HMCo #827s Ohonkara

"For the season of 1913 Captain Nat designed the steel schooner 'Vagrant' of eighty-five foot rating for Harold S. Vanderbilt. This was the second schooner this owner had had named 'Vagrant,' and her principal dimensions were, L.O.A., one hundred and nine feet; L.W.L., eighty feet; beam, twenty-four feet ten inches; draft, fourteen feet ten inches. 'Vagrant' was built to Lloyd's rules of construction as a 100 A-l vessel so was comparatively heavy, but though not particularly handsome, on account of her rather straight shear; she nevertheless proved to be so well liked that there were eventually two others like her built. They were the 'Mariette,' built in 1916 for J. F. Brown of Boston (afterward named 'Cleopatra's Barge') and the 'Ohonkara,' built in 1920 for Carl Tucker of New York. These three steel schooners were particularly able and comfortable and had a lot of accommodation." (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. 282.)

"Work was started at Herreshoff's last week on an 80-foot auxiliary steel schooner for Carl C. Tucker of New York. This craft will be built alone the lines of Harold S. Vanderbilt's Vagrant [#719s] and J. Fred Brown's Mariette [#772s].
Sailmakers at Herreshoff's have begun work on the sails for the new Tucker schooner. Before this there has been little to do in the sail loft for the past four years, except the repairing of old suits." (Source: Anon. "Notes From the Week's Log." Boston Globe, August 17, 1919, p. 51.)

"Soon the keel of the new racing auxiliary schooner, ordered by Carl Tucker of New York from Herreshoffs, will be molded. Progress has been made in the construction of a flask, about 18 feet in length in one of the sheds, in preparation to the pouring of the lead keel." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, August 31, 1919, p. E5.)

"Actual construction was started Tuesday [September 9, 1919] at Herreshoff's on the new 80-foot water line auxiliary schooner for Carl Tucker of New York. The lead keel was moulded the first of the week in the usual way and it required several hours to melt the lead and pour it into the mould. Some of the steel plates and angle irons for the frames have arrived and are being fitted. It was not an easy task to procure the steel material, but it is now on its way to Bristol." (Source: Anon. "Notes From the Week's Log." Boston Globe, September 14, 1919, p. 48.)

"Frame fitters at Herreshoff's have completed their work in setting up the body and deck frames of the auxiliary schooner for Carl Tucker. The schooner already is more than half plated and may be ready for launching by the early days of January. The sails for the yacht are being made in the Herreshoff loft." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, November 16, 1919, p. 55.)

"... Herreshoffs are planning to launch the 80-foot water line steel auxiliary schooner, under construction for Carl Tucker of New York, Jan 25 [1920]. As this will be the first large sailing yacht built at the yard, since before the United States entered the World War, the launching will be made quite an event. ......" (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, December 21, 1919, p. 46.)

"An 80-foot schooner yacht constructed for Carl Tucker of New York, was launched at the boat shops of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, yesterday." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, January 30, 1919, p. 2.)

"... Last week at Herreshoff's the 80-foot waterline auxiliary steel schooner built for Carl Tucker of New York was christened Ohonkara when launched. This craft, of the same type and size as Harold Yanderbilt's Vagrant [#719s] and J. Fred Brown's Mariette [#772s], is equipped with a large Speedway engine for auxiliary power, wireless and electricity for lighting. Capt Frank Miller, well known in the racing game for many years, is Mr Tucker's skipper. ... After the launching of the Tucker schooner at Bristol last Thursday [January 29, 1920], work was started at Herreshoff's on the laying of the keel of the 150-foot steam yacht [#374p Alert] for Charles P. Stone of New York and Boston. For weeks the plates have been shaped and the frames bent, and from now on work will be hurried on this craft." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." New York Times, February 1, 1920, p. 47.)

"Progress in finishing up the engine-room and the owner's cabins on the new auxiliary schooner Ohonkara, built by Herreshoff's the past Winter for Carl Tucker of New York, is almost completed, and work of rigging will be started soon." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Daily Globe, March 28, 1920, p. 53.)

"While the masts were stepped more than a week ago in Carl Tucker's auxiliary schooner Ohonkara at Herreshoff's, Capt Frank Miller will not have the schooner ready for racing until the latter part of next month." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Globe, April 25, 1920, p. 56.)

"... Carl Tucker's auxiliary schooner Ohonkara, which was launched last February, is to be hauled out at Herreshoffs for cleaning of the underbody before leaving for New York waters. Capt Miller, the yacht's skipper, has hurried matters along in the fitting out of the schooner in the last two weeks, and she should be in commission by the middle of the month. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, May 2, 1920, p. 61.)

"... This year the [Herreshoff] plant is very busy. Not only has the Resolute been overhauled, fitted with new spars and commissioned there, which in itself is a big task, but many other power and sailing craft have been built. It is a long time since Herreshoflf's was so busy and much of this success must be credited to A. Loring Swasey, who is the vice-president of the company. Mr. Swasey is not only a designer of repute but he is a practical constructor of considerable experience and a very capable business manager. This Spring Captain Nat. Herreshoff has been far from well. He contracted a heavy cold on his return from Bermuda and at one time pneumonia was feared. James Swan is the Superintendent of the plant. He is one of the most capable steel constructors in the country and the work now in progress in the shops shows his skill. ...
The auxiliary schooner yacht for Carll Tucker is nearly completed and ready for commission. This vessel is built of steel and is very similar to the Mariette built in 1916 by Herreshoff's for J. F. Brown of Boston. The new yacht is 108 feet length over all, 77 feet on the water-line, 23 feet breadth and 14 feet 10 inches draught. It has a 75-h.p. Speedway engine as auxiliary power. Mr. Tucker has named his yacht Ohonkara, which is Indian and being interpreted means 'come aboard.' ..." (Source: Anon. "Yacht Building Yards Very Busy. Many New Vessels at Herreshoffs." Rudder, June 1920, p. 14)

"The schooner yacht Ohonkara owned by Carll Tucker of New York, built last Winter, has met with many delays since fitting her out began three months ago. The schooner has been on the marine railway at Herreshoffs for the past two weeks and is not nearly ready for leaving yet. The schooner is equipped with wireless, a submarine signal system, and many other modern improvements." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, June 20, 1920, p. 51.)

"... The schooner yacht Ohonkara owned by Carll Tucker of New York, built last Winter, has met with many delays since fitting her out began three months ago. The schooner has been on the marine railway at IHerreshoff's for the past two weeks and is not nearly ready for leaving yet. The schooner is equipped with wireless, a submarine signal system, and many other modern improvements. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, June 20, 1920, p. 51.)

"Carl Tucker's three-masted auxiliary schooner, now building at the yards of George Lawley & Sons, Neponset, Mass., will be christened Migrant when she slides off the ways this Spring. Mr. Tucker has sold his other auxiliary schooner, Ohonkara, to Guernsey Curran." (Source: Anon. "Other Yachting News." New York Times, February 24, 1929, p. 156.)

"NEW YORK. Mr. and Mrs. Guernsey Curran, after passing three months in Europe, returned on the Europa and are at 810 Fifth Avenue. They will pass the Summer on their auxiliary schooner yacht Ramona [ex Ohonkara], around Long Island Sound." (Source: Anon. "Notes of Social Activities in New York and Elsewhere." New York Times, June 3, 1930, p. 38.)

"It has been reported that H. W. Rohl's new schooner Ramona has arrived from the east coast. This beautiful yacht is 109x79x23x14' 4'' and has gasoline auxiliary power. She is a flush deck and the pride of the Herreshoff Yards. Mr. Rohl skippered the craft himself from the east coast through the Panama Canal and from all reports, had a fine trip." (Source: Anon (Skipper). "Yachting News." The Catalina Islander. September 20, 1933, p. 6.)

"The demand for boats that started early last spring has kept its pace during the months of July and August and many sales and charters have been reported during that period by various brokers.
The office of Sparkman & Stephens, Naval Architects and Yacht Brokers of New York and Providence, was particularly active and among the sales effected through that organization were the following: ...
The Auxiliary Schooner Ramona sold for Guernsey Curren of Southampton to W. H. Rohl of Los Angeles, Cal. ..." (Source: Anon. "Business Activity On Increase." Motor Boating, October 1933, p. 117.)

"The 109-foot steel schooner Ramona, hitherto owned by H. W. RohI has been sold to Silsby M. Spalding, well known yachtsman." (Source: Anon. [No Title.] The Catalina Islander. September 9, 1937, p. 10.)

"Not since the romantic days when San Francisco Yacht Club’s fleet graced the Sausalito waterfront has anything quite so lovely as William Pomeroy's RAMONA been viewed from shore. Arriving at Sausalito early Monday morning [January 21, 1952], Mr. and Mrs. Pomeroy brought the tops’l schooner up from Wilmington with the help of six crewmen and nine guests, covering the long tacks in slightly over two days. Both power and sail were employed in the beat up the coast. Designed by N. G. Herreshoff, RAMONA was built in Bristol, Rhode Island. She measures 109 feet over-all, 25 feet beam and 16 feet 6 inches draft. Her steel hull makes her impervious to teredos, dry-rot and other plagues that perplex the average boat owner. Guests aboard the schooner as she sailed to her new home port were Mrs. Robert Pomeroy, Mr. and Mrs. David Plant, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Wheary of Belvedere, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wilmarth of Grimes, Mrs. Nelson Pomeroy and Dan London." (Source: Anon ('C Leggs'). "Tide Rips." Sausalito News, January 24, 1952, p. 3.)

"Ramona (IX-76). The 109-foot schooner-rigged steel motor yacht Ohonkara was built in 1920 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Bristol, Rhode Island, for Carll Tucker, 733 Park Ave., New York, call sign LWMP. Tucker a vice president of the Maxwell Motor Car Co.
Registered in 1929 by banker Guernsey Curran, 810 5th Ave, New York, as the 126-ton yacht Ramona, call sign LWMR.
Registered in 1935 by Floy E. Rohl, 4351 Alhambra Ave., Los Angeles, California, as the 126-ton yacht Ramona, call sign KMJE. Rohl was a partner in the Rohl-Connolly Company and in 1941 was under contract with the Army Corps of Engineers to construct roads, base facilities, and splinter proof tunnels in and around Pearl Harbor.
Registered in 1939 by Silsby M. Spalding, 1203 Richfield Building, 555 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, California, as the 126-ton yacht Ramona, call sign KMJE. Spalding made sporting goods and lived at Crayhall, 1100 Carolyn Way, Beverly Hills.
Chartered from Spalding and entered service on August 5, 1942. Patrolled the West Coast and returned to Spalding exactly two years later.
Registered in 1949 by Margaret Fleming Call, 10451 Bellagio Rd., Los Angeles, California, as the 126-ton yacht Ramona, call sign KMJE.
Registered in 1954 by Miller Arthur Pomeroy, 333 Montgomery St., San Francisco, California, as the 126-ton yacht Ramona, call sign WC6744. Pomeroy was a general contractor.
Registered in 1959 by Frank Gard Jameson, 3020 Lombardy Rd., Pasadena, California, as the 126-ton yacht Lady Phyllis, homeported at Los Angeles, call sign WC6744. In 1962 Jameson apparently changed the boats name back to Ramona, took it out of documentation, and moved to Marigot Bay, St. Lucia, West Indies, and the same year the boat was operated under the British Flag by a Bahamian corporation. ON 220003." (Source: Williams, Greg H. World War II Vessels in Private Hands. Jefferson, NC, 2013, p. 173-174.)

"I've been reading your magazine since my teens in St. Lucia, West Indies. I used to read the magazines after my employer was finished with them. My employer was Walter Boudreau who developed Marigot Yacht Haven, which is now Discovery at Marigot.
Capt. Boudreau had three very large sail boats: 110-foot Le Voyageur [#772s ex-Mariette], a square-rigger named Caribee and last but not least, the gaff-rigger named Ramona C. And lo and behold I received my September 2005 subscription and there on the last page is Ramona, the yacht that many a St. Lucian got his first taste of sailing/yachting on, including myself, Benny Johnson, Sylvester Moise, Maurice Jongay and scores more.
I've enclosed a picture taken in the Grenadines in 1964. In 1968 [sic, i.e. 1967] after adding a third mast in Nova Scotia, on her way to the West Indies Ramona ran aground going into Hamilton, Bermuda. Four of my friends lost their lives, plus a Canadian doctor just making the trip.
I saw the vessel a year later with the three stumps of the masts at the fueling station outside Hamilton. I was told that somebody was going to rebuild the vessel, but I have not seen or heard anything of it.
After years of sailing I've become a landlubber. At present I am the head mechanic at Roscioli Yachting Center in Ft. Lauderdale.
Winston Glasgow. Plantation, FL." (Source: Glasgow, Winston. "A Good Ship, Remembered." Yachting, December 2007, p. 24.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Measuring foresail area on a curved mast rig, Carnegie Steel expected to roll bulb angles for the new schooner [#827s OHONKARA]." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_04870. Correspondence, Folder 16, formerly 106. 1919-08-15.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter on 'Lawrence Gas Company, R.W. Emmons, 2D, Treasurer, 79 Milk Street, Boston, Massachusetts' stationery:] Your letter of January 1st [1920] I received more than a week ago. I have delayed answering it until after the New York Yacht Club meeting, which was held night before last, as George Cormack telegraphed and wrote you.
The Committee replied to Lipton they would agree to his terms, namely, to race, beginning July 15th off Sandy Hook, but declined to make any alteration in rig in the way of Marconi topmast. This being settled, George [Cormack] and I have got underway with the schedule for captain, mates and crew for Resolute. [Chris] Christiansen with John Christiansen, whom we had the first year will be our Captain and first mate [on #725s RESOLUTE]. We have already obtained some of our old men.
The question of tender still troubling us. Steamers like CAPE COD will cost to run this year nearly $45,0000 a piece for each boat, which seems a sinful waste of Syndicate money. Charlie [Adams] and I are both in favor or rechartering the QUEEN [#657s], and in order to obtain if necessary more room, building a house over her from the main deck forward in the line of a receiving ship. This will enable us to mess all the men at the same time and give us ample accommodations for sails, supplies and for ourselves. Such a lay-out together with Harold Vanderbilt's tender [#301p MAGISTRATE] would be adequate for our purpose. Nothing definite has been settled, but this is what Charlie and I lean towards. George [Cormack], however, is still in favor of steamers.
The Cup Committee have decided to begin the racing on May 2lst --- a series of 5 races to he held off New Haven; an interval then for alterations, refit, etc., and then a series to begin off Newport about June 4th and continue until the first of July. Newport races only to actually count for selection.
This being the schedule it is out opinion that RESOLUTE should be launched about May 1st, as with her crew on the spot it will not take long to rig her, and from experience of previous years, weather at that time is none too favorable anyway. I do not know how this will suit your plan, but I think if you plan to arrive about that time we can get on all right.
The new wooden mast for RESOLUTE has not been started and there is some discussion as to where to built it. Your ideas were that it should be built in the south shop, if I remember correctly, and unless I hear from you to the contrary I will have it constructed there. Chase has the rigging for same practically all completed. There is not much else to report regarding RESOLUTE.
George Nichols is to arrive in Boston for our Directors meeting next week, and at that time he and I will take up with Sidney the subject of making winches for him, as per an understanding you had with him just before you sailed.
Jim Swan has no doubt written you regarding all the other work in the shop; especially work on the schooner [#827s OHONKARA] seems to have gone on very satisfactorily.
The first little S boat is practically completed, and some of the proposed owners of same have made inspection.
All seem to be pleased with the boats with the exception of one point, and opinion has been so strongly expressed that I have taken it upon myself to alter the specifications as originally planned by you, and I trust you will understand and forgive me in case you have any feeling in the matter. The case is this. The present oak ribbon which you have designed and placed on the first boat with the hollow under side, in place of the usual pear-shaped shear streak, they all desire changed for the older method.
While I recognize your idea, which is a good one both as to cover board for the canvas deck and also the hollowed out underside for shedding water, it gives the boats a very heavy effect looked at from broadside or stern view, and I thought it best to meet their desires in the matter, and the other boats will be built as I stated above on the old method. The only other alteration was the slight tipping of the seats in the deep cockpit boats; the first boats seats are flat, and while comfortable enough in the forward part of the cockpit, are not as comfortable as if dipped in the after part.
Chase is going at the rigging for these boats and the first mast is all done. I will follow out your suggestion and have the boat launched and weighted according to your instructions, but if the weather holds mild, although it has been very cold recently, Charlie Adams and I propose to rig up, launch and try out the first boat under sail before the other sails are made, and I think between us we will discover anything that may not be just right. Arthur Adams, Charlie's brother has just ordered four more 12 1/2 footers, and as we were already building one, we have taken the order for the other four at $750 a piece.
We are in hopes of getting an order for a good-sized house boat to carry us through the spring and summer work. Swazey is on his way South to see two or three gentleman regarding same. We shall need this new work soon.
The expert accountants have been making the annual audit, but at the time of the stockholders meeting held last Thursday, complete figures were not in. I am sorry to have to tell you that their figures so far bring us out with a loss instead of a profit for the year. As soon as I get the final correct figures I will forward you a copy, but although Mr. Garfield, Charlie Adams and myself, as well as Young and Swan are convinced that the profit we should have showed is tied up somewhere in the inventory and we have not yet been able to dig it out. We have already dug out $6,000, and I am in hopes we may find other misrepresentations.
I am convinced our methods are all right, and our book-keeping system all right, and further that any Company which could have paid off $100,000 indebtedness as we did the past year is a good-going concern, and even if this year's statement shows us behind instead of ahead, I am confident we will only come out with all the better balance this coming year. The officers and directors of the previous year were all elected at the meeting, and we are to hold as i stated a Directors meeting Wednesday next.
You must be having splendid weather and a fine time, It seems hard to think of you sailing in summer clothes, while we are experiencing 5 below zero day before yesterday, and now a snow storm with a foot and a half on the ground.
The Alumni of Harvard have chosen me to be their chief Marshal on my Twenty-fifth anniversary this coming June.
This same honor was given to Charlie Adams on his Twenty-fifth, and on that day I am afraid the RESOLUTE will have to stop work --- otherwise my attention from now on will be largely given to her.
They are already at work on the SHAMROCK pearing off some of her fore-foot, and I believe further they are expecting to relay the deck. George [Nichols] will have a hard time to get his work [on VANITIE] done in the same yard, but I do not think we can possibly do anything more for him than we have agreed to. His present plans are, namely; shorten bowsprit and main boom while increasing the height of his rig a little, thereby reducing his sail area enough to reduce his time allowance 30 seconds. Charlie and I think he is working in the wrong way. We would both have left the base line as it is and increased the rig at least 500 sq. ft if not more, giving us more allowance, trying to come nearer to to SHAMROCK's rig. There it would give us a better line on how we will go with the latter. However, I do not think it makes much difference what he does, or what SHAMROCK does, for as Charlie says, if we cannot beat them both we had better quit racing for good.
With my very best wishes for a Happy New Year to you and Mrs. Herreshoff, and hoping to hear from you soon, and further trusting my delay in answering your letter is offset by what I have written, I am
Yours faithfully, ...
P.S.: Since writing I have been in communication with Mr. Kittredge the expert accountant and his statement is as follows; namely that if we fail to find any further discrepancy in the inventory to offset what loss the Company now shows as per figures sent you, there are two items to account for a large loss, namely: The Richards contract [#329p CAROLA] on which we allowed $3,000 for completion and delivery this year, has probably cost us, as figures will show, nearer $8,000. Then since you left, as probably Jim Swan has written the government has assessed their war tax against us on all contracts completed since that law was out into effect, excepting the Richards boat. These taxes amount to some $9,900, and we cannot include them in this years assets, for the reason that in the case of Harry Lippett [#368p MARY ANN], he has refused to pay his tax. In the case of the Sabine launch and the Codman launch [#342p, #343p, #344p or #345p?], as no account of this was made to them, it is the feeling of the Directors that we must pay the tax, although we may get Mr. Codman's. In the case of of Herrick [#311p APACHE and #371p GYPSY] and Crozier [#369p SUNFLOWER], Pinchon [#372p VASANTA] and the others, the matter has been brought to their attention I understand, and we should expect their taxes. Since, however, this question has arisen, we have had a legal clause drawn, and all contracts now go out from the Company's office including this clause and precluding any liability on the part of the Company being stuck for the taxes, as it states this must be paid before delivery is made.
Please do not worry yourself any over these financial details, however, as I think everything will come out all right in the end.
[Penciled PPS:] Enclosed is copy of Butler Duncan's letter just rec[eive]d regarding dates for trial races." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_26390. Subject Files, Folder 6, formerly 90-95. 1920-01-17.)
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"[Item Description:] yesterday Directors Meeting in Bristol, accountants not finished their work, looks like results may improve by rechecking inventory, last year not profitable, harbor is frozen and have been unable to put the little S boat overboard for trial, although she is now completed, and the second one decked over, while the frames for the third one are being set up, all the masts for these boats will be glued up by next Wednesday, and we then propose to start in on #725s RESOLUTE's mast, will be constructed where you thought best, namely in the upper part of the north shop, think it is a great advantage to have some little heat on account of this very cold weather, and that shop I notice is heated in the western end, Swan expects to launch the schooner #827s OHONKARA on the 31st, although she has been ready to go overboard for some days, no decision as to tenders for RESOLUTE and VANITIE, George Nichols ordered main sheet drums from Sidney yesterday, sails for RESOLUTE, George [Nichols] and I were much pleased with the way Sidney took hold of his order for VANITIE, and I think he has obtained in the past few months a good deal more self confidence and assertiveness, which is all that he needs" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_26470. Subject Files, Folder 6, formerly 90-95. 1920-01-22.)
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"[Item Description:] we have now orders for eleven 20 footers [S Class] and six 12 1/2 footers, with prospect of two more 12 1/2 and probably two or three more 20's, Charlie Adams has about decided to order a 20 footer [#851s MONSOON] for use when the Cup season is over, have located a receiving ship in the Navy Yard, Boston, which if we can get same from the Navy Dept for a tender for #725s RESOLUTE, am taking it up with Franklin Roosevelt now, canvas for RESOLUTE, expect to start on RESOLUTE's new mast next week, have two-thirds of the 20 footers masts done, launching the Tucker schooner [#827s OHONKARA] tomorrow although the weather is rotten and ice had to be cut out of the slip to make space for her, have a problem for you to work out, device that would enable us to haul out head of sail on gaff while under way, have never seen a problem yet put up to you which you could not solve" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_26490. Subject Files, Folder 6, formerly 90-95. 1920-01-28.)
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"[Item Description:] #725s RESOLUTE's gear in good shape, canvas for the schooner [#827s OHONKARA] coming in, new schooner looks a creditable piece of work, both as to quality and time, also saw the first of the little S boats, they are most attractive, [Rufus] Murray at City Island doing creditable job with the Gardner 20 Footers, but they are not in the same class as ours, Starling Burgess paid a salary of $13,000 a year by the Curtiss Company to do nothing, and would like very much to go to Bristol to understudy you on the sail-boat end particularly but naturally cannot afford to give up his present salary, if you would like to have him after you come back, I believe that the New York Yacht Club might ask for and get the loan of his services to give you both an opportunity to try out the arrangement, but it would, of course, not be to Burgess' advantage unless, if he made good, there were an opportunity at Bristol for him to continue and earn a reasonable income, it is, of course, most important to the [New York] Yacht Club that a designer, capable of producing Cup Defenders, should be gradually developed, Burgess expressed the fear that as he is now forty-one, he would be past his prime before needed" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_26530. Subject Files, Folder 6, formerly 90-95. 1920-01-30.)
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"[Item Description:] Bay all frozen over but they got the schooner [#827s OHONKARA] safely launched before this last cold snap struck in, work in the shop is going on about as usual, and they had begun I think on the fourth 20-footer [S class], and have three of the 12 1/2-footers completed or partly, they are now starting in working on the new topsail yard for #725s RESOLUTE, and next week will begin on the mast, have about decided if we can secure the schooner [#657s QUEEN] I spoke about in my last for a tender for RESOLUTE, to use her in connection with the [#301p] MAGISTRATE, Sidney at work on new main sheet drums for George Nichols [VANITIE], aluminum gaf for RESOLUTRE, have discovered $4000 variation from first HMCo business figure [i.e. reducing annual loss]" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_26550. Subject Files, Folder 6, formerly 90-95. 1920-02-02.)
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"[Item Description:] reports from the [HMCo] works, schooner [#827s OHONKARA] is well along with the inside finished, Stone boat [#374p ALERT] has been set up and second payment received, four of the S boats in different stages, there now being 13 in all, and the construction time taking about 13 days per boat, four of the 12-footers in different stages, have not yet begun on [#725s] Resolute's mast, as they have been delayed in getting out the stock on account of the very heavy snow, working on the club topsail yard, almost all the masts for the 20-footers [S-class] done, inventory looking up, they having found a good deal more lumber than they at first thought they had [thus improving the disastrous balance sheet], have just succeeded in getting the government to put up the boat for sale that we wanted for a tender [for RESOLUTE], are rapidly getting back our crew for RESOLUTE, many of the old men are turning up, I agree with you regarding the expense of running the plant, and the overhead, which I think Jim Swan has under estimated, and we must make up our mind to charge more on all our contract work, drafting room, store room, depreciation and expenditures for repairs of plant have been running pretty high, canvas [for RESOLUTE] not arrived yet, influenza afflicts workers, hard winter slowing down work, George Nichols was in Boston yesterday, costly VANITIE alterations, [#301p] MAGISTRATE to be readied, if we wish to get contract work out on time the bulk of the workmen must not be diverted, Sydney has made no complaint as to the machine shop, and I understand the main sheet gear [designed by him for RESOLUTE] is coming along all right, friends of mine plan to come down on the 25th of this month, Robert Saltonstall who has two of your 12-footers [#744s ROBIN and #750s JUNCO] is one of them" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_26690. Subject Files, Folder 7, formerly 90-95. 1920-02-12.)
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"[Item Description:] #725s RESOLUTE gaff material, will put canavas on RESOLUTE's deck the end of week, inspected check valves for centerboard, new mast is all glued, have ordered spare wire, new club topsail, 'You have no idea how much of a help Sidney is, and how quickly he takes hold of everything, and in his quiet way thinks and soIves a lot of troubles which no one else but yourself could do, he certainly is your logical successor, and I feel confident some day his ability will be known and appreciated on the outside, masts of the new schooner [#827s Ohonkara] will be stepped before the 19th, can arrange somebody to sail your little boat [#718s ALERION III] back if you decide to bring her home, trust you have made some satisfactory trade with Morgan regarding #236p MERMAID" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27530. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-04-07.)
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"[Item Description:] Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Inc. Tentative Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 1920. Tentative Comparative Balance sheet as at December 31, 1920 and 1919. Tentative Condensed Statement of Profit and Loss for Year Ended December 31, 1920. Including detailed profitabilty statements for several contracts including #367p Launch for St. Y. CORSAIR III for J.P. Morgan [loss of $20.71], #372p VASANTA for G. M. Pynchon [loss of $2,362.72], #373p ADOLAR for August Heckscher [loss of $1,277.95], #374p ALERT for Charles A. Stone [loss of $17,652.54], #375p PETUNIA for Henry L. Tiffany [loss of $2,122.67], #376p ESLOMA for William H. Vandervoort [loss of $5,244.00], #827s OHONKARA for Carll Tucker [profit of $3,257.44], 16 S-Boats [#850s ELLEN, #828s GOB, #851s MONSOON, #830s SPINSTER, #831s PAPOOSE, #832s WOODCHUCK, #833s CHEERIO, #834s WIDGEON, #835s KAJEE, #836s DAPHNIA, #837s DOODAH, #838s TEATICKET, #844s VANT, #845s SWALLOW, #846s FANO, #849s CIMA: loss of $7,548.16 (i.e. $471.76 per boat on a sales price of $2,450)], 8 Buzzards Bay Boats 12 1/2s [#829s FALCON, #839s SHELDRAKE, #840s OPITSAH, #841s MISTRAL II, #842s JABBERWOCK, #843s BULLRUSH, #847s PENGUIN, #848s DOODLE BUG: loss of $819.48], 4 small boats for yacht Edgar Palmer [GUINEVERE #192005es, #192003ep, #192004ep, #192004es: loss of $3,839.25]. [These documents found / filed with 'Tentative Financial Statements for the Period from January 1, 1923 to June 27, 1923.']" (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_50660. Financial Statement. Subject Files, Folder [no #], formerly 124?. No date (after 1920-12-31).)
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"[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.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten calculations marked in upper margin 'Mr. N.G.H.:] Estimate: Cost Of Schooner Like OHONKARA
OHONKARA (827) [#827s] cost [Material] 50415. [Labor] 51162.
MARIETTE (772) [#772s] cost Material 29567. [Labor] 22248.
Estimated that material at 1922 prices will cost 87 1/2% of that used in 1919-20 44100.
1922 Labor cost is 82% 41900.
O[ver]Head] @ 62 1/2%. 26200.
[Sum] 112200.
15% Profit. 16825.
[Sum] 129025.
Extra for refrig, plant and extra elec[tric] plant. Extra power allowance. 5000.
Say $135,000 for price plus tax.
Tax 13.500.
Total $148,500. [These calculations were probably made during the negotiations for the contract for #891s WILDFIRE]." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.. (creator). Cost Estimate. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDED1_00290. Folder [no #]. 1922-09-11.)
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"[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.)
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"[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.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled notes:] Job # 16650. 1/19/29.
For using figures in No 698 [#698s WESTWARD] Book for making model of OHONKARA [#827s] at scale of 1/4in = 1ft.
For transverse measurements take 2/3 of book readings on a 1/2in scale.
Frame spaces corresponding to those in the book have been laid out on the drawing of MARIETTE [#772s] ([Drawing] 1-57).
The keel is 3in deeper than the book figures, or 4in deeper using the scale of the model.
The stern is changes as per drawing (1-57)." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.098. Design notes. Box HAFH.6.3B, Folder Administrative - Notes. 1929-01-19.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #827s Ohonkara even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Taglang, Jacques. Mariette and the Herreshoff Schooners. Two vols. Eynesse, 2010.
  Vessel biographies, large-scale sail and lines plans reproduced from original HMCo plans. The definitive book on Herreshoff schooners.

• Ohonkara (HMCo-made index card)
• Ohonkara (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Note: The vessel index cards comprise two sets of a total of some 3200 cards about vessels built by HMCo, with dimensions and information regarding drawings, later or former vessel names, and owners. They were compiled from HMCo's early days until 1920 and added to in later decades, apparently by Hart Nautical curator William A. Baker and his successors. While HMCo seems to have used only one set of index cards, all sorted by name and, where no name was available, by number, later users at MIT apparently divided them into two sets of cards, one sorted by vessel name, the other by vessel number and greatly expanded the number of cards. Original HMCo cards are usually lined and almost always punched with a hole at bottom center while later cards usually have no hole, are unlined, and often carry substantially less information. All cards are held by the Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections of the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mass.

Name: Ohonkara
Type: Schooner
Length: 80'
Owner: Tucker, Carll

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

• Ohonkara
• Ramona ex-Ohonkara
• 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: Ohonkara
Type: 79' 1" aux. schooner
Owner: Carll Tucker
Year: 1920
Row No.: 488

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: Jul
Day: 28
Year: 1919
E/P/S: S
No.: 0827
Name: Ohonkara
LW: 80'
Rig: Schr
K: y
Ballast: Lead
Amount: 133300.00
Last Name: Tucker
First Name: C.

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.

"Ohonkara is Iroquois for 'one who invites you to the feast.' " (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 25, 2011.)

"Launched 1920-01-29." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 16, 2010.)

"Built in 185 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $721/day, 1092 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Net Register Tons (101) from the 1923 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (Gross Register Tons were reported as 126) and converting to lbs by dividing through 2000 (short tons). Note that this figure can only be a rough estimate because register tons as reported in Yacht Registers correlate only loosely with actual displacement figures." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 17, 2015.)

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