HMCo #779s Jessica

S00779_Jessica_Rudder_1916_11.jpg

Particulars

Construction_Record_Title.jpgName: Jessica
Later Name(s): Sally Ann (1920), Jessica (1927), Vixen III (1931), Vixen II (1970s)
Type: New York 40
Designed by: NGH
Contract: 1915-10-14
Launch: 1916-3-14
Construction: Wood
LOA: 59' 0" (17.98m)
LWL: 40' 9" (12.42m)
Beam: 14' 5" (4.39m)
Draft: 8' 3" (2.51m)
Rig: Cutter (schooner in 1978)
Sail Area: 2,074sq ft (192.7sq m)
Displ.: 26.0 short tons (23.5 metric tons)
Keel: yes
Ballast: Lead outside
Built for: Marshall, Wilson
Amount: $10,000.00
Note(s) in HMCo Construction Record: Single head rig, no bowsprit, Cabin C
Current owner: Private Owner, Cannes, France (last reported 2011 at age 95)

See also:
#192101ep [Power Tender for #779s Sally Ann] (1921)
#191514es [Dinghy for #779s Jessica] (1916)

Note: Particulars are primarily but not exclusively from the HMCo Construction Record. Supplementary information not from the Construction Record appears elsewhere in this record with a complete citation.


Model

Model #107Model number: 107
Model location: H.M.M. Model Room South Wall Left

Vessels from this model:
14 built, modeled by NGH
#773s Maisie (1916)
#774s Mistral (1916)
#775s Dolly Bowen (1916, Extant)
#776s Rowdy (1916, Extant)
#777s Zilph (1916)
#778s Black Duck (1916)
#779s Jessica (1916, Extant)
#780s Shawara (1916)
#781s Pamparo (1916)
#782s Pauline (1916, Extant)
#783s Katharine [Katherine] (1916)
#804s Squaw (1916)
#955s Marilee (1926, Extant)
#983s Rugosa II (1926, Extant)

Original text on model:
"NYYC 40' class 1916 773 MAISIE Morton F. Plant 774 MISTRAL Pynchon 775 DOLLY BOWEN A. S. Cochran 776 ROWDY H.S. Duwell [sic, i.e. Duell] 777 ZILPH E. Palmer 778 THE BLACK DUCK A. K. Bourne 779 JESSICA W. Marshall 780 SHAWARA H. Wesson 781 PAMPARO James Bishop 782 PAULINE O. G. Jennings 783 KATHARINE A. F. Lenke [sic, i.e. Luke] 804 SQUAW J. S. Lawrence scale 1/2 Sept 1915." (Source: Original handwritten annotation on model. Undated.)

Model Description:
"40' lwl New York Yacht Club 40-class cutters of 1916. Twelve were built originally followed ten years later by two more. Several survive including Rugosa II owned by Halsey Herreshoff in which he sailed to Europe in 2001 to participate in the America's Cup Jubilee." (Source: Bray, Maynard. 2004.)

Note: Vessels that appear in the records as not built, a cancelled contract, a study model, or as a model sailboat are listed but not counted in the list of vessels built from a model.


Offsets

Offset booklet number(s): HH.4.184

Offset booklet contents:
#773 [40' w.l. NYYC 40-class sloop Maisie].


Offset Booklet(s) in Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass. (Restricted access --- see curator.)
Note: "Reference to offset booklet HH.4.184 was added by CvdL because this boat was built from the same construction plan as other sisterships that were specifically mentioned in it." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. April 24, 2021.)

Drawings

Main drawing Dwg 076-121 (HH.5.05571) Explore all drawings relating to this boat.

List of drawings:
   Drawings believed to have been first drawn for, or being first referenced to
   HMCo #779s Jessica are listed in bold.
   Click on Dwg number for preview, on HH number to see at M.I.T. Museum.
  1. Dwg 099-000 (HH.5.08263): Gears for Crank Shaft "Kalolah" of Cast Steel (ca. 1892)
  2. Dwg 079-042 (HH.5.05853): Boom and Gaff End and Details (1900-03-03)
  3. Dwg 079-043 (HH.5.05854): Scotchmen Top's Yard and Club (1900-03-03)
  4. Dwg 079-065 (HH.5.05874): Gaff Jaws with Saddle, Gaff End # 552 (1901-02-28)
  5. Dwg 110-031 (HH.5.08996): Turnbuckles # 624, 625 (1904-12-05)
  6. Dwg 049-056 (HH.5.03732); Bilge Pump for # 626 Class (1904-12-08)
  7. Dwg 068-065 (HH.5.04871); Compass Arrangement # 626 Class (1904-12-16)
  8. Dwg 085-061 (HH.5.06646): Stanchion Sockets for Gangway Stanchions # 634 and 641 (1905-05-10)
  9. Dwg 110-065 (HH.5.09030): Gaff Jaws for # 658 (1906-04-04)
  10. Dwg 081-055 (HH.5.06143): Spars (1907-01-01)
  11. Dwg 084-046 [141-050] (HH.5.06497): Mahogany Hatch (Transferred From 141-50) (1907-01-12)
  12. Dwg 084-047 (HH.5.06498): Monitor Hatch for # 666, Lazarette Hatch # 666 (1907-02-27)
  13. Dwg 109-004 (N/A); Runnerslides for # 699 (1910-09-19 ?)
  14. Dwg 029-000 [029-G] (HH.5.02173); General Arrangement > 39' W.L. Class (1915-08 ?)
  15. Dwg 029-000 [029-H] (HH.5.02174); General Arrangement > Preliminary for 40' W.L. Class (1915-08 ?)
  16. Dwg 096-112 (HH.5.08072): Sails > Preliminary for 40' Class (1915-08-27)
  17. Dwg 029-066 (HH.5.02160): Preliminary Plan for 40 ft. Class [Cabin Plan A & B] (1915-09-15)
  18. Dwg 029-067 (HH.5.02161): General Arrangement > Preliminary Plan for 40 ft. Class [Cabin Plan C] (1915-09-23)
  19. Dwg 076-121 (HH.5.05571); Construction Dwg > 40' Class 50'-3" O.A. 40' W.L. 14'-3" B x 8'-2" D. (1915-11-01)
  20. Dwg 091-148 (HH.5.07425): # 773 Class 40 Footer [NYYC 40 Footers Rigging List] (1915-11-13)
  21. Dwg 109-130 (HH.5.08899): Stem Head Strap for 40' Class No. 773 - 782 (1915-11-15)
  22. Dwg 141-119 (HH.5.11641); Bulkheads for Plan "C" # 773 Class 40 (1915-11-18)
  23. Dwg 084-076 (HH.5.06527); # 773 Class 40' Companionway (1915-11-22)
  24. Dwg 081-116 (HH.5.06208); # 773 Class 40' Spars (1915-11-27)
  25. Dwg 091-149 (HH.5.07426): Block List for # 773 Class (1915-11-29)
  26. Dwg 065-065 (HH.5.04661): Rudder and Hangings for # 773 Class, 40' (1915-12-01)
  27. Dwg 084-078 (HH.5.06529): Skylights and Hatches for # 773 Class 40' (1915-12-08)
  28. Dwg 109-133 (HH.5.08902): Gaff Jaws for # 773 Class (1915-12-08)
  29. Dwg 074-000 (HH.5.05386); Sketch of Special Block for Throat Halyards, 40' Class (1915-12-09)
  30. Dwg 112-114 (HH.5.09413); Capstan for 1 3/4" and 2" Sheets or for 1/4" and 7/32" Wire Rope Halyards (1915-12-09)
  31. Dwg 109-132 (HH.5.08901): Backstay Hook and Eye for # 773 Class (1915-12-13)
  32. Dwg 109-134 (HH.5.08903): Rigging Details NYYC 40' Class (1915-12-17)
  33. Dwg 109-135 (HH.5.08904): Travelers and Main Sheet Staple (1915-12-20)
  34. Dwg 141-121 (HH.5.11644): Ice Chest and Sink # 773 Class 40 ft. (1915-12-22)
  35. Dwg 146-035 (HH.5.12149): Sails > NYYC Club 40 Foot Class 773 Class [Yawl Rig] (1916-01 ?)
  36. Dwg 068-102 (HH.5.04911): 773 Class Bearing for Rudder Stock (1916-01-05)
  37. Dwg 128-000 (HH.5.10174.2): Sails > Jib Topsail 773 Class (1916-01-05)
  38. Dwg 128-055 (HH.5.10172): Sails > 773 Class (1916-01-05)
  39. Dwg 128-055 (HH.5.10174): Sails > 773 Class (1916-01-05)
  40. Dwg 146-034 (HH.5.12148): Sails > NYYC 40 ft. Class (773 Class) (1916-01-05)
  41. Dwg 025-097 (HH.5.01848): 40' # 773 Class List Plan "C" (1916-02-06 ?)
  42. Dwg 109-136 (HH.5.08905): Mast Bands for # 773 Class (1916-02-11)
  43. Dwg 112-117 (HH.5.09416): Spring Stopper for 7/16" Chain for 40 ft. (773) Class (1916-02-25)
  44. Dwg 031-026 (HH.5.02307): Battery Support for # 773 Class (1916-03-01)
  45. Dwg 068-104 (HH.5.04913): 24 1/2" Wooden Steering Wheel for Steering Stand (68-48) (1916-03-09)
  46. Dwg 068-104 (HH.5.04914): 26 1/3" Wooden Steering Wheel for Steering Stand (68-48) (1916-03-09)
  47. Dwg 025-095 (HH.5.01846); List of Castings 773 Class (1916-03-28 ?)
  48. Dwg 143-048 (HH.5.11913): Docking Plan for # 773 Class (1916-04-27)
  49. Dwg 096-114 (HH.5.08074): Sails > Sail Plan of N.Y.Y.C. 40' Class (1916-05-12)
  50. Dwg 109-138 (HH.5.08907): Boom Truss for NYYC 40 ft. Class (No. 773 Class) (1916-05-29)
  51. Dwg 096-115 (HH.5.08075): Sails > Sail Plan of N.Y.Y.C. 40' Class Showing Changge in Rig (1916-08-28)
  52. Dwg 128-055 (HH.5.10173): Sails > New Jib and Change of Spinnaker for NYYC Class 40 Footers to be Used With Bowsprits (1916-09-06)
  53. Dwg 081-121 (HH.5.06213): Bowsprit and Gear, NYYC 40' Class (# 773) (1916-09-08)
  54. Dwg 034-031 (HH.5.02447): Showing Plan of Laying Up Yachts in Winter of 1916-1917 at Walker's Cove Lot (1916-09-12)
  55. Dwg 029-072 (HH.5.02166): General Arrangement > Proposed Change in Cabin Plan of 40' Class Plan A, Plan C (1916-10-20)
  56. Dwg 109-139 (HH.5.08908): Bobstay Plate for Rigging for New 40' Class (1916-10-20)
  57. Dwg 096-116 (HH.5.08076): Sails > NYY Club 40' Class Showing Change of Rig for 1917 (1917-01-30)
  58. Dwg 034-116 (HH.5.02526): Plan Showing Layout of Yachts During Winter of 1920-1921 (1920-11-04)
  59. Dwg 034-116 (HH.5.02525): Plan Showing Layout of Yachts During Winter of 1921-1922 (1921-12-05)
  60. Dwg 074-075 (HH.5.05364): Quick Working Shackles for Blocks Hal. and Double Sheets (1923-03-12)
  61. Dwg 109-164 (HH.5.08931): Mast Truss Spreader - Used on # 773 Class When Ordered (1923-05-02)
  62. Dwg 128-055 (HH.5.10174.1): Sails > 773 Class (1924-07-07 ?)
  63. Dwg 143-070 (HH.5.11934): Docking Plan for 40' Class (1926-08-04)
  64. Dwg 080-097 (HH.5.06011): Extension on Mast of NYYC 40 Footer "Jessica" (1927-06-09)
  65. Dwg 128-055 (HH.5.10171): Sails > Jessica nee Sally Ann Marconi Mainsail Job # 15243 (1927-06-09 ?)
  66. Dwg 000-000 [029-AC] (HH.5.02195): Sails > Proposed Yawl Rig for NYYC 40 Footer "Jessica" (1927-10-14)
  67. Dwg 093-042 (HH.5.07647); Cabin Table - Revised Drawing (1936-03-03)
  68. Dwg 068-048 (HH.5.04855): Steering Stand (1936-03-04)
  69. Dwg 128-000 (HH.5.10273): Sails > NYYC 40's (1954-04-05)
Source: Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Together with: Hasselbalch, Kurt with Frances Overcash and Angela Reddin. Guide to The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass., 1997. Together with: Numerous additions and corrections by Claas van der Linde.
Note: The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection is copyrighted by the Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections of the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mass. Permission to incorporate information from it in the Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné is gratefully acknowledged. The use of this information is permitted solely for research purposes. No part of it is to be published in any form whatsoever.

Documents

Nathanael G. Herreshoff

"[1915-09-05] Sun 05: Fair. Leave Duck Is[land] early & run to Oyster Bay. Dine with Mr. Nichols and have conference about 40' class with W. B. Duncan, Geo. Cormack & Geo. Nichols. Later run to Port Jefferson for the night.
[1916-02-09] Wed 09: ... Completed 15 rowboats for 40' class.
[1916-02-22] Tue 22: Turned over 7th 40 footer [#779s Jessica].
[1916-03-14] Tue 14: Calm & overcast. Thawing some. ... launched 7th 40 footer [#779s Jessica?]." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1915 to 1916. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"No. 773 & Class [#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s and #955s, #983s].
Oct[ober] 29 1915.
Frame spaces 16".
Planking 1 3/8/
Timbers at head 2 1/8 x 2 1/8 increasing both ways 5/64" per foot for 6 1/2ft, then parallel.
Deck 1 3/8". Upper side of deck is height marked (S).
Outside of keel plank 1" below rabbate (R).
Top of lead straight line, 28 1/2" vertically above bottom flat of keel. Forward end of [frame] # 17.
Make bottom of lead 1 5/8" deeper than figures." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Handwritten [in ink and pencil] notes in Offset Booklet HH.4.184.] October 29, 1915. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"NYYC 40 footers as changed 1916-17
OA. 58ft [0]in
Wl 40.76[ft]
Qbl 37[ft]
Beam 14ft 2 3/4in
Breadth w.l. 13ft 0 3/4in
Draft 8ft 3 1/4in
Freeboard 6ft 4in - 3ft 6in - 3ft 5 1/2in
Displ[acement] 811cuft = 9.33^3 = 51900lbs
Sail area actual 2074sqft
Sail area by rule 2155[sqft]
9.33 / 40.76 = .229." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Undated penciled note (ca. 1923?). Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, MRDE04.)

"The following winter [1915-1916] proved a busy [one] and I had to carry on the work alone. Of the sailing craft, the eighty feet waterline steel schooner MARIETTE, the New York Yacht Club Forty Foot Class of eleven, the sixteen foot "Fish Class" of twenty-two [twenty-three boats built for the 1916 sailing season, plus three boats for the 1917 season, making a total of twenty-six], the Buzzards Bay Fifteen Foot Class of six, and several others were built." (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. 73.)

L. Francis Herreshoff

"In 1916 the one-design class of New York Yacht Club forty-footers was built. They were in some ways rather homely craft because the committee who ordered them originally told Captain Nat they wanted sort of sailing houseboats that could be run with a small crew. ... The Forties were originally designed, however, to be cruisers with good accommodations, which could be run with a small crew and racing was expected to be a secondary consideration, so the Forties at first had rather small sail area. After the first year their sail area was increased. They were the hottest racing class of their time, and were called The Fighting Forties and The Roaring Forties. It is said that they never reefed in a race, which I can well believe, having seen them hard pressed many times. So the Forties were used for hard, hot racing instead of sailing houseboats, and I mention this as many will not know why a racing class was built so wide, high sided, and tubby. The Forties were well-built yachts, nevertheless, and have turned out to be able, useful yachts, perhaps a little lively or corky in a seaway, but several of them are still in use and much liked. Two of them under yawl rigs have won the Bermuda race, and it is believed they were the last one-design class of yachts built that were that large or were built in any considerable number by the same builder. There were about fourteen of them built altogether ...
These yachts were fifty-nine feet overall, forty feet six inches on the water line, fourteen feet six inches beam, and eight feet draft, and they rated forty under the Universal Rule.
... Although Captain Nat made them rather homely and tubby some people have said that no one else could have developed such speed with as wide and roomy a model, ... " (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. 302-304.)

Other Contemporary Text Source(s)

"BRISTOL. R. I. Sept. 7. [1915] --- Several members of the New York Yacht Club have decided to build a new 47-foot [sic] class of one-design racing sloops, to be ready for racing next Spring. Designer Nat Herreshoff arrived home this afternoon from Glen Cove, N. Y., where the final plans were decided. There are to be at least fifteen sloops in this new class, and among those who, it is reported, will build are Commodore George F. Baker, Jr., William Butler Duncan, George A. Cormack, George Nichols and Tarrant Putnam. Nat Herreshoff has the design ready for sloops of steel frame and wood planking.
The plan to have a new class of medium-sized sloops was formulated within the past month. The racing men of the New York Yacht Club discussed the project at Newport at the time of the Astor Cup races [August 5, 1915]. Nat Herreshoff was then commissioned to produce a fast design for this class. The work of construction will be started in the latter part of September, when the molds will be ready." (Source: Anon. "47-Foot Yacht Class. Nat Herreshoff to Build Fifteen Sloops for N. Y. Y. C. Members." New York Times, September 8, 1915, p. 11.)

"The members of the New York Yacht Club will have three fine classes of one-designed sloops for next season's racing, 30, 40 and 50-footers. The 30-footers then will be in their 12th season, the 50-footers in their fourth, and the 40-footers will be new. Commodore George F. Baker Jr recently appointed W. Butler Duncan, George M. Pynchon, George Nichols and George A. Cormack a committee to select plans, draw up rules and do all in their power to promote the new class.
This committee has selected the plans which are by Herreshoff and has announced that orders for six new boats have been received, and that six more can be ordered. These 40-footers undoubtedly will be a popular class, because as planned they are to be a good wholesome type of boat of moderate cost and economical to run.
The boats are to cost $10,000 each, and are to have only three professionals to a boat. It has been estimated by a well-informed yachtsman that the cost of running a racing yacht for a season can be figured on the basis of $1200 a season for each professional. This does not mean that each professional will receive $1200, but that the salaries, cost of upkeep of the yacht, prize money and other necessary expenses will amount to $1200 for each man employed. The 50-footers have six professionals, and they cost about $7300 a season, so that a 40-footer with three men should cost from about $3600 to $4000.
Like the regulations governing the 30-foot and 50-foot classes, the committee is to draw up rules limiting the size of crews, the number of suits of sails, hauling out, etc. This committee will make an announcement soon giving the dimensions of the 40-footers, the names of their owners and other particulars which will be of interest to yachtsmen." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen. New 40-Foot Class for N.Y.Y.C." Boston Daily Globe, October 31, 1915, p. 58.)

"The twelve new sloop yachts designed by Captain Nat Herreshoff for the New York Yacht Club's forty-foot class and built at Bristol, R. I., have all been completed. Several of them have been launched, and two --- the Squaw [sic, i.e. #780s Shawara as per Boston Globe of April 23, 1916, p. 65], owned by John S. Lawrence, and Oliver C. Jennings's Pauline [#782s] --- have had trail [sic, i.e. trial] spins on Narragansett Bay.
Those who have seen these new craft under sail say that they are both fast and able and surprisingly quick in stays. They are handsome vessels and will doubtless prove an interesting racing class for the New York Yacht Club. A special race has been arranged by the club for this class, to be sailed on Memorial Day over courses on Long Island Sound starting off Glen Cove.
Following is a list of all the yachts in the class and their owners:
Maisie [#773s], Morton F. Plant; Rowdy [#776s], Holland S. Duell; Mistral [#774s], George E. Pynchon; Jessica [#779s], Wilson Marshall; Zilph [#777s], James D. Hayes, Jr.; Black Duck [#778s], Arthur K. Bourne; Pampero [#781s], Dr. James Bishop; Pauline [#782s], Oliver G. Jennings; Dolly Bowen [#775s], Alexander S. Cochran; Shawara [#780s], Harold Wesson; Katharine [#783s], Arthur F. Luke; Squaw [#804s], John S. Lawrence.
Racing numbers will be assigned to the yachts when they are all in commission." (Source: Anon. "Dozen New Sloops Built For N.Y.Y.C. Special Race for Forty-Footers Owned by Leading Yachtsmen to Open Season." New York Times, April 27, 1916, p. 10.)

"The following are the numbers, names and the owners of the new 40s: 1- Black Duck, Arthur Bourne; 2- Dolly Bowen, A. S. Cochran; 3 - Jessica, Wilson Marshall; 4 - Katherine, A. F. Luke; 5 - Maisie, M. B. Plant; 6 - Mistral, G. M. Pynchon; 7 - Pampero, Dr James Bishop; 8 - Pauline, O. G. Jennings; 9- Rowdy, H. S. Duell; 10 - Shawara, Harold Wesson; 11 - Squaw, J. S. Lawrence; 12 - Zilph, J. E. Hayes, Jr. To distinguish the 40s from the 50s, the numbers of the former will be in red, with the initials N. Y. Y. C. in diamond form, while the 50s will have black numbers with the initials N. Y. Y. C. in a semicircle." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Daily Globe, May 21, 1916, p. 48.)

"Two months' experience with the New York Yacht Club's forty-footers has convinced some of their owners, at least, and probably a majority of them, that there is something the matter with these rather homely and certainly snub-nosed craft. They do not steer easily, nor do they make as fast time as their owners and their designer, Captain Nat Herreshoff, expected them to do. Their practically straight up and down bows and width of beam seem to make rapid progress impossible, as compared with the sharper-nosed yachts of previous years.
Arthur K. Bourne, who owns and sails the Black Duck [#778s], was one of the first to ascribe the difficulty of steering the craft to the use of the tiller, and during the Interclub cruise had his tiller removed and a wheel substituted, with some improvement in ease of handling as a result. W. W. Swan, who had his first experience with them when sailing the Maisie [#773s], which has a tiller, said she was the hardest boat to handle he ever sat in, and he won two races with her at that. Other skippers who have sailed the forties have made similar complaints about the nerve-racking and strength-eating task of keeping the craft to their work when they have a tendency to go down by the head rather than cutting cleanly through the seas.
During Larchmont race week these skippers came to the conclusion, as a result of their experiences, that the trouble with the boats was that they needed a bowsprit and a fairly good-sized Jib in order to remedy the trouble. Now there is a definite proposition among the owners to make this change in them next season and Captain Herreshoff will think the matter out at their suggestion, during the cruise of the New York Yacht Club, in which all twelve boats of this design will be tested in a series of port-to-port races.
Arthur Luke, sailing his Katherine [#783s] in Massachusetts Bay waters, has reached the same conclusion as have those who have raced the forties in the waters of the Sound, and is out for a bowsprit and jib as a remedy for unsatisfactory conditions.
While Vice Commodore J. P. Morgan has not sailed one of them, he has watched their performances, and says he is content to stick to the fifties as relatively easier and faster boats on all points of sailing, so far as his observation goes though he has not expressed himself on the bowsprit question.
Captain Herreshoff told the men when the design was submitted that the yachts would be more satisfactory as economical cruising boats than racing craft, but particularly good for racing in rough weather, something which has not yet been experienced in the races in which they have been tried. Their owners and skippers generally agree that the forties will too first-rate bad weather boats as they are now rigged. But Sound racing is generally fair weather racing.
Whatever Captain Herreshoff's decision after the N. Y. Y. C. cruise, the owners, who make the rules for the class, will probably decide this Winter to have the yachts altered before the racing season of 1917, and rigged with a small bowsprit and jibsail. Therefore it is pretty safe to prophecy that next season will see a material difference of appearance in the yachts, which have furnished a lot of sport this season in spite of their crunched-in appearance and hard steering. The change cannot be made until the committee in charge of the class has its meeting, some time this Fall, to award the series prizes. They will then settle the matter of re-rigging which has caused more discussion among the Corinthians than any they have had to mull over for several seasons." [Note: In 1917, the NY40s appeared with a short bowsprit.] (Source: Anon. "Forty-Footers Faulty. Bowsprit and Jib May Be Added to New N. Y. Y. C Class." Boston Globe, August 11, 1916, p. 6.)

"Mistral, Maisie, and Jessica to Compete for Cups Saturday. ...
After the race Captains Wilson Marshall and George M. Pynchon will give a dinner to the Captains and amateurs who have sailed the forty-footers during the season at the Larchmont Yacht Club. ...
Such an assemblage [of participants] probably means that the diners will decide during the meal as to the changes which are to be made on the forty-footer, before the next racing season to make them easier to handle. The gossip is that the owners will decide to have a bowsprit put on the yachts and make some changes in the rigging which will make them less difficult to manipulate during the progress of a race, especially when there is light weather." (Source: Anon. "Yachts To Race Off Tie." New York Times, September 21, 1916, p. 12.)

"Jessica, New York Y, C. 40-Footer, Bought by Spencer Borden Jr.
Spencer Borden Jr of Fall River has purchased from Wilson Marshall of Bridgeport, Conn, the New York Yacht Club one-design 40-footer Jessica. This sloop will be a fine addition to the racing fleet of the North Shore, as it is understood that Mr Borden intends to use the Jessica off Marblehead in the 1920 season, where she will meet the Katherine [#783s] and Squaw [#804s] in the racing." (Source: Anon. "Notes From the Week's Log." Boston Globe, November 2, 1919, p. 54.)

"The sloops or the New York Yacht Club 40-foot class, noted as having produced some of the keenest sport in the history of the racing game, will be an important factor on Long Island Sound and in Eastern waters this coming season. It is expected that five or six of the 'Roaring Forties' will race regularly with the Long Island Sound fleet and that as many more will be out at times with the Marblehead and Buzzards Bay racing squadrons. With these two divisions joining on the New York and Eastern Yacht Club cruising runs, the showing of the 40-footers should be the best in years.
Basically the Long Island Sound flotilla of 40s will consist of the Shawara [#780s], winner of the class championship last season, Banshee [#782s ex-Pauline], Mistral [#774s] and Rowdy [#776s]. To these, however, will be added at times the Pampero [#781s ex-Pampara], now owned by Chandler Hovey. with headquarters on Buzzards Bay, Sally Ann [#779s ex-Jessica], the property of Spencer Borden Jr of Fall River, Squaw [#804s], purchased last Fall by F. T. Baker of Philadelphia, and a new 40-footer [#955s Marilee] building by Herreshoff for Edward I. Cudahy of the Beverly Yacht Club, which also will have her home port on Buzzards Bay.
Shawara, the black sloop which Harry L. Maxwell's Banshee for the championship of the class last year, will have another crack skipper added to her Corinthian crew this year in C Sherman Hoyt, a helmsman, who has been identified largely with the six-meter class in recent seasons. Capt Hoyt purchased a half-interest in the sloop from Rear Commodore J. B. Dunbaugh, and will race Shewara this year jointly with W. H. Hoffman, the other owner.
The aquatic firm of Hoyt and Hoffman ought to make things interesting for the others in the 40-foot class. These able shippers will alternate at the wheel of the black sloop and it is certain that she will be excellently sailed. On the other hand the new marine partnership will find plenty of opposition provided by Harry Maxwell on the Banshee, George Cutler with Mistral, and Holland Duell at the helm of the Rowdy, to say nothing of those other fast ones, Pampero, Sally Ann, and Cockatoo [#775s ex-Dolly Bowen] which will loom up at times as contenders. ..." (Source: Anon. "Interest in 40-Footers." Boston Globe, March 22, 1926, p. 22.)

"1927. ... Spencer Borden's New York 40, Sally Ann [ex #779s Jessica], was sold to New York. ..." (Source: Davis, Jeff. Yachting in Narragansett Bay. Providence, 1946, p. 36.)

"...Another change In ownership is reported in the N. Y. Y. C. 40-foot class, the Jessica sold by John W. Masury to William O. Gay. This brings back to the game a yachtsman very active in the sport 25 or more years ago. In the '90s his raceabout Jilt [#493s] was unbeatable and later he was rather successful in Eastern Yacht Club events with the Herreshoff 70-footer Athene [#520s]. ... The Jessica now carries a jib-headed rig, but those in the class hope to see 'Billy' Gay restore her the racing trim of the others this year. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, January 20, 1929, p. B14.)

Other Modern Text Source(s)

"At Gibson Island the following accessions to the fleet are reported: ... Mrs. Anne Archbold, the Vixen III, a New York Forty ..." (Source: Hoster, Ted. "Activity on Chesapeake Bay." Yachting Vol 59-60, 1936, p. [95?].)

"The N.Y.Y.C. '40' Vixen III [#779s ex-Jessica], which Richard Breed kept at Gibson Island, is now in Miami but not yet hauled out because the yard that can do the job is still looking for a hull profile. The new owners are James Davis and Robert Robson, Pan American flyers, who brought her down the inside route to Morehead City and then outside. Davis had formerly chartered another of the '40's' C. R. Pease's Cockatoo [#775s ex-Dolly Bowen], but all docking data on her seems to have been lost in the rush of war." (Source: Hall, Vivyan. "Florida Trade Winds" Yachting, June 1944, p. 126.)

"Big Jim Davis and I had been interested in sailing for quite a number of years and before the war spent most of our summer months in or around boats, mostly on Long Island Sound. It was purely through force of circumstances brought about by the war that we found ourselves flying and housed at Miami, instead of being on the sea where we really wanted to be; and it was our former preoccupation with boats, plus housing problems ashore, that led to our purchase of Vixen III.
Housing problems and living conditions in Miami and its suburbs are similar to those at all other war centers and cities which have been inundated by servicemen. However, added to this wartime situation was the great influx of vacationists and horse-racing enthusiasts during the winter at Miami. Therefore, when four of us, who are flying with the Air Transport Command, were evicted last February, we decided to solve the problem by buying and living aboard a boat. It was a fine idea, but the shortage of available boats that would be sutable for out purpose became immediately apparent. We combed shipyards and consulted brokers and were about to admit defeat when Richard E. Breed, the owner of the famous N. Y. 40- footer Vixen III, arrived at Miami Beach, in the Army. When he heard of our problem, he told us Vixen III was for sale; so we bought her, received two weeks' leave and headed north to sail our new "home" to Miami. I got back to the States on the 12th of April, after spending about two months flying the South Atlantic, and devoted one hectic day trying to get myself and a crew squared away. After much letter writing, we believed we had a good crew all lined up, but it seemed that fate was against us, because, what with lawsuits and chicken pox taking two of our potentials, I was able to dig up only two other members. ...
[Image caption:] Having selected a N.Y. 40-Footer As A Southern "Home", The Next Job Was Getting Her Here." (Source: Robson, J. W. "Bound South in Wartime". Yachting, vol. 77, [January?] 1945, p. 59-60, 80-].)

"A New York 'Forty' has proved that, in spite of gasoline rationing, it is now possible to cruise in the West Indies. Vixen III is just back from an 800-mile trip under sail. Her two owners, James Davis and Robert Robinson, of Miami, and Graham Biglow, who did the navigating, collected passports and clearance papers and the blessing of the Coast Guard and started down Hawk Channel. At Havana, they were welcomed by Com. Manuel Rascoe, of the Miramar Y.C., as the first American yacht in three years. At Nassau, they had never seen the harbor so empty. Vixen did not even use gas for her outboard as she took along her Class N sailing dinghy as a tender." (Source: Anon. [Title?]. Yachting, vol. 77, 1945, [p. 128?].)

Maynard Bray

"The year 1916 saw the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. launch a dozen New York 40s for members of the New York Yacht Club. The boats were alike in shape and rig, but owners could select from several interior arrangements. Soon, because of the intensity of their racing, they became known as the 'Fighting Forties.'
Designed as roomy flush-deckers --- some yachting writers criticized them as 'sailing houseboats' --- the New York 40s lacked the grace of their predecessors, the New York 50-footers ..., but were less expensive to operate, requiring fewer paid hands and less costly boatyard maintenance. Given their overall dimensions and freeboard, it is doubtful if a designer other than NGH could have created such good-looking hull shapes. The New York 40s have some hollow in their bows, a handsome sheer, and nicely sculpted transoms; they remind one of the Cup defender Resolute [#725s], foreshortened to fit within a 59-foot overall length.
Although not planned for ocean racing, one boat of the class, Memory [ex #778s Black Duck], rigged as a Marconi yawl, entered the Bermuda race of 1924 --- and won! Perhaps because of the publicity accorded Memory, two more boats, Marilee [#955s] and Rugosa II [#983s] ... were ordered shortly afterward. ..." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 82.)

Archival Documents

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary dimensioned sailplan with hull profile of a raised deck gaff sloop with long polemast and topsail and no bowsprit. Titled '39ft w.l.' With calculations arriving at a total sail area of 1739sqft (1949sqft including topsail). Compare with HMCo Plan HH.5.02173 (029) titled '39ft WL Class' of August 1915 marked 'Not used' which shows the same boat but with shorter overhangs. Believed to be an early preliminary design for what would become the New York 40 Class (#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s). On verso another sketch of a different (unidentified) hull profile." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0226. WRDT04, Folder 21, formerly MRDE08. No date (1915-08 or earlier?).)


"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary dimensioned sailplan with hull profile of a raised deck gaff sloop with club topsail and bowsprit. Titled '39ft w.l.' With calculations arriving at a total sail area of 1574sqft (1788sqft including topsail). Compare with HMCo Plan HH.5.02173 (029) titled '39ft WL Class' of August 1915 marked 'Not used' which shows the same boat but with shorter overhangs. Believed to be an early preliminary design for what would become the New York 40 Class (#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0227. WRDT04, Folder 21, formerly MRDE08. No date (1915-08 or earlier?).)


"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary dimensioned sailplan with hull profile of a raised deck gaff sloop with polemast and no topsail or bowsprit. Titled '39ft w.l.' With calculations arriving at a total sail area of 1562sqft. Compare with HMCo Plan HH.5.02173 (029) titled '39ft WL Class' of August 1915 marked 'Not used' which shows the same boat but with shorter overhangs. Believed to be an early preliminary design for what would become the New York 40 Class (#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s). On verso two other sketches of a different (unidentified) hull profile." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0228. WRDT04, Folder 21, formerly MRDE08. No date (1915-08 or earlier?).)


"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.02173 (029) (marked 'Not used on the original). Blueprint preliminary general arrangement plan with plan view and inboard profile. Titled '39ft w.l. Class. Scale 1/4in = 1ft. Aug[ust] 1915'. Believed to be an early preliminary design for what would become the New York 40 Class (#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s). On verso two other sketches of a different (unidentified) hull profile." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0007. WRDT08, Folder 1, formerly MRDE08. 1915-08.)


"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.02173 (029) (marked 'Not used on the original). Blueprint preliminary general arrangement plan with plan view and inboard profile. Titled '39ft w.l. Class. Scale 1/4in = 1ft. Aug[ust] 1915'. With penciled alterations including longer overhangs, lower freeboard and a half-section. Believed to be an early preliminary design for what would become the New York 40 Class (#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s) and showing the first sketch which made the 39ft Class a 40ft Class." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0048. WRDT08, Folder 5, formerly MRDE10. 1915-08.)


"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy' on gothic-font 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' stationery re New York 40 Class (#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s):] Dear George:-
I am sending you two plans [probably HMCo Plan HH.5.02174 (029) and HMCo Plan HH.5.08072 (096-112)] for the proposed 40ft Class. That with stub ends and raised deck which you saw last week and another having less freeboard and longer overhangs. This is intended for a form with a little deeper deadrise floor and more ballast and would have a cabin floor area nearly equal to that in the first design. I think this will please the eye better.
You will notice I have arranged for one state room and the saloon aft, which I think would be a much better arrangement, since they would really be used but little to live in by the owners.
The rig is as we talked of the other day and I think would be very satisfactory and practical for a boat of this class.
The 'stub end' would take the same size rig by haying a short bowsprit, or a similar rig a little smaller.
I have been looking up about the cost of such boats, and it appears by comparison with the shop cost of others near this size built in recent years, we could not make the cost for a small class at less than Ten Thousand Five Hundred ($10,500.00) dollars each. If we had a larger number or a good amount of work of any kind to keep our shops properly employed and so keep the percentage of overhead charges down, am quite sure we could offer a lower figure. [p. 2] I hope to hear from you soon, as we do need the work, and it takes some time to develop plans and get the raw material.
Mr. Tod is intensely interested about the challenge from ATLANTIC, and will, without doubt, start with his yacht [#722s KATOURA] in good order.
Yours sincerely, ...
NGH/NBS [N.G. Herreshoff / Newell B. Sheldon]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Cormack, George A. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_00540. Folder [no #]. 1915-08-27.)


"[Item Description:] Hull sections with pinpricks and calculations titled '40ft w.l. Approx. disp[lacement] 775 - D^(1/3) = 9.17. With scantling calculations using the fundamental factors and formulas as set forth by NGH's Rules for Wooden Yachts. Waterline length and visual comparison with sections in construction plan strongly suggest this to be related to the NY40 class [#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s]. Undated, ca. September 1915?" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Midship Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0399. WRDT04, Folder 34, formerly MRDE08. No date (ca 1915-09).)


"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter marked 'Copy' on gothic-font 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' stationery re New York 40 Class (#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s):] Dear George:-
I am glad to know there is so much interest in the new class and there is so good prospect that it will go through:-In reply to Pynchon:-
1. Of course, the low sided boat could he raised and it would give more room, but the freeboard shown on sketch is already higher than the [New York] fifties, and the displacement greater in proportion than the fifties. To get the room shown in a 40ft water line boat I have already gone to an extreme. For an individual boat to suit only the owners taste it is all right, but for a one design class to be popular, I think I have proposed as bulky a boat as would be wise to. If greater cruising accomodations are required 40ft water line is too small.
2. If I were to build a boat of this size for my own use I would certainly put in a wheel with the binnacle on a stand; this means a greater first cost and possibly not quite so fine steering in mild weather. If a tiller was to be used, a portable binnacle would be best and it could be set where most convenient.
3. I would suggest that the owner have his option of an after stateroom or an arrangement shown on sketch. I like the arrangement shown best. [p. 2] 4. I intended having main and topmast preventers on one tackle and a few other details in rig, appropriate to a boat of this size, a little different than the ordinary custom.
In the first three months we would probably not complete over three boats, after that, if a large number were ordered we could probably turn out one every ten or twelve working days.
Hoping you are quite well, and that I will see you soon, I remain,
Yours sincerely, ...
NGH/NBS [N.G. Herreshoff / Newell B. Sheldon]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Cormack, George A. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_00570. Folder [no #]. 1915-09-03.)


"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.02161 (029-067). Blueprint general arrangement plan with plan view and inboard profile titled 'Preliminary Plan for 40ft Class [#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s]'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0011. WRDT08, Folder 2, formerly MRDE08. 1915-09-23.)


"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections on verso of 'Office of Voluntary Meteorological Observer, U.S. Weather Bureau' stationery titled '40ft NYYC Class [#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s]. Sept[ember] 25, 1915. Scale 1/2in. W.l. 40.00ft. From finished model'. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 754cuft = 48280lbs and a wetted surface of 598sqft. Also calculations showing changes in displacement when immersed 6in deeper and less deep." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_06390. Folder [no #]. 1915-09-25.)


"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled 'Lead for 40ft NYYC Class No. [#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s]. Scale 1/4 & 1/16. Oct[ober] 1915'. With calculations and note '773 Class 40 footers. Desired 23650lbs lead with c.g. .5760 of w.l. ...' and concluding with 'Result --- With top of lead straight line parallel to bottom flat 2.44 above it c.g. 24.14 frame = .57 of w.l. Weight 58306lbs ...'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_08150. Folder [no #]. 1915-10.)


"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections on verso of 'Office of Voluntary Meteorological Observer, U.S. Weather Bureau' stationery titled '40ft NYYC Class [#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s]. Oct[ember] 22, 1915. Scale 1/24in. 40.00ft w.l.. (From finished model). Q[uarter] beam length 36ft 4in'. With no further notes or calculations." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_06460. Folder [no #]. 1915-10-22.)


"[Item Description:] Penciled dimensioned sketch of a shackle and upper part of a block with note 'Merriman Bros. Dec[ember] 10, 1915. Arrangement of Shackle & Bolt for Upper Runner Tackle Block #773 Class --- 40-footers [#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s and #804s]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00190. Folder [no #]. 1915-12-10.)


"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.12148 (146-034). Photostat sailplan titled 'NYYC 40ft Class [#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s]'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Photostat Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0195. WRDT08, Folder 15, formerly MRDE02. 1916-01-05.)


"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter on 'Columbia University in the City of New York. Department of Physics' stationery:] I have taken the following as the average water line for the 40-footers [New York 40s: #773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s]
Length over all 59 ft.
Overhang forward (forward point of measurement - center of pin through topmost stay) 10.45
Overhang aft 8.30
L.W.L. 40.25
This seemed to be a very fair average for a number of the boats. Where the chains were absent, we used an equivalent weight of lead, so that I feel certain that these figures will be satisfactory.
Can you send me at your early convenience, the displacement, draft and quarter beam length corresponding to the above established plane? [p. 2]
I was very much interested in your criticism of my suggested method for determining sail areas. As far as I had been able to learn, the gaff angle was nearly constant, while the boom angle varied, and my conclusions were based on this supposition. I do not see any easy method of determining this area if the reverse is the case. To determine the actual area at the time of measurement still seems out of the question, as the method of measurement should be as much as possible independent of weather conditions.
Thanking you again for your letter,
Yours sincerely, ... [With penciled note by NGH:]
At 40.25ft w.l. Displ. 772cuft (= 49408lbs). Draft 8.05ft. At 40.76ft w.l. Displ. 811cuft (= 51904lbs). Draft 8.13ft.]" (Source: Webb, Harold W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_02570. Folder [no #]. 1916-06-01.)


"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter on 'Columbia University in the City of New York. Department of Physics' stationery:] I am in receipt of your letter of June 4th, giving the displacement and draft of the 40-footers [New York 40s: #773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s] at L.W.L, 40.25. Could you send me also the quarter beam length at this L.W.L.? With these one-design boats, I should prefer to have the quarter beam length as determined from the plan rather than to trust to actual measurement.
Thanking you for your trouble,
Yours very truly, ... [With penciled note by NGH:]
36ft 3in at 40.25[ft] w.l.
36ft 2 3/4in at 40.00[ft] w.l.]" (Source: Webb, Harold W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_02590. Folder [no #]. 1916-06-05.)


"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with pinpricks titled 'NYYC 40 footers (773 Class [#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s ]). Reduced to scale of 3/8in per ft. For NYYC Model. Oct[ober] 20, 1916'. No further notes or calculations." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03870. Folder [no #]. 1916-10-20.)


"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled trial run note on verso of envelope 'Immediate. U.S. Weather Report' to NGH in Bristol:] SALLY ANN launch [#192101ep].
Standing pull. 57lbs about 450 rpm.
On 394.5 course, av[erage] 47 sec. Best 46 sec = about 5.80mph = 5.7mph … If pull was 50lbs at 2 1/2mph HP = ... 1/3HP'. Undated, Power Tender for #779s Sally Ann is believed to have been built in April 1921." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_02660. Trial Run Note. Folder [no #]. No date (1921-04 ??).)


"[Item Description:] about Ole Gunderson, the man you have in #779s SALLY ANN ex-JESSICA, about a month ago I asked Capt. Chris Christian if he knew of a good man to go in my new power boat now building [#378p HELIANTHUS III], next day he said there was just the man right here, on SALLY ANN, and that he was a good gasoline engineer, ..., I told him I would not think of taking him if he had been engaged to you ..., as the time draws near when my boat will be ready and will want a man will you kindly let me know if you can release Gunderson for me" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Borden, Spencer. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRRT_480. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder MRRT. (1921)-06-12.)


"[Item Description:] Seven mimeographed pages with race results of the Cruise of the New York Yacht Club of 1922. Races: Astor Cups off Newport, R.I. on August 2d, 1922. 1st Run Newport to Mattapoisett on August 3, 1922. 2dt Run Mattapoisett to Vineyard Haven on August 4, 1922. 3rd Run Vineyard Haven to Provincetown on August 5, 1922. 4th Run Provincetown to Gloucester on August 7, 1922. 5th Run Gloucester to Marblehead on August 8, 1922. Among the finishers were schooners #719s VAGRANT II, #698s QUEEN MAB ex-VAGRANT I, #663s IROLITA ex-ISTALENA, #827s OHONKARA and #772s MARIETTE, New York 50s #721s CAROLINA, #711s ISTALENA ex-VENTURE, #720s ACUSHLA ex-HARPOON and #717s BARBARA, New York 40s #776s ROWDY, #777s ZILPH, #804s SQUAW, #774s MISTRAL, #779s SALLY ANN ex-JESSICA, #781s PAMPERO and #773s MONSOON ex-MAISIE, New York 30s #629s COUNTESS ex-MAID OF MEUDON, #648s MINX, #632s ALICE ex-TABASCO, #640s BANZAI, #637s ORIOLE and #630s LENA ex-PINTAIL, as well as cutter #586s BUTTERFLY ex-NELLIE." (Source: NYYC (creator). Race Results. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_72340. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F01, formerly MRDE15. 1922.)


"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled note on verso of a trade card by Engineering News Record, advertising the 171-page book Accounting and Business Methods for Contractors:] NYYC 40 footers [#773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s] as changed 1916-17
OA. 58ft [0]in
Wl 40.76[ft]
Qbl 37[ft]
Beam 14ft 2 3/4in
Breadth w.l. 13ft 0 3/4in
Draft 8ft 3 1/4in
Freeboard 6ft 4in - 3ft 6in - 3ft 5 1/2in
Displ[acement] 811cuft = 9.33^3 = 51900lbs
Sail area actual 2074sqft
Sail area by rule 2155[sqft]
9.33 / 40.76 = .229
---
AU REVOIR [#681s] C.b. - 1908
From original calculations:
Oa 50ft 0in
Wl 38ft
Beam 14ft 0in
Breadth w.l. 12ft 10[in]
Freeboard 4ft 0 3.4[in] - 2ft 7 1.2in - 2ft 7 1/4in
Displ[acement] 433cuft = 7.56^3 = 27800lbs
7.56 / 39 = .195
Outside lead 10500 lbs
Sail area 1352sqft
Note: Yacht was 1 1/2in deep in water when equipped - indicating hull & aux. power was heavier than estimated (about 40cuft = 2560lbs) [Undated (research shows the advertised book on the trade card to have been first published in 1923 and followed by a longer version in 1931)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_06980. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1923 ?).)


"[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.)


"[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.)


"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink) trials booklet titled '1911. Trial Trips and Experiments'. Relevant contents:
§49: #192101ep [POWER TENDER FOR #779s SALLY ANN] Trial Run (1921-05-21)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator) and Herreshoff, A. Sidney deW. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_04280. Folder [no #]. 1911-06 to 1926-05.)



"[Item Transcription:] I am ever so much obliged for your very prompt answer, which is just what I wanted to give me a better and more reliable information than I could get anywhere else. I have just made an offer for the SALLY ANN [#779s ex-JESSICA], owned by Mr. Borden, a [New York] 'forty, now lying at Bristol, principally for [son] Edwin's use, and I am considering seriously the 'COMFORT' [#267p ex-ENAJ], but have naturally not told anybody what I know about her nor who is my informant, proceeding carefully as I understand her present owner, Mr. Hanan is very hard to deal with, and unless I get her cheap I will not attempt to do anything. Do you think that one or two Ray rotary oil burners with which one can use the cheapest grade of oil, fuel oil I believe, would work with her boiler and be satisfactory? That is one question. Do you think that a 90 H.P. Winton Diesel engine would be silent, and what speed do you think it would give that boat? It seems to me, mostly from hearsay, that the Diesel engines give considerable vibration and some noise. Am I mistaken. It might be better for me to get along with her present steam outfit for this Summer and then make a change, but I can not help feeling an affection for the steam plant for the handling of the boat with that installed is more or less of an old story to me and would be easy.
Anything that you may have to say on the subject would be very welcome indeed, but don't take any trouble about it. I am very skeptical about making the purchase on account of her owner.
I envy you Coconut Grove and its climate just at present,
although we have had a pretty good winter here.
If by chance I should get the SALLY ANN a 'forty' I have a plan to put a Marconi rig on her, which I think would make a very handy little boat of her, and I have always admired a 'forty', not necessarily in their lines out of water, but in their lines in and out of water. They strike me of having a resemblance to the VAGRANT [#698s].
With kindest regards to Mrs. Herresshoff[sic, i.e. Herreshoff], and with renewed thanks to you for the full information, I am,
Sincerely, ..." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05120. Correspondence, Folder 17, formerly 115. 1927-03-02.)


"[Item Transcription:] As the JESSICA [#779s] has been entirely used for a family cruising boat, and has proven successful beyond the best of hope, I am, on [son] Edwin's account, now considering making her a more ideal boat for that particular purpose, and I am wondering if you have the time and inclination to make me on her blueprint a sketch of a yawl rig, also one of a ketch rig. Personally I am a great believer in a ketch, because they are so naturally balanced that you really don't have to think about the weather as much as you [blank].
Those boats are truly good goods. I have always admired their model and that of the first VAGRANT [#698s] as they hung in the New York Yacht Club, and the JESSICA certainly has proved all that I hoped for her. By the way, although I put her bowsprit back and put a new jib on her, Edwin tells me that she still gripes. I have no opinion myself as I have never sailed her but once, and that was with the original rig, and she certainly griped badly then, which was the cause of my putting on a bow sprit. If this seems a burden to you don't do anything about it, but the only reason I bore you with it is because I believe that no one knows half as much on the subject as you.
We are all well, but I am sorry to say the Evarts, that is Katharine, her husband and four infants, are going to Windsor. Jerry is one of the most successful young men I know, and has one of the best minds, but his tendency is towards politics, and his desire is to start from his home town as did his grandfather before him, William M. Evarts.
I hope you are well and have had a pleasant Summer.
Sorry not to have seen you, but I don't seem to have seen anybody but my classmates at our fiftieth Anniversary at Cambridge. I thought I was going to see dowdy old men there, but I was surprised to see as nice a lot of chaps as you would want to see. We had our Class Dinner, and there were forty nine out of a total of ninety two survivors of the Class.
Please give my kind regards to, Mrs. Herreshoff, and believe me to be always,
Your most sincere friend, ..." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_38880. Correspondence, Folder 77, formerly 62. 1927-10-06.)


"[Item Transcription:] I was very glad to get yours of the 9th, and it killed two birds with one stone, as it interested [son] Edwin quite as much as it did me, as he cruises entirely, and as a matter of fact, it is he who uses the boat [#779s JESSICA] the whole time. I only had one sail this Summer. It is perfectly delightful to me to have him so keenly interested. I was afraid when they were racing that if they could not race they would not want to do anything in the water, and as the mere fact of being on the water and holding a tiller is interesting to me, I am, therefore, glad that he has come to the proper point of view.
I shall be very much interested, indeed, to get the sketch
for the yawl, as I quite agree with you that the Forty is a bit too small to get the full benefit of the ketch rig, much as I am
interested in that rig.
What would you think of the idea of having on the present Marconi rig, a short and very steep gaff upon which to attach the halyards, as per very rough sketch? It seems as though it would prevent the socalled nigger-heel in the top of the mainsail, which is difficult to deal well with. I merely make this suggestion as I have not been ship mates with the Marconi rig and really know none of the fine points of the use of them.
Any suggestions from you will be most welcome, as you know.
I understood from Edwin that the mast did not hold too well in a breeze of wind. Do you think a single or a double head-rig would
be desirable.
With best wishes to Mrs. Herreshoff and you, I am, Very sincerely, ..." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_38890. Correspondence, Folder 77, formerly 62. 1927-10-14.)


"[Item Transcription:] Thank you ever so much for the plan [for converting #779s JESSICA to yawl rig] and the explanation, which I showed to [son] Edwin last night. With one or two exceptions, where I was not quite clear as to what you meant, I will later on write and ask for that. There will, of course, remain considerable to do in the way of planning the rigging, staying both masts, etc. The boat is laid up now so that I will have to arrange for the work to be done here at Fyfe's, probably during the Winter or Spring. How had I better go to work to get correct dimensions? I don't think you ought to be bothered with such things. What do you think about having Burgess do it, or would you rather explain it to the Heressof[sic, i.e. Herreshoff] firm and let them send me directions as to how it could be done down here.
The fixture where the mizzen boom is attached to the mizzen-mast puzzles me a little, principally on account of the railway for the slides, which you say should go aft of the fixture. How would it do to have a brass collar around the mast with an elevated edge, and then on that another collar which would run around it, having on the port and starboard sides of the collar lugs into which the perpendicular pins could go? I mean the pins which are secured to the end of the double boom. Then the railway could go over the two collars as follows:- the red indicating the inner collar and the blue the outer construction. The yellow sheet is intended to give you some idea of what I am driving at. I hope it will.
I told Mrs. Morgan I was writing you today and she wanted me to ask if you and Mrs. Heresshoff[sic, i.e. Herreshoff] would stop over at 'Wheatly' on your way South for whatever time would be agreeable to you. I think we could pass a few hours very pleasantly, and I will show you the model of the 'PELICAN' [#408s], where I keep it on my sofa under an eiderdown pillow so that it won't get hurt.
Hoping to see you, I am always, ...
P.S. I think the rig, as suggested by you, is a corker. I am delighted with it and so is Edwin. What a real little ship she will be." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_38910. Correspondence, Folder 77, formerly 62. 1927-10-20.)


"[Item Description:] Penciled memo of rigging work to be done relating to #779s JESSICA's conversion from sloop to yawl." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Memorandum. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.136. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Rigging. (1927)-10-26.)


"[Item Description:] Brokerage listing (File No. 1590) for #779s VIXEN III ex-JESSICA. Dimensions, particulars (Rig: N.Y. 40 Auxiliary, Location: City Island, Motor: 4 cyl. 40 H.P. Scripps F4 from 1927, Price: $7000). Remark 'New York Yacht Club 40 footer. 1934 - Thoroughly overhauled by Nevins, including new Marconi mast, mostly stainless steel rigging. Ratsey Jib, mainsail, genoa, spinnaker, and # 1 and 3 jibtopsail and storm staysail and trisail.'. With photo." (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 ???).)


Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #779s Jessica even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

Further Reading

Images

Registers

1917 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#1487)
Name: Jessica
Owner: Wilson Marshall; Port: Bridgeport, Conn.; Port of Registry: New York
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 22; LOA 59-0; LWL 40-0; Extr. Beam 14-4; Depth 8-2; Draught 8-0
Sailmaker HmCo.; Sails made in [19]16
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916

1920 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#2620)
Name; Former Name(s): Sally Ann; Jessica
Owner: Spencer Borden, Jr.; Port: Fall River, Mass.
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 22; LOA 59-0; LWL 40-0; Extr. Beam 14-5; Depth 8-2; Draught 8-6
Sailmaker R&L [Ratsey&Lapthorn New York]; Sails made in [19]16; Sail Area 2164
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916

1923 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#2635)
Name; Former Name(s): Sally Ann; Jessica
Owner: Spencer Borden, Jr.; Port: Fall River, Mass.
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 22; LOA 59-0; LWL 40-0; Extr. Beam 14-4; Depth 8-2; Draught 8-5
Sailmaker R&L [Ratsey&Lapthorn New York]; Sails made in [19]22; Sail Area 2164
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916

1925 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#2832)
Name; Former Name(s): Sally Ann; Jessica
Owner: Spencer Borden, Jr.; Port: Fall River, Mass.
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 22; LOA 59-0; LWL 40-0; Extr. Beam 14-5; Depth 8-2; Draught 8-6
Sailmaker R&L [Ratsey&Lapthorn New York]; Sails made in [19]22; Sail Area 2164
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916

1928 List of Merchant Vessels of the U.S. (#832.31)
Name; Former Name(s): Jessica; Sally Ann, Jessica
Owner: E. D. Morgan, Sr. (25 West Forty-third Street, New York, N.Y.); Port: New York, N.Y.
Official no. 213968; Type & Rig Slp.
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 22; Reg. Length 51.0; Extr. Beam 14.4; Depth 8.6
Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916
Note: Crew: 3

1930 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#2058)
Name; Former Name(s): Jessica; Sally Ann, Jessica
Owner: W. O. Gay; Port: New York
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 22; LOA 59-0; LWL 40-0; Extr. Beam 14-4; Depth 8-2; Draught 8-5
Sailmaker R&L [Ratsey&Lapthorn New York]; Sails made in [19]27; Sail Area 1990
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916
Engine Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 4 Cyl. 3 3/4 x 5. 1927; Maker Scripps

1933 List of Merchant Vessels of the U.S. (#916.36)
Name; Former Name(s): Vixen III; Jessica, Sally Ann, Jessica
Owner: Anne Archbold (26 Broadway, New York); Port: New York
Official no. 213968; Type & Rig Ga.s. [Gasoline engine, screw]
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 19; Reg. Length 51.0; Extr. Beam 14.4; Depth 8.6
Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916
Engine Horsepower: 15
Note: Crew: 3

1935 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#5156)
Name; Former Name(s): Vixen III; Jessica, Sally Ann, Jessica
Owner: John Archbold. Armar E. Archbold; Port: Bar Harbor, Me.
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 22; LOA 59-0; LWL 40-0; Extr. Beam 14-4; Depth 8-2; Draught 8-5
Sailmaker R&L [Ratsey&Lapthorn New York]; Sails made in [19]34; Sail Area 1990
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916
Engine Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 4 Cyl. 3 3/4 x 5. 1931; Maker Scripps

1940 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#6690)
Name; Former Name(s): Vixen III; Jessica, Sally Ann, Jessica
Owner: John Archbold. Armar E. Archbold. Mrs. Anne Archbold; Port: Bar Harbor, Me.; Port of Registry: New York
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 22; LOA 59-0; LWL 40-0; Extr. Beam 14-6; Depth 8-2; Draught 8-6
Sailmaker Ratsey; Sails made in [19]37; Sail Area 1990
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916
Engine Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 4 Cyl. 3 3/4 x 5. 1931; Maker Scripps
Note: Signal KMQR. Power inst. 1927.

1942 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts
Name; Former Name(s): Vixen III; Jessica, Sally Ann, Jessica
Owner: Richard E. Breed, III; Port: Gibson Island, MD.; Port of Registry: Baltimore, Maryl.
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 22; LOA 59-0; LWL 40-0; Extr. Beam 14-5; Depth 8-2; Draught 8-6
Sailmaker Ratsey; Sails made in [19]37; Sail Area 1990
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916
Engine Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 4 Cyl. 3 3/4 x 5. 1931; Maker Scripps
Note: Signal KMQR. Power inst. 1927.

1947 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#6498)
Name; Former Name(s): Vixen III; Jessica, Sally Ann, Jessica
Owner: B. H. Spinney; Port: New York
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 19; LOA 60-0; LWL 40-0; Extr. Beam 14-4; Depth 8-7; Draught 8-8
Sailmaker Ratsey; Sails made in [19]37; Sail Area 1990
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916
Engine Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 4 Cyl. 3 3/4 x 5. 1931; Maker Scripps
Note: Power inst. 1927.

1950 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#7187)
Name; Former Name(s): Vixen III; Jessica, Sally Ann, Jessica
Owner: Col. Stephen S. Lang, USA (Ret.); Port: Essex; Port of Registry: New London, Conn.
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 19; LOA 58-6; LWL 42-0; Extr. Beam 14-5; Depth 8-8; Draught 8-4
Sailmaker Ratsey; Sails made in [19]37, [19]48; Sail Area 1670
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916
Engine Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 4 Cyl. 1948
Note: Power inst. 1927, Reb. 1948

1955 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#7838)
Name; Former Name(s): Vixen III; Jessica, Sally Ann, Jessica
Owner: Herman Beatty; Port: Essex New London, Conn.
Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 19; LOA 58-6; LWL 42-0; Extr. Beam 14-5; Depth 8-8; Draught 8-4
Sailmaker Ratsey; Sails made in [19]37, [19]48; Sail Area 1670
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916
Engine Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 4 Cyl. 1948
Note: Power inst. 1927, Reb. 1948

1960 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#8671)
Name; Former Name(s): Vixen III; Jessica, Sally Ann, Jessica
Owner: Herman E. Beaty; Port: Essex New London, Conn.
Official no. 213968; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FD [Flush Deck], Aux Slp
Tons Gross 22; Tons Net 19; LOA 58-6; LWL 42-0; Extr. Beam 14-5; Depth 8-8; Draught 8-4
Sailmaker Ratsey; Sails made in [19]37, [19]48; Sail Area 1670
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1916
Engine Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 4 Cyl. 1948
Note: Power inst. 1927, Reb. 1948

1984 Yacht Owners Register (#785.3)
Name; Former Name(s): Vixen II; Vixen
Owner: Schimert, George. c/o Blair, Martin & Messina; Port: Buffalo, NY
Official no. 609663; Building Material Composite; Type & Rig Aux. Schooner
LOA 64.9; Extr. Beam 14.8; Draught 10.4
Builder Berton Custom Craft; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Tampa, FL; Built when 1978
Engine Diesel. 85hp
This boat is the rebuilt NY40 #779s Jessica from 1916, but given that she was rebuilt with a ferro-cement hull of different dimensions as the original, the Register treats her as a new vessel with a builder in Florida. Note also, that she has been given a new official number.

Source: Various Yacht Lists and Registers. For complete biographical information see the Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné under Data Sources. Note that this section shows only snapshots in time and should not be considered a provenance, although it can help creating one.

Supplement

From the 1920 and earlier HMCo Index Cards at the MIT Museum
  • 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.
From the 1931 HMCo-published Owner's List

Name: Jessica
Type: Cutter
Length: 40'
Owner: Marshall, W.

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

From the 1930s L. Francis Herreshoff Index Cards at the Herreshoff Marine Museum
  • 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.
From the 1953 HMCo Owner's List by L. Francis Herreshoff

Name: Jessica
Type: 40' sloop
Owner: Wilson Marshall
Year: 1916
Row No.: 320

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.

From the 2000 (ca.) Transcription of the HMCo Construction Record by Vermilya/Bray

Month: Oct.
Day: 14
Year: 1915
E/P/S: S
No.: 0779
Name: Jessica
LW: 40'
Rig: Cutter
K: y
Ballast: Lead O.
Amount: 10,000.00
Notes Constr. Record: Single head rig. Wheel 280,00. Cabin C.
Last Name: Marshall
First Name: W.

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

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

Research Note(s)

"Fitted at HMCo with a bowsprit in 1916 to alleviate severe weather helm (as per Maynard Bray)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 5, 2008.)

"Wood hull has been replaced by a ferro cement hull. Rig was converted from sloop to schooner in 1978. The boat is fitted with a large deckhouse and is greatly altered from the original. It remains unclear how much original is actually left." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 2, 2009.)

"See also: Burgess-Donaldson Collection, Coll. 11, Daniel S. Gregory Ships Plans Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc. 11.10. 5 sheets of plans for re-rig of 59 ft. New York 40, JESSICA, design #84 by Burgess & Morgan, Ltd. Dates on plans range from 12-16-1923 to 04-01-1928. Original vessel designed by Nathanael G. Herreshoff." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. August 13, 2010.)

"See also: Anon. 'Memo of Work to be Done in Changing E. D. Morgan's 40 to Yawl Rig.' Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass., acc. no. HH.6.136." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 31, 2014.)

"#779s Jessica
Class number: 7
Sail number: 3
Completed rowboat: 1916-02-09 Wed
Turned over: 1916-02-22 Tue
Launched from shop: 1916-03-14 Tue
9th boat that was trialled?" (Source: van der Linde, Claas. November 6, 2011.)

"Sail number 3 in 1916 with the numeral in red surrounded by the initials N.Y.Y.C. in diamond form as per the New York Herald of May 17, 1916, p. 13." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 11, 2012.)

"Richard E. Breed III who owned #779s Vixen III ex-Jessica in 1942 had owned her sistership #781s Pampero (then named Traveler) in 1940 and would own the 102-ft bronze yawl #1078s Thistle in 1951." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. November 25, 2013.)

"As is common with many boats, different (and over time increasing) displacements were reported for the New York 40s. A measurement certificate for #804s Squaw, dated June 30, 1916, in the collection of the Hart Nautical Museum at M.I.T. listed a displacement of 755 cubic feet equaling 48320 lbs. In about 1932 NGH was asked to calculate the ballast ratio of #983s RUGOSA II and penciled down a number of back-of-an-envelope calculations which have survived in the Herreshoff Archives of the Herreshoff Marine Museum (HMM Subject Files, Folder 37 new, 27 old). There he noted that the mean displacement of the original NY40 class boats as measured by H.W. Webb in July 1925 at a LWL of 40.75 was 811 cu.ft. equaling 51800.0[sic, i.e. 51900] lbs. The mean weight of the original NY40 ballast keels NGH noted as having been 23800 lbs plus an extra piece forward of 724 lbs for a total of 24574 lbs. To this was added another 800 lbs in the winter of 1916/17 for a total of 25374 which translated into a ballast ratio of 48.8%." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. April 16, 2017.)

"Built in 152 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $66/day, 341 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"[Displacement at 40.25ft w.l. and Draft 8.05ft = 772cuft = 49408lbs. Displacement at 40.76ft w.l. and Draft 8.13ft (i.e. 1in deeper) = 811cuft = 51904lbs.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Penciled note on letter by NYYC measurer Harold W. Webb dated June 1, 1916. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

" … Displ[acement] 811cuft = 9.33^3 = 51900lbs ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Undated penciled note (ca. 1923?). Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, MRDE04.)

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

Note

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Citation: HMCo #779s Jessica. Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné. https://herreshoff.info/Docs/S00779_Jessica.htm.