02-11] Sat 11: Finished gluing up main boom of #706 [Elena]. It is 85' x 20in. and 16 staves. ...
[1911-02-12] Sun 12: ... There are 47 shell plates and 22 stringer & bulkhead plates on #706 [Elena]. Total 69. Also some deck stringer angles & partner plates.
[1911-03-20] Mon 20: ... Waterway being laid on #706 [Elena]. Riveting nearly completed. Most of partitions in place. Cementing bilges.
[1911-04-24] Mon 24: Fair day[?]. John's 70th birthday. Launched #706 'Elena'. Many people here. ...
[1911-05-04] Thu 4: Very fine & cold [with] fresh NW [wind]. ... Mr. Plant [owner of #706s Elena] here.
[1911-05-13] Sat 13: Hauled Elena [#706s] from dock and had a successful short trial under sail.
[1911-05-15] Mon 15: Hung centerboard of Elena [#706s] in forenoon. ...
[1911-05-16] Tue 16: Warped Elena [#706s] into dock to finish work. ...
[1911-05-18] Thu 18: Mr. Hallock here and measured Elena [#706s] and Joyant [#709s]. ...
[1911-05-19] Fri 19: Elena [#706s] turned over to Mr. Plant nearly 2 weeks ahead of contract time.
[1911-05-20] Sat 20: Elena [#706s] sailed in forenoon and Joyant [#709s] in afternoon in moderate breeze. ...
[1911-06-09] Fri 9: Went to New London in Mr. Plant's power yacht Thelma to inspect Elena [#706s]. ...
[1913-08-07] Thu 7: Fine with light SE to S [wind]. We take Josephine Gibson from NYYC station and go to see Astor Cup race. Light day. Elena [#706s] & Iroquois [#713s] won. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1910 to 1913. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"Sept[ember] 1909.
No. 692 [#692s].
Class B steel schooner.
Frame spaces 10 1/2".
Allow 1/4 on frames and on deck beams for plating & stringers.
Height marked R is under side of rail.
Height marked S is under side of wood deck.
Top of lead at [frame] # 34 is 7.0.0 up.
Top of lead at [frame] # 54 is 4.0.0 up.
No. 706 [#706s]. Dec[ember] 1910.
Changes are marked in ink.
Top of lead at [frame] # 34 is 7.8.0 up.
Top of lead at [frame] # 54 is 4.8.0 up." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Handwritten (in pencil and ink) notes in Offset Booklet HH.4.168.] September 1909 and December 1910. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"In 1911, the fine forty-four feet waterline cruising sloop FLYING CLOUD was built for the Grinnell brothers and the ninety-six feet waterline keel and centerboard schooner ELENA for Mr. Plant. She was intended to be an improvement on WESTWARD for racing and WESTWARD was brought home to sail with her. ELENA appeared to be faster to windward, but if Charlie Barr had lived and sailed on her [WESTWARD], there would have been some close racing." (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.)

" 'Elena' was almost a sister ship to 'Westward' and had the same general dimensions, but the shape of her lead was different for, as I said before, 'Westward' was designed to partly fit some of the European rules where a girth measurement was taken, but in 'Elena' 's case the forward end of the lead was deeper, and the keel at its lower edges was not rounded off so that 'Elena' had the center of her ballast lower, and if I remember right she had a little more sail area than 'Westward.' However, 'Elena' and 'Westward' went at it hammer and tongs in the season of 1911; while 'Elena' should have beaten 'Westward,' I believe they were quite evenly matched.
... In both 1912 and 1913 'Elena' won the Astor Cup, but then, owing to World War I and Mr. Plant's death, she was laid up for several years. However, in 1928, when owned by Mr. William B. Bell, she entered the transatlantic race to Santander with John Barr as captain. This John Barr was the son of old John Barr and nephew of Charlie Barr. 'Elena' 's sails were very old and many of them gave out in this race, but she succeeded in winning in the large class nevertheless, and got the King of Spain's 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. 280-281.)

"Morton Plant had been so interested in Westward's success abroad, which surpassed his successes in Ingomar, that he had the builders of Westward make him an almost duplicate schooner that was named Elena. ... The only difference between Westward and Elena was that the lead keel of Elena was deeper forward and not rounded off for the International Rule's girth measurement. She also had more sail area for she had more stability with her slightly lower lead. Westward was brought back to this country in the spring of 1911 by Chris Christiansen, the Norwegian who had been mate for Captain Barr on several yachts, and by this time Christiansen was well on his way toward being one of our best professionals. Mr. Plant had acquired Bill Dennis, the captain who had done so well with the schooners Elmina, to be in charge of Elena, and these two schooners raced very evenly during the summer. ...
Elena was laid up during the war and for a few years after during which time Mr. Plant died and she was bought by William B. Bell who entered her in the King of Spain's transatlantic race which she won, beating the much larger schooner Atlantic boat to boat." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. An Introduction to Yachting. New York, 1963, p. 173, 174.)

"... Ex-Commodore Morton F. Plant, of the New York Yacht Club, was at Bristol about two weeks ago, and although ostensibly his visit was to look over the new speed launch [#273p Launch for St. Y. Iolanda] building for him, a rumor started, from what was reported from Bristol as a 'trustworthy source,' that he discussed with Herreshoff plans for a new racing schooner next year. I should be inclined to laugh at this report were it not for the fact that my old friend Farrington is responsible for all information that leaks out at Bristol. When he gets his information and is sufficiently satisfied with it to send it out to the newspapers, it may usually be reckoned that he is not far wrong. Westward will be racing in American waters next year in all probability, and any man looking for sport, as Commodore Plant undoubtedly is, could find it in plenty with a ninety-foot racing schooner. ..." (Source: Anon. "The Month in Yachting." Yachting, September 1910, p. 199.)

"The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company has received an order for a new steel schooner yacht for Morton F. Plant of New York." (Source: Anon. "New Boats Ordered." Bristol Phoenix, December 6, 1910, p. 2.)

"BRISTOL, R I, Dec 24 [1910] --- ... Herreshoff has had one-half of the body frames of the new steel schooner for Morton F. Plant bent in the shop and the steel angle irons from Bethlehem, Penn, arrived here Tuesday. The lead keel of the craft will be molded inside of a week. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, December 25, 1910, p. 39.)

"BRISTOL, R I, Dec 31 [1910] --- Of leading interest in the racing game is the announcement that designer Nat Herreshoff has gone back to the center-board type in the new schooner for Morton F. Plant of New York. By designing a centerboard schooner Nat Herreshoff has saved himself more brain work than if he copied after the Westward. The keel type may serve better in two or three years, but at present the centerboard is to be the feature, with a very broad beam and a light draught for the length.
The lead keel for the Plant yacht, which was cast on Dec 24 [1910], was stripped of boards and dirt packing last Tuesday [December 27, 1910] and found to be in almost perfect shape. A longitudinal score or slot was formed in the midship section ot the lead through which it is intended the board can he operated. This slot has a length of about 18 feet and the board will be raised and lowered by means of a windlass below decks. The keel plate castings arrived from Pennsylvania the first of the week and are being fitted, as well as the steel sheets for the plating of the sides of the yacht." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, January 1, 1911, p. 51.)

"Commodore Morton F Plant has decided to name his new racing schooner, now under construction at the Herreshoff boat shops, the Eastward. The name is a challenging contrast to Alexander S Cochran's racer, the Westward, and some interesting races will no doubt be pulled off next season." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, January 6, 1911, p. 2.)

"Eastward will not be the name of the Plant schooner after all. That report was started by some wit at Bristol, who seemed to think Eastward against Westward would sound odd. Commodore Morton F. Plant named his big steamer Iolanda after the Italian princess Yolande, and he recently wrote to the King and Queen of Italy asking permission to name his new racing schooner in honor of the Queen. He has heard from the Royal household of Italy granting him permission to use the name and expressing the thanks of the King and Queen for the compliment. The yacht will be named Elena." (Source: Anon. [No title?] Forest and Stream, February 11, 1911, p. 223.)

"BRISTOL, R I, Mar 25 [1911] --- Progress on the new steel schooner for Morton F Plant, at Herreshoff's, has not been as good as if Nat Herreshoff, the designer, was able to be about the yard during the working day. He is to spend a couple of weeks in Bermuda, to regain his health. He suffered a good portion of the winter from rheumatism, and grip attacking him recently laid him up for a short time. Mr Herreshoff reached his 62d year a week ago today. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, March 26, 1911, p. 57.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., Apr 1 [1911] --- The Plant schooner Elena will be ready for launching at Herreshoff's in about three weeks. The steel work on the boat is well completed and the latter part of the week the big schooner received an outside touching of cement and the priming coat of paint.
A large gang of carpenters are finishing up the work on the schooner, which includes the fastening of the deck planks now very near completion, the attaching of the bulkheads below deck and the interior work. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, April 2, 1911, p. 62.)

"The schooner Elena, built at Herreshoffs for Morton F. Plant, will be launched on Monday, April 24 [1911]. That day will be the 70th birthday of John B. Herreshoff, the president of the company, and the launching is to be part of the day's celebration. Capt. Nat. Herreshoff recently returned from Bermuda in much better health, and has been devoting much attention to the yachts building in the shops." Forest and Stream, April 22, 1911, p. 622.)

"BRISTOL, R.I., April 24 [1911]. --- The new steel racing yacht Elena, built for former Commodore Morton F. Plant of the New York Yacht Club, went down the railway at the Herreshoff works to water to-day to the accompaniment of strains of orchestral music and the cheers of a score of the owner's personal friends from new York. The Elena is named for Queen Helena of Italy, Mr. Plant using the Italian pronounciation. The boat was christened by Mrs. Plant.
Elena is distinctly a steel boat, built with steel frame and steel sheeting, and is also of the centerboard type, the first large racing yacht of that class to be launched here since the cup defender Vigilant was built in 1893. In dimensions Elena is similar to the schooner Westward, built here last year for Alexander S. Cochran of New York and the late Capt. 'Charley' Barr's last command. She is 135 feet long over all and 96 feet on the water line, with a beam of 27 feet 6 inches and 17 feet draught. She will be commanded by 'Bill' Dennis and will have a crew of twenty-eight men." (Source: Anon. "Plant's Elena Launched. New Steel Racing Yacht, Product of Herreshoff, for N.Y.Y.C. Fleet. " New York Times, April 25, 1911, p. 14.)

"... The new schooner yacht Elena, built for Morton F, Plant, was tried on Narragansett Bay last Saturday [May 13, 1911]. Under the guidance of designer Nat Herreshoff for a part of the time, and then by Capt. William Dennis, the yacht sailed from Bristol to Newport and back in light winds. The wind was S. E., which gave the yacht windward work down the bay. She started out with lower canvas and later set topsails. The rigging of course stretched and had to be set up frequently. As she drew further down the bay the wind freshened, and Elena heeling to her lines, sailed very fast, so that accompanying power craft had difficulty in keeping up with her. Off Gould Island she wore round and ran for home finishing about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The yacht sailed without her centerboard, which was hung later in the week. She will be ready for commission next week and will make New London her home port for the tuning up sails she will have. ..." (Source: Anon. "Some News and a Little Gossip." Forest & Stream, May 20, 1911, p. 14.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 253:]
Elena, schooner yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1911.
158 tons; 112 ft. x 26.7 ft. x 17.6 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, two masts, overhanging head [bow].
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) May 16, 1911. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: N. G. Herreshoff, Bristol.
Surrendered [license] July 1, 1911 at New London. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence])." (Source: Survey of Federal Archives, Work Projects Administration. Ships Documents of Rhode Island. Bristol. Ship Registers and Enrollments of the Port of Bristol - Warren Rhode Island, 1941, s.v. Elena.)

"BRISTOL, R I, May 19 [1911] --- ... The Elena is about 40 tons heavier in construction than the Westward [#692s]. There is less weight of five tons above the waterline on the Elena than on the Westward. Her sail area is 12600 square feet, about 900 square feet greater than the sail plan of the Westward and with a centerboard to hold her up to the wind, the Elena ought to be able to beat everything in her class. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, May 21, 1911, p. 66.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., May 20 [1911]. --- With every inch of her 12,600 square feet of white canvas spread before a light southwest breeze, the new schooner yacht Elena, recently launched at Herreshoff's for former Commodore Morton F. Plant of the New York Yacht Club, sailed for New London, Conn., to-day. At New London she will go into commission and be tuned up for her races this Summer with the Enchantress and Westward. Former Commodore Plant was on board.
A dead calm prevailed when the yacht was towed out of the harbor, but at Mussel Bed Light, about two miles outside, a light wind was stirring, and she cast off her tow line. She appeared to be making good headway, sailing close to the wind, with her main boom amidships as she struck off on a beat toward 'Newport." (Source: Anon. "Elena's First Cruise. M. F. Plant's New Schooner Yacht Sails for New London." New York Times, May 21, 1911, p. C9.)

"Elena is a new racing schooner for Morton F. Plant, a successor to the schooner Ingomar, which he raced with such success abroad and at home half a dozen years since. She is of steel, a keel vessel, designed by N. G. Herreshoff, and built at the Bristol shops, 136 feet 6 inches overall, 96 feet on the waterline, 26 feet 8 inches breadth and 17 feet draft. Her dimensions are closely identical with those of last year's Westward, which yacht will meet her this season in home waters, but while Westward was built to the international rating rule with its strict limitations for racing abroad, in Elena Mr. Herreshoff has been free to cut the weight of construction and at the same time has had to consider only the American rule with its less onerous restrictions." (Source: Anon. "Lloyd's Register." Forest and Stream, June 17, 1911, p. 16.)

"NEW LONDON, Conn., Sunday [August 6, 1911]. --- Everybody who saw the race yesterday between the schooners Elena and Westward will have pleasant recollections of the contest. They could not do otherwise, as it was in a measure the first fairly good test of the comparative merits of the vessels in a moderate breeze.
It was not a downright satisfactory test, however, the breezes were fickle and catspaws of wind were at times discomforting. Still the early portion of the race gave experts something to talk about, and the conclusion was that the yachts were not wide apart as far as their respective merits are concerned in a moderate breeze and smooth water. ...
The Herreshoffs, designers and builders of both schooners, never hesitated to say that the Elena was built expressly to defeat the Westward in American waters, and they believe that she will do it in a positive manner. All the improvements suggested by increased experience were utilized in the Elena's construction, and the American rules under which she was built gave the designers and builders a three hand to carry out the instructions of her new owner --- that she should be the best all around racing schooner yacht ever turned out. ...
Mr. John B. Herreshoff, whom I met this morning, said: --- 'Why, the newer boat should certainly beat the older.' Progress is the company's motto. By their work the yachting world knows them." (Source: Anon. "The Westward'ss Friends Steadfast in the Belief She Can Beat the Elena. Fickle Breezes of First Two Events Not Considered Satisfactory Tests, Though Mr. John B. Herreshoft, Builder of Both, Favors the Latter Craft." New York Herald, August 7, 1911, p. 11.)

"... When Mr. Plant had the Elena built he turned the Shimna [#694s] over to the builder, Mr. Herreshoff, and Mr. Herreshoff sold her to Mr. Robert Treat Paine, 2d, of Boston, ..." (Source: Anon. "The Schooner Elena Again Victorious over the Westward." August 10, 1911, p. 11.)

"Morton F. Plant, owner of the racing schooner Elena, visited the Herreshoffs last week in regard to having some changes made in the rigging of his yacht." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, November 21, 1911, p. 2.)

"The racing schooner Elena, owned by Ex-Commodore Morton F. Plant, has been given an overhauling at the boat shops of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. She will start from Newport tomorrow wtth the Enchantress and Irolita [#657s ex-Queen] in a race of 150 miles to Marblehead for the Clark cup. There will be racing also at Marblehead for the schooners, and then the boats will sail in the Eastern Yacht Club fleet cruise to the coast of Maine. Capt. William Dennis is sailing the Elena. The steam yacht Thelma with ex-Commodore Plant on board was here for a day or two this week." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, June 28, 1912, p. 4.)

"NEW LONDON, Conn., Dec. 10 [1914]. Commodore Morton F. Plant has sold the schooner yacht Elena to Cornelius Vanderbilt, who already owns the racing sloop Aurora, and the sale will be recorded in the New York Custom House tomorrow. The Elena is occupying a berth for the winter at Greenport, L. I., where her sailing master, Captain William Dennis resides.
The schooner yacht Elena was built at the Herreshoff yard at Bristol, R.I. She is constructed of steel and is of centre-board type, is 136 feet 3 inches in length over all, 96 feet on the water line, 26 feet 8 inches beam, 17 feet 7 inches depth of hold, 17 feet draught of water, and sailed from New London. ..." (Source: Anon. "Vanderbilt Buys Schooner Elena. Morton F. Plant Disposes of Cape May Cup Winner and May Build Larger Boat." New York Times, July 31, 1914, p. 10.)

"NEW LONDON, Conn. --- The schooner yacht Elena, Commodore M. F. Plant's Herreshoff built racer, is being over-hauled at Greenport, L. I,, where she has occupied a winter berth and will be ready to go into commission July 23 [1916].
Commodore Plant states that the Elena will join the New York Yacht Club squadron for its annual cruise early next month and will be entered among the races in the schooner class. It is reported that the veteran skipper, Capt. William Dennis, will be again at the helm." (Source: Anon. "Schooner Elena Is Overhauled." Christian Science Monitor, July 7, 1916, p. 8.)

"Schooner Yacht Elena, the Morton F Plant racer, winner of the Astor cup for schooners and the King's cup race last week off Newport, is anchored off the Herreshoff boat shops awaiting her turn to be given a new set of lower shrouds of the best steel wire besides other new parts of a racing rig The Elena is preparing for the ocean race between Sandy Hook and Cape May to be sailed on Sept 10." (Source: Anon. "Racing Yacht In Harbor." Bristol Phoenix, August 15, 1916, p. 2.)

"... There is a rumor in New York that W. B. Bell's Elena may be in commission after a lay-up of 14 years. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Globe, May 6, 1928, p. B22.)

"[Prior to winning the 1928 transatlantic race to Spain, Elena had been out of commission for twelve years.]" (Source: Anon. "5 Yachts Will Sail at Noon for Spain." New York Times, July 7, 1928, p. 15.)

"Having produced the famously successful WESTWARD, Capt. Nat simply duplicated her, and ELENA was launched in the spring of 1911. She was a true sister-ship except for two variations below the waterline. Whereas the first of the pair had the fore end of her lead keel slightly elevated in the International Rule manner, under the Universal Rule the second could be given a better, deeper forefoot configuration, and a small centerboard was provided. These differences did not, however, yield more than a small advantage so the two may be deemed the only true sister sailing yachts of their size ever built." (Source: Streeter John W. , editorial note. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 123.)

"I was delighted to read Kathy Mansfield's article on the born-again Herreshoff yacht Elena (CB259). As stated, after her last racing season, the original Elena did not return to America, but was hauled up and stored in Whites' yard, on the Itchen.
My father, a boatbuilder employee at the time, often talked of her wonderful lines and of seeing her standing on her slender shores, long grass growing between her keel blocks, and her purpose-made gabled wood cover.
With dismay, he also talked of seeing her huge bronze centreplate removed and the lead being melted from her 75-ton ballast keel beneath her. This continued until she popped up on her shores and very nearly fell over.
She became very lively and tender as a result of her raised waterline. Herreshoff's masterpiece was filled with shingle, almost to the cabin sole, in efforts to remedy the effect. The yacht was then towed out and moored just off Hythe pier and used as a floating isolation hospital.
It is incredible the indignity bestowed upon this beautiful yacht, but we must remember that it was wartime. We are also reminded of the deliberate fete of her sister ship, the renowned Westward, towed out from Dartmouth and sunk in 94 fathoms of water off the Casquets.
We can only be truly thankful for the classic revival and all those yachts restored to their former glory, for our pleasure, again with Elena in pride of place.
Stanley F Moody, Southampton." (Source: Moody, Stanley F. "Original Elena Recalled." Letter to the Editor. Classic Boat Magazine. April 2010, p. 95.)

"Elena was last heard of in 1954 when the order was given to break her up. After her lead keel was given up to the Admiralty for the war effort, Elena was put on a mooring in Hythe and used as a quaranteen ward for people with rare diseases coming back from the war. I imagine nobody would have considered replacing the lead keel and masts and that the boat would probably have degenerated so much that the only real solution would be to scrap her." (Source: McLaren, Steve (captain of Elena's replica, also named Elena). Private Email to Claas van der Linde, April 12, 2014.)

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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled 'Outside lead for No. 692 [#692s WESTWARD]. Scale length 3/8in. Oct[ober] 1st, 1909'. With notes and calculations arriving at required lead for WESTWARD of 158800lbs = 79.4tons. Also with note 'No 706 [#706s ELENA. Top of lead raised 8in higher than 692 and there is to be a centerboard requiring a slot 6in wide and mean length of 15ft 5in and ca.g. 1ft forward of # 44 frame space. The lead to be lowered at forward end of c.b. slot as shown' followed by calculations arriving at required lead for ELENA of 177200lbs = 88.6tons." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03620. Folder [no #]. 1909-10-01.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.06169 (081-079). Blueprint spar plan for #692s WESTWARD and #706s ELENA." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0096. Blueprint. WRDT08, Folder 9, formerly MRDE02. 1909-10-14.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.06171 (081-081). Blueprint spar plan titled 'Hollow spars' for #692s WESTWARD and #706s ELENA." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0097. WRDT08, Folder 9, formerly MRDE02. 1910-01-14.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled formula:] P = Force in pounds.
F = Deflection in in[ch] of one coil under load P.
d = Daim[eter] of wire.
D = Mean dia[meter] of coil.
P = 35.000 * d^3 for round steel.
F = .02333D^2/d for round steel.
Springs [spiral sketch] [Untitled, no further notes, possibly related to chain stoppers as used and tested on #692s WESTWARD or #706s ELENA. Undated, WESTWARD's chain stoppers were tested April 14, 1910.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Calculations. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_00490. Folder [no #]. No date (1910-04-14 or later ???).)
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"[Item Transcription:] I have been endeavoring by telegraph with Mr. Alex S.Cochran [owner of #692s WESTWARD] and by letter and cable with Captain Barr [who would die a few weeks later], to secure the release of Captain Barr from Mr. Cochran so that he may serve as skipper on the new schooner [#706s ELENA], but regret to say I am not meeting with much encouragement as Mr. Cochran evidently desires to retain Captain Barr in his service.
Will you please put your thinking cap on and let me know, who, in your estimation, would be the best man for skipper. Of course [Bill] Dennis is not available as Brewster [owner of schooner ELMINA] would not release him.
I will appreciate such information as you may give me, and will treat same as confidential. [In the end Bill Dennis became ELENA's captain.]" (Source: Plant, Morton F. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05250. Correspondence, Folder 19, formerly 135. 1910-12-06.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Silver City, New Mexico.
I meant to write you from New York but am afraid I did not do it. The whole
plan of living for the next year or so was upset by having some old lung
trouble come back & being sent out here immediately to stay they say a year
or more but I'm not quing to make it as long as that.
However yachting is out of the question for some time to come.
Have you really an order to build for [Morton] Plant [#706s Elena]?
If I don't sell [#692s] WESTWARD the logical thing for me to do is to bring
her back and race the new schooner. I have Barr engaged and should have to
get you or Bob Perkins or both to help.
If I do do this will you give me your personal assistance.
Plant made me an offer of $50000 deld [i.e. delivered] New London April [to
sell WESTWARD]. It was so absurd I cabled him so!
She is about as good a ship as is afloat and I would sell her at an
unreasonable price. I'd rather break her up.
She is eligible to a great season either side of the water next year if you
build for Plant [#706s ELENA].
Mr[?] Whitaker[?] has written me that Fife is building him a schooner to
beat WESTWARD.
It's beastly being marooned off here. I do hope you are well. The cups and
a good photo are on show at NYY Club. I had ordered a big photo for you in
England.
It hasn't come yet. I send two small ones." (Source: Cochran, Alexander Smith. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_31500. Subject Files, Folder 31, formerly 17-20. 1910-12-06.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] glad to hear you have another big schooner to build [#706s ELENA], but almost feel sorry that [#657s] QUEEN & [#692s] WESTWARD will both be candidates for the junk heap, should have thought that [Morton] Plant would have built her to Lloyds so that if he wanted to he could have taken the board out & raced her abroad later on, hear you took back [#694s] SHIMNA, think George F. Baker Jr might buy her if someone went to see him, but dont mention my name" (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42790. Correspondence, Folder 91, formerly 127. 1910-12-09.)
①

"[Item Description:] skippers [apparently for Morton Plant's new schooner #706s ELENA] are very rare, I do no not know a man fit to take charge of a big boat except [Charlie] Barr [who would die a few weeks later], Chris [Christiansen] is not available [he became #692s WESTWARD's skipper after Barr's death], John Hanson of [#657s] QUEEN is a good sailorman but not up to the position, Howell not available, Dennis would probably sail & handle her well but is objectionable in many ways, we don't give skippers here any chance to learn, am sending you a book on clipper ships [in the end, Plant chose Bill Dennis as skipper for ELENA]" (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42800. Correspondence, Folder 91, formerly 127. (1910)-12-13.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] HH.5.07408 (091-133). Blueprint table titled 'Block list for #706 [ELENA];. With penciled notes." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0173. WRDT08, Folder 16, formerly MRDE06. 1910-12-28.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Steering wheel cover plate design including name, hull no, and year for #706s ELENA." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Steering Wheel Cover Plate Design. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.132. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Steering Wheel Cover Plates. No date (ca1911).)
①

"[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:] am thinking of getting another larger boat for [son] David to sail around in & have run across the [#581s] ALERT [ex-BOGEY] that you built in 1902, how would she rate?, think [Morton] Plant was right in taking [Capt] Dennis for the new schooner [#706s ELENA], she will be well sailed & with Barr on [#692s] WESTWARD we should have good racing, pity that Clark can not get a decent man to handle the [#657s] QUEEN" (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42840. Correspondence, Folder 92, formerly 127. 1911-01-04.)
①

"[Item Description:] I have just received your letter here and hasten to answer it. I have just cabled [Alexander S.] Cochran practically that it was not a matter of clnies[?] with me at all & that it would be absolutely impossible for me to undertake [managing his schooner #692s WESTWARD for the season of 1911] --- the facts are that next Spring & Summer will be a critical time for one of the companies of which I am President & practically manage alone, many estates[?] are interested in it and there does not seem to be anyone else equally conversant with its affairs to that I am morally bound to give it all the time it needs & keep myself for[?] to do so. Otherwise I cannot imagine anything more delightful than the suggestion with its valuable accompaniments & no one knows better than you how much I would enjoy it. As a matter of fact it is only the great importance of my refusal that makes me sufficiently firm about it. I am very anxious to see the new one [#706s ELENA] which I understand from Butler [Duncan] will be lavishly clothed & have draft & ballast sufficient to make her carry it. With further heartfelt regrets at my inability & kindest regards for you & the family I am always..." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_38660. Correspondence, Folder 76, formerly 62. 1911-01-10.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] saw in the paper you had been in Bermuda, will try to get to launch of [#706s ELENA], racing here is dead, #667s AURORA, #664s WINSOME & #663s ISTALENA all laid up, nothing in sight except P boats, have tried to get someone interested in #694s SHIMNA, but everyone is so hard up that there is nothing doing" (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42860. Correspondence, Folder 92, formerly 127. 1911-04-12.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled diagram titled 'Test of chain stoppers or #706 ELENA. (Mean compression, 5000lbs per inch.) April 17, 1911' showing inches of compression (from 1in to 5in) on the y-axis and compression (from 2000lbs to 26000lbs) on the x-axis and plotting data for two stoppers." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Diagram. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_00160. Folder [no #]. 1911-04-17.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled tabulated data titled at bottom 'Tests of chain stoppers for #706 ELENA. Ap[ril] 17, 1911'. On verso of envelope postmarked 1911 from 'Thomas Drew Stetson, Patents and Patent Causes' to NGH in Bristol." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Calculations. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_03460. Folder [no #]. 1911-04-17.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with pinpricks titled '1911. #706 [ELENA] (or 692 [#692s WESTWARD]). Sections for NYYC model. June 8 1911. Spaces 9.6. scale 3/8'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_01150. Folder [no #]. 1911-06-08.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten signed letter:] I want to ask the honest free board of ELENA [#706s].
Mr Iselin has the impression that she has much more freeboard than his boat [ENCHANTRESS, built at Lawley's to a design by A. Cary Smith and, like ELENA, just recently finished].
4ft 9in.
The meeting of these boats will be interesting to men like you, and I, who seek utter truth.
My boat has electric windlass, lightning plant, heating plant, tile stones, fans[?] etc, everything that can be put on a boat and you well[?] have[?] the best sailing master on the lower bay.
If we even stay any where near you we will be fortunate.
But I would love to have my own way[?] with a boat, and then meet you.
Truly yours, A. Cary Smith
Oh, I forgot. A basin that must weigh 100 pounds. [ENCHANTRESS would go on to have a wonderful racing career, often beating Herreshoff schooners including ELENA and winning the Kings Cup in her first season.] [No year, but both ELENA and ENCHANTRESS were launched in 1911, suggesting this to be the year of this letter.]" (Source: Smith, A. Cary. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23020. Correspondence, Folder 67, formerly 135. (1911 ?)-06-13.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten signed letter on 'Cary Smith & Ferris' stationery:] Please accept thanks for your letter in regard to freeboard of ELENA [#706s].
I wish to state my great satisfaction with the anchors you made for ENCHANTRESS. They are equal in design to your boats. [No year, but both ELENA and ENCHANTRESS were launched in 1911, suggesting this to be the year of this letter.]" (Source: Smith, A. Cary. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23010. Correspondence, Folder 67, formerly 135. (1911 ?)-06-16.)
①

"[Item Description:] sailed a race on your schooner [#706s ELENA] and she is certainly a magnificent ship, she reached away from #657s QUEEN in a disgraceful way, Capt. Dennis [on ELENA] must improve, I do not see much prospect of getting any boat of my own unless this stone quarry I am working turns into a gold mine" (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42870. Correspondence, Folder 92, formerly 127. 1911-06-28.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] I am enclosing the LWL of WESTWARD [#692s] and RAINBOW [#532s]. Would you be good enough to give me their displacements. I understand the WESTWARD, like ELENA [#706s], does not take a Q.B.L. penalty, but apparently RAINBOW does.
I have the profiles for the Committee & I think they will sit up and take notice when they see the stem-line of JOYANT [#709s]. About everybody I have talked to gives our interpretation of 'fair line'." (Source: Hallock, W. (Meas. NYYC). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_75670. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F17, formerly MRDE15. 1911-07-27.)
①

"[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:] please tell the displacement of #664s WINSOME, #663s ISTALENA and #706s ELENA" (Source: Webb, Harold C. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_43760. Correspondence, Folder 95, formerly 83. 1912-06-10.)
①

"[Item Description:] #706s ELENA, measurements" (Source: Webb, Harold C. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_37080. Correspondence, Folder 72, formerly 55. 1912-06-17.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] have shipped some sails from #706s ELENA to you for alteration, suggest to shorten bowsprit 1 or 2 feet to eliminate lee helm if you approve, this has worked well on schooner ELMINA" (Source: Dennis, Capt. W. S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_43770. Correspondence, Folder 95, formerly 83. 1912-06-17.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] #706s ELENA, measurements" (Source: Webb, Harold C. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_37060. Correspondence, Folder 72, formerly 55. 1912-06-19.)
①

"[Item Description:] am heartily sick of the whole affair, #709s JOYANT and #708s CORINTHIAN should get get full justice, meaningless bickering on the part of certain parties is very detrimental to the sport, rest assured that your interests will be protected, #706s ELENA had to come to class B, am off this afternoon for New London to join #667s AURORA and sail in a match to-morrow from that place to Mattinicock Buoy" (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_17900. Correspondence, Folder 48, formerly 75. 1912-06-21.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] #706s ELENA, measurements" (Source: Webb, Harold C. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_37070. Correspondence, Folder 72, formerly 55. 1912-06-24.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [Carbon copy of a letter, marked 'Copy':] I have been in the racing on Long Island Sound for several years, and, consequently, am very much interested in any decision that may be made concerning the racing rules.
Therefore, I have taken the liberty of writing a letter to the Secretary of the Regatta Committee of the Eastern Yacht Club, a copy of which I enclose, regarding that Committee's ruling upon the foul between ELENA [#706s]and IROLITA [#657s ex-QUEEN], which occurred on the Eastern Yacht Club's cruise a few days ago. So far as I can see, ELENA was clearly within her rights and I would appreciate it if you could inform me what was the basis on which the Regatta Committee arrived at its conclusion." (Source: Abbott, Donald B. Letter (copy) to Plant, Morton F. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_75620. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F17, formerly MRDE15. 1912-07-13.)
①

"[Item Description:] Carbon copy of a three-page letter, marked 'Copy', asking the Eastern Yacht Club how it had arrived at the decision to protest #706s ELENA during her recent foul with #657s IROLITA ex-QUEEN." (Source: Abbott, Donald B. Letter (copy) to Eastern YC. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_75630. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F17, formerly MRDE15. 1912-07-13.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Description:] enclosing sketch of interior for proposed schooner class, still very problematical if any of these boats will be built, electric windlass for hoisting sails as #706s ELENA is believed to have" (Source: Vanderbilt, Harold S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_17390. Correspondence, Folder 46. 1912-09-13.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] very many thanks for your kind letter, I am trying to persuade myself that it would be better to abandon the auxiliary feature altogether and go in for a straight sailing yacht [#722s KATOURA], my idea would be an enlarged #692s WESTWARD say 115ft WL and 160ft OA, could you turn out such a vessel by August 1st and would you recommend me to build such a vessel?, idea would be to have two rigs, I enclose rough sketch of accomodation, PS: I put 18 men in forecastle, incl. NGH reply: I think the cabin arrangement very good, like the idea of putting deck house aft, only it would have to be moved a little more aft, ..., that is as it was #590s INGOMAR and the plan made for the Emperor [#190401es], such a craft is very interesting to me and I would very much like to design and superintentend the construction of it, by 1st of August it would be too much for my brother and myself as both are feeling the wear of many years of work and find it necessary to be careful with ourselves, I was quite used up the spring after building #692s WESTWARD and again after building #706s ELENA, and last year I was fortunate in being able to go to a milder climate, I may have to leave again just when it would be necessary for me to be at home, we would like to do it and hope you can plan to allow more time before completion, do you think it possible?" (Source: Tod, Robert E. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_16870. Correspondence, Folder 45, formerly 146. 1912-12-03.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH. Relevant contents:
§33: Work Order [For] #706s. [When wanted] Soon as possile. Roebling wire rigging (1910-12-08)." (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:] [on Flagship Viking stationery:] I should like to have you tell me whether in your judgment there could be anything detrimental to towing [#706s] ELENA through the Cape Cod Canal with the schooner yacht ENCHANTRESS astern of her, they would go through the water at about 10 knots per hour and I just want to be sure that the fact of such a heavy boat as ENCHANTRESS being astern of ELENA there could be no damage, also, if you have any suggestions as to how the towing line could be made fast to the stem of ELENA I should appreciate it. [See also ink on paper diagram titled 'Rough diagram of Tides and Tidal Currents at Cape Cod Canal for August 6th, 1915' which apparently was made by NGH in preparation of this event. J. P. Morgan's CORSAIR towed ELENA and ENCHANTRESS through the canal.]" (Source: Baker, George F. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_20150. Correspondence, Folder 56. 1915-07-17.)
①

"[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:] We have been looking over your proposed rules which you sent down in 1920 with the idea of taking them up this Winter. Under that rule I note your provision for limitation of draught where 'L' is the factor. I understand from this that this 'L' is the one used in the formula for the measurement and of course we have no data to go on as to what this 'L' would be.
Would you give us the figures as to what limitation of draught would be on some of the existing boats of various sizes, say a thirty [New York 30], fifty [New York 50] and ELENA [#706s]. [Incl NGH draft reply on verso:] I am pleased to year you are agitating[?] change in racing rules of do hope improvements will be made.
The L in my formula of hull measurement takes but one new measurement, and that is so related to our present L.W.L. and quarterbeam lengths that it will be very little extra trouble in taking it.
The length one-tenth above is in same plane as quarterbeam length. The formula is
L + Load water line length + Water line 1/10 above + quarter beam length
[Examples follow for #706s ELENA, #725s RESOLUTE, New York 50 class, New York 30 class]
These are all normal vleut[?] bodied[?] yachts, so my L is nearly a uniform ratio to L.W.L.
Comparing draft ELENA's draft up[?] keel, my rule 17.98, old 17.13, saetend[?] 16.95
If centreboard, my rule 13.44, over draft 3.49
[Examples follow for #725s RESOLUTE, New York 50 class, New York 30 class]
You may question the policy[?] of a limit of draft for c.b. yachts.
When you must have a boat to sail in shallow water it is a necessary nuisance[?] , which cannot be dispensed with. In yacht intended for racing in deep water, like RESOLUTE or ELENA, it was only put in because our draft rule did not allow enough lateral plane and was necessary to get the best windward work.
It was in both cases an additional expense and complication in construction and a continual care and anxiety in use that should be done away with. My rule would admit of outside lead on a boat with as much deadrise as RESOLUTE and with centreboards without penalty.
I expect to start on my Florida cruise next Tuesday or Wednesday and will be through[?] N.Y. Thursday or Friday. Will it be alright to tie up at 23rd st station and possibly over night? I hope you will come on board and see a comfortable little cruiser [#378p HELIANTHUS III] We will then have a chance for a quiet talk." (Source: Cormack, George A. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_73540. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F08, formerly MRDE15. 1921-10-04.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled tabulated data, untitled, with comparative weight data for for Hull, Cabin work, Rig (standing), Equipment (chanin, anchors, boats, sails, etc), Furnishings , water, crew, etc., Outside lead, inside lead (all his data as percentages), Displacement (in lbs and cubic foot), w.l. (in ft), beam (in f.t) and cube-root(D)/lwl for 7 schooner yachts: #590s INGOMAR, #657s QUEEN, #692s WESTWARD, #698s VAGRANT I [marked 'composite'], #706s ELENA, #891s WILDFIRE, and #719s VAGRANT II. With additional calculations for WILDFIRE. On verso of printed voting proxy from Fairhaven Mills for annual stockholders meeting on February 1, 1922. Undated, WILDFIRE the latest of these designs, was contracted for on December 13, 1922." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03000. Folder [no #]. No date (1922-12-13 or later ??).)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Dear Mr. Morgan.
Please excuse my negligence in not acknowledging your kind letter of [September] 10th [1925]. I will be glad to advise about changes of launch [#282p CORSAIR] until I leave for the south and I shall in a few days begin the design for an R boat [#932s GAMECOCK] for you.
In relation to certain changes in Racing rules appertaining[?] to Measurements principally which I have to suggest I donot want to be considered as one making unnecessary trouble for the yacht owners or do it for any personal advantage. it is only to correct defects and get the Rules in best possible form, and have them so they will not produjest[?] the most desirable type of yacht.
To my mind such results can only be got at thru experimentation and to that end rules must necessarily be changed from time to time, so that manifest[?] improvements in type of yachts will at least be merited.
The general formula for obtaining rating I donot think can be improved, but I do think it unfortunate that the coefficient .18 had not been made .2 in the first place so the rating would be nearer to L in a normal boat. But a change now would not be desirable as the classification would have to be changed to kick yachts in their respective classes.
The present method of obtaining L I think very faulty and should be improved. The relation of Q.B. length to l.w.l. should not be dictated, but each should be taken at its value to produce the best type of yacht. There is no reason why q.b.l. should bear[?] a relation of 100% - sq-rt(lwl) and it is quite wrong to allow sharper water lines in large yachts than small ones. If a fixed relation between lwl and q.b.l. was desirable it would be better to have it the same in all sizes but it is not desirable.
Seeing the tendency to make the overhangs very flat in order to gain more useful length for racing that is not measured, I propose to take another length measurement in the same plane that Q.B.L. is taken in and then combine it with lwl and qbl to obtain L. I suggest that the plane from which all calculations are made be called 'Established waterline plane' instead of Load waterline plane, and the length taken in this plane be called 'Established waterline' (E.W.L.). The new measurement taken in plane 1/10 of breadth above be called Load waterline (L.w.l.).
Also. Change the name 'Quarter beam length' to 'Quarter breadth length' (Q.B.L.) as the time honored Breadth of Beam is the breadth at height of main beam and not at waterline.
The formula for obtaining L I propose shall be L = (LWL + EWL + 2*QBL) / 4.
In this formula I consider the three length measurements are taken at their relative values for racing and preventing the ends from becoming too flat for comfortable motion in a seaway. After experiments use it is still found bows are made too flat for easy motion in sea, the formula might be changed to L = (LWL + EWL + 3*QBL) / 5.
This of course does away with the formula 'Percentage + 100 - sq-rt(l.w.l.)'.
Limits and Penalties.
Draft of water is not used as a factor in measurement. The only object in having a limitation is for convenience in docking and navigation, both for easy motion at sea and ability to navigate in waters of restricted depth. The present limitation rule is simple, but does not fill the requirements properly. It allows an unnecessary amount of draft in small boats and not enough in yachts of intermediate classes.
As examples the 75 foot w.l. yachts SHAMROCK VANITIE and RESOLUTE [#725s] all had centreboards beside a full allowance of draft. ELENA [#706s] schooner had centreboard beside full allowance of draft.
To improve this limitation I suggest a modification of the rule as follows:-
When L is 16ft or under draft limit .25L
When L is between 16ft & 36 draft limit .22*(L=2.18)
[etc, etc]
In centreboard yachts draft when centreboard is up not to exceed .125L.
Penalty to overdraft to be as now ( 3 times excess added to Rating).
I am opposed to the limit put[?] and[?] displacement in divisor of Rating measurement formula.
I know it was advised and adopted without due amount of trial of the formula as it originally stood. It came about when to[?] P class yacht JOYANT [#709s] had made a very successful season at racing in command of Addison Hanan. Hanan was a very clever helmsman and had been winning out in other boats. After JOYANT's initial season under HANAN she never showed more than average speed but has always been considered a desirable type of yacht, excepting that she had excessive overhang and that might fairly have been attacked instead of displacement. Her cube-rt(D) / lwl = .23. VAGRANT [#719s] and class cube-rt(D) / lwl = .217. QUEEN MAB [ex #698s VAGRANT I] .2185.
FLYING CLOUD [#703s] and HASWELL [#743s] .22.
All I consider the most satisfactory yachts fit for deep sea cruising and at the same time fast enough to give good sport in racing.
Another consideration is Yachts built to Lloyd's Rules are so heavy in hull construction that it is quite necessary to have cube-rt(D) / L more than 20% * lwl + .5 in order to carry sufficient amount of ballast.
I hope to see this limitation expurgated from the rules.
The restriction of position of mainmast in (two-masted) schooners to aft of 53% of water line length has no justification and is a devv[?] strict against improvement[?].
My experience indicates that the best possible position for the mainmast is a little forward of what the rule allows. Can any one give a good reason why the position of the mainmast should be restricted? Often the layout of cabin or of deck beams & framing would ask for a position against the ruling. I think it difficult to make any just ruling for placing the mast and it better be left free for future developments. A tentative ruling might be that the centre of mast be not forward of centre of displacement and when in that position the schooners rating to be 95% of that of a sloop rig. If the mast is farther aft each % of w.l. length shall be deducted from 95% rating. That would make the rating with mast in present restricted position about 92% of sloops rating.
The height limit of jib-headed or leg-o-mutton mainsail I should make universal for for[?] any rig and make the upper point of measurement for any sail (including club topsails) from the deck as follows:
Single masted yachts not over 1.8*sq-rt(S)
Two masted yachts not over 1.5*sq-rt(S)
Triple masted yachts not over 1.4*sq-rt(S)
Having a plus constant in the present rule is quite a mistake, as any one can see. [Undated. Reference to 'letter of 10th' shows this to be a response to Junius Morgan's September 10, 1925 letter to NGH and thus would suggest that NGH wrote this about September 15, 1925.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_31080. Subject Files, Folder 30, formerly 10-15. 1925-09-(ca15 ?).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #706s Elena even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Taglang, Jacques. Mariette and the Herreshoff Schooners. Two vols. Eynesse, 2010.
  Vessel biographies, large-scale sail and lines plans reproduced from original HMCo plans. The definitive book on Herreshoff schooners.
• Bell, Helen G. Winning the King's Cup. An Account of Elena's Race to Spain. New York, 1928.
  First-hand account of the 1927 trans-Atlantic regatta to Spain, won by Elena. Contains numerous plans and photos and a detailed vessel description.
• McLaren, Steve M. and Adam Langerman. "(Re)Creating a Legend. Elena of 1911. Elena of 2009." In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (publ.). Proceedings. The 6th Classic Yacht Symposium. May 2-3, 2014. Bristol, RI, 2014, p. 1-28. (3,736 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Steve McLaren / Adam Langerman / Herreshoff Marine Museum. Vessel description, building time line, race results, provenance (first third of document). Description and photos of replica vessel from 2009 (last two thirds of document).

• Elena (HMCo-made index card)
• Elena (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: Elena
Type: Schooner
Length: 96'
Owner: Plant, M. F.

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

• Elena
• 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: Elena
Type: 96' schooner
Owner: Morton F. Plant
Year: 1911
Row No.: 194

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

Month: Dec
Day: 3
Year: 1910
E/P/S: S
No.: 0706
Name: Elena
LW: 96'
B: 26' 8
D: 16' 11"
Rig: Schr.
K: y
Ballast: Lead O.
Amount: 124000.00
Notes Constr. Record: Moulds 692. Keel Changed for Centerboard.
Last Name: Plant
First Name: M. F.

Source: Vermilya, Peter and Maynard Bray. "Transcription of the HMCo. Construction Record." Unpublished database, ca. 2000.

Note: The transcription of the HMCo Construction Record by Peter Vermilya and Maynard Bray was performed independently (and earlier) than that by Claas van der Linde. A comparison of the two transcriptions can be particularly useful in those many cases where the handwriting in the Construction Record is difficult to decipher.

"Universal Rule Class B." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 7, 2009.)

"A near replica, also named Elena, was launched in Spain on March 10, 2009." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 11, 2009.)

"Built in 142 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $873/day, 3299 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"[Displacement 468400lbs = 7325cuft.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Penciled untitled note with comparative weight data for large Herreshoff-designed schooners thought to be dated December 13, 1922 or later. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

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