HMCo #715s Grayling

"[1912-10-21] Mon 21: Went to NY by train to see H.S. Vanderbilt. ...
[1912-10-22] Tue 22: Meeting of 50 footers occurs at noon. Returned home in PM.
[1913-01-21] Tue 21: Set up frames for #715 [NY50 Grayling].
[1913-01-24] Fri 24: Began planking #715 [Grayling].
[1913-02-06] Thu 6: Continued strong W to NW & cold. Launched #714 [Pleione] & hauled out at cove. Turned over #715 [Grayling]. ...
[1913-05-15] Thu 15: Eight of the 50 footers have been delivered and [have] left.
[1913-07-26] Sat 26: Fine. Sailed in [NY50] Grayling [#715s] in race in PM and found her in fine condition. ...
[1913-08-23] Sat 23: Fresh SSW [wind]. Start at 11 for cruise to eastward. Go down Bay in company of Roamer [#215p] & Dianthus [#289p]. See start of race of 50 footers, then outside. Rough sea. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1912 to 1913. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"Sept[ember] 24 1912.
Nos. 711 - 712 - 713 714 - 715 - 716 - 717 [#711s Ventura, #712s Spartan, #713s Iroquois II, #714s Pleione, #715s Grayling, #716s Samuri, #717s Barbara (and #720s Acushla, #721s Carolina II)].
50ft w.l. Class N.Y.Y.C.
Frame spaces 18".
Sheer height given is to under side of deck. Deck 1 3/4".
In making moulds deduct
for planking 1 3/4"
for timbers at head 2 1/2" increasing 5/64" per foot for full length
[Total] 4 1/4"
Keel to lay on top of lead, and 5 3/8" with rabbate 1 1/2" above bottom." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Handwritten (in ink) notes in Offset Booklet HH.4.179.] September 24, 1912. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"In the fall of 1912, we had orders for the noted New York Yacht Club Fifty Foot Class ..." (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. 72.)

"... the most important work of the Herreshoff Company for 1913 was the one-design class of New York Yacht Club Fifties for there were nine of this one-design class built that winter, which seems strange these days when a yacht of the same overall length recently built cost over two hundred thousand dollars. Although the Fifties were of about the best material and workmanship that ever went into yachts of their size, they were so efficiently built that it is said they only cost approximately seventeen thousand dollars apiece in 1913. The general dimensions of these Fifties were: L.O.A., seventy-two feet; L.W.L., fifty feet; beam, fourteen feet six inches; draft, nine feet nine inches. ...
The Fifties were raced very hotly the first two years but had few protests and no serious collisions. The author raced on 'Barbara' many races the first two years and can say that under their original rig they were fine, comfortable racing yachts when they had a crew of four or more professionals, but after World War I they were too expensive to run even if good crews had been available so several were changed to yawls or schooners, or leg-o'-mutton sloops. However, the Astor Cup for sloops has been won by one or another of them about nine times, ..." (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. 283-284.)

"The New York Yacht Club Fifties came out in 1913, and perhaps this was the largest class of sizeable one-design yachts the world has ever seen. There were nine of them with the dimensions of 72' LOA; 50' LWL; 14.5' beam; 9.75' draft. ... The Fifties raced very hotly the first few years and made some very close starts, and as I remember it there were few protests and no serious collisions. I raced on the one named Barbara [#717s] many times; she was handled by Bob Emmons who had owned Avenger and was to be the manager of the next cup defender Resolute. One or another of the Fifties won the Astor Cup nine times under a sloop rig, and, as Pleione [#714s] had won four Astor Cups under a schooner rig, this makes by far the greatest number of times these cups were won by vessels of the same model. In my opinion the Fifties were about the last high-grade, reasonably-priced yachts built. They were 72' OA, and of late years there have been several yachts built with this same length on deck that cost fifteen times as much while the cost of clothes, food and real estate has only increased some three times. Some of the reasons for this great difference in cost of yachts now and in the year the Fifties were built (and that year happened to be the year the income tax started) are as follows:
1. The Fifties were designed and built completely --- sails, spars, rigging, hull, and so forth, by one concern. The only things I can think of now that the builders did not make were the stoves, water-closets, and the larger rigging blocks.
2. Good plant management is the principal way of decreasing the cost of building yachts and, while this can only be learned by experience and the use of common sense, it is a fact that in those days there were two or three yacht yards that were well managed. One of the simple things of good management was to have all of the materials on hand before they were needed, and in those days the yacht yards carried an inventory of materials at least ten times as large as at present. This often allowed them to buy at considerable reduction in price.
3. The spirit, or enthusiasm and pride, of the workmen were important factors in building yachts quickly and well, and I do not know how this was arranged but, I do know that the workers were almost all paid different wages according to their accomplishments.
At present, almost all yachts are designed by one concern and assembled by another. This makes for never-ending complication and, as the designing concern is paid its commission based on the cost of the yacht, they seem to do little nowadays to simplify the construction. I have used the word 'assemble' to describe what was once called 'building a yacht' for today we even hear of yachts' keels being cast hundreds of miles away instead of the mold being set up on the stocks where the yacht is to be built, while the other parts of the yacht may be made by ten or more distant concerns. In the meantime, the art of yacht building, which has taken thousands of years to develop, is lost, and materials such as laminated wood and plastics are substituted in an effort to get around this lack of know-how, but the weight and cost of these materials is so much more than natural wood that the result is not very satisfactory.
As for the workers, they are paid alike and seem to try to make the job last as long as possible. Some of them who wouldn't know an adz if they stumbled over it, try pretty hard to master the new techniques and only time will tell if they will be successful. The modern worker hates all hand tools simply because he does not know how to sharpen or lubricate them, but I have known men who could swing a broad ax all day and every time the ax struck it would lop off a shaving you could cook a breakfast with. These men hewed so close to the line that to finish the job, be it straight, curved or rounded, it only took a few strokes with a well-sharpened plane whose sole was rubbed with paraffin. And that is how yachts were built in those times which is quite different from the present when workmen only want to work with materials they can finish with a power sander.
I have used all these words to try to explain why the New York Yacht Club Fifties cost only $17,000.00 while three or four modern yachts of the same length cost $250,000.00.
For crew the Fifties had a captain, two sailors and a steward but, even by their second year (and second year of the income tax) several of the owners complained about the cost of running them, and that was one of the reasons the New York Yacht Club Forties came into existence a few years later." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. An Introduction to Yachting. New York, 1963, p. 175.)

"The fifth boat [#715s Grayling] of the nine one design racers for members of the New York Yacht Club was launched yesterday afternoon from the Herreshoff boat shops. All five ot the boats launched up to date are well along toward completion and are stored at the Walker's cove yard." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, February 25, 1913, p. 2.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 388:]
Grayling, sloop yacht (knockabout rig), of Bristol.Built at Bristol, 1913.25 tons; 52 ft. x 14.5 ft. x 9.2 ft.
Built at Bristol, 1913.
25 tons; 52 ft. x 14.5 ft. x 9.2 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head [bow].
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] (consolidated) ([as] yacht) Apr. 15, 1913. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: John B. Herreshoff, Bristol.
Surrendered [license] July 28, 1913 at New York. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence])." (Source: Survey of Federal Archives, Work Projects Administration. Ships Documents of Rhode Island. Bristol. Ship Registers and Enrollments of the Port of Bristol - Warren Rhode Island, 1941, s.v. Grayling.)

"... With the exception of Carolina [#721s], owned by Vice Commodore George Nichols of the New York Yacht Club, all the N. Y. Y. C. one-design 50-footers have changed owners within the last year. F. D. M. Strachan has sold his Harpoon [#720s ex-Acushla] to L. V. Lockwood of the N. Y. Y. C, Harry B Plant the Spartan [#712s] to Carroll B. Alker. Commodore Ralph Ellis of the Seawanhaka-Corinthian Yacht Club the Iroquois II [#713s] to Vice Commodore Paul Hammond of the same club, Frank B. Paine of Boston the Barbara [#717s] to Isaac B. Merriman of the N. Y. Y. C., the Pleione [#714s] to Kenneth F. Wood of Saylerville, R. I. and L F Crofoot of Omaha, a member of the Eastern Yacht Club, the Virginia [#716s] to Walter K. Shaw of the same club. These transfers were all made since the close of the 1923 season, while Clifford D. Mallory purchased the Grayling [#715s] from former Commodore J. P. Morgan early this year and in June former commodore Aemillus Jarvis of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club of Toronto purchased the Istalena [#711s] and had her converted to schooner rig. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Globe, December 2, 1923, p. 41.)

"... Grayling [#715s], now owned by Clifford D. Mallory ..., formerly owned by former Commodore J. P. Morgan, will be renamed, as this name is used for Commodore Morgan's new Class Q sloop [#892s Grayling]." (Source: Anon. "Fifty-Foot Yachts to Race This Year." New York Times, January 13, 1924, p. S4.)

"United States Customs Service. Collection District No. 10, Port of New York. Notice is hereby given that under the Act of Feb. 19, 1920, and in pursuance of authority granted by the Commissioner of Navigation, on the application of Clifford D. Mallory, of New York, N. Y., the name ot the sloop yacht Grayling, burden 33 gross tons, official number 211096, has been changed to Mystic." (Source: Elting, Philip, Collector of Customs. "Change of Vessel's Name." Nautical Gazette, 1924, vol. 106, [p. 655?].)

"Polaris II, formerly Mystic, one of the N. Y. Y. C. class of fifty-footers, owned by James O. Heyworth of Chicago. Polaris II carries an F4 Scripps engine as auxiliary power which is some job, for the boat is 78 feet long and has 26 tons in lead alone." (Source: Anon. [Photo Caption.] Motor Boating, May 1926, p. 11.)

"United States Customs Service. Collection District No. 10, Port of New York. Notice is hereby given that under the Act of Feb. 19, 1920, and in pursuance of authority granted by the Commissioner of Navigation, on the application of Clinton H. Crane, the name of the gas yacht 'Polaris II,' burden 33 gross tons, official number 211096, has been changed to Ibis." (Source: Elting, Philip, Collector of Customs. "Change of Vessel's Name." Nautical Gazette, 1926, vol. 111, [p. 629?].)

"Ibis, the black fifty-footer now flying the flag of Commodore Crane, has raced under several names. Originally the Grayling, built by Commodore Morgan, she was later owned by Vice Commodore C. D. Mallory and named the Mystic. Then a yachtsman on the Great Lakes bought the sloop, naming her Polaris; now she is the Ibis." (Source: Anon. "Notes of Yachts and Yachtsmen." New York Times, June 14, 1927, p. 39.)

"The great New York fifty-footers, probably the fastest one-design sloops ever built in this country, ... have now been incorporated in what is known as Class M and will race against a new boat built at Herreshoff's for former Commodore Harold S. Vanderbilt named Prestige [#1058s], which embodies all the modern ideas that have developed in recent years for racing yachts and which is built to the limit of Class M. It will be the first meeting of the new and the old.
The fifties also have been modernized. These fine sloops, with a wealth of racing achievement behind them under the old clubtopsail rig, are now coming out under the Marconi sail plan for their supreme test against Prestige. ...
... Clinton H. Crane ... a naval architect who [is] the owner and the helmsman of one of the fifties ... [#715s Ibsis ex-Grayling] ... analyzed the situation as follows:
'Racing in the M class in the coming Summer [of 1927] is a natural development from the previous racing in the popular New York Fifties. The class consisted originally of nine boats built by Herreshoff in 1913. Although of one design, these boats were built to the limits of the universal rule in displacement, quarter-beam length. &c, and were, in Herreshoff's judgment, the fastest model under the rule for a boat of that size, in fact, they turned out so well that the cup defender Resolute [#725s] was subsequently developed from their model.
'In the Summer of 1926 the class was pretty well scattered --- three of them converted into schooners [#711s Venture ex-Istalena and #714s Pleione ] or yawls [#720s Acushla], one [#721s Carolina] into an out-and-out Marconi rating (the same as the fifties did as cutters), and only one, Carolina, racing during the New York Yacht Club cruise. Efforts to revive the class and modernize the rig have been made from time to time. It was suggested that it might be interesting to assemble as many of the fifties as possible, to rig them with a modern Marconi rig and select a rating which would be suitable. The M, or 46-foot class, seemed a very logical class to choose.
'The ball was started rolling by Commodore Nichols and myself agreeing to rerig our fifties [#721s Carolina II and #715s Ibis ex-Grayling] to rate 46 feet and to invite former Commodore Vanderbilt to build a new boat [#1058s Prestige], also to rate 46 feet. Since then Charles L. Harding is rerigging Iroquois [#713s] and Wilmer Hanan is rerigging Spartan [#712s].
Fifties Have Great Record.
'The speed of the fifties is well known, but it is perhaps not realized by the yachting public how fast this one-design class has proved when raced under time allowance against the other racing yachts of the Eastern seaboard. The fifties came out in 1913 and since that date have won every Astor Cup for sloops but one and five out of nine races for the King's Cup where schooners also competed, but since the fifties came out no other sloop has won the King's Cup. With a modernized rig their admirers still feel they will make a good showing even against the new M.
'The new boat being designed for Mr. Vanderbilt by Starling Burgess should do much to show whether or not the developments in the R class have taught naval architects something which can be applied to larger yachts and whether or not as a result of this experiment the model of the fifties is entirely outdated. It will be the first open-class racing as distinct from one-design racing in sloops eligible for the King's Cup that has taken place in many years.
'It seems to me that if the ten-meter class invites some one to build an out and out ten-meter without restrictions other than those imposed by the international rule a similar most interesting experiment might be had in that class." (Source: Lawrence, Seabury. "Fifties Risk Their Prestige Against New Yacht Prestige. Famous Old New York Class to Stand or Fall Next Week in Test With Vanderbilt Craft, Built at Herreshoff's, incorporating Latest Ideas Developed in Racing Yachts." New York Times, June 24, 1927, p. 17.)

"... Next in size and in a way more important [than #1050s Katoura] is the new Prestige, by the same designers [Burgess, Rigg & Morgan] and builder [Herreshoff] for Harold S. Vanderbilt; rating at the top of the 45-foot class. To meet her, four of the old 50-foot one-design class --- Ibis [#715s ex-Grayling], Carolina [#721s], Chiora [#713s ex-Iroquois II] and Spartan [#712s] --- originally rating at 48.4 feet, were refitted with the leg o'-mutton rig and cut down to 45-foot rating, this making a very fine class. The coming season is likely to see one or two new yachts in the class, with others of the old 50-footers. ..." (Source: Stephens, W. P. "Yachting Showed Slow Recovery From World War." Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 25, 1927, p. C5.)

"46 FT. CLASS M
[#1058s] M-1 Prestige, Harold S. Vanderbilt
[#715s] M-4 Ibis, Hendon Chubb
[#721s] M-5 Carolina, George Nichols
[W. S. Burgess-designed, A&R-built] M-7 Valiant, Winthrop W. Aldrich
[#716s] M-8 Andiamo, W. K. Shaw." (Source: Anon. "Racing Numbers Long Island Sound Yacht Racing Association." Rudder, August 1928, p. 102.)

"Former Commodore Clinton H. Crane of the Seawanhaka Club has changed the rig of his 50-footer, Ibis, so that she is eligible to race in Class M." (Source: Anon. "Final Day In Doubt For Yachting Races." New York Times, March 17, 1929, p. S6.)

"Sparkman & Stephens, Naval architects and yacht brokers, of New York and Boston, report a large number of interesting sales and charters that have been effected during the summer months. This activity in months when the market is normally inactive would indicate that yachtsmen in making commitments are more optimistic about the future than they have been for some little time. Among the sales effected by Sparkman & Stephens are the following: ... The N. Y. Yacht Club 50-foot class sloop Ibis sold for Clinton H. Crane of New York to Carroll Alker, a member of the New York Yacht Club. ..." (Source: Anon. "Summer Sales And Charters." Motor Boating, July 1935, p. 97.)

"... Three of the 'Fifties,' built by Herreshoff in 1913, are coming out with new jib-headed rigs and auxiliary motors to sail as a one-design class in the Y.R.A. championship events. The boats are Ibis [#715s ex-Grayling], recently bought by Carroll B. Alker from Clinton H. Crane; Barbara [#717s], Henry G. Taylor; and Spartan [#712s], Herbert Hanan. Ibis has been out of commission for several years but Spartan and Barbara raced either in the 'M' or handicap classes on the Sound last summer under Marconi rigs that had displaced their old gaff-headed sail plans. ..." (Anon. [Title?] Yachting, 1936, vol. 59-60, [p. 129?].)

... In the fall of '26 I bought a Herreshoff 50-footer [#715s], formerly Grayling, and christened her Ibis. George Nichols [owner of #721s Carolina] and I decided to alter our old gaff rigs to marconis with enough sail to rate in the 46-foot, or M, class. Harold Vanderbilt built the Prestige to rate M from Starling Burgess' design, and so the M class was originated. With their original larger sail plan the Fifties had sailed in the L, or 56-foot, class. The changes made on Carolina and Ibis kept the fore triangle just as it had been in the old rig and substituted a marconi mainsail in place of the gaff mainsail and club topsail. This necessitated a longer mast. Trial between the new and the old rigs showed that the new rig was faster. Although the Fifties were not as fast as the boats ultimately designed especially for the class, they could always make a good showing in light and moderate weather.
Charlie Harding had a Fifty [#713s Chiora ex-Iroquois II] in Boston which he also converted. Junius Morgan worked out a design with Charlie Mower, which he called Windward. Winthrop Aldrich and Carroll Alker each had Ms built from Burgess designs and the new M class gave some wonderful racing. We not only raced on the New York Yacht Club cruise but had special races for the class sailed at Newport in August for the N.Y.Y.C. Cup [p. 160-161].
... It is remarkable, as I look back on it, that the Fifties which were designed back in 1912 were able to hold their own so well with these new and larger M boats. In fact, I think the Fifties were one of the out- standing classes of all time. They were perfectly delightful boats to sail and they stood up, as far as construction went, remarkably well [p. 167-168].
... After some very good racing on the Sound in the spring of '29, I started eastward with the Ibis and joined the Eastern Yacht Club's cruise at Marblehead, and we went on down east with good racing on all the runs.
I particularly remember a run from North Haven to Boothbay; the early part was in rather fluky weather. Prestige [designed by Burgess] ran into a flat spot when she was leading the class and finally got so far behind that she withdrew. I was having a very close race with [#717s] Barbara, which had been bought by Freddy Prince and was sailed by Johnny Lawrence. The turning mark before going into Boothbay was Squirrel Island. Ibis, by this time, was just ahead of Barbara, and I rounded the island as close to the shore as I dared to go. We saw a spindle standing out of the water just west of the island. Spindles on the Maine coast are often not on the very edge of the reef which they mark, and I gave this one a wide berth. Johnny Lawrence cut between me and the spindle. On board the Barbara afterwards, I said, 'Johnny, you must have known that that spindle was on the edge of the ledge.'
He said, 'No, I didn't, but the only way we could win the run was to go inside of you and, at any rate, it was Freddy Prince's boat.' [p. 169. Note: Clinton Crane apparently confused #717s Barbara and #713s Chiora ex-Iroquois II. It was Chiora which in 1929/1930 was owned by Frederick H. Prince of Marblehead, not Barbara.]" (Source: Crane, Clinton. Clinton Crane's Yachting Memories. New York, 1952.)

"ROSLYN, L. I., Feb. 6 [1952] --- In a placid creek just behind the Old Mill on Main Street here is a buoyant colony of nine families who have solved the housing problem in a romantic way.
These hardy commuters, with their wives, dogs and cats, are among many boatmen in the metropolitan area who live on their craft the year 'round. In the winter, the boats here are tied up alongside the sagging old docks lining the Roslyn Slip.
... There are four sailboats among the immobile fleet: the forty-three-foot ketch Capella, Spartan [#712s], a long, lean Herreshoff New York Fifty converted to a yawl; Ibis [#715s], a sister ship now dismasted, and Rigadoon, a small schooner. ...
Ibis is temporarily without a mistress, while young Alice Porterfield reluctantly lives ashore for a few weeks to have a baby. Meanwhile, her husband, Byron, a newspaper reporter, is whittling a crib." New York Times, February 7, 1952, p. 29.)

"At 72 feet overall, the New York 50s were among the largest Herreshoff sailing hulls to be built upside down and entirely of wood construction. They were built in a kind of production line. While one hull was being planked, the previous one, turned upright, was having its interior and deck installed. This same two-boat cycle was repeated all during the winter and spring of 1912-1913, until the last of the nine New York 50s slid overboard from the North Construction Shop's launching ways.
Like all but the smallest Herreshoff-built wood-hulled racing yachts, the New York 50s were double-planked and diagonally strapped with metal, which gave them unusual strength for their weight. ..." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 103.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] HH.5.02148 (029-054). Blueprint preliminary general arrangement plan with plan view and inboard profile titled 'Sloop. WL about 50ft. Scale 3/8in = 1ft. Sept[ember] 16 - 1912'. Marked in pencil 'Standard Arrangement for 50ft Class [New York 50 class: #711s, #712s, #713s, #714s, #715s, #716s, #717s, #720s and #721s]'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0143. WRDT08, Folder 12, formerly MRDE02. 1912-09-16.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.02147 (029-053). Blueprint preliminary general arrangement plan with plan view and inboard profile titled 'Sloop. WL about 50ft. Scale 3/8in = 1ft. Sept[ember] 16 - 1912'. Marked in pencil '1st proposed arrangement for J.P. Morgan Jr [#715s GRAYLING]'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0144. WRDT08, Folder 13, formerly MRDE02. 1912-09-16.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with weight calculations titled '50 w.l. Sloops. Measured at 51.5[t] LWL (LWL is 2 1/2 inches above the designed w.l. of 50!). Sept 22, 1912. From finished model. Nos. 711-12-13-14-15-16-17-20&21 [#711s VENTURA, #712s SPARTAN, #713s IROQUOIS II, #714s PLEIONE, #715s GRAYLING, #716s SAMURI, #717s BARBARA, #720s ACUSHLA, #721s CAROLINA II]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_00890. Folder [no #]. 1912-09-22.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with weight calculations titled '#711 & class. 50 w.l. Sloops. Referred to designed w.l. of 50ft. Scale 1/2in. From finished model. Nos. 711-12-13-14-15-16-17 [#711s VENTURA, #712s SPARTAN, #713s IROQUOIS II, #714s PLEIONE, #715s GRAYLING, #716s SAMURI, #717s BARBARA, #720s ACUSHLA, #721s CAROLINA II]. Sept 22, 1912'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_00910. Folder [no #]. 1912-09-22.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections on partially very creased paper titled 'No 711 & class [#711s, #712s, #713s, #714s, #715s, #716s, #717s, #720s, #721s]. Scale 1in & 1/12in. Sept[ember] 24, 1912'. Wth calculations showing required lead of 37410lbs at .576 of 50ft w.l." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03790. Folder [no #]. 1912-09-24.)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint table titled 'Program - Construction No. 711 Class. 1912-1913' with a detailed building time schedule for #711s VENTURA, #712s SPARTAN, #713s IROQUOIS II, #714s PLEIONE, #715s GRAYLING, #716s SAMURI, #717s BARBARA with planned dates and durations for 'Begin Work on Keel and Foundation', 'Setup Frames and Lead Mould', 'Begin Planking and Cast Lead', 'Turn Over and Set on Lead', 'Launch', 'Begin to Rig' and 'Delivery'. Including some penciled-in dates. (Note that actual building times turned out to be substantially shorter than initially envisioned.) Undated, between September 13, 1912 when these boats were contracted for and October 14, 1912, the first date on this plan." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_03440. Folder [no #]. No date (between 1912-09-13 and 1912-10-14).)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan 76-111. Photostat construction plan with inboard profile, plan view, sections and scantlings titled '72ft overall, 50ft w.l., 14ft 6in beam, 9ft 9in br' for the NY50 class (#711s, #712s, #713s, #714s, #715s, #716s, #717s, #720s, #721s)." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Photostat Construction Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0164. WRDT08, Folder 15, formerly MRDE02. 1913-04-21.)
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"[Item Description:] you wanted special attention paid to Eaton, we gave it to him, at the start today in a strong breeze he got ahead of the gun on the port tack tried to pay off to get back, found he could not as three boats were coming for him on starboard tack, tried to come about too late & messed the whole crowd up & hit #715s GRAYLING, we sent him home at once, #717s BARBARA miscalculated & tried to cover #714s PLEIONE & they came together, the latter's topmast breaking off about four feet from the truck, Muir[?] on Ellis' boat [#713s IROQUOIS II] handled her very well ... & won a good race" (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_43180. Correspondence, Folder 93, formerly 127. (1913 or later)-08-11.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with pinpricks and radials titled '711 Class [#711s, #712s, #713s, #714s, #715s, #716s, #717s, #720s, #721s]. 50 footers. Oct[ober] 2 1913'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0392. WRDT04, Folder 34, formerly MRDE08. 1913-10-02.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH. Relevant contents:
§51: Work Order [For] #711s, #712s, #713s, #714s, #715s, #716s, #717s, #720s, #721s. [When wanted] Soon. Plow steel wire (1912-10-05)." (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 Description:] [on Flagship Viking stationery:] Marblehead, in your judgment would it do any harm to tow one [New York] fifty footer astern of another from here to Newport, by way of the [Cape Cod] Canal, taking into account the fact that there would be something of a sea on in Massachusetts Bay, if you think it would be practical I should be glad if you would indicate how the tow line should be made fast to the leading boat [in the end Baker's VIKING towed three NY50s through the canal: #711s VENTURA, #713s IROQUOIS II and #715s GRAYLING]" (Source: Baker, George F. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_20130. Correspondence, Folder 56. 1915-08-08.)
①

"[Item Description:] C. O. Iselin has written to George Baker that he hopes NGH will consider #721s CAROLINA's marconi rig for #725s RESOLUTE, Mr. Morgan has put [the gaff-rigged] #715s GRAYLING at my disposal for comparative trials against CAROLINA" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_18460. Correspondence, Folder 51, formerly 54. 1919-08-12.)
①

"[Item Description:] Burton and Heckstall-Smith seem to like our [Universal] Rule very much, don't know if we can send delegates to Conference in London, shall be in Bristol in a week, looking forward to the trials [comparing marconi and gaff rig on #721s CAROLINA and #715s GRAYLING] with great interest" (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_18030. Correspondence, Folder 49, formerly 76. 1919-09-05.)
①

"[Item Description:] George Nichols, Butler Duncan and I think you should send Heckstall-Smith your views on the rule, am glad #721s CAROLINA is ready [with her marconi rig] and will be in Bristol on Friday [September 12, 1919], think that the trials [comparing marconi and gaff rig on CAROLINA and #715s GRAYLING] that we are about to make are quite as interesting as any that we have made for a long time" (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_18020. Correspondence, Folder 49, formerly 76. 1919-09-08.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] Your letter of Sep 23 [1919] was received. I knew you had gone to meet the yachtsmen [to compare marconi and gaff rig on #721s CAROLINA and #715s GRAYLING] and it was all right. Your talk with them must have been interesting. I didn't know that[?] I would get down in the evening but I was pretty tired and thought I'd better rest.
I was much pleased with your Bermuda friends Mrs. McCallan and her daughter. I who am so fond of brown eyes was particularly struck with the soft beauty of the little girl's eyes.
I feel that I was fortunate too in happening down just when Mrs. Churchill[?] was there. The little Flossie who used to sit at the end of my drawing table and made pictures with my colored pencils forty years ago. The past Summer has been a notable one for me. I have met so many of the old friends. Friends in whose hearts I still have a place though so many years have passed.
I thought of you yesterday, so lovely a day. Doubtless you were off in the HELIANTHUS [#299p]. I hope that before it is too cold[?] you will get up here. It is still very green and pleasant. The frost has held off wonderfully. No real frost yet though the thermometer has stood at 34deg for several mornings.
Mary has been quite comfortable for the past few days and the accompanying seenchin[?] has been very welcome.
I sent to [your brother] Lewis the other day four packages of meal which was all I had then but I have ground since, and sent two more by post --- two of the six were for you. Thank you for the cleeck[? clock?]. Remember me to Mrs. McCallan and the little girl if they are still with you, and to all you say best wishes.
Sincerely yours, ... [Incl. envelope with penciled note by NGH 'I think this my last letter from George. NGH'.] [George Phillips died December 16, 1919.]" (Source: Phillips, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_06990. Correspondence, Folder 24, formerly 210. 1919-09-29.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan 74-75. Blueprint detail plan titled 'Quick Working Shackles for Blocks Hal & Double Sheets. Job 1-336. Mentioned vessels include: #711s, #712s, #713s, #714s, #715s, #716s, #717s, #720s, #721s, #773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s, #891s, #955s, and #983s." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (Newman, H.F.) (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0184. WRDT08, Folder 17, formerly MRDE06. 1923-03-12.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Printed pamphlet titled 'Racing Rules. New York Yacht Club. 1924'. Incl. a printed 'List of yachts, the measurements of which are on file with the Race Committee. July, 1924.
Schooners
D 7 FLYING CLOUD
D 10 IROLITA [#663s ex-ISTALENA]
C 5 MARIETTE [#772s ]
E 14 NOMAD
F 22 NORKA
C 2 OHONKARA [#827s ]
D 8 PRINCESS [#658s ex-IROLITA II]
E 9 QUEEN MAB [#698s ex-VAGRANT I]
E 16 SHAWNA
C 12 SONNICA
C 7 VAGRANT [#719s ]
FF 1 WANDERER IX
D 22 WILDFIRE [#891s ]
Fifty Class
N.Y. 52 ANDIAMO [#716s ex-SAMURI]
N.Y. 55 CAROLINA [#716s ]
N.Y. 53 IROQUOIS II [#721s ]
N.Y. 54 MYSTIC [#715s ex-GRAYLING]
N.Y. 56 SPARTAN [#716s ]
Forty Class
N.Y.Y.C. 8 BANSHEE [#782s ex-PAULINE]
N.Y.Y.C. 2 COCKATOO [#775s ex-DOLLY BOWEN]
N.Y.Y.C. 12 IRIS [#777s ex-ZILPH]
N.Y.Y.C. 6 MISTRAL [#782s ]
N.Y.Y.C. 7 PAMPERO [#775s ]
N.Y.Y.C. 9 ROWDY [#777s ]
N.Y.Y.C. 3 SALLY ANN [#779s ex-JESSICA]
N.Y.Y.C. 10 SHAWARA [#782s ]
THIRTY CLASS
N.Y. 18 ADIOS [#647s ex-ANEMONE]
N.Y. 1 ALERA [#647s ]
N.Y. 7 ALICE [#632s ex-TABASCO]
N.Y. 15 BANZAI [#647s ]
N.Y. 8 CAROLITA [#633s ex-CARLITA]
N.Y. 4 COUNTESS [#629s ex-MAID OF MEUDON]
N.Y. 14 FIJI II [#639s ex-CARA MIA]
N.Y. 5 LENA [#630s ex-PINTAIL]
N.Y. 12 MINX [#638s ex-NEOLA II]
N.Y. 11 ORIOLE [#637s ex-ORIOLE]
N.Y. 13 PHANTOM [#648s ex-MINX]
0 Class
L.O. 1 GEORGIA
L.O. 4 GREY DAWN
L.O. 5 MAISIE
L.O. 3 NIMBUS
Various Classes
N 2 ALICE
N.Y. 58 BARBARA [#717s ] (Aux. Sloop)
P 1 BUTTERFLY [#586s ex-NELLIE]
M 15 LADRONE [#634s ex-SUZETTA III] (Aux. Yawl)
N.Y. 51 REVERY [#720s ex-ACUSHLA] (Aux. Yawl)
M 6 VENTURA [#717s ]
K 3 WINSOME [#717s ] (Aux. Ketch)'.
Of 49 yachts listed (including 11 NY30s, 8 NY40s and 5 NY50s plus 2 NY50s and 1 NY70 out of class) 37 or 75% were designed and built by Herreshoff." (Source: New York Yacht Club (creator). Printed Pamphlet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_01830. Folder [no #]. 1924.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] I thank you for yours of the 5th inst. regarding the rig for the '50's' [and thus for #721s CAROLINA].
One-design racing in this Class seems to be at a low ebb. Mallory [owner of #715s MYSTIC ex-GRAYLING] plans to stick 8 feet onto his present mast and to leave the fore triangle as at present, thereby, I should think, producing a result that is neither one thing or the other. Hanan, to whom expense means nothing, has proposed leaving 'SPARTAN' [#712s] as she is, but wants permission to carry seven paid hands. Paul Hammond still owns 'Iroquois' [#713s], and I believe hopes to sell her, but is holding her at a very high price. Shaw [owner of #716s ANDIAMO ex-SAMURI], I understand, has ordered from someone in Boston a mast some 10 feet longer than my Marconi. Whether or not he has ordered the rest of the rig, I do not know, but he is not a racing man and what he does or does not do is of little importance to the Class. Hanan, who has been cruising in the West Indies, is expected home in a few days when I hope to see him and make some arrangement for the coming Summer. [incl. envelope]" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30220. Subject Files, Folder 27, formerly 10-15. 1925-03-09.)
① ② ③

"[Item Transcription:] I am glad to have Tom [Brightman]'s letter this morning saying that 'GAME COCK' [#932s] will be finished, ready for launching today, launched and rigged on Monday and ready for her trial on Tuesday. It will not be possible for either Junius or myself to get away from our respective offices next week. I had hoped she might be ready for trial tomorrow or Sunday; but it does not greatly matter, for as things are, it would be difficult anyway for us to get off.
I would appreciate it if you would telephone me on Monday after she has been launched, and again after you have rigged and tried her. We would like to have you keep her for two or three days to enable you to try her out and satisfy yourself that things are about right.
I am trying to get Emil Nelson, who was for a number of years mate on 'GRAYLING' [#715s], as paid hand. He now has a shore job and will come if he can get leave of absence, but of course cannot afford to do it for the short season otherwise. If I do get him, he is entirely competent to bring the boat down. If not, perhaps Charles Nystrom would be willing to pick up someone and bring her down for me. In fact, even if Nelson does go to Bristol for her, I would like to have Charles with him for the passage.
It has been a great disappointment to me not to have been in Bristol at all since you got back, but between business and family affairs, I have not felt like being away an hour more than absolutely necessary. [Includes envelope with notations on GAMECOCK measurements by NGH: 'GAME COCK. Meas. July 8 in rain.]" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_16120. Correspondence, Folder 43, formerly 16. 1925-07-03.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤

"[Item Transcription:] I was interested to hear from Mr. Haffenreffer that the ex-'GRAYLING' [#715s MYSTIC] --- I do not know her present name --- has turned up at Bristol.
When you have inspected her, I should be interested to hear what happened to her, and what you would recommend doing to 'CAROLINA' [#721s] to prevent a similar occurrence in her case." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30460. Subject Files, Folder 27, formerly 10-15. 1925-10-26.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] Thank you for your letter of December 16th, with its suggestion for two mast positions for the new 'R' Boat [#966s GRAYLING]. I think the idea is excellent and am writing to Charles Nystrom to tell him to proceed.
The boat is now planked and I understand has been turned right side up and placed on the lead. I have not seen her since she was in frame, but am very much impressed by the photographs. My opinion has not changed that she is particularly well shaped and looks as if she ought to be fast. In other words, I am delighted with her so far and am very grateful to you for all the trouble you have taken about her.
Best wishes to you and to Mrs. Herreshoff for Christmas and the New Year.
P. S. The name of the new boat is to be 'GRAYLING' after the Fifty Footer [#715s] of that name which my Father owned." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30820. Subject Files, Folder 28, formerly 10-15. 1925-12-19.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] GAME COCK' [#932s] should have arrived in Bristol last night or at least some time today. I asked Charles [Nystrom] to have her hauled out immediately on arrival, and want to put her over Monday morning. I want to get the best racing bottom I can for the races off Newport on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Generally speaking, would favor simply rubbing her down and not painting, but believe she has almost no paint on her bottom. Would much appreciate it if you would look her over and give directions as to what should be done for my account.
I now hope to take the night train from New York Sunday and to arrive in Bristol Monday morning. Janie is coming with me to visit friends in Newport while I race, so we will probably have breakfast in Providence and come down shortly after. Am looking forward to seeing you.
CAROLINA's [#721s] success on the cruise under your rig has persuaded Clinton Crane, who has bought GRAYLING [#715s], Harry Maxwell and Hanan [#712s SPARTAN] to do something similar for next season, and has also, I understand, shown Harold Vanderbilt and others the advantages of the sloop rig. I hope the Yard will get some work out of this latter interest, but understand Harold has already been talking with you about it, so you doubtless know more than I do." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29720. Subject Files, Folder 26, formerly 10-15. 1926-09-09.)
①

"[Item Description:] [on 'Eleven Thomas Street' stationery, indicating this to have come from George Nichols:] Mr. [Clinton] Crane has sent me a sketch of the [marconi] rig he designed for #715s GRAYLING, rating, staying arrangement, #721s CAROLINA II, with Crane [#715s IBIS ex-GRAYLING], Maxwell [#717s BARBARA], Hanan [#712s SPARTAN] and possibly Ralph Ellis [#713s IROQUOIS II] against me next season I shall have to be careful [incomplete, possibly not completely scanned, part of a group of documents pinned together with George Nichols to NGH letter of October 30, 1926 being the topmost letter]" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRRT_200. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder MRRT. 1926-10-30.)
①

"[Item Description:] blue slip of paper labeled '[#715s] GRAYLING - Crane's sail plan' with dimensions, also mentioning #721s CAROLINA II [possibly incomplete, possibly not completely scanned, part of a group of documents pinned together with George Nichols to NGH letter of October 30, 1926 being the topmost letter]" (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRRT_210. Letter. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder MRRT. No date (ca1926-10-30).)
①

"[Item Description:] blueprint of Mr. [Clinton] Crane]s sailplan for [#715s GRAYLING] came to hand yesterday, staying of the mast is quite impressive, although the high narrow mainsail is effective when the mainsheet is down hard, it is a question in my mind if it is so practical sail as a somewhat lower and broader one for general racing that is considering reaching & running, of course for cruising there is no doubt but a sail of the proportions you had last summer is better, rule for mast limit is too high, your long straightened mast [for #721s CAROLINA II] is nearly 96ft and just about the limit, as I would layout a sail plan to use this mast I would make [dimensions], layout for another sail plan with mast moved aft principle advantage being the mast would be better stayed and the hull relieved of some of the wrenching stress, a consideration now that the hulls are getting along in years and are probably beginning to loose some strength [apparently incomplete, possibly not completely scanned, part of a group of documents pinned together with George Nichols to NGH letter of October 30, 1926 being the topmost letter]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Correspondence (blueprint) to Nichols, George. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRRT_220. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder MRRT. 1926-11-09.)
①

"[Item Description:] #721s CAROLINA's rig, comparison of NGH's design with Clinton Crane's design for #715s GRAYLING" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_16740. Correspondence, Folder 44, formerly 143. 1927-01-05.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Crane ordered design as matter of information from L. Francis Herreshoff but Harold Vanderbilt was not interested possibly because great overall length, low ends and canoe stern did not appeal to him, am glad you feel it not all up with the NY50s yet, they will sail in 46ft rating class, promises to be keen class, Clinton Crane #715s IBIS ex-GRAYLING, Harding bought #713s IROQUOIS II, Hanan #712s SPARTAN, have not seen new Scantling Rules, hope you will criticize them, NYYC had nothing further to do with them, ABS took it up from that point and the Rules are theirs, incl. NGH reply: comparing ex-NY50s against coming M class and Harold Vanderbilt's new Burgess boat [#1058s PRESTIGE], my present study uses as much of your two rigs [for #721s CAROLINA II], new sails are faster than old ones even if old ones set equally well possibly because new canvas is more air tight, experiment by filling pores of old sails with some fine material could be carried out with R-boat or converted NY50s but require considerable time spent by 2 well matched crews to get clonclusions, detailed suggestions for CAROLINA, advise to dispence with quarterlifts entirely and have a single boom lift instead, if lazy lines required when cruising have eyes each side of mast only about 25ft up to hook blocks into and from there to boom, this arrangement saves a whole lot of trouble from the sailbattens, I made this change on #907s PLEASURE and found it vastly better [part of a group of documents pinned together with George Nichols to NGH letter of October 30, 1926 being the topmost letter]" (Source: Nichols, George (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRRT_230. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder MRRT. 1927-02-28.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] [Printed circular, two sheets of paper:] New York Yacht Club The Cruise 1927
Additional Racing Instructions Run From Huntington To New London—16Th August
In case of no wind at Huntington at the proposed time of the Start on the 16th August, the following signals will be made by the Flagship: etc. ... [Plus printed circular:] New York Yacht Club
List of yachts, measurement certificates of which were on file with the Race Committee on August 1, 1927, which will be valid for the Cruise.
SCHOONERS: C Class
C 2 OHONKARA [#827s]
C 7 VAGRANT [#719s]
C 3 VANITIE
D Class: D 25 ADVANCE
D 7 CONSTANCE
D 22 WILDFIRE [#891s]
D 5 LYNX
E Class: E 4 AURELIA
E 9 QUEEN MAB [#698s]
E16 SHAWNA
F Class: F3 CURLEW
F 4 MARY ROSE [#954s]
F 1 PLEIONE [#714s]
F 11 CACHALOT
G Class: S.C. 11 CLYTIE
S.C. 12 NADJI
S.C. 9 NOKOMIS
S.C. 6 SEVEN SEAS
G 1 WANDERER IX
G 7 MALABAR VII
H Class: H 3 FLYING FISH
H 2 ADVENTURER
KETCH: H 7 ANGELICA
SLOOPS
J Class: J 1 KATOURA [#1050s]
L.0. Class: L.0. 1 GEORGIA
L.0. 4 GREY DAWN
L.0. 5 MIRAGE
L.0. 3 NIMBUS
M Class: M 5 CAROLINA [#721s]
M 3 CHIORA [#713s ex-IROQUOIS II]
M 38 DOLLY
M 4 IBIS [#715s ex-GRAYLING]
M 1 PRESTIGE [#1058s]
M 6 SPARTAN [#712s]
10 Meter Class: 10M 9 BLAZING STAR
10M 7 BRANTA
10M 4 CYTHERA
10M 11 DRAGON
10M 8 ESQUILA
10M 6 NARCISSUS
10M 14 NAUTILUS
10M 10 RAEBURN
10M 12 REDHEAD
10M 10 REVENGE
10M 13 SHAWARA
10M 3 SYNTHETIC
10M 1 TWILIGHT
10M 5 VALENCIA
N Class: N 2 ALICE
P Class: P 1 BUTTERFLY [#586s ex-NELLIE]
50 Class: N. Y. Y. C. 52 ANDIAMO [#716s ex-SAMURI]
40 Class: N. Y. Y. C. 42 COCKATOO [#775s ex-DOLLY BOWEN]
N. Y. Y. C. 50 MARILEE [#955s]
N. Y. Y. C. 46 MISTRAL [#774s]
N. Y. Y. C. 47 PAMPERO [#781s ex-PAMPARO]
N. Y. Y. C. 45 TYPHOON [#773s ex-MAISIE]
N. Y. Y. C. 49 ROWDY* [#776s]
30 Class: N. Y. 1 ALERA [#626s]
N. Y. 7 ALICE [#632s ex-TABASCO]
N. Y. 9 AMORITA [#635s ex-ADELAIDE II]
N. Y. 15 BANZAI [#640s]
N. Y. 4 INTERLUDE [#629s ex-MAID OF MEUDON]
N. Y. 5 LENA [#630s ex-PINTAIL]
N. Y. 11 ORIOLE [#637s]
N. Y. 13 PHANTOM [#648s ex-MINX]
N. Y. 17 PHRYNE (Rig changed to jib-headed mainsail.) [#643s]
Q Class: F. I. S. 3 CHANCE [#1059s]
F. I. S. 1 CYRILLA II [#1054s]
F. I. S. 2 JUDY [#1055s]
F. I. S. 4 MAMEENA [#1060s]
YAWLS M Class: N. Y. 51 REVERY [#720s ex-ACUSHLA]
M 1 RUGOSA II [#983s]
... August 1, 1827. [Compared to the equivalent list from 1924 the number of boats has increased from 49 to 73, while the number of Herreshoff-built yachts has shrunk from 37 to 32 or 44%.] [Incl envelope from Race Committee NYYC to NGH, labeled in red 'Rating & allowance' and postmarked August 4, 1927.]" (Source: NYYC. Correspondence (circular) to Members. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_73330. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F07, formerly MRDE15. 1927-08-01.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Brokerage listing (File No. 888) for #715s IBIS ex-GRAYLING. Dimensions, particulars (Rig: M-Class, Jib-Headed, Location: Nevins, Engine: 4 cyc., 4 cyl., 40HP, Gray from 1936, Price: 6500). Undated, a penciled note in the upper right corner suggests 'Oct 1937' (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 (1937-10 ?).)
①

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #715s Grayling even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Kleinhans, Lewis. "New York 40s and 50s." In: Schoettle, Edwin J. Sailing Craft. New York, 1928, p. 229-243. (3,032 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No known copyright restrictions. Class description and history. New York 50 sailing regulations.
• van der Linde, Claas. [Layered Comparison of Model and Plan to Demonstrate Shortening of New York 50 by Two Feet after the model had been made.] February 25, 2022. (747 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes, used with permission. Copyright holder: Claas van der Linde. Clinton Crane, in his 1952 'Yachting Memories' (p. 102) wrote 'In the New York Fifties [NGH] shortened the stern to bring them inside the amount which the new owners were willing to pay, so that they were never as good looking as they might have been.' This shortening by 24 inches can be seen by overlaying the construction plan with the model which then clearly shows the model's slender stern extending beyond the boat's plan profile. At HMCo vessel profiles for a plan were usually created by simply placing the model onto the plan and then tracing a pencil around the model's outline. It appears that the extended stern on this drawing was then simply erased --- hence the spot of lighter color at the transom. This is a layered document which allows clicking on and off overlaid transparent layers to reveal different parts of the image.

• Grayling (HMCo-made index card)
• Grayling (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.

• Grayling
• Ibis ex-Grayling
• Mystic ex-Grayling
• Polaris II ex-Grayling
• 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: Grayling
Type: 50' sloop
Owner: J. P. Morgan
Year: 1913
Row No.: 258

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: Sept
Day: 13
Year: 1912
E/P/S: S
No.: 0715
Name: Grayling
LW: 50'
B: 14' 7"
D: 9' 9"
Rig: Cutter
K: y
Ballast: Lead O.
Amount: 14250.00 [sic, i.e. 14520]
Notes Constr. Record: C.D. Mallory 1923
Last Name: Morgan, Jr.
First Name: J. P.

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 M by 1927." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 7, 2009.)

"Sail number NY 4." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. April 29, 2009.)

"Sail number 54 in 1916 with the numeral in black and the initials N.Y.Y.C. in a semi-circle half way around the numerals and above as per the New York Herald of May 17, 1916, p. 13." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 11, 2012.)

"Sail no. M-4 in 1928 as per Rudder, August 1928, p. 102." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 3, 2015.)

"Built in 164 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $89/day, 456 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Sail area 3416 sqft from untitled two-page rating-rule-related table handwritten (in ink) by N. G. Herreshoff with multiple dimensions for the most important Herreshoff-designed yachts. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. MRDE15, Folder [no #]. Undated (the most recent boat dates 1914/1915 and the table was probably prepared in preparation for NGH's sail area rating rule of 1914/1915)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 16, 2020.)

"Displacement 1169 cubic foot [= 74,816 lbs] from untitled two-page rating-rule-related table handwritten (in ink) by N. G. Herreshoff with multiple dimensions for the most important Herreshoff-designed yachts. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. MRDE15, Folder [no #]. Undated (the most recent boat dates 1914/1915 and the table was probably prepared in preparation for NGH's sail area rating rule of 1914/1915)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 16, 2020.)

"Displacement is about 74,000 lb. of which about 35,500 lb. is the lead ballast." (Source: McClave, Ed. "The Restoration of the HMCo 'New York Fifty' Spartan." In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (Publisher). Proceedings. The Classic Yacht Symposium 2010. Bristol, R.I. 2010, p. 149-158.)

"Said to have sunk in Huntington or off Huntington in Long Island Sound in the late 1950s or early 1960s." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 28, 2015.)

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