HMCo #907s Pleasure

"Oct[ober] 1924.
No. 907.
30' o.a. 24 1/2" w.l.
Pleasure sailing boat.
Draft c.b. down 5'9", up 2' 5" down.
Frame spaces 9".
Sheer height is to upper side of deck.
In making moulds deduct for planking 13/16". For timbers 1 3/16" at head, increasing 1/16" per ft of length.
Waterline 23" above base line at # 4 frame and 31" above at # 26 frame.
Painted line [is] 2" higher." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.189.] October 1924. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"N. G. Herreshoff "Fair Haven" Cocoanut Grove, Florida March 19 1925 {1925/03/19} Dear Francis ... I have a very good boat here [on Biscayne Bay], built at the shop and sent by rail here this winter - Name "Pleasure" - 30' OA. 24 1/2 wl. 2'6" draft." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 1: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"N. G. Herreshoff "Fair Haven" Cocoanut Grove, Florida May 6. 1925. {1925/05/06} Dear Francis. ... the design I have made for Messrs Nichols + Morgan [#932s Game Cock] ... is [p3] being built in the ordinary way, without any novelties, except (if he decided to carry out my design.) The mast will be somewhat heavier and much stiffer than usual. with no spreaders and only a single shrouds and headstay - and the usual back stays. or "runners". I rigged my boat "Pleasure" that way and it is most satisfactory, springing just enough in a breeze to flatten the sail a little. Pleasure is a very comfortable boat and apparently sails well. Is 30' O.A. [over all] 24 1/2" l.w.l. [length at waterline] 8'4" beam and 2' 6" draft. - 460 sqft sail. Has a very comfortable cabin, which is long enough for a better berth each side. and at aft end, next to entrance a small aux. motor on one side and alcohol stove + shelves for dishes & c the other. The w.c. is just forward of mast at one side and the cabin trunk extends over it with a hatch just forwards of the jibsheet traveler. ... Your father -- Nathl. G. Herreshoff." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 1: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Coconut Grove, Jany 23 1926. {1926/01/23} [sic, i.e. 1927] N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. Dear Francis, ... I have my boat "Pleasure" in commission and do some sailing. but [after the great Miami hurricane] it is not what it used to be, - as the water is still thick so bottom cannot be seen, and knowing that between 50 and 100 craft have disappeared and probably sunk in the bay, one does not feel safe from fouling them. Also I suppose I am getting too old for the sport. Therefore I would like to sell "Pleasure", and if you hear of any one wanting a good boat, - let me know. With best wishes, in which Ann joins. Your father -- Nathl.. G. Herreshoff" (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 2: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Coconut Grove Feb 10 1926. {1926/02/10} [sic, i.e. 1927] N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. Dear Francis, ... 'Pleasure' is 30' overall,, 24 1/2' lwl [length at waterline] ,, 8'4" beam., 2'6" draft, Has 2 tons of lead ballast, 4/5th of which is built into the keel, - Yawl rig with about 475sqft sail, - Has a very comfortable cabin with a transome berth each side. At the aft end is a little alcohol stove & shelves one side and on the other side, (originally) an inboard 2 cyl Evindrude motor which would run her 4.6 knots. The motor was not found after the hurricane, and, I have not replaced it as I didnot know if anyone [p2] who bought her would care for it. I hope to realize $4000.- for the boat as it is, and if the engine is replaced $4250.- This is equal to nearly $4250.- and 4550.- including commission. 27%. The cost delivered here very nearly $6500. and is 2 years old. I donot know what the expense wld be in shipping her home but wld guess between 300 + $400 I have asked Starling Burgess to try to sell her, and I am looking for a purchaser here. I inclose photograph" (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 2: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Coconut Grove, Fl. Mch 21 1927 {1927/03/21} N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. Dear Francis, ... I have not, as yet, had a bite for the 'Pleasure', I hope to soon. so I can get things settled for going home last part of May. Being now past 79 - I don't feel as active as in the past, and donot want the care. ... Your father -- Nathl G. Herreshoff. " (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 3: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Dear Tom, ... I have a letter from Burgess, R[igg] & M[organ] in which they say they have had more inquiries about her [Pleasure] than any other boat on their list, but all replies they have had 'the price is too high.' Pleasure was billed to me at $5340.94. ...I feel I had a lot of pleasure in sailing her and feel more than repaid for what I have laid out in upkeep & refitting and I now will be pleased to have the H.M.Co. to take her off my hand, delivered in New York, ... This will allow you to put on the market at a price that she will quickly sell. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Handwritten letter to Thomas Brightman, Jr. of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol, RI, Subject Folder 22. April 18, 1927.)

"Coconut Grove. N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. April 29 1927 {1927/04/29} Dear Francis, I didnot expect to be so long in replying to your interesting letter of 12th. {1927/04/12} The reason is I have had a rather busy time in disposing of 'Pleasure'. Not getting a purchaser here or thru B-R & M's advertising - I finally arranged to sell her back to the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. and have been quite occupied in making cradle and getting things ready to have her shipped from Key West May 9 - {1927/05/09} She will be due to arrive in N. York on Mallory Line Sta. "H.R. Mallory" May 13th {1927/05/13} and I have written Tom Brightman the necessity of having some one there before she is floated, ready to recieve her and take her away. I donot know who he will send, In writting him I mentioned you had written you "w'ld like to deliver her, and I didnot know you were in earnest or not". The boat will leave here for Key West next Tuesday in charge of Wirth Monroe, - the Commodore's son." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 3: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Coconut Grove, Fl. N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. May 22 1927. {1927/05/22} Dear Francis ... I understand Mr. Rigg, met Pleasure on her arrival in N.Y. and sailed her to Larchmont, and will keep her there a while trying to sell her." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 3: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"July 7, 1927 {1927/07/07} Dear Francis, ... Perhaps you have seen Starling Burgess, and told you he now uses Pleasure and seems to like her. He has left her here with me now and I am sailing her a little, [p2] when the weather is fair." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 3: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"N. G. Herreshoff Coconut Grove Miami, Florida April 14, 1929. {1929/04/14} Dear Francis - ... I quite agree with you my ruling is imperfect that it does not allow hollow lines in case of a somewhat vertical stem, or very short over hang, and looking at it again, I believe it best to eliminate the words in 4th line of p.17, "and they shall not show hollow lines". When I wrote it I had in view the far superiorty of my boat 'Pleasure' over 'Alerion' [#718s] when going into a sea - Alerion as you may remember had quite a full deck line and somewhat hollow water line. She was a very good sea-boat and almost never [p3] took water over her bow in the steepest kind of sea - by the sea w'ld stop her very much and if laying over in a breeze she w'ld want to come up into the wind. 'Pleasure' has a much sharper deck line and not outside a circle-arc- her timbers forward are more rounding and waterline about straight and her ease and dryness in a seaway is quite remarkable. Certainly if there is a decided fore-foot there should be hollow water lines." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 5: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"My Own Boats. Except a few that will be mentioned as half-owner. ...
28
1924-5 PLEASURE #907 - After selling HELIANTHUS 3rd [#378p] and expecting to go to Coconut Grove, Florida to pass winters, I decided to have a sailing boat. So, in the fall of 1924, I designed PLEASURE and had her built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. She was shipped to Florida by rail, arriving about the first of February 1925. She is 30' o.a., 24 1/2' wl., 8'4" beam, 31" draft, with outside lead ballast and knockabout rig that was changed to yawl rig the next year. She proved a very satisfactory boat. [In] the spring of 1928, realizing I was getting unreliable to get around on deck and to handle so large a boat, I decided to sell her and had her shipped to New York and there sold to Burgess, Rigg, and Morgan. She afterward became the property of Harry Maxwell.
[PLEASURE was subsequently owned and sailed by the Yaro family for many years, and donated by them to the Herreshoff Marine Museum in 1997.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "My Own Boats. Except a few that Will be Mentioned as Half-Owner." Bristol, (originally compiled 1892 with additions in) 1929. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 121.)

"[In 1924] Planning to spend winters at Coconut Grove, Florida, I had built the knockabout rigged boat PLEASURE for winter sailing in Biscayne Bay. She is thirty feet overall, twenty-four feet waterline, eight feet four inch beam, and proved what her name suggests. After three winter seasons at Coconut Grove, it became apparent [that] I was getting too awkward to be safe in handling a decked boat, and I sold her ..." (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. 74.)

"August 31 1935
Dear Mr. Stephens -
... I am wondering if you have seen anything of my last single-handed cruiser around the head of the Sound, that I had in Biscayne Bay. Her original name was PLEASURE and the last I heard she was called MUMSY, 30 ft. o.a., 24 ft. w.l. for the purpose intended, she was a most satisfactory craft. ...
Very truly yours,
Nathanael Greene Herreshoff
Sept. 15 1935." (Source: Letter 13. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated August 31, 1935 to September 15, 1935. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 67-80.)

"Captain Nat, of course, had sailboats at Coconut Grove and even cruised some in company with Commodore Munroe in his narrow, shallow draft yachts, but as I do not know much about this late activity of Captain Nat in Florida I will quote from some notes of his about the yachts that he owned.
1924-25 'Pleasure' #907
After selling 'Helianthus 3d' and expecting to go to Coconut Grove, Fla. to pass winters I decided to have a sailing boat so in fall of 1924 I designed 'Pleasure' and had her built by the H. Mfg. Co. She was shipped to Florida by rail, arriving about 1st of February 1925. She is 30' O.A., 24 1/2 W.L., 8' 4' beam, 31' draft with outside lead ballast and knockabout rig that was changed to yawl rig the next year. She proved a very satisfactory boat. The spring of 1928, realizing I was getting unreliable to get around on deck and to handle so large a boat, I decided to sell her, and had her shipped to New York and there sold to Burgess, Biggs & Morgan. She afterward became the property of Harry Maxwell." (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. 317-318.)

"Jan'y 13, 1936
Dear Mr Foster.
Your kind letter of 31st ult is much appreciated and is full of thoughts on cruising yacht rigs.
As you state, the sloop rig has proven the fastest for racing. And may I add --- about three-fourths the time is also easiest to handle and pleasantest to sail.
For conditions of making sail or picking up moorings and in squally weather she is like Longfellow's little girl with a curl, and can be very very naughty.
A little story of my later day experiance [sic] may be interesting to you. In 1924 when at 76 years and passing winters in southern Florida, I designed and had built a small cruiser, to use in Biscayne Bay and about the Keys. This boat, Pleasure, was 30' oa, 24' wl, 8' 5"beam, 31" draft, ballasted by lead, which was part of keel & centreboard legs, and some stowed inside. Rig --- jib &. leg-o-mutton mainsail with no bowsprit, of about 445 sq ft. She appeared to be a good sailer and a real "ghoster" in light airs, and was easily the fastest boat about Biscayne Bay. My ordinary sailing was generally alone, and cruising, with my wife only, and the boat had a comfortable cabin for it. I was sometimes bothered at moorings, or to reef if overtaken by strong wind. With this rig, the boat appeared to do her best windward work in tacking in about 7 points. The second year I changed the rig to yawl, by cutting off boom and aft part of mainsail and adding mizzen mast with sail 1/2 hoist & boom as cut down mainsail. The total sail area a very little increased by change. Not having a standard to go by I could not gauge the speed efficiency of the boat but the loss was small and not apparent in sailing alone. After getting sails in correct condition she was almost as close winded, and I usually tacked in very near to 7 points. In reaching she may have been a trifle faster, and in running, I had learned very many years before in my cat yawls the boat was faster with the mizzen lowered. This change of rig made the boat a much better single-hander. At both leaving and picking up moorings and specially in negociating [sic] the unpleasant trade wind rain squalls, which were never too much for jib & mizzen, and mainsail could be lowered into its lazy-jacks in an instant. All halyards & downhauls lead to cockpit, and in reach.
In stiff breezes and with 2 reefed ms [mainsail], jib &. mizzen, the boat proved to be very close winded and fast. Due to the shallow water the seas would not make up large to pitch the boat, and so could sheet in very close, and so to tack in 6 1/2 to 7 points, and do fine windward work and a pleasure to sail the boat as with very little spray. In these conditions the reefed mainsail was enough removed from the mizzen, so the latter didn't have to be sheeted almost fore & aft and could give wearer its share of driving power it would [have] if in perfectly free wind. With the yawl rig, reefing the mainsail was very easy for me. I had occasions to [reef], several times while sailing on Biscayne Bay or below among the Keys. While the mainsail was lowered to be reefed, the boat would sail herself by jib & mizzen at fully 1/2 speed to windward, and the time from lowering away mainsail to have it set reefed varied from 13 to 15 minutes.
Of course I had my reefing stops and lace line properly fitted and kept where I could lay my hands on.
Due to the position --- in trailing the mainsail --- I cannot believe the mizzen of your staysail ketch can have any driving power, and the craft will be as fast, or faster without the sail if balanced properly on helm. Also, the sail being so high &. narrow, it would not be so good, as would a lower sail attached to a mizzen mast, when laying-to in bad weather. Of course, this is only my opinion at present, and after thought I hope you will write me wherein I am wrong.
With kindest regards, Sincerely yours, Nathanael G. Herreshoff." (Source: Garland, Joseph. The Eastern Yacht Club: A History from 1870-1985. Camden, Maine, 1989, p. 206-207.)

"However, he still loved sailing, and even short distance cruising, so designed and had built 'Pleasure,' a yacht thirty feet O.A., twenty-four feet six inches W.L., eight feet four inches beam, and thirty-one inches draft, which he shipped to Florida and used there in the winters of 1925 to 1928, when, being eighty years old, he thought he was too old for even sailing so he sold 'Pleasure.' " (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. 123.)

"Sep 28th [1924]
Dear Herreshoff,
... You have my letter by this time about the proposed new boat [#907s Pleasure] as an ad for the new Co. There is little I can add to it for the proposition is as yet hazy and it looks as if we will have to sit on the new piazza & thresh it out & also get an opinion from the Yacht Club members & others. If striking the fancy of someone & cost not too high she might sell within 24 h[ou]rs after arrival, if so, you would have to be content with [using my own] SUNSET for the rest of the season. She might be sold for late Spring delivery but when those chaps what a thing, it's right away. Laying up in case of not selling is another point to be considered. We never haul out & of course can find room in my basin, if such would be satisfactory but here I am as usual, doing too much figuring before reaching the bridge. We will do anything to further the interests of Bristol & please you. ...
Sincerely,
R.M. Munroe." (Source: Munroe, R.M. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 83 (new), 102 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. September 28, 1924.)

"Sep 30th [1924]
Dear Herreshoff,
... The new boat [#907s Pleasure] again. After writing you twice on this subject, it still appears to me that I may have given a wrong impression. Now, personally, I should be very much pleased t see & sail with one of your latest centerboard craft and also to have a class of them on the Bay. I feel convinced that eventually we will have them, but looking at it from a strictly business view point which I took your enquiry to be, I am still of the same mind. If your new company [HMCo under Haffenreffer ownership] will be satisfied with just demonstrating the boat, on the scant chance of making more than very few sales for a year or two, let them go to it. A strong point in my beliefs, and which I've not brought out before, is that Miami, both mainland & Beach is completely in the agonies of building & harbor development. There will be practically no place to keep yachts of any description this coming winter except small craft in this vicinity. Miami harbor is filled with huge dredging machinery & will be til next Spring very likely. One basin & some piers towards the North end are being rushed for the party day boats only. There is but little chance of even a small yacht anchorage in sight and none for our new [Biscayne Bay Yacht] Club house. Of course, all is planned to be very complete & satisfactory in the end. ... I trust you will now understand the position better.
Sincerely,
R.M. Munroe" (Source: Munroe, R.M. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 83 (new), 102 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. September 30, 1924.)

"Oct. 5th 1924
Dear Herreshoff,
... Wirth was going to Miami yesterday so asked him to investigate R[ail]R[oad] facilities for unloading boats from cars into the water [which will be required after shipment of the new #907s Pleasure]. He found that it was customary to use the R.R. wrecking derrick and to lift from car direct into the water. This reminded me that about two years ago they had an accident on a job of this kind occasioned by the parting of a ripe strap sent with the boat from Chicago. Therefore would advise that this item be particularly looked after and that the strop be put in place with its spreaders, all properly parcelled & secured. Also have the B. of L. call for delivery in the water if it can be so arranged at Bristol. Would also suggest that the boat be well covered with old canvas to keep off cinders & soot. ...
Sincerely,
R.M. Munroe" (Source: Munroe, R.M. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 83 (new), 102 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. October 5, 1924.)

"... Just now, I am very busy [at Coconut Grove, FL] over a small cottage, on the east side of the boathouse, for the Herreshoffs. He is to have a new auxiliary sailing boat [#907s Pleasure], and the fun will then begin between her and [my own] Sunset, and I will have to sit up nights working my bumps so as not to be beaten more than five days out of the week. ..." (Source: Munroe, Ralph M. [Letter to Vincent Gilpin.] University of Miami Collection. October, 6, 1924.)

"A 30-ft sailboat is being constructed at the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company for Capt. Nathaniel G Herreshoff for his use in southern waters this winter." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, October 31, 1924, p. 2.)

"Capt and Mrs Nathaniel G Herreshoff will leave tonight for the south where they will reside at Coconut Grove, Florida, for the winter. A 30-foot sailing boat now being constructed at the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company for the use of Capt Herreshoff in southern waters will be shipped to Florida as soon as completed." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, November 25, 1924, p. 2.)

"... Herreshoff's new craft [#907s Pleasure] is leaving Bristol today by flat-car for Miami, ..." (Source: Munroe, Ralph M. [Letter to Vincent Gilpin.] University of Miami Collection. December 31, 1924.)

"The new sail boat recently constructed at the boat shops of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company for Capt Nathaniel G Herreshoff, who is spending the winter at Cocoanut Grove, a suburb of Miami Florida was shipped Friday [January 2, 1925]. The craft which is 30 feet overall, 24 feet on the waterline and has 5 1/2 ft beam is named 'Pleasure' which typifies its use for the next few months by Capt Nat and Mrs Herreshoff." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, January 6, 1925, p. 2.)

"... The new Herreshoff [#907s Pleasure] is at last in commission, and we have had several trial trips. She is very fast, but not quite as able as she may be later, when more water-soaked in bottom, neither does she steer as well as [my own] Sunset. Of course, being of somewhat larger dimensions, she overpowers the smaller one, and my only chance is possibly a gale of wind, for I don't think she has the extreme stability. ..." (Source: Munroe, Ralph M. [Letter to Vincent Gilpin.] University of Miami Collection. February 8, 1925.)

"... this winter, Herreshoff is coming with a mizzen mast and sail under each arm, so as to match 'Pleasure' sloop with Sunset, which has been parading in front her with two sticks in her for several months past. No use, we two old chappies can no longer get fore and aft fast enough for sloops, and not wishing to be sued for damages in our old age, decided to forestall that possibility ..." (Source: Munroe, Ralph M. [Letter to Vincent Gilpin.] University of Miami Collection. October 12, 1925.)

"Sep 22nd 1926
Dear Herreshoff,
Sent you a wire message yesterday which I delayed a day in order to report on Pleasure [#907s] as being apparently without a scratch [after the Great Miami Hurricane of September 18, 1926] or even a hole in cover which as several dredge pontoon & other craft ploughed past on either side on a N.E. course right across the fairways[?] plan, was a remarkable escape for her. She was the only uninjured craft anywhere along shore apparently.
... I've found many of my tools close to where the boathouse stood and have gotten quite a lot of (our) yours & mine, and when we get the more necessary things attended to & with the help of the City will probably get a lot more bits value by that time will be doubtful so mixed with sea weed & other trash.
Your dinghy [#191305es] was found in pieces opposite the public library.
... PLEASURE's mast is gone as in found the pieces. We have the boom (main) but nothing else so far. ... I don't have to tell you of our loss as you know. Will build again in old location soon as possible but with a better plan. The loss in the county at large is very high besides that of life. 75 known dead and several hundred injured.
Sincerely,
R.M. Munroe" (Source: Munroe, R.M. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 85 (new), 102 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. September 22, 1926.)

"Oct 3rd 1926
Dear Herreshoff,
... Debris from around house & wreckage dragged down to where Hine house was & burning night & day. Occasional forays in the wreckage all along the line to McFarlane[?] St. whenever we think of something special in which Pleasure's [#907s] mainsail was found a little soiled but O.K. Otherwise also a bag with Spinaker & one or two other sails. Jib & mizzen missing. P[leasure]'s main boom & another painted spar. The former O.K. The latter still bruised. Wirth & Bill working on it today. Patty found quite a number of your tools, cooking & other effects under the floor of your house about where the Gardiner S. Sea hut stood. P[leasure]'s mast was alongside Gardner boat broken in three pieces. Took off the rigging & have[?] work. ...
Pleasure was apparently in same position that you left her in except not so close to wall. Couldn't get aboard on ac[oun]t of sea weed packed into the slip. Will see if Matheson will consider her. He's already said something about Sunset to Wirth but she is too small I should think.
... Sincerely,
R.M. Munroe" (Source: Munroe, R.M. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 85 (new), 102 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. October 3, 1926.)

"Oct 28rd [1926]
Dear Herreshoff,
... The E.N.E. wind blew the trees one way & when it shifted blew the remainder just the opposite. The two old soldiers on each side of the old boat house that I had wired and have been afraid of for years are still on deck sneering at gales. I think all your wire rigging is O.K. also the metal work on the main mast [of #907s Pleasure]. Salvaged anchors with the exception of one of mine still in the Bay and piled together in the back yard & I don't know the Herreshoff ones tother[?] from which. Some are on Melody yet & I thought Pleasure had one or two. She was apparently in good shape a couple of days ago when I went down to see her. W.L. 2 1/2in. out midship. She is the lucky boat of the Bay. We had all the sails down from the attic at the time of your last enquiry & I think measured & described them O.K. I don't doubt but what the mud stains will wash & bleach out fairly well as for being suitable for yacht as you write, its just the other way now. ...
Sincerely,
R.M. Munroe" (Source: Munroe, R.M. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 85 (new), 102 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. September 22, 1926.)

"[Letter by then owner Frederick Gade complaining that the Race Committee of the Riverside Yacht Club had disqualified Mumsey, ex-Pleasure from winning the Riverside-Stratford Shoal Race on the grounds that she was not a cruising yacht but an all-out racer.]" (Source: Gade, Frederick. "More on the Mumsey Disqualification." [Letter to the Editor.] Rudder, December 1932, p. ?.)

"September 30 1935
Dear Mr. Herreshoff:-
... I know PLEASURE, she was owned a few years ago by my friend Frederick Gade, who had a high opinion of her; she is a fine little single-hander, much more roomy and comfortable than SNIKERSNEE. ...
Yours sincerely,
W. P. Stephens." (Source: Letter 14. From W. P. Stephens to N. G. Herreshoff, dated September 30, 1935. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 89-115.)

"PLEASURE
LOA 30ft 0in
LWL 24ft 6in
Beam 8ft4in
Draft 2ft 6in
HMCo # 907
Rig: Bermudan yawl/sloop
Sail Area N/A
Displacement N/A
Ballast N/A
Built 1924
PLEASURE is significant as the last of a series of yachts of about 30' that Nat Herreshoff designed for himself. CLARA (1887) ... and ALERION III (at Mystic Seaport) were his earlier personal yachts. He designed and built PLEASURE especially for the shallow, choppy waters of Coconut Grove, Florida.
She features his classic graceful sheer and stem profile and short overhanging counter.
The design has the family resemblances of SADIE and ARIA ..., see also the ARIA model .... Designed for himself, then in his 70S, he chose a yawl sail layout with a simple rig of no spreaders and with all lines led to the large cockpit. In her time she has also sailed as a sloop, ...
Innovation continues in his designs.
- The ballast keel hatart, centerboard trunk and floors are of a single piece lead casting. This was both to ensure a solid watertight 'backbone' and enhanced efficiency in locating weight as low as possible.
- The strong sheer and tidy stem/bow profile produced a dry boat to weather in the choppy waters of the shallow bay. Later, Mr Robert Yaro, her owner since the 1970s, reports sailing her in Nantucket Sound without oilskins when other boats were punching spray at their crew." (Source: Herreshoff Marine Museum. [Plaque on display at the museum.] Bristol, RI, no date [ca. 2012].)

"Like NGH's previous day boat, Alerion [#718s] (built in 1913...), his 30-foot Pleasure was an outside-ballasted centerboarder. Built in the fall of 1924, she was used by NGH in Florida during the two winter seasons that followed --- 1925 and 1926.
Commodore Munroe was well known for his sensible and seaworthy shallow-draft cruising boats, and it may well have been his influence that helped shape Pleasure's model. NGH claimed that her leaner bow, in contrast with Alerion's full deck line, made Pleasure a better seaboat, and one that indeed lived up to her name. In his attempt to secure shallow draft and yet retain the desired weight of ballast, NGH designed Pleasure's lead keel to encompass the centerboard trunk bedlogs and stub floor timbers all in a single casting. As a secondary benefit, this construction eliminated the usual wooden keel timber from the middle part of the boat.
Pleasure's mainmast was hollow and lightly stayed, with no spreaders. NGH claimed that it bent just enough in a breeze to flatten the sail, while in light weather the sail enjoyed the fullness afforded by a straight mast. The running backstays (required because a long-boomed rig like this allows no permanent backstay) led to the deck only a few feet aft of the mast so that both backstays could be left untended when sailing close-hauled.
... Pleasure had first appeared as the simply-rigged Marconi sloop ..., but for her second season NGH shortened the boom and added the sliding gunter mizzen shown here, converting her to a yawl. A strut, ..., holds the mizzen boom from lifting and eases the strain on the sheet. Pleasure is rigged with lazyjacks on all three of her sails so that NGH can lower them without having to climb on deck. For the same reason, all sheets and halyards lead to the cockpit.
... Pleasure was fitted with a canvas cockpit awning supported on vertical wooden poles set into coaming-mounted sockets and stiffened across its top by transverse, sewn-in battens. The awning could be used while under sail as well as at anchor; it folded away for storage.
Pleasure was built right after NGH disposed of his third Helianthus and only a few months after the Haffenreffer purchase of the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. She was shipped by steamer from Bristol and launched at Key West, Florida, on January 24, 1925; from there, she was sailed to Coconut Grove. In 1927, when sailing a boat this big became too much for him (NGH was then nearly eighty), he shipped Pleasure back to New York, where she was purchased by W. Starling Burgess and his partner, Linton Rigg.
It has been rumored that Pleasure was a gift from the Haffenreffers, but in correspondence NGH indicated otherwise and lamented the fact that he sold her for one-fourth of what she cost him." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 215.)

"NGH's PLEASURE Donated
Museum Acquires Yacht From Captain Nat's Sunset Years
By Maynard Bray and Carlton Pinheiro
In September, 1997, Robert Yaro, his wife Susan, and his brother William Yaro donated Captain Nat Herreshoffs personal yacht PLEASURE to the Herreshoff Museum.
Captain Nat renewed his acquaintance with Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe in the fall of 1921, when he and Mrs. Herreshoff, aboard his power cruiser HELIANTHUS III, dropped anchor off the Munroe homestead, 'The Barnacle,' in Coconut Grove, Florida. During subsequent winters, the Herreshoffs were invited to live on the Munroe property at the waterfront cottage, 'Fair Haven.' The Munroe-Herreshoff friendship was wonderfully natural. Both men were boat designers, members of the same generation, and had a keen interest in sailing.
Like NGH's previous day boat ALERION (finished in 1913), his 30-foot PLEASURE was an outside-ballasted centerboarder. Built in the fall of 1924, she was used by NGH in Florida during the two winter seasons that followed 1925-26 and 1926-27.
Commodore Munroe was well known for his sensible and seaworthy shallow-draft cruising boats, and it may well have been his influence that helped shape PLEASURE'S model. NGH claimed that her leaner bow, in contrast to ALERION's full deck line, made PLEASURE a better seaboat, and one that indeed lived up to her name. In his attempt to secure shallow draft and yet retain the desired weight of ballast, NGH designed PLEASURE'S lead keel to encompass the centerboard trunk bedlogs and stub floor timbers all in a single casting. As a secondary benefit, this construction eliminated the usual wooden keel timber from the middle part of the boat.
PLEASURE'S original mainmast was hollow and lightly stayed, with no spreaders. NGH claimed that it bent just enough in a breeze to flatten the sail, while in light weather the sail enjoyed the fullness afforded by a straight mast. The running backstays (required because a long-boomed rig like this allows no permanent backstay) led to the deck only a few feet aft of the mast so that both backstays could be left untended when sailing close hauled.
In 1925, PLEASURE had first appeared as a simply rigged Marconi sloop, but for her second season in 1926, NGH shortened the boom and added a sliding gunter mizzen, converting her to a yawl. A strut held the mizzen boom from lifting and eased the strain on the sheet. PLEASURE was rigged with lazyjacks on all three of her sails so that NGH could lower them without having to climb on deck. For the same reason, all of the sheets and halyards lead to the cockpit.
PLEASURE was fitted with a canvas cockpit awning supported on vertical wooden poles set into coaming-mounted sockets and stiffened across its top by transverse, sewn-in battens. The awning could be used while under sail as well as at anchor; it folded away for storage.
PLEASURE was built right after NGH disposed of his third HELIANTHUS and only a few months after the Haffenreffer purchase of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. It has been rumored that PLEASURE was a gift from the Haffenreffers, but in correspondence, NGH indicated otherwise, and lamented the fact that he sold her for one-fourth of what she cost him. She was shipped on a 42' railway car from Bristol and launched at Miami, Florida, on January 24, 1925. From there she was towed to Coconut Grove. In 1927, when sailing a boat this big became too much for him (NGH was then nearly eighty), he shipped PLEASURE back to New York, where she was purchased by W. Starling Burgess and his partner, Linton Rigg.
PLEASURE'S present condition is remarkable for its originality and is a tribute to the care taken by the Yaros, her owners of many years. In addition to her original fittings, PLEASURE still has the mirror mounted inside the cabin, which was used by Captain Nat as a rear view mirror when racing with Commodore Munroe. PLEASURE was, according to Vincent Gilpin's The Commodore's Story, 'much too spry' for Commodore Munroe's heavier cruising boats, and eventually resulted in Munroe designing and building SUNSET, a 26 foot sloop, to meet PLEASURE on more competitive ground. Although she will not sail again, the yacht is scheduled for a cosmetic restoration before exhibit in the 1998 season." (Source: Herreshoff Marine Museum Chronicle, Fall 1997, p. 1-2.)

"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH. Relevant contents:
§8: #907s PLEASURE Work Order 'N.G.H. for his account for shipment to Miami. [When Wanted] By or before January 1 [19]26. Material for boat cradle.' (1925-11-02)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Order Book. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_00860. Folder [no #]. 1914-11 to 1925-11.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Had a very satisfactory contact with my Bon[?] carpenter the other day and got all the assurances possible that the little cottage can be built within the time specified (middle of Nov). We also decided that any portable affair as at first planned, would be more expensive and unsatisfactory and also harder to construct in as substantial a manner as is called for in its position on the shore in order to stand gales with likely uprooting of coconut trees during the Hurricane months. In view of this betterment[?] I have, with the rather scant data of costs obtainable, approximated a rental of two hundred dollars for the season of say five months including such furnishings as is customary. If this meets with your views on the matter, we will start the foundation at once. if not, will entertain any other suggestion you may make. [Incl NGH reply:] I have your letter of 6th and this afternoon telegraphed you as follows:
'Terms agreeable. Hope last plan sent you is approved. Am writing.'
This refers to letter sent you Sept. 3 with in closures of blueprint of the little house redrawn to larger scale but practically the same as first sketch sent you. This letter probably came to your hands soon after writing yours of 6th. The plan suits us very well and I hope you will approve of it. But if it not what your good judgment indicates is what you should put up on your own soil and on your water front please say so. And give me a little direction of what you think is best.
Your rental figure of $200 for the winter 5 months occupation is quite satisfactory and in fact I think rather low if the cottage is fitted out as completely as we would like with bath room facilities and electric light fixtures.
I don't want you to put[?] you are entering into any uncertain venture in pitting this shack up for us. As I am inclosing check for $250 as prepayment of the rent for next winter, and to express to you our satisfaction that it will be carried through by you in your usual complete manner.
We have been considering what to do for a boat for if I continue as well as now, I will want to get afloat on Biscayne Bay next winter. I am in hopes of buying back 'OLEANDER' [#710s], the first boat i took to Bermuda and ship her down. If this fails it is possible we may take down ALERION [#718s], having her sailed to N.Y. and ship with her to Key West and sail her up from there to Coconut Grove. Do you think this feasible. [NGH wil subsequently contract for #907s PLEASURE.]" (Source: Munroe, R.M. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40160. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-09-06.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Your telegram duly re[ceive]d and your letter of the 9th just at hand.
The enclosed check for $250 I've placed to your credit and your thoughtfulness appreciated tho everything was satisfactory as it stood before, as is also, the blueprint previously received from which no direction is contemplated except possibly to give one more opening in the front of bedrooms in the form of a high large transom[?] sash over where you had penciled Bureau & trunk, either there or in the partition between bed & living room. Light-east & N.E. winds are sometimes uncomfortably warm and from our experience, bed rooms want plenty of available openings. Let me know about position. Also as to choice of stoves about which I wrote before. The bath room will have W.C., tub *what size), lavatory & spray[?] over tub. Water will be piped down from our tank also electric current. After much discussion I think we are decided on 16in spaced studding enclosed with the insulating Palmetto, diagonal 2 ply, asphalticum bedded Climax board. A little over 1/2in thick, special cemented joints & stucco[?] painted on outside and panel[?], calcimine[?] finish on inside, double floors, ceiling of Climax paneled[?], % roof of sheathing (wood) & slate surfaced shingled. Tile chimney.
Delighted to hear about boat plans [which will soon result in the contracting for #907s PLEASURE]. OLEANDER [#710s], shipped directly to Miami is your best lay. ALERION [#718s] to Key West I have doubts about unless you can arrange comfortable, possibly temporary accommodations aboard for living. I have made the trip in open boats, once in 24 hours, but at that time of year no such run is to be depended on, also, unless one is very familiar with the channels into various harbors there is much chance for trouble if caught in milky water owing some times to just fresh breezes & to keep to the Hawk channel is often pretty rugged going. The only right way would be for me to arrange for a man to meet you & have Mrs H[erreshoff] come up by train. If we were not so busy just about that time, it would give me pleasure to be that man. Anyway, write me about this and i will arrange something. There is an inside route from K[ey] W[est]. to Bay Howda[?] & also back of the Keys but both require local knowledge, besides, ALERION's draft would give possible trouble. How about furniture, most[?] forgot it. Believe I mentioned it once before. Perhaps Mrs H[erreshoff] had better select it in Miami. Expected to have underpinning up but a 3 days rains & blow has prevented." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40180. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-09-13.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Answering yours of the 20th enclosing latest B.P. No further complications, necessitating any changes except that the window shah will have single lights instead of 4. The latter would have to be made to order & we can't trust any order work.
Foundation, sills, joints, are in place and the cypress sub floor is now going in. By tomorrow night the studding & plates should be up. A few days of fine N.E. winds with only an occasional slight shower accounts for this progress & no mosquitoes. Boats. Most afraid to begin on this subject. I've watched the trend of sailing craft pretty closely for very many years. Sail looks like coming back quite strong, but the situation is quite different from that of the North, very much so. I need not hold forth as to what contributes the element from which the Northern coast draws its yachtsmen from for you know it even better than I and there is little of it to be found here at present. Winters are the busy time for both young & older yachtsmen and very few having any pep in their make up accompany their families South except ardent fishermen & then their time is too valuable for sailing craft. However, a few score might be hunted up & tempted to buy moderate priced semi racing small craft. I judge so by reason of offers made for SUNSET from time to time but the persons so bidding have not impressed me with the idea that they would ever progress in the game.
We have tried year after year to get up a one design class & with no success whatever, mainly because of prohibitive cost down here to build and I doubt if Bristol form its situation could better this problem. Knowing as much as people credit me with about the subject of suitable design for these waters, I cannot write definitely about any type. Even the one just finished on my board while apparently being just the thing as it now looks from my stand point, brings up doubts as to too much cost for the average Biscayne Bay yachtsman, notwithstanding I have simplified her more than SUNSET. Miami, if it fulfills the dreams of its projectors, which so far it is doing, is fast developing a brand new lot of young men who will make the best of yacht sailors very soon & we can cater to their purses for a while, the time is almost here when they can afford the best. The boat offered you [#907s PLEASURE], tho knowing nothing further than it is to be an improved & slightly larger ALERION [#718s], can, with little doubt be sold, but at what profit is probably a question. Of course, the name Herreshoff would go a long ways further than any one elses. I have found it hard to get up any lasting enthusiasm on the subject, but nevertheless believe in a coming boom on the subject. Just now I am imbued with the idea of an improved dead rise sharpy [Sharpie], square stern, well on one side of keelson aft, for out board motor for which I've been corresponding with two of the principal makers & think it perfectly feasible. later on, will round up the bilges, but stick to the main features, same as I worked up from PRESTO of 1884, and produce, not a windward wonder but an extremely safe, easily handled, & economical all round craft. In fact very close to my last design.
I suggest that you rely for this winter at least, on OLEANDER [#710s] or ALERION [#718s]. Am afraid of too late delivery of any new boat [#907s PLEASURE], and besides which, I think we are at sea yet as to type. I understand that there is a good chance of races in the Bay this winter by the Havana Club course[?] some of the ex 6 meter boats. Suppose you drop a line to Clifford Mallory or [Sherman] Hoyt & see whats in the air." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40230. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-09-24.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections on sans-serif 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' stationery. Titled 'Sept[ember] 25, 1924. No. 907 [#907s] PLEASURE. 24 1/2ft w.l. Pleasure boat of ALERION type. Finished model. Scale 1in. 24ft 6in w.l.'. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 112.2cuft = 7190lbs, a wetted surface of 163.0sqft, and a prismatic coefficient of .524. On verso another set of penciled pantograph hull sections, crossed out, titled 'Set[ember] 24, 1924. 24ft w.l. Pleasure boat. From finished model. Scale 1in. w.l. 24.17ft. Model change. See other side'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 107.8cuft = 6919lbs with note '1/2in deeper in water ... 7190[lbs]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_02950. Folder [no #]. 1924-09-25.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Answering yours of the 25th.
Doors [in the cottage being built for NGH], after having to give up the upper panel transom plan, we just went back to your original 4 glass panels on B[lue] P[rint]. If not already finished, we can, even if they are, change to 2 lights each, about 18x18 without much extra cost, i.e. the 3 front doors. Will attend to this first thing tomorrow. Should have done this anyway when we had to change to one light sash for windows so as to be similar all round at the Camp, if not too exclusive. We have halved the cost of piazza screens & will do the same by you as they are small anyway. I think we understand Mrs Herreshoff's plan of candle lighting quite well. At anyrate[?] will wait til her fixtures with a little diagram get here. both tub spray also understood. Will begin laying the 465ft of water pipe tomorrow in same trench will lay the lead covered light wire, large enough gauge to carry enough current for the ordinary table stoves & lights, but not for regular electric cooking which require still heavier wire with another meter (heating).
The E[lectric] Company are a trifle strict about this so we have two lines & two meters into our house & still use kerosene for some of the cooking. The Mumor[?] Water Co. will make no charge for water and the E[lectric] current will cost you possibly $3 per month as per meter. You have my letter by this time about the proposed new boat [#907s PLEASURE] as an ad for the new Co. There is little I can add to it for the proposition is as yet hazy and it looks as if we will have to sit on the new piazza & thresh it out & also get an opinion from the Yacht Club members & others. If striking the fancy of someone & cost not too high she might sell within 24 h[ou]rs after arrival, if so, you would have to be content with SUNSET for the rest of the season. She might be sold for late Spring delivery but when those chaps what a thing, it's right away. Laying up in case of not selling is another point to be considered. We never haul out & of course can find room in my basin, if such would be satisfactory but here I am as usual, doing too much figuring before reaching the bridge. We will do anything to further the interests of Bristol & please you. Thank Mrs Herreshoff for her letter of so much appreciation." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40260. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-09-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] We have just escape[?] a gale of wind but it gave us some heavy squalls S.E. & much rain.
Did not delay the cottage work of any consequence & the frame will be up in a day or so & ready for the Climaxers. Water pipe due in ground to day. Open front stove ordered from N.Y. Electric wire, lead covered, also ready. Doors, upper half all 1 piece glass & trust that we will be able to see straight fairly well, if not will have to buy plate [glass] & replace them. Mrs M[unroe] is going to look at furniture, refrigerators etc. today. Would like to know as to type of bed springs preferred, easy chairs etc.
We can get data on most of the stuff & send it for Mrs Herreshoff's approval. Also list of furnishings. We have never had to do with letting of house keeping cottages so hardly know as to just how much is needed or is customary to furnish but can make a stab at it, and the neighbors have more than enough anyway. The new boat [#907s PLEASURE] again. After writing you twice on this subject, it still appears to me that I may have given a wrong impression. Now, personally, I should be very much pleased t see & sail with one of your latest centerboard craft and also to have a class of them on the Bay. I feel convinced that eventually we will have them, but looking at it from a strictly business view point which I took your enquiry to be, I am still of the same mind. If your new company [HMCo under Haffenreffer ownership] will be satisfied with just demonstrating the boat, on the scant chance of making more than very few sales for a year or two, let them go to it. A strong point in my beliefs, and which I've not brought out before, is that Miami, both mainland & Beach is completely in the agonies of building & harbor development. There will be practically no place to keep yachts of any description this coming winter except small craft in this vicinity. Miami harbor is filled with huge dredging machinery & will be til next Spring very likely. One basin & some piers towards the North end are being rushed for the party day boats only. There is but little chance of even a small yacht anchorage in sight and none for our new [Biscayne Bay Yacht] Club house. Of course, all is planned to be very complete & satisfactory in the end. Our new house is to have a fine basin and special accommodations for Junior Club Membership, which is our only hope for a live organization in the future. Invalid[?] old gents, not like you & I, contribute almost the whole of our membership at present & this must be relegated to the upper piazza. I trust you will now understand the position better." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40280. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-09-30.)
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"[Item Description:] penciled section of what is quite certainly #907s PLEASURE. Untitled, undated (probably October 1924)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40120. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. No date (1924-10 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.08110 (096-152). Blueprint sailplan titled '#907 [PLEASURE]. Sail Plan'. Added with pencil is a mizzen and shortened main boom." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0045. WRDT08, Folder 5, formerly MRDE09. 1924-10.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled 'Design for 24 1/2ft w.l. 'PLEASURE [#907s] boat'. By N.G.H. Oct[ober] 3, 1924'. With calculations arriving at required lead of 3150lbs and note 'Final 3155lbs at 55% of w.l. (Nov[ember] 14 [1924] Actual w[ei]g[h]t came at 3140lbs)'. Another note reads 'Note: Oct[ober] 31 [19]24. Am[ount?] lead to be used ... = 3025[lbs] or 130lbs lighter'. Also another set of crossed out penciled lead sections and calculations." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03650. Folder [no #]. 1924-10-04.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Wirth was going to Miami yesterday so asked him to investigate R[ail]R[oad] facilities for unloading boats from cars into the water [which will be required after shipment of the new #907s PLEASURE]. He found that it was customary to use the R.R. wrecking derrick and to lift from car direct into the water. This reminded me that about two years ago they had an accident on a job of this kind occasioned by the parting of a rope strap sent with the boat from Chicago. Therefore would advise that this item be particularly looked after and that the strop be put in place with its spreaders, all properly parcelled & secured. Also have the B. of L. call for delivery in the water if it can be so arranged at Bristol. Would also suggest that the boat be well covered with old canvas to keep off cinders & soot.
This has been my busy day with the cottage. The Climax gang showed up a day earlier than expected and my carpenters not quite ready so its been a hustle all day. However, were it not for a rain squall they would have had the house closed in. A whole clear day seems impossible. Express your electric fixtures soon as convenient, the special ones Mrs Herreshoff wrote about. I believe the Climax board is going to prove satisfactory. The slight odor of asphalticum will pour[?] off and than remaining will most likely keep out bugs, ants etc." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40300. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-10-05.)
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"[Item Description:] Specifications (photocopy) for #907 PLEASURE." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Specifications. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.017. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 907s. 1924-10-14.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled document, 12 pages]. PLEASURE [#907s].
Specifications for No. 907. To be a Pleasure Sailing Boat with Auxiliary Power.
Length, overall 30ft, W.L.,24ft 6in, Beam 8ft 2in, Draft 29in.
To be built in thouroughly good manner of seasoned material of best quality. Fastenings of copper base metals, throughout. This boat is to be type of ALERION (no 710) [#710s]. Is a little larger in size and it is the intention to have her built in the same general manner and equally as well built. ALERION will be stored in N.G. Herreshoff's boat house and will be easily got at for inspection and comparisons by applying to Sidney H[erreshoff] for the key of boathouse. [Detailed specifications follow. See typewritten version of this document in M.I.T. archives which is identical except for additional handwritten specifications re painting (white bottom (zinc & calomel), topsides slight shade green as on #378p HELIANTHUS, sheer strake & coaming Smith's best spar varnish, deck usual deck paint, name (to be given later) gilden on stern, stern painted as ALERION's, cockpit ceiling and back part of benches light shade of green, underdeck aft white, below decks ivory white, mahogany work to be varnished, spars painted with spar paint.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Specifications. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29150. Subject Files, Folder 21. 1924-10-14.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan 76-144. Blueprint construction plan with inboard profile, plan view and sections titled '#907 [PLEASURE]. 24 1/2 Ft. Pleasure Boat'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0098. WRDT04, Folder O.S. 1, formerly MRDE02. 1924-10-19.)
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"[Item Description:] what sort of boat is it that I hear you are building to take South with you? [#907s PLEASURE], looking for a boat for an old gentleman to sail around in single handed & not to race, what has become of that boat [#732s SADIE] you built for Commodore Benedict on the lines of your [#718s] ALERION?, don't you think she would be just about what I want?, how do you like the new [gunter] rig you put on ALERION?, was sorry to see the old yard sold out but am glad a part of it is still going, for the last 30 years I have sailed on the best there was & all of them of your design, and I think that these 30 years were the best that yachting ever had or will have." (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_21080. Correspondence, Folder 61. 1924-10-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I wrote you after the harmful[?] gale just before yours of the 22nd. The wind had little effect on the tides. The extreme high water that still continues and is delaying the septic tank work and clearing up of ground round the cottage, is customary at this time of year always but this time is augmented by the tremendous rainfall of a week & more[?] ago. Neither the natural outlets or the drainage canals can relieve it, therefore patience is the word. I'm not worrying at all about it. The plumber has about two days work and the tank chap only one. The joinery & painting are going on fine & a fortnight more should see the house ready for occupying. Therefore I would suggest sticking to your Mallory [steamship] sailing date & we will meet you at C[oconut] G[rove] station. Wire me your train from Key West on arrival there. The freight via Clyde to Miami address to my care at C. Grove. They then notify me & send truck after it. The description of the new boat [#907s PLEASURE] is interesting and there will be much similarity between her & the new design which I made last Summer but at present see no chance of building from. My rig however differs in that I've gone back to two sticks for personal comfort & ease [as would NGH the next year when he re-rigged PLEASURE as yawl].
I presume you will have there build a tender of some kind. A modified English coracle strike[?] me would be the right thing, having a plank, hard wood keel and evident bow, rather blunt. The pram is also good but has too much useless bow. [NGH would bring #191305es ALERION's tender with PLEASURE.] Until the new boat arrives, SUNSET is absolutely at your disposal but there are things about her possibly not quite to your liking as is natural and it has occurred to me & brought to mind my Mr Matheson the other day, that one of your sailing dinghys might fill in the gap & surely sell to cover all expenses later on. Just an idea, thats all. Will soon be counting the days before your arrival. We think now in terms of Herreshoffiana. Pardon the attempt. " (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40360. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-10-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] List of stuff to go in Cabin of #907 [PLEASURE], when shipped to Miami, Fla. In addition to regular equipment.
1 15 or 16 lb anchor, straight stock. To be made.
[#718s] ALERION's 8ft 4in tender [#191305es], with 3 oars, 1 p[ai]r rowlocks, Foot brace, Boom rest, Fish shaped busy[?] float, Bailer & shammy. In N. G. Herreshoff's boat house.
1 Piece of chain.
1 Package of Kahki Canvas.
1 Box spare rope & small stores. In N.G.H.'s house.
1 Box sailmakers outfit. In N.G.H.'s house.
1 Box tools. In N.G.H.'s house.
1 Box spare fittings. In N.G.H.'s house.
1 Oil skin, coat & sowester.
1 P[ai]r rubber boots, 2 cushions.
1 Old coat & hat.
1 Bucket, filled, rigging supplier.
1 Flag staff.
12 Bundle of flags.
1 Box fishing tackle.
1 Varnish Can
1 Birdcage
1 Market basket with clothing
1 Bundle of knock down book case
1 Foot stool & raincoat
1 Thermos bottle
When ready for shipping have all gear and extras stowed in cabin, and the cabin locked. Have one key hidden under cockpit bench. The position to be sent by letter, and have the other key mailed to N.G.H.
Have the boat covered with old canvas, whitewashed as [per?] instructions on drawing of cradle. Also forget a plug hole in bottom, under cockpit.
Have name PLEASURE guilded on stern.
Paint like ALERION, white antifouling bottom and very light shade of green topsides. Bright sheer strake. Paint spars.
I have asked Lawton to cast into blocks about 150 to 200 lbs of lead to go inside for trimming. [Undated. A similar short list of items appears in NGH's diary on October 31, 1924.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29130. Subject Files, Folder 21. No date (1927-10-31 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled tabulated calculation of some costs for #907s PLEASURE, separately accounting for Materials and Labor, titled 'PLEASURE - 907' and listing costs for Mast, Boom, Spin boom, jib boom, Spar fittings, Standing rigging, Running rigging, Mainsail, jib, # 2 jib, Spinaker, Covers, Pickling, Awing & stops, Anchor & line, Engine, Shaft & bearing, Clutch, Tank, Muffler, Install. Mach[iner]y, Equipment. Material $483.42, Labor 510.27, 50% O[ver]H[ead] 255.14, Cost 1248.83. On verso sketch of boat or curve with X-axis labeled from 2 to 54. Undated (ca 1924-11 ??)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Cost Summary. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29080. Subject Files, Folder 21. No date (1924-11 ??).)
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"[Item Transcription:] I have generally found Chubb & Son the most satisfactory people for yacht insurance, so telephoned Hendon Chubb this morning and asked him to communicate with you direct.
I understand that George is studying over the proposed Cup in detail and will write you in a day or two if he has not already done so; incl NGH draft letter to Chubb & Co on verso: Gentlemen, at recommendation of my friend Com[modore] Geo. Nichols I am writing you about insurance of my sailing boat 'PLEASURE' [#907s] (No 2562 in Lloyd's Yacht List). I use her around Biscayne Bay and she will be laid up from early May to middle of Nov. Will be entirely dismantled with all rigging and equipment stored in our vacated (for the summer) house. The hull will be canvas covered and moored afloat off Coconut Grove until midsummer and then moved into a sheltered basin for the hurricane season, and under charge of Com[modore] Ralph M. Munroe. The boat's valuation when new was $6,000, F.O.B. Bristol, and I now consider her value at $5250.
Kindly let me know the cost of insuring for the period of laying up and what it will cover. Also the cost of insurance for a year. I have heretofore assumed all risks of my yachts while in commission.
With kind regards to Mr. Sidney Chubb who I had the pleasure of meeting in Miami in former years." (Source: Nichols, George (incl NGH draft letter to Chubb & Son). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29870. Subject Files, Folder 26, formerly 10-15. 1925-04-08.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled calculations and sketch with notes 'Total haul 41 1/2ft. Rev. shaft 1.05r.p.m. x .6 p. min. 1.12ft chan per rev. Time of haul 35m & 6 m' and 'Gear ratio …' and 'Pitch of ways 1 in 6'. Untitled, undated (this is related to Com. Munroe's marine railway of May 1925, to be used for hauling out #907s PLEASURE and other boats). On verso of printed card by Tams & King, Naval Architects announcing their new offices at 250 Park Avenue in New York City, dated April 11, 1925." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Sketch and Calculations. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_00880. Folder [no #]. No date (after 1925-04-11).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled technical sketch on brown wrapping paper that had been used as an envelope for blueprints to NGH in Florida, postmarked May 5 [1925?]. Probably related to the technical drawing titled 'Proposed Side Haul Railway for Small Yachts of 10 tons. Designed by N.G. Herreshoff. Scale 3.8 per ft. July 1925' which is believed to have been intended to be used at Com. Munroe's in Coconut Grove, to be used for hauling out #907s PLEASURE and other boats." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_01000. Folder [no #]. No date (1925-05 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled technical sketch. Filed with and possibly related to the technical drawing titled 'Proposed Side Haul Railway for Small Yachts of 10 tons. Designed by N.G. Herreshoff. Scale 3.8 per ft. July 1925' which is believed to have been intended to be used at Com. Munroe's in Coconut Grove, to be used for hauling out #907s PLEASURE and other boats. On verso of envelope from the Netopian to NGH in Bristol (no postmark)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_01010. Folder [no #]. No date (1925-05 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled sketch showing the marine railway at Coconut Grove (to be used for hauling out #907s PLEASURE and other boats) that NGH designed for Com. Munroe. Untitled, with notes such as 'Pull 4150 + 850 = 5000lbs. Haul 36ft', '42 rails', 'Pitch 18 3/4% = 1 in 5 1/3 = 2 1/4 in 12', 'Shore line', 'High water' and 'low water'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Architectural Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_02970. Folder [no #]. No date (1925-05 ?).)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On 'N.G. Herreshoff. Fair Haven. Cocoanut Grove, Florida' stationery:] [Crossed out text in ink:] Commodore R.M. Munroe. Coconut Grove. Fla. Please store the boat 'PLEASURE' [#907s] in your Basin. [In pencil:] Dear Commodore,
Re the little cottage Fair Haven you built for us. I want to tell you how enjoyable the priviledge[sic] has been for us to occupy it and be near you and your family, and in leaving for a little while, it is our fondest hopes to be back and with you for another good long winter season.
At time of contemplating building a tentative sum was mentioned for rental, and I made an advanced payment of $250. The house is more complete than originally expected, and i know, cost much more, and it appears to me a yearly rental of $400 is none to much to cover upkeep and repairs, and I am inclosing check for $150 to make up the balance for 1924-25 rent.
There are a few little things we would like done if they meet with your approval, which I am listing on another sheet.
I hope they can be carried out if approved, during our absence.
Re stains[?] the wood work of Living room to give a light brown color to match the bookshelf i set up.
If I can find a suitable base for sprinkle bath I will send it to you and would like it placed in bath room after taking out bath tub, and building a closet in corner to be 30in extreme face and 24in deep, to have no door, but with shelves 60in, 72in and 84in from floor each about 21in deep, resting on end cleats and loose. Change the floor from living room to swing into bathroom in front of this closet, thus [sketch].
My idea w[ou]ld be to set both receptacle[?] on floor right up in corner and cemented back of it to keep out insects. Position of spring valve might be lower and just under edge of e.c. flushing tank. [Next sentence crossed out:] For the small amount of water from the shower bath it may not be necessary to pipe into drain.
The outside trim paint that is now red, we would prefer in a light grey or white, and this also includes the portches[sic].
There should be a eaves through[?] to catch roof water over back entrance, as it comes down very heavy in front of screen door and with any wind gust floods the back portch. A barrel to hold roof water placed just behind back steps would be very acceptable, having a conductor from the eavesthrough. [Marked in upper left corner of first page in pencil:] Rough copy. May 17." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Munroe, R.M. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40130. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. (1925)-05-17.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled technical drawing with numerous notes but untitled and undated. Probably related to the technical drawing titled 'Proposed Side Haul Railway for Small Yachts of 10 tons. Designed by N.G. Herreshoff. Scale 3.8 per ft. July 1925' which is believed to have been intended to be used at Com. Munroe's in Coconut Grove, to be used for hauling out #907s PLEASURE and other boats." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_00970. Folder [no #]. No date (1925-07 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled dimensioned technical drawing titled 'Proposed Side Haul Railway for Small Yachts of 10 tons. Designed by N.G. Herreshoff. Scale 3.8 per ft. July 1925' and 'Hauling gear to have shafting pinion for two speeds, a break wheel & band, & locking pawl. 1/2 or 3.4hp A.C. motor with worm drive. Wired to run both ways'. (Apparently intended to be used at Com. Munroe's in Coconut Grove, to be used for hauling out #907s PLEASURE and other boats.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_00930. Folder [no #]. 1925-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Have been trying for several days to acknowledge the receipt of the B[lue P[rint] of side haul boat ways. Progress has been slow on the B[oat] H[ouse] roof repairs. Firstly, the roofing failed to answer & then couldn't get the men back & when they did start in a defective scaffolding let go & they only shimmed[?] up & bruised it, was from days before getting them to work again. It was the fault of one of the carpenters who built it, still it might have cost me a pretty penny. the work is now done as is also the staining of [your cottage] Fair Haven & the new rain water gutters etc. The outside stain is not quite to my liking being a trifle too dark, but if it in any way interferes with speed of [#907s] PLEASURE we will get it right and the more coats of oil stain, the better. Eddie reports no water in PLEASURE that he can see. While waiting for my carpenters woulds to heal up, I put the mizzen in SUNSET. The first trial was without mainsail, it being up to Fogals, the wind was very light but the little sail quite balanced the jib & held it when hauled flat midship (the jib) & when trimmed by the wind (both sails) moved the boat as well as could be expected. bent the mainsail the next day. There was still only a light breeze and she moved about as before the change. Then I discovered more trouble. Cutting off the clew so disturbed the balance of my one halliard arrangement that I couldn't get any tautness on either luff or leech no matter how the gaff bridle was adjusted. This is a new one on me. Possibly there is such a thing as too much peak & then again not enough for the one halliard. I am beginning to believe this is just the trouble. There had been elegant fresh breezes ever since but I've been too busy to bother with it, as the sail will not admit of recutting again guess I will try your rig. Peak & throat separate, two parts 1/4in flexible wire each with cotton hailing parts aft to c[ock]pit, & if ALERION'S [#718s] rig continues to be satisfactory, have another suit of sails cut the same & back to one halliard again. All the new mizzen gear seems to be quite satisfactory.
The plan of carriage and hauling of same seems to me A.1. Would like however to know your procedure as to getting at lower planking in the water of carriage on the upper side. I presume those parts might be made easily removable or best jacked up, a heeled over off shore or some plan devised. Get a little discouraged occasionally over getting the rock excavation done this year tho Price says he can do it. People's promised down here are somewhat like those made under stress of war. Even my tried builder can't be believed any longer. I've just gone through with four days of 'The Flue'. Very mild case but mighty disagreeable. It didn't put me to bed or keep me off SUNSET. Wish you could have seen the sailing race [in the Biscayne Bay 14 footers] yesterday p.m. Reefing breeze, all but our [No] 6, had one R[eef] in mainsail, the other carried full sail round. Wind S, squally, several times all the fleet was shut in by rain & to see them go into & out was great. These boats are the most reliable little craft I've ever had to do with. There is but one fault to find & that's nothing to do with design. The frames are too weak at the bilges & by next Winter will have to be rebuilt at this point. I feel also that added air tank capacity and the present fore peak tank made more reliable as to leakage should be attended to. So far as our youngsters are concerned or even most of the others, there's little to fear but the very ableness of these little ships might lead to trouble & spoiling of the sport.
Wirth with Miss Agnes came in first yesterday with Catlow & Patty second with Matheson about midway. Six of them well handled[?] all throughout and soaked completely but delighted. Mrs M[unroe] and Patty left for N.Y. last midnight and I am afraid are running into another hot northern spell. Over time[?] it's been a little irksome day times but the nights fine & down round the shore always pleasant. I note what you write of ALERION's [#718s] performance & hope to do some sort of extraordinary things with SUNSET before long. Wirth busy over his engraving. With out best wishes to Mrs Herreshoff & yourself, Sincerely ...
The improvements in our workshop are well worth the trouble." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40590. Correspondence, Folder 84, formerly 102. 1925-07-17.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Your newsie letter of the 21st re[ceive]d and the directions for repairs to the little boats [Biscayne Bay 14 footers] noted and the working of the proposed R[ail]W[ay] cradle understood. Which I knew when the canal will get started. Gradually clearing up the mess left from boat house repairs & alterations. Hard to decide what junk to throw away & what not to. Think you will like the lower room very much better, far more room, light & air. Lost one day by having to serve as witness in U.S. Court matters at Miami. Title to show line property of course. This being an old settler has its disadvantages. Had to stay home last Sunday & write a brief on islands in the Bay for the Miami C. of C. so let Wirth & Bill [Catlow] take SUNSET. A rattling breeze S.S.E. going over during which I did not get much of my work done watching them with the glass. They reported her as acting a.1. but just at the Cape carried away the starboard shroud turnbuckle and barely missed losing the mast. They rigged lanyards through spare shackles & had no further trouble. Carelessness on the part of the maker was the sole cause for which I would like to keelhaul the factory inspector tho I blame myself somewhat for the same lapse as they apparently had plenty of safety margin but examination showed to the contrary. Both left hand threaded screws had poorly ended untapered threads at the forked ends caused bu a very imperfect dieplate which in some manner decreased the diameter of the last thread at its bottom nearly 15 to 20 fo.[?] besides which the metal appeared soft on the broken one. My first loss of mast was caused by poor quality of wire rope & with turnbuckles a whole size smaller. The fact is I have quite underestimated the strains on these little craft & was very careless myself. I have sent buckle back to the makers, the phosphor bronze folks, but know not when I get it back. Tried to borrow yours but found the rope soldered in a socket. Please send me address of your makers. Have parafined[?] sisal rope for lanyards but they don't stay put. If you should have an extra pair in the shop would like to buy them. One forked end should be close to 1/2in between forks to take served rigging & thimble and distance between center of chain plate eye which is 7/16 & rigging eye is 12 1/2in. Don't bother about this unless handy to do so for & can get along with the lanyards. Had another fine race of the 14 footers Thursday last. Fresh E.N.E. Wirth's crew failed to show up at last minute so he had to string himself along on the wash board and steer to windward with his big toe, however he gained on every leg & won by a large margin. 7 boats. Hugh M[atheson] is deserving of much credit but somehow can't get the hang of getting speed. I am enclosing a print of his mooring arrangement in basin. With a couple of friends I accompanied the race in SUNSET which young lady now knows who is boss when we round up to moorings. Can dry all these sails now in any kind of breeze.
Patty snapped some pictures to send you but something went wrong. Will try again. The rig is apparently a perfect success. Am making splendid wire rope blocks out of old anoplate[?] stuff & have ball bearing bushings but how to lead the hauling parts along deck with the skylight house in the way & so as to haul peak & throat at same time is a problem. PLEASURE's [#907s] deck is all clear not even a slide hatch. The new rain water gutter & leader[?] is in place in [your cottage] Fair Haven. I can't see just how staysails can take a foresails place still one can imagine some advantages maybe.
Well. I must write dear old Meigs bu this mail. Her is very apprehensive about his aboding place for next Winter and I must reassure him as best I can. Mr. Hine writes me that he is perfectly willing to cook for the both of them & he is perfectly capable. If they can arrange that part of it we can all get together on that subject. The problem would be easy, and another little cottage complete the bill[?]. Difficult subject to handle anyway you sight it. Will enclose Mrs Ms. address. Her last letter reports getting over her cold that she left here with O.K.
With our best to you both ...
Have received my new book 'History of the Port of London' and as I expected is mighty interesting notwithstanding some necessary dry statistics. [In pencil:] 17 Second St.
High Wood
New Haven Conn." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40660. Correspondence, Folder 84, formerly 102. 1925-07-26.)
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"[Item Transcription:] The turnbuckles [for SUNSET] came this morn and I hasten to thank you. They seem mighty well made and along the lines which i had just figured out for repairing the broken one for a lesser strain and other use. Having the forked ends separate from the screw rods. This I could do by cutting off the imperfect screw ends mentioned. The finer screw thread on the new ones seems an improvement. Now I must only watch under the servings. It never occur ed to me that there could be very much strain on such a ship a SUNSET, faulty motinal[?] is really the trouble. Am enclosing a print of her taken by Bill. Will get one under sail someday.
She really looks a large percentage better than before & is perfection as to handling. I abandoned the wire & hauling from cockpit after buying $30 worth of stuff. nothing came right in the way of leads for it, even the cockpit floor was too high for comfortable hauling and so was my head when making sail at anchor in a fresh breeze & sea.
I didn't even try it so have got a fine lot of wire rope uncut 1/4in flexible. Had a day dream & bought twice what I wanted anyway. Mrs M[unroe] had better stay home & watch me. Your water Bbl.[?] is all rot[?] up and a very small shower filled[?] it. Am mucking[?] seven tops for both hands[?]. Have hardly seen a mosquito in weeks tho we have had nice showers. No headway got on the canal. There is a pictured of a late designed English sonder class sloop in this month's Rudder about my[?] size. Have heard quite a bit about her racing in Nassau. PLEASURE [#907s] I am sure can knock the tar out of her and it might be a good way to start a sale & more orders before the Nassauians lose[?] all thin[?] nim[?] money[?]. Well, its time to get this in the mail and its raining a bit & of course thundering. Good wishes to you both." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40700. Correspondence, Folder 84, formerly 102. 1925-08-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Been sort of waiting so as to report arrival of the tub but no news of it yet. This is not strange at all as some of the ships have been carrying their inward cargoes back to N.Y. by reason of not being able to unload here owing to shortage of room & labor and also squally weather. There is congestion everywhere and the Lord knows how they will manage it. I've had no success yet in getting help on the place and just managed to get the grass cutting finished yesterday at a cost of 11.00. Guess I'll let it grow, and as for carpenters to start the Meigs Hine cottage, the situation is still worse. You are lucky to have one all ready.
Every times I leave SUNSET's motor unused for a couple of weeks or so, even if I do turn it over every few days, I have a heck of a time to start it. This defeats the use of having one at all and I am beginning to think of trying to get something better. In one thing, I was pleased with the results gotten from that wonderful motor & especially the wheel of yours and I am wondering as to whether I couldn't use a similar fine cracker[?] arrangement, better muffled and connected by some quick device to the present tail shaft and held down by wing nuts so as to lift it out on deck in a minute or so any odd time for adjustments etc. I believe those motors are made of anti-rust metals anyway I could continue using the present 3/4 shaft & one way clutch and would only want motor & one of your wheels, could also use the present muffler.
Maybe they have improvements on your motor now which would enable me to keep ahead of PLEASURE [#907s]. What think you kind sie[?]? You may have something still better up your sleeve. I could put my ballast back again in the bottom, another advantage.
Went overboard myself the other day to examine bottom. Very little seen & not a barnacle or oyster. You must have had some fine sailing with the foreign built craft. [NGH had tested #718s ALERION III against a Danish-built 22sqm Skerry cruiser on August 23, 1925.] Am trying to sell PLEASURE to a Commander rny[?] U.S.N.R. He is an ex International small yacht winner of matches in Holland about 1907 or 8. Has one of his prizes here in my safe, and old time Dutch ship done in Silver. Am afraid he hasn't got the money but think he can afford one of the [Biscayne Bay] 14ft Class & be a club member. Best wishes to all ..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40720. Correspondence, Folder 84, formerly 102. (1925)-08-30.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled spar plan on brown paper titled 'Spars for Changing [#907s] PLEASURE (907) to Yawl Rig. Sept 5, 1925. N.G. Herreshoff'. Annotated with 'Return this sketch to N.G.H.' and 'Mizzen Mast 16ft 6in long. On hand. (RIVIERA's [#187406es] 3rd mast made in 1875)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Spar Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_06000. Folder [no #]. 1925-09-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Just a few lines. Everything is O.K. here except one side of our hauling gear cast iron frame which went to pieces a doyaso[?] ago by reason of Barrows forgetting to to[sic] set up the collar screw that holds the countershaft in place, so when it slipped out of gear and the pall happened to by just on top of a tooth the come back of about 3/4in was too much for the casting & away it went into four pieces.
He is taking it to the foundry and will have a new one with web & heavier bearings cast. PLEASURE [#907s]is O.K. & do not think will be disturbed. We are having the easterly edge of a very mild cyclonic storm passing near Nassau. Rain & moderate squalls, winds backing from N.E. to W. Will write you at more length soon. My carrier is waiting for this. Regards to all ..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40760. Correspondence, Folder 84, formerly 102. (1925)-09-15.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Undated (ca Oct. 1925 after conversion to yawl), penciled list of things to be done for PLEASURE #907s:]
PLEASURE
4 Cushions - Kakai[sic] covered, kapok filled, about 3 1/2in thick, to be reversable, and 2 straps for live preservers of same material as outside [sketch]
1 Jib
1 Mizzensail
1 Mainsail
Paine has drawing and I gave him instructions, as to canvas & making. Don't start on mainsail until further instructions.
Lower end pin for 5/8in turnbuckle, com[?] bronze type, 3/16 cotter pin and 3 spare ones [sketch]
1 Double 1/2 block with hook, out patters, for mainsheet on boom
1 7/16 short block with hook, for spin. hal[yard]
2 single 7/16 blocks with hooks, our pattern, for jibsheet on boom
1 cedar bucket, brass bound, small size, perfound[?]
1 Dietz brass lantern, small size pref.
1 cable 270ft - 1 3/4in [circumference] manila, whip both ends
1 mainsheet 90ft, 3/8in dia, cotton rope, whip both ends
1 jib sheet 60ft, 9/32 or 1/4in, whip both ends
1 jib lazy lines,
About 150ft each 3/16 - 5/32 - 1/8 - 3/32 - 1/16 cotton line" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_56400. Subject Files, Folder 68, formerly 154;157. No date (ca1925-10).)
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"[Item Description:] Ink on paper technical drawing titled 'Marine Railway Suggested y N.G.H. for R.M. Munroe. Oct[ober] 9, 1925'. (To be used for hauling out #907s PLEASURE and other boats)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Inked Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_01080. Folder [no #]. 1925-10-09.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled statement by NGH titled 'Schedule F Additional explanations' regarding loss by fire of the homestead house at Pt. Pleasant on January 9, 1926, destruction by fire of a woodshed at 'The Farm' on December 20, 1926, and destruction by hurricane of a rented cottage at Coconut Grove on September 18, 1926 with loss of rig & equipment of #907s PLEASURE with list of other losses." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Tax Matters. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_61750. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder [no #], formerly 263?. No date (prepared for 1926 income tax return).)
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"[Item Transcription:] Thank you very much for your New Years Greeting.
In return we wish you a happy and prosperous year and with many to follow.
I was hoping to have something of interest to write you about. There is little here, excepting a succession of pleasant sunshiny days in which we often take a quiet sail in my boat 'PLEASURE' [#907s].
I have not heard a report on your new R boat [#966s GRAYLING] for some days. The last was, she was turned over and that the lead casting came just right in weight.
With kindest regards in which my wife joins, ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.108. Correspondence, Folder 31, formerly 180. 1926-01-06.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled technical sketch titled 'Design of Gear for Comm. Munroe's New Marine Railway. Scale 1/2. April 1926. To use Boston Gears'. (Intended to be used at Com. Munroe's in Coconut Grove, to be used for hauling out #907s PLEASURE and other boats)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_01040. Folder [no #]. 1926-04.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am in receipt of your favor of the 8th instant in regard to Mr. Herreshoff's 'PLEASURE' [#907s]. I now find we were, up to a recent date, insuring this vessel for Mr. Herreshoff through our Boston agents, Messrs. Hinckley & Woods, under a policy that allowed him to navigate for six months but also covered while she was laid up.
Under the circumstances I would have some embarrassment in writing Mr. Herreshoff direct, but if he wants a policy covering only while laid up I do not doubt we can arrange it through the same channel as before for 2 1/2%, that is, half of what he was paying for the other policy. This is on the understanding the boat is laid up in Florida, where the rates are higher than they are up here." (Source: Chubb & Son. Letter to Nichols, George. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29900. Subject Files, Folder 26, formerly 10-15. 1926-04-13.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I received the enclosed [letter dated April 13, 1926 re insurance for #907s PLEASURE] from Hendon Chubb yesterday afternoon regarding insurance. I assume from it that if you write them to renew the policy with Chubb, all will be in order.
I do not quite understand the difference in rate, but assume that present insurance may have covered the ocean trip down." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29890. Subject Files, Folder 26, formerly 10-15. 1926-04-14.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am glad to hear from George Cormack this morning that he highly approves the details regarding your prize [the Herreshoff Medal] as you have worked them out, and that it will be presented to the Club at the May meeting. I feel sure it will be received with great enthusiasm.
I will mail you tonight a blue-print received from Bristol showing the outline of 'CAROLINA's' [#721s] new rig. I am a little worried about the size of the jib --- not that I anticipate any serious trouble in trimming it, but because I fear the added strain on the runners and, more particularly, their chain plates.
The sketch shows a single spreader. As we already have the double spreaders and the rigging to go with them, is it worth while to make the change? The staying plan is, of course, not worked out on this sketch. Would you sketch me out your suggestion? Aside from Mr. [Walter K.] Shaw [owner of #716s ANDIAMO ex-SAMURI], who may go on the [NYYC] cruise and sail for the important Cups, it seems doubtful whether I shall have any competition, so I am hesitating a little between this rigging and your suggestion of use of the regular mast fore triangle with a triangular mainsail. In this latter case, could a wire jack stay along the after side of the mast be set up tight enough with a turn buckle in the deck to hold the mainsail from the spreaders up? Below the spreaders, regular mast hoops or a lacing could be used. Possibly above the masthead, a few hoops could also be used, that the sail could be hooked as it is hoisted by a man aloft, in such a way that they would clear themselves as it is lowered? A scheme such as this would obviate removal of the iron work on the mast and scarring it up by screwing on a track.
I do not feel it worth while to make any very serious effort to compete with Mr. Shaw, for, while I shall doubtless feel badly at the time if he walks off with the Astor and King's Cups [Nichols and CAROLINA would win the 1926 Astor Cup for sloops], the chance of his starting for them is extremely problematical. Two years ago, you will remember, he brought out his boat for a season's racing. He was involved in a protest the second time he started, and the newspapers reported his time at the finish some seconds differently from what he had timed it himself. The difference in time did not involve any difference in position, but the two circumstances combined so annoyed him that he started in only one more race that season and, if my memory serves, dropped out of that. I very much like the man personally and admire his experiments, but what he really enjoys is sailing and making port to port passages, and he is sufficiently independent in thought not to race unless he happens to feel like it when the time comes, even though he has spent a lot of time and money in preparing to do so.
Ralph Ellis [former owner of #713s IROQUOIS II] has been playing with the idea of buying back a 50 Footer, but has telegraphed me that he will not come to any decision until his arrival from California the latter part of May, and probably will not do so.
Mr. Hanan [owner of #712s SPARTAN] has talked of coming out and may very likely do so for a short time, but is not preparing a serious racing season.
Am much interested in the new 'PLEASURE' for Mr. Mallinckrodt [#1002s AIDA], and was glad to hear from Charles [Nystrom], who was here yesterday, that you had sent him instructions about her. Mr. Mallinckrodt brought me a list of second-hand boats which he was considering, but it did not seem to me that any of them was quite satisfactory to his needs, so I persuaded him to give an order for a new one, and naturally feel much interested and, to some extent, responsible.
My kindest regards to Mrs. Herreshoff.
I hope you have arranged 'PLEASURE's' [#907s] insurance to your satisfaction. If there is anything more I can do about it, please let me know." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30530. Subject Files, Folder 27, formerly 10-15. 1926-04-29.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Was very glad indeed to get your letter of the 11th, this morning and to learn that you will come home soon.
I wrote to Mr. Burbank several weeks ago that we had received assurance that the Clyde Line would take the two skiffs [apparently the Biscayne Bay 14s #950s No. 13 and #951s No. 14] through Boston and asked him for permission to ship them that way. I have not heard from him, but had a letter yesterday asking if we could now make arrangements to ship the boats.
I have written the Clyde Line at New York asking them if they will now take them through New York, and if so will get them away immediately. If not I will take up the matter of shipping from Boston.
I am sorry about your mail; we also have received a good deal of broken package mail recently. I will see that the balance of your mail is securely packed.
Thank, you for the pictures of the 'PLEASURE' [#907s]. She strikes me as being about the ideal boat for two people to sail in.
Looking forward to seeing you at home soon, I am ... [Incl envelope to Coconut Grove, FL.]" (Source: Brightman, Thomas. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23560. Correspondence, Folder 69. 1926-05-15.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Your good letter of the 23rd has just arrived, together with the diagram of 'PLEASURE' [#907s] nesting comfortably in 'LANAI's' usual berth, and I hope that no hurricanes will disturb her, but do not see how they could do much damage to her in that position anyway. I imagine you know how to moor a ship as well as sail one, so we do not need to worry about that.
I am glad that Mr. Splinter cooperated with you properly, and it is a great pleasure for both Mrs. James and me to have your ship in our harbor.
Looking forward to seeing you this summer, I remain
Very sincerely yours, ... [Incl envelope to Coconut Grove, FL.]" (Source: James, Arthur Curtiss. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23580. Correspondence, Folder 69. 1926-05-26.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am sorry to have been so long in acknowledging yours of 9th. I started on drawings of a new mast for GRAYLING [#966s], as Charles Nystrom probably told you, but with the many things at the shops that have taken my attention I have progressed slowly.
Charles has handed me yours of 18th to read, and I see you were unfortunate in Thursdays race but the boat indicated her ability when on a course.
I see by your letter you donot propose to send the boat here to be re-rigged the the new mast. I am sorry.
I took up the work for my own pleasure and expecting it would be completed here, and that I could try it out to see that everything is allright, and as I had planned, --- beside giving work to our shops. You must realize that planning out such a spar and its stays, to be as light as possible very much depends on having everything carried out as designed.
It is quire impossible to do it properly without the boat to try it out. Therefore I decline doing any more on the plans.
I note your remarks about the white bottom paint, and speak of it as an experiment. It had passed that period many years ago and is no longer an experiment. It makes not only a smoother racing bottom but is a better antifouling paint than that with the green pigment in it.
One coat gives my own boat [#907s PLEASURE] a smooth bottom and was afloat 6 months, without grass or barnicles[sic]. I would never think of putting on more than two coats, --- but the bottom must be made smooth and must be dry before putting on." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.116. Correspondence, Folder 31, formerly 180. 1926-06-19.)
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"[Item Transcription:] So glad to hear that you are surviving the rigors of the changeable Northern Summer and that ropes do occasionally part even under your direction, makes me feel easier. Barrows reported that PLEASURE [#907s] was bone dry as late as two days ago. All these dredges plugging away night and day but rock is slow working and the Helen fill is not yet half completed. The easterly boat basin at Camp is dredged but retaining wall not started. The next big job is the S.W. end. Expect I will have to move MELODY & SUNSET outside of Wabun in order to be safe from the dredge operations, won't do it til last minute as they will ground at half tide.
Am afraid the new channel will be of little use to us as it will go through a trifle this side of Wabun and probably not out by Mathesons stake unless the Swetlands pay them extra. This will very possibly be done. The sailing club floating house given by Matheson has arrived and Barrows & I spent part of Sat & nearly all of yesterday making pattern for corner[?] clevis[?] of wrought iron to moor here by out at the starting race stake. Hugh M[atheson] blasted a hole for it yesterday. The scow is about 16ft x 69ft, two story house on it, all new but not a think to make fast to. Going to moor her by one course so as to have all of starboard side and stern to hitch the boats [BISCAYNE BAY 14 footers] to and be on the lee side. FLYING CLOUD [#703s] made a very creditable trip. Must figure out MICCO's run from 30 miles east of Cape Henry to Absecum Light abreast 8 a.m. Wind S.W. Then[?] with[?] N.W. Barnegat at noon & Sandy Hook [at] 6.30 p.m, wind N.N.W., gale. 6 days 12 hrs must have reeled off miles somewhere for only 15 miles made use[?] 24 hrs just North of Hatteras.
Regards to all ... Have difficulty in making iron rope run evenly on drum, will it help to have drum spirally grooved to fit rope?" (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40970. Correspondence, Folder 85, formerly 102. 1926-06-21.)
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"[Item Transcription:] From your description of the bottom paint [on #966s GRAYLING], and that you could scrape it off with your finger nail, I can't help thinking there must be something wrong with the paint when put on.
There is a possibility of a mistake such as a painter taking up the wrong pot and putting on the ordinary topside paint, which I know becomes soft under water.
The boat I have in Florida [#907s PLEASURE] was painted one coat last fall, and when taken out of water after 6 months was almost clean and no barnicles. I only touched up a few places, around the waterline forward and the centreboard where striking bottom and launched her to be afloat all summer.
My boat at home [#718s ALERION III] is afloat about 4 months and gets one coat a year and has a very smooth bottom.
If you could spare your launch for a week, she could tow GRAYLING to Bristol in 18 hours, weather permitting, and if she started after a Saturdays race, should be in Bristol Sunday p.m. The fitting of a new mast and rigging should be completed by Monday night on Tuesday forenoon at latest. Allowing one day for trying out and one day for stormy weather would still leave two days to get her back for Saturday noon racing.
As to making the new spar and rigging. Chas Nystrom can better tell you the time, but it looks to me as if the rush work of spring is nearly over." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.117. Correspondence, Folder 31, formerly 180. 1926-06-23.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On R.M. Munroe, Coconut Grove, Florida ' stationery:] Your last letter of the 15th re[ceive]d and should have been answered sooner by reason of your enquiry about the Bank closing, but each day we thought to have possibly better news to report to so far it is apparently not very serious. A statement should be due soon. It has put lots of folks to great inconvenience anyway. The home affairs are reported as being in good condition. being one of a chain bank seems [to have] caused the trouble. An unscrupulous party in the management dumped a lot of Georgia farming paper into a number of these chain banks and [these] were apparently not noticed by the various Directorates til too late. This paper is not considered valueless by any means as this season's crops are considered good but such security is not looked upon with favor much outside of the locality where issued & by conservative bankers generally. Therefore as a cautionary measure it was thought best to close the doors for a conference. At this point some of our most interested citizens made a move to take over this Coconut Grove Bank with the aid of the Miami Trust Nat. and the Bank of Bay Biscayne and continue business. However, they found this impractical from legal & other standpoints and then started a new bank of 150000 capital all subscribed for in a few days and with assurance of being made receivers of the closed concern and thus conserving matters in the best manner for all concerned. There has been no excitement in any counter moves whatever so everyone is taking the affair as they should. Personally I had only a few dollars involved but subscribed to the stock of the new bank as a matter of community welfare. Coral Gables has but trough a new loan of $110 000 000 & claims no debt to offset it. We have 'TALLAHASSEE' Hugh Matheson's ketch, 3 1/2ft D[raft]. Put her on the cradle with tide 3in below our M.H.W. mark. Barrows is busy over her & the bulk heads in the [Biscayne Bay] 14 fters. The two new ones [possibly #950s No. 13 and #951s No. 14] arrived yesterday.
All clear of the dredge except pipe & pontoons moored to S.E. face of Camp bulkhead. They left our sailing bottom pretty ragged in places so that I've had to stake it but have put the U.S. Engineers on to it to jack up the D.Co. into removing the obstructions. We have more depth but more intricate[?] out to the N.Y.Y.C. flag and no change out beyond. By way of Dinner Key however, 5ft can be carried at low water. I expect Swetland to do something about this when he comes. Squalls for two weeks past & today a steady rain with fresh breeze S by W. as[?] promised a change by tomorrow. 'PLEASURE' [#907s] reported O.K. by Barrows last Sunday. Wirth at last reports still in Nantucket.
Regards to all ... [No year. Though filed with other 1925 Munroe correspondence, discussuion of local banking troubles and references to responses by NGH indicate this letter to have been written in 1926.]" (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40640. Correspondence, Folder 84, formerly 102. (1926 ?)-07-22.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On 'R.M. Munroe, Coconut Grove, Florida' stationery:] Your two letters re[ceive]d. I forgot in my last to report in my last [sic] that 'PLEASURE' [#907s] per Hugh Matheson was o.k. and this past week Barrows regular look see was the same finding. Nothing new especially. No Bank overhaul yet, but it is due now. Your Bristol news interesting but not as much detail as to RESOLUTE's [#725s] new rig as would suit, will wait til you arrive later.
The best answer I can make to the detractions of my type of shallow boat, will be to compile a statement of approximate performance by owners & skippers if still to be found & if not accept my notes made on them. It will be interesting perhaps[?] that they were good, safe & fairly fast, and gave satisfaction offshore & in. They started off with too little beam in PRESTO but which in no way detached from sea going ability, simply footing slow to windward but getting there, and so it went through the whole fleet of them varying mid sections but always with the garboard rabbet within a couple of inches of the bottom of keel and with little or no drag aft & water line beam always scant of deck beam. MELODY possibly being the widest. Nearly all were quite heavily ballasted, indicating much displacement & in no possible way skimming dishes. The PRESTO was sailed by me nearly four years without a sign of any skeg aft. I did complain of her wild steering and before taking her to Fla. 1888 had one put on reaching nearly to her full balanced rudder & rounded up. From hat time to the present have never had one complaint of faulty steering by any of them and 'MICCO's' run from N. of Canaveral to S. of Jupiter in the Gulf Stream before one of the heaviest northers f that season, & between dark & day light, has always satisfied me no matter what other short comings might be. Have a new mizzen for SUNSET & wish it was bent on to day, as it is one of the most beautiful N.E-erlies that ever blew here. Patty & her friends went off this a.m. in MELODY for Soldier Key and wish I could have gone with them. The Camp is taking shape but the fill will have to settle a bit first. The Dredge is now on a big job just S. of Hugh Mathesons. I've not completed any plans yet for my front, waiting for Wirth to get home. Thank you ever so much for your handling of hims as to the future. We both appreciate it. Mrs. M. is writing Mrs. H. to day. [Postscipt in upper margin:] No signs of ony leak in Cottage tho there has been heavy rain squalls for some weeks. [The year is difficult to decypher and might be either 1926 or 1925, but 1926 is confirmed by next letter from August 25, 1926 which also references PRESTO.]" (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41030. Correspondence, Folder 85, formerly 102. 1926-08-15.)
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"[Item Transcription:] There's a gale in the N. Mexican Gulf going on which is giving us heavy S. to S.W. squalls and rain. Glad to hear from you tho the items about RESOLUTE [#725s] and VAGRANT [#719s] made me hot. I think your solution of the real troubles at the back of it all are correct. Under the conditions which you do all sorts of work and especially of this kind and for these people who ought to have sense enough to give time for experimental things to be worked out makes me have a poor opinion of them as gentle and real sailor men. Don't bother with them any more but lets get what little pleasure is yet coming in other ways.
Had a slight scare over a week ago but as it was of so little consequence did not think to mention it in my last letter to you. Heard the fire engines clattering down the road but that's nothing hereabouts so just looked down along shore for smoke & seeing none dismissed it. Later on a rumor reached me that they had gone to a yacht afire at the Curtis James place [where #907s PLEASURE was moored], had gotten bogged on the front lawn and another engine had to pull them out but nothing further about the yacht. Naturally we got a move on instanter[?]. A small pile of brush on Bindley place just N.E. burned up and the fire chappies got a steer into the wrong gateway, that's all. No sparks ever went over the line and I believe they didn't bother to put it out. W.J. Matheson is fixing up his basin and when done, they will probably go at that of James but Hugh says he will look out for PLEASURE & if necessary we will bring her up to the old Camp basin which can be used tho not finished. You struck the nail on the head when you wrote that in my planning 'PRESTO', the first of my light draft boats having extreme stability, that I had deepened the bilges & kept the fore and aft lines true & sweet. This is what I did do but at the same time it entered my head that so long as I was willing to give up some windward speed that I might just as well experiment on the relationship of reduced sail area to beam and see how far both could be cut down but still retaining all displacement & weight of ballast possible. Almost the exact proportions were more or less accidentally obtained at this first trial for PRESTO was perfect with one except in, let's say two. One was a little efficiency in primary stability which a little more waterline beam would have corrected & better windward footing secured to as at first stated, speed in that direction was not to be expected further than normal. Extreme stability however, was the most noticeable for a more able craft I never sailed. The other defect was that she steered too easy for comfort & safety to her crew. Having as she did a rocker keel from four foot clean aft to transom which was above the water 18in and emersed[sic] length of 35ft forward of 5ft 3in overhang aft and a freeboard of 24in, l.o.a. 42ft 10in, w.l. length 36ft 10in, deck beam 10ft 6in, w.l. beam 9ft 1in, draft 28in, ballast inside, cast to fit 4 1/2 tons iron, dead rise 1in to 1 ft[?]. Rudder, regular balanced sharpie type steered with a 3 1/2in iron tiller. I sailed her three years without trouble except too quick a helm which I corrected by a skeg from just aft of C.B. to within a ft of rudder and lower corner rounded up. This allowed anyone forward or aft to retain their footing on deck much better than before tho at no time was she ever out of control in heavy following seas but a helmsman can be careless.
At this time I added the big topsail of 214 [sq]ft area which with the area of the 3 lowers made 1159, all available with the wind aft. Yet clear to the W. coast of Fla with a year of sailing along the Keys she never took a knock down that I remember. Her main mast was 8in at the deck. Mizzen 5 1/2. Neither had shrouds, the main having a runner to use as shroud by the wind or at two other distances aft as a backstay. I heard from her owners at New Orleans for many years after her sale & always in words of praise. The craft that came after embodied the same lines with variations to suit clients & self & no complaints except one very curious one of 'SAVALO' is too stiff?' so I offered more mast but it was not done. The envies[?] set me are more interesting to me than you thought for. I got to figuring on eccentric latter chunks once upon a time and the epeychordial[?] questions came up but I never got further than wondering at the engine work on my watch case. Glad you gave up figuring on a rule of curves. You might have neglected modeling a new boat.
Best wishes to you all from 'We uns' and hurry up down. Gave the cradle another dope of my pat. oil yesterday. The wheel pin holes have taken up rather than enlarged, notwithstanding the heavy boats hauled.
Sincerely ..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41050. Correspondence, Folder 85, formerly 102. (1926)-08-25.)
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"[Item Description:] [Telegram from Coconut Grove:] Waterfront completely destroyed. PLEASURE [#907s] all right. Cottage gone. We are safe." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Telegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41280. Correspondence, Folder 85, formerly 102. 1926-09-21.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Sent you a wire message yesterday which I delayed a day in order to report on PLEASURE [#907s] as being apparently without a scratch or even a hole in cover which as several dredge pontoon & other craft ploughed past on either side on a N.E. course right across the fairways[?] plan, was a remarkable escape for her. She was the only uninjured craft anywhere along shore apparently.
We got warning of its sure approach Friday P.M. and worked til late that night on the extra mooring of MELODY & SUNSET and batting of boat house etc. Then turned in with an increasing wind N.N.E. sky not so bad looking, but by mid night it was on us & by 3 a.m. B[arometer] 29.22 so we turned out and went down into the sitting room ready for what might come. 4.20 B[arometer] 2896. 4.50 28.74. 5.05 28.68. 5.38 28.33. 6 28.28. 6.15 28.24. Center [of the eye of the hurricane] 1 hr. in passing, edge not distinctly noticeable as usual. 7.20 28.13. 7.55 28.10. 8.25 28.18. 8.35 28.32 reaching not quite normal about noon following day.
How's that for a record? When the lull came at center tried to secure our small boats tied to the back of boat house but only successful in getting 'VELITTA' as wind & sea were working fast from S.S.W. & tide rising with a jump. In half an hour it was blowing all of 100 miles about the same as just before the shift. At about 10, many of the squalls must have reached 120 to 125 miles tho of course the Gov[ernmen]t reports are less as the station is surrounded by high buildings.
The N.E. wind wrecked a lot of damage among the trees but the boats & shore front seemed O.K. for the first-half hour. There was a procession of all sorts of craft going S.W. during first part of lull. At this time Barrows brought his wife up & lucky he did for in a short time visibility shut down completely and nothing more was known of the water front til near noon when nothing but a few bedraggled Coconuts came in sight and right in front, Peacocks 30ft p[ower] launch, which had come right across lots from the Camp westerly[?] basin and a still larger boat on Pooles front. The water was just up to the old well, about half way up our lawn. SUNSET was gone, MELODY was apparently O.K. except bow in the water from rain water which had been too much for her c[ock]pit scuppers to carry off before reaching the C.P. locker doors. We tried to save her from going down after standing all the gale but we couldn't get a boat afloat & next morning she was down. Yesterday we floated her again without trouble and fond that something having wire connections of some sort had drifted athwart her bow, cut the jib stay & hung on the foremast long enough to ruin the mast & covering[?] boat & sail on port side. This same object must have first fouled SUNSET & parted all there of her facts[?] but leaving no marks except on hull. She went over the Helm bulkhead, striking pretty hard on shore aft & port bilge, driving in one plank but not breaking. Haven't gotten the exact rise of water, but it must have been about 6 1/2 ft above M.H.W. Standing at the foot of a royal palm tree on the Curtiss James place near PLEASURE the back was chopped off 8ft above by apparently one of pipe pontoons. These are approx. 3 1/2ft Dia. & draw about 18in. The whole of the dredging outfit 40 to 50 pontoons nearly all went over the new bulkhead at the moorings[?] next place S.W. & there over the wall & now lie sixes & sevens on from[?] ways[?] front lawn. Hugh Matheson's yacht station houseboat was in his father's basin where she went all to pieces in a short time after completely wrecking everything else. 'TALLAHASSEE' was also in the basin but escaping the house boat ploughed her 3 1/2ft draft through the mangroves & across the Estate grounds N.E. & finally sunk on the Adirondack School place nearly up to the houses dismasted & badly bilged. Hugh says he will not repair her. EVANGELINE which went overland from Entrada basin to that of H. Matheson without injury and MELODY were the only boats that rode out the gale S.W. of point view. Everything else is up in the woods or near to them, and now an[?] tale of lore[?]. With the exception of my low built pier, there is not a wharf intact on the Bay from Point View southward and within[?] is there is there [sic] an undamaged house, out[?] from Dinner Key to south of Cutler, not one left standing in what is called the low land.
Adirondack School, Poole, Self, Gardiner, the whole of Dinner Key & this side is swept clean, and the debris from the first four is puled up from four to five ft high to 25ft wide in places clear to the Home[?] Keepers Club. We have been busy as could be ever since, salvaging what we can but its an awful job. I've found many of my tools close to where the boathouse stood and have gotten quite a lot of (our) yours & mine, and when we get the more necessary things attended to & with the help of the City will probably get a lot more bits value by that time will be doubtful so mixed with sea weed & other trash.
Your dinghy [#191305es] was found in pieces opposite the public library.
Gardiner's boat 'ARLEGA'[?] just this side & so it goes way with[?] to the Camp. The Hine cottage just did half together but completely destroyed the bamboos & is on top of them. I can move it back into place. It might have stood probably but a big heavy launch on our ways floated off & sawed[?] the cottage & then sunk in my banana patch. Of course there is an awful demand for mechanics otherwise I might promise to have it repaint & ready for you in time. Will do the best we can & let you know. PLEASURE's mast is gone as in found the pieces. We have the boom (main) but nothing else so far. MELODY & SUNSET in same fix except that the formers mainsail & jib have shown up. I don't have to tell you of our loss as you know. Will build again in old location soon as possible but with a better plan. The loss in the county at large is very high besides that of life. 75 known dead and several hundred injured." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41090. Correspondence, Folder 85, formerly 102. 1926-09-22.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Answering yours of Sep 30th just at hand. Mr. Barrows went back to Norfolk last week. He is still living in the Gardiner house and working for Matheson.
I have three men besides With and am beginning to show a gain on the enemy. Road open to Main St. Yard cleaned. Laundry back on foundation, tank set up. Old wind mill pump connected & in use by hand. Peacock launch is at water front again. However, other wreckage is is [sic] cleared about 25ft easterly. Think this is the most of owing to so much seaweed mixed in.
Debris from around house & wreckage dragged down to where Hine house was & burning night & day. Occasional forays in the wreckage all along the line to McFarlane[?] St. whenever we think of something special in which PLEASURE's [#907s] mainsail was found a little soiled but O.K. Otherwise also a bag with Spinaker & one or two other sails. Jib & mizzen missing. P[LEASURE]'s main boom & another painted spar. The former O.K. The latter still bruised. Wirth & Bill working on it today. Patty found quite a number of your tools, cooking & other effects under the floor of your house about where the Gardiner S. Sea hut stood. P[LEASURE]'s mast was alongside Gardiner boat broken in three pieces. Took off the rigging & have[?] work. There is quite a lot of linen & other house hold stuff been found & cared for. With a new roof on laundry area[?] are beginning[?] to sort tools & put in S. end of it, so as to have something to repair with as no mechanics can be gotten. SUNSET is where she landed about the middle of the Helen fill. We raised her up out of the sand[?] & blocked her. Port side from bilge to garboard badly stove. Will bring her to railway & repair. Railway trucks look O.K. except hours[?] which are all shapes[?]. Hoist was completely smashed [by] boat that was in the cradle, the latter on the ground. Will try to get Hine cottage back in place or nearly so & may as you suggest use it for a shop until I can build just what I want on the old site out of steel & concrete & then middle[?] my things at Old Barns. Pier O.K. not a splinter off.
PLEASURE was apparently in same position that you left her in except not so close to wall. Couldn't get aboard on ac[oun]t of sea weed packed into the slip. Will see if Matheson will consider her. He's already said something about SUNSET to Wirth but she is too small I should think. Cook of WABUN is feeling poor, lots of his tile[?] smashed at Miami warehouse.
I am dickering for the Poole house next door which has all conveniences except a piazza easily[?] uplaced[?]. Also finding out what Gardiner intends doing. Howe[?] is O.K. except piazza screens but the grounds a wreck. Fully 400 small craft & large are stranded way inland all along the Bay & Miami River. When your friends[?] complete arrangements which may take time there will be a much better abiding[?] place here for you both than before. This is confidential but I thought it best you should know it so remains there und[?] at present." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41130. Correspondence, Folder 85, formerly 102. 1926-10-03.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Hard at it, mining[?] in the [Hurricane] wreckage haff[?].
The other half day at things possibly none important but I now have all my models except SAMAR and of yours 2. One small transom steer[?] & the other GAME COCK [#932s] I think. [Apparently belonging to #907s PLEASURE:] One boom 20.10, the other 17.4. Spinaker & # 2 jib & one other sail unknown, boom crutch. T. sq[uare], sculling oar, s[crew] driver, scraper (old file), 3 hack saws, I saw set, 5 drills, 3 clamps, 1 putty k[nife], 1 bank saw, pat swips[?], pipe wrench, small hammer, claw h[ammer], ny[?] sqr[?], solid triangle, brale[?], m[arlin] spike, 1 small vice, 2 oil stones, piano plane. Box of odds & ends. All but the latter found here under wreck of home by Patty. Says there is more under there. Will jack up & look for them. Have gotten were[?] washed in fresh water, dried & then oiled. Wish mine were[?]. The house mover quit his job and we got some jack screws & crows[?] from Matheson, to begin tomorrow morning. Erwin[?] will begin with us and then give what time he can from other jobs when the rain is still pouring through roofs. Am sending another list of things salvaged. Am afraid the rest of the lost stuff will have to be abandoned more or less as some blankets found this morning were already rotted. Shaft, wheel & friction cone ring O.K. but haven;t located motor. All the halliards of main mast & other metal work O.L. Matheson has taken the matter of purchase under consideration & seems favorably inclined.
As you know all conditions of the railway so well it might be well to have you provide at least a new frame for the drum & gearing, part of which is now having cost me $60. Can't send you paper pattern of one of the two side frames to which you can add another bearing for the new countershaft: What think you? The foliage is coming out beautiful which gives encouragement. Good wishes,
Sincerely ...
There are undoubtedly more things in our pile of stuff wemf[?] which will have to await sorting." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41250. Correspondence, Folder 85, formerly 102. 1926-10-12.)
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"[Item Description:] [Postcard:] Wrote you day or so ago about sails, spars [for #907s PLEASURE], etc. Had another hurricane last night. Promised much but no further damage than to delay setting cottage on foundations. Forgot to mention that the bent[?] oak[?] stanchions on the cradle pretty much all went to pieces. Perhaps you can suggest something better." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Postcard to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40930. Correspondence, Folder 85, formerly 102. 1926-10-21.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled technical sketch with 'Note. Made this drawing & also pattern of housing, Oct 22-25 [1926], expecting Com. Munroe w[ou]ld approve & order, but he preferred to repair his old gear. (Intended to be used at Com. Munroe's in Coconut Grove, to be used for hauling out #907s PLEASURE and other boats)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_01050. Folder [no #]. 1926-10-22.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I promised the shaft dia. templates before this but forgot it in the rush of things that had to be done especially now that the details of your cottage come up and the rebuilding of the boat house begun. The latter is to be 2ft wider & 4ft larger & about a ft higher off the ground, not to escape sea-water for it rose 10ft above m.h.w. but to get a better storage space under for things in normal times. Its been a steady grind ever since the gale workdays & Sundays. Your domicile already looks comfortable at least inside and if we can only get a plumber without murder of one, will have it livable soon but you mustn't mind looks for it will be years before that is worth while again.
As for boats, they have had to be disremined[?] from our mind for the present. MELODY is still swinging to her moorings minus pretty much everything & SUNSET is still shored up in the center of the Helen fill untouched. The wreckage from Pooles to McFarlane St. has gone through[?] with again last week & then fired. I saved 3 or 4 truck loads but probably will have to burn much of that later. As we came across articles they were taken up to the Barnacle and at first with an attempt to classify so as to know where & what to book for but soon gave that up. Our piazzas were kept filled. Sails were left out in rains, then dried & put up in the ganst[?] likewise where things liable to mildew & rust but it soon got beyond us & piles now adorn the backyard. However I think I can see an end to it all a few months off. One think I did know and that was the necessity of having the railway in working order at some near date so yesterday took the gang down there with their axes & made a good beginning in the mess. The E.N.E. wind blew the trees one way & when it shifted blew the remainder just the opposite. The two old soldiers on each side of the old boat house that I had wired and have been afraid of for years are still on deck sneering at gales. I think all your wire rigging is O.K. also the metal work on the main mast [of #907s PLEASURE]. Salvaged anchors with the exception of one of mine still in the Bay and piled together in the back yard & I don't know the Herreshoff ones tother[?] from which. Some are on MELODY yet & I thought PLEASURE had one or two. She was apparently in good shape a couple of days ago when I went down to see her. W.L. 2 1/2in out midship. She is the lucky boat of the Bay. We had all the sails down from the attic at the time of your last enquiry & I think measured & described them O.K. I don't doubt but what the mud stains will wash & bleach out fairly well as for being suitable for yacht as you write, its just the other way now. If not daily, sails lose caste[?] as not having been 'over them'. The templates or guages enclosed are for the two countershafts and the drum. Put in galv[anized] holding down bolts for the hoist-frame. The Cuban gale just side swiped us giving us a lot of worry from dark to 11.30 p.m. when we heard it rearing[?] round the N.W. corner to W.N.W by of N. So went up stairs & turned in." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41230. Correspondence, Folder 85, formerly 102. (1926)-10-28.)
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"[Item Description:] [Handwritten postcard:] Received your mizzen shrouds [for #907s PLEASURE] with runners attached. In good order. Found them in a neighbors garage." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Postcard to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40940. Correspondence, Folder 85, formerly 102. 1926-10-31.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Plumber gave us 2 1/2 days & waste pipe to septic t[ank] in place.
Couple of more days should finish his job. Concrete under pinning partly poured. Inside time ready for stain. Outside yet to be shingle patched & eaves repaired. [Two words in left margin:] Boat house. Foundation all ready for frame and as there will be no inside finish, should be ready to move in the week[?] of tools etc quite soon. Awful slow work cleaning away through hammock & out to road also on the waterfront tho I've 6 to 8 men.
Barrows got Gardiner boat into water & then discovered she couldn't be kept afloat so had to put gearing in place on [marine] R[ail]W[ay] in wooden frame & hauled her out this a.m. Found garboards badly wormed which did not show before. Will take a week or more t replace them. MELODY next. She got punched below w.l. by apparently an anchor, but is tight. As PLEASURE [#907s] did not show any marks at all, believe she is o.k. SUNSET is still high & dry. Can't spare the men to get her afloat yet. Is rather badly bilged on port side, looks as if quite a few frames gone. Will have to haul her some 600ft over even ground.
Mrs M[unroe] has written Mrs H. other particulars. Every beacon is gone so you will have to navigate with caution not only as to channels but to avoid sunken wreckage of all kinds. Lots of boats have not been found yet. However, its interesting even if costly and has done a real lot for good. All wish to be remembered.
Sincerely ... [No year. 1926, after the great Miami hurricane of Sept 18, 1926 whose damage is referenced in this letter but left PLEASURE unscathed (even though this letter is filed with other 1924 Munroe correspondence.]" (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40400. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. (1926 ?)-11-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Undated (probably ca 1926-12 after the hurricane of Sept 1926) handwritten (ink and pencil) list relating to items belonging to #907s PLEASURE:]
Things belonging to PLEASURE.
Stored in Cottage [in Coconut Grove, FL]
[List including penciled check marks if item was found and penciled Notes of condition]
Jib [dimensions]
Sloop mainsail [dimensions]
Yawl mainsail [dimensions]
Mizzensail [dimensions]
Small jib [dimensions]
Spinaker [dimensions]
Awning & stanchions [dimensions]
2 Cedar buckets
Kaki tarpaulin
2 Spray cloths Kaki
4 Cabin cushions
2 pillows
Anchor, about 26lbs
Anchor about 16lbs
Cable 1 3/4in manila 270ft
Cable 1 1/8in manila 150ft
Mooring 1 1/8in manila 45ft
Mooring 1 1/8in manila 45ft
Several pieces 9 thread manila
Main halyard whip 3/8 dia Cotton, 83ft
Main down haul 1/4in - 41ft
Jib halyard whip 5/16in dia Cotton, 60ft
Main sheet whip 3/8in dia Cotton, 120ft
Jib sheet whip 1/4in dia Cotton, 57ft
Lazy lines, main, cotton, several pieces
Lazy lines, jib, cotton, several pieces
Lazy lines, mizzen, cotton, several pieces
[on verso]
PLEASURE's Things Continued
Jib halyards & 2 blocks, 3/16 phos.bz. 25 1/2ft
2 Mizzen shrouds & turn buckles, phos.bz.
Mizzen sheet bridle & block 3/16 phos bz.
Mizzen halyards
2 Single mainsheet blocks (sloop)
1 Double mainsheet block (yawl)
2 Jib sheet block small
1 Spinaker hal[yard] block
2 Lazy lines & block small
2 slides for backstays
There were also several odd blocks
2 Cedar buckets
2 Boom rests (high & low)
2 cyl gasoline engine
Propeller shaft & wheel
One Mainmast 5/8in track
Boom hanging bands
Sheave & pin in head
Main halyards 1/4in phos.bz. block 35 1/2ft
Jib halyards 3/16 phos.bz. block
Jib stay 5/16 steel rope & shackle
2 Shrouds 5/16in steel rope & turnbuckles
2 Backstays 1/4 steel rope & shackles
Boom lift 3/32 wire rope 42 1/2ft
2 Main booms with hangings, track & eyes
1 Main mast
1 Mizzen mast 3 3/8in dia, 18ft long (Broken & ruined)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_56410. Subject Files, Folder 68, formerly 154;157. No date (ca1926-12).)
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"[Item Description:] Crane ordered design as matter of information from L. Francis Herreshoff but Harold Vanderbilt was not interested possibly because great overall length, low ends and canoe stern did not appeal to him, am glad you feel it not all up with the NY50s yet, they will sail in 46ft rating class, promises to be keen class, Clinton Crane #715s IBIS ex-GRAYLING, Harding bought #713s IROQUOIS II, Hanan #712s SPARTAN, have not seen new Scantling Rules, hope you will criticize them, NYYC had nothing further to do with them, ABS took it up from that point and the Rules are theirs, incl. NGH reply: comparing ex-NY50s against coming M class and Harold Vanderbilt's new Burgess boat [#1058s PRESTIGE], my present study uses as much of your two rigs [for #721s CAROLINA II], new sails are faster than old ones even if old ones set equally well possibly because new canvas is more air tight, experiment by filling pores of old sails with some fine material could be carried out with R-boat or converted NY50s but require considerable time spent by 2 well matched crews to get clonclusions, detailed suggestions for CAROLINA, advise to dispence with quarterlifts entirely and have a single boom lift instead, if lazy lines required when cruising have eyes each side of mast only about 25ft up to hook blocks into and from there to boom, this arrangement saves a whole lot of trouble from the sailbattens, I made this change on #907s PLEASURE and found it vastly better [part of a group of documents pinned together with George Nichols to NGH letter of October 30, 1926 being the topmost letter]" (Source: Nichols, George (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRRT_230. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder MRRT. 1927-02-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I was very glad to have your letter of March 15th, and have been worse than you in delay of reply.
You may be perfectly sure the New York Yacht Club would be delighted to publish your scantling rules as yours if you should ever want them to do so. I should like to have them published before some foolish rules have been adopted.
I am glad you think my sail plan sketch is practical and have gone ahead with it. Its advantage is that it requires almost nothing new. The mainsail can be easily recut. The rake of the mast is for balance only.
Another year when the responsibility for the Yacht Club is off my shoulders I can perhaps shift the mast & make CAROLINA [#721s] frankly into a fast cruiser. Now that the children are getting big enough to go sailing I get more pleasure out of spending my Saturday afternoons with them than in living up to a racing schedule. I did see PLEASURE [#907s] advertised in Yachting & you have doubtless sold her if you have any real sailing men in Florida." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_16620. Correspondence, Folder 44, formerly 143. 1927-03-27.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Penciled letter to HMCo, marked 'copy' in ink:] Referring to mine of 11th and again taking up subject of PLEASURE [#907s]. I hoped to get a reply to day. Perhaps it is on the way. I have a letter from Burgess R[igg] & M[organ] in which they say they have had more inquiries about her than any other boat on their lists but all replies they have had 'the price is too high'.
In your letter of 8th you say $3840.90 had been credited me for my services on RESOLUTE [#725s] re-rig. I consider that too much and unreasonable, and it is with my entire concent[sic] that it be placed at $1,000.
PLEASURE was billed to me at $5340.94.
There has been credited to me on this account $1500 for design work on GAME COCK [#932s] and GRAYLING [#966s], and for my work on RESOLUTE's re-rig. I think $1000 a fair & reasonable credit. Making total of $2500,00.
Leaving my indebtedness to HMCo $2840.04.
I feel I have had a lot of pleasure in sailing her and feel more than repaid for what I have laid out in working & refitting and I now will be pleased to have the H.M.Co. take her off my hands, delivered in New York for this amount --- which will close up this account. This will allow you to put her in the market at a price that she will quickly sell. Please wire me reply." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter (copy) to Brightman, Tom (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29100. Subject Files, Folder 21. 1927-04-18.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I thank you for your kind telegram of yesterday m[?]. I want to say I have enjoyed having the boat PLEASURE [#907s] here to sail in very much, and that I have been more than well prepaid when assuming all transportation and upkeep expenses and I would very much like to have you take her off my hands on her arrival in New York and let all credits that have been booked to me go against the boats depreciation from building costs to what you may be able to sell her for. In this way I trust she will not be booked as a loss to the H.M.Co.
I am very fond of the boat and in a way she has been a good advertisement to the H.M.C. I explained in a former letter my only reason for parting with her --- loss in strength and agility in handling a boat due to advancing years. At the present time every one is as poor as the proverbial church mouse. Sailing interests about here are absolutely dead and these waters are the best for small boat sailing to be found anywhere.
I am arranging to send PLEASURE by the Mallory S.S. Co. The H. R. MALLORY [is] scheduled to arrive in N.Y. either May 13 or June 3. will notify you soon as reservation is made for deck space. You should have some one to take charge of the boat and take her away soon as she leaves the ship's deck, as it is no place for such a boat afloat in a New York dock." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Haffenreffer (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29110. Subject Files, Folder 21. 1927-04-22.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled dimensioned drawings (fore- and aft view) titled 'Cradle for shipping PLEASURE [#907s] on H.R. Mallory. N.G.H. Ap[ril] 24, 1927'. With 'Note: Cradle shipped to Key West. April 30 [1927] in 5 pieces and 7 bundles'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_00550. Folder [no #]. 1927-04-24.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am putting PLEASURE [#907s] in your charge to sail her with the assistance of Mr. William Catlow to Key West for shipment to New York on Str. H. R. Mallory which is due from Galveston the evening of Monday 9th.
Take all possible care to get the boat there safely and on time, i.e. on or before Saturday noon so you can have opportunity to get sails dry before unbending, and assemble the cradle which has been forwarded by R[ail] R[oad] freight to the Mallory S. S. Co. Key West in sections.
After unbending sails and making up for storing below, unstep mizzen mast and lash along main boom, all inboard. Bring all running rigging of mainmast and topping lift into the mast and wrap them there by spinnaker halyards, so there will be minimum of windage aloft and give the ships hoisting gear unobstructed room. Have the boat along side of steamer in ample time for loading and assist stevedore in placing & securing slings and if necessary hire a launch to help you get her there. First have stevedore put a little strain on slings and get them in position and drive[?] spreaders close down[?] to deck so they will not injure boom as slings stretch. The steamer has proper [unreadable word] bow & stern lashing. Use first of the boats' lines. Have the boat turned with the mast away from the cargo boom, and if boat is loaded before the str. foremast and cabin decks, as I understand she will be, the boat must have her stern forward and have cradle placed accordingly.
I will make marks on the boats deck where the slings and spreaders should be to clear cradle. Forward sling should cross keel directly under mast and aft sling 3ft forward of aft end of cockpit, or 1ft forward of end of tiller. The distance around the boat from gunwale to gunwale at the two positions is the same, so slings should be of equal length. Keel has brass shoeing 3/16 thick with edges rounded, not sharp, but it would be well if the slings are parceled at keel bearing --- supposing of course manilla rope slings are used. If however, wire rope slings are used the boat should be protected from injury. Have the builge[sic, i.e. bilge] poppets[?] [laced carefully on cradle while on dock, and put the uprights in place after boat is lowered in place. The forward uprights should have a crossband to tie them together which will be carried on the boat. Lock cabin and hang key in secret place arranged for. Cover cockpit completely with tarpaulin, and have boom on low rest.
I have forwarded Mr. C. E. Smith $10[?] to pay freight and transfer of cradle. Settle with him. There may be a surplus or deficit. I authorize you to sign the bill of lading for me and get from Mr. Smith 2 copies, also the insurance policy, which has been settled for.
The account[?] is:
Carrying PLEASURE from afloat at K[ey] W[est] to afloat in N.Y. 210.15
Wharfage 2
Insurance 4.50
On[?] 216.65
Am[oun]t forward $216.65
Sent Mallory SS to acct[?] of RR freight 10.00
226.65
My check for that amount was sent Mr. Smith Apr. 27.
As soon as possible after receiving these[?] in close are copy bill lading in envelope direction[?] to H.M.Co, Bristol, RI, and bring the other and one insurance policy[?] to me, together with your acc[oun]t of expenses." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Munroe, Wirth. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29040. Subject Files, Folder 21. 1927-05-02.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On Herreshoff Manufacturing Copany, Bristol, Rhode Island' stationery:] N. G. Herreshoff sold to the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company the sailing yacht 'PLEASURE', built on
Herreshoff contract #907 [#907s] for Thirty Six Hundred Dollars.
Received payment, October 25th, 1927." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Receipt. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29030. Subject Files, Folder 21. 1927-05-13.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled technical drawing titled 'Pencil control for pantograph. July 1927'. On verso of 'N.G. Herreshoff, Bristol, R.I.' stationery with crossed out letter fragment 'Sept[ember 25, 1926. Drar Bob. The only news I have had yet from Coconut Grove is the following telegram. Wednesday from Mrs. Munroe --- Waterfront completely destroyed. PLEASURE [#907s] all right. We are safe.'" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_00190. Folder [no #]. 1927-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On 'R.M. Munroe, Box 116, Coconut Grove, Florida' stationery:] ... This must be Sunday for the house is not full, various mechanics are conspicuous by their absence. It hasn't squalled yet so far but will by p.m. Our cistern is positively running over and the rest on the verge. Rain began about the middle of last week with one roof finished (kitchen) and library nearly so but nothing damaged. Windows & screens now all in so let her drizzle.
Unbent SUNSET's sails and given up any attempt at sailing til the wet spell is over of Wirth gets home which he doesn't seem to be in much hurry about. Everything is rank green again and the lawn mowers are being oiled up. The boat house work is finished up to the date three and the sea grape over the top of the wire fence with the ginger plant close behind but the sweet potatoes 'non est' and a fine water melon vine in its place. Can't do much with your corner post gardens til we get some leaders up. Your good long letter of the 3rd duly re[ceive]d. It must have been interesting to see PLEASURE [#907s] following you up and having another sail in her also in having a chance for a comparison between her & ALERION [#718s]. 'Yachting' [magazine] was quite full of more or less readable stuff last issue but little however of really much value as being either new or proven. That squared saw log of a boom on KATOURA [#1050s] may answer but sure is not a thing of beauty. Your ideas about a boat [#192705es] suitable for these waters & capable of being wheeled up the hill on my new road for storage is perfectly O.K. Whats more, it will be very simple to build strong protection from the weather back of our hammock out of expanded metal lathing[?] & plaster. My two iron wheels are still perfectly good even if they have kicked around in the weather since 1876[?].
If outside ballasted it might be made removable in such small craft tho not absolutely necessary. Tho to detach it removes strain in the boat in handling. I've bought new chain for SUNSET moorings and will risk her again but with cockpit covering to guard against the chop sea of the Swetland storm walls which with the customary deluge of rain & flying salt water might easily over tax her scuppers. Possibly there was no back wash at the time she went adrift, everything being submerged as shown by my pier standing intact. Dr. Baekeland & wife were in town for some three days looking over their new purchase of the Huntington Buyan[?] home and making plans for some changes & furniture. Mrs B. seemed delighted & tho parts of each day were a bit trying as to heat she remained enthusiastic. The Chapman field situation for boat storage is still a good proposition and several good men connected with the Govt. agricultural station are available as caretakers but its quite a ways off and the progress already made by the Coral Gables folks back[?] of better chance there but not this year. Mrs M[unroe] and Patty will probably get away soon for the N.C. mountains but guess I'm a fixture except maybe a S.S. trip north for a little while. With best wishes to all hands. [No year. Choice of stationery and mention of Sunday July 10 (which occurred in 1927) and PEASURE/ALERION comparision indicates this letter to have been written in 1927 (even though it was filed with 1923/1924 Munroe correspondence).]" (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41780. Correspondence, Folder 87, formerly 121. (1927)-07-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Yellow sheet with hand-written calculations in ink:] Mr. NGH Credit 3600
WATER LILY #982 $1250
Alterations & Shipping $323.63
Small rowboat [#192701es WATER BUG] 73.92
--------
1647.55
--------
1952.45 [Note: On May 13, 1927 NGH had sold #907s PLEASURE to HMCo for $3600. Apparently, this sheet shows a calculation offsetting the $3600 due to NGH with the amount invoiced to NGH for acquiring, altering and shipping WATER LILY and her dinghy WATER BUG.]" (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (?) (creator). Calculations. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28970. Subject Files, Folder 20. No date (ca1927-10-20).)
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"[Item Description:] Photo of #907s PLEASURE. On verso in ink: 'PLEASURE. Photo, taken by M. Rosenfeld in 1933, when boat was owned by Mr. Frederick Gade.' In pencil: 'Presented by Mr. H.C. White to N.G.H. Feb. 1937.' With 'Morris Rosenfeld. Photographic Illustrator, 116 Nassau St. N. Y. Phone Beekman 3-4970' and negative number '62203F' stamps. Incl. envelope from Rosenfeld to Henry C. White." (Source: Rosenfeld, Morris (creator). Photograph. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_56430. Subject Files, Folder 68, formerly 154;157. 1933.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten notebook titled on outer cover 'Droughting Room. Blue Prints Record' providing a list of drawings with information in columns titled 'Issued To', 'For Job', 'Date', 'Date Returned', '[Date] Destroyed', and 'Remarks'. Vessels mentioned are #1266s BELISARIUS, #1267 FROSTFISH, #395p Owner Launch for St.Y. VIKING, #1265s NITRAMON, #1204s SILVERHEELS, #1233s RAINBOW, #1276s PRIM, #1275s MITENA, #907s PLEASURE, #931s NASSAU, #711s VENTURA, #900s IRIS, #982s WATER LILY, #891s WILDFIRE, #1147s WEETAMOE, #954s MARY ROSE, #880s JOSEPHINE, #788s MANATEE, #1146s ENTERPRISE, #1212s TRONDA, #1282s 12 1/2 for H. V. Reed, #1302s Amphicraft for N. F. Ayer, #1304s Amphicraft for Charles A. Welch, #1286s 12 1/2 for Mr. Maitland Alexander, #1311s Amphicraft for Dr. Seth M. Milliken, #1313s Dinghy for #663s RAMALLAH ex-ISTALENA, #1314s HMCo Yard Skiff, #408s PELICAN, #1315s BRENDA, #396p Power Tender for FONTINALIS, #397p Power Tender for FONTINALIS, #329p CAROLA, #1318s Sailing Dinghy for Henry S. Morgan; #1316s NOVA, #1319s Tech Dinghy, #1317s MANDOO II, #405p Surfboat, #1379s Fish Class for H. M. Lautmann (MERRY HELL), #1385s TINKER TOO, and #1384s AVANTI. 23 pages were used. Undated, the dates range from October 1934 to September 1936." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Notebook. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.106. Box HAFH.6.3B, Folder Blue Print Record Book. No date (1934-10 to 1936-09).)
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"[Item Description:] re cruising rigs, sprit booms, staysail ketch vs yawl vs sloop. Incl. penciled reply by NGH that sloop rig is fastest but at a mooring is like a girl that is very, very naughty, description of #907s PLEASURE incl her change from sloop to yawl and the ensuing great benefits in handling and little loss in speed. Incl photo of #664s WINSOME." (Source: Foster, C.H.W. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_68050. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F01, formerly MRDE15. 1935-12-31.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table showing LOA, LWL, Beam, Draft, QBL, Stem, [symbol], sft[?] and Displ[acement] for KATOURA [#722s], WESTWARD [#692s], VAGRANT, QUEEN MAB [#698s], CONSTITUTION [#551s], RESOLUTE [#725s], WINSOME [#664s], 2nd IROLITA [#658s], DORIS [#625s], AVENGER [#666s], 50 Footers [#711s], ADVENTURESS [#685s], IROLITA [#591s], FLYING CLOUD [#703s], BELISARIUS [#1266s], NEITH [#665s], AZOR [#578s], NAULAKHA [#687s], SENECA [#670s], NY30s [#626s], SENTA [#688s], DOROTHY Q [#668s], FLIGHT [#607s], PLEASURE [#907s], QUAKERESS [#676s], KILDEE [#460s], and the 12 1/2ft Class [#744s]. With formulas for mean length L, Draft limit by rule and freeboard at three positions. Undated, on verso of NYYC invitation dated December 11, 1933 but listing of BELISARIUS which was built in 1934/1935 indicates that this was written at that time or later. Filed close to and possibly related to what appears to be an early version of NGH's 'Observations on the Proportions of Sailing Yachts' from July 1936." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Tabulated Dimensions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_03040. Folder [no #]. No date (1936-07 ?).)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten:] Observations On The Proportions Of Sailing Yachts.
The average ratio of useful breadth to useful length in boats and vessels of all sizes is very nearly;- The useful length plus one raised to the power 693/1000 minus one, and divided by useful length, or B = ((L+1)^0.693)-1. In which L & B are useful lengths & useful breadths, which are lengths & breadths somewhat above the plane of flotation, and in feet.
In sailing yachts the plane in which these measurements should be taken,-when racing is a consideration,- appears to be about one-tenth of breadth (1/10*B) above plane of flotation, and in yachts with normal overhangs, as of today, the general formula- B = ((L+1)^0.693)-1 fits very well, but when with little or no overhangs, the relation breadth to length formula should have a coefficient, as, B = 1.1 * ((L+1)^0.693)-1.
The present ruling for draft of water limitation,(D=*l.6 L.W.L ± 1.75) in feet, is a bad one, as it does not allow sufficient draft in the larger sailing yachts used for racing.
Considering the general depth of water-ways, it would be well to limit draft of water in all yachts to 20 or 21 feet.
In sailing yachts, sufficient draft should be allowed to prevent excessive leeway, but not so much that would cause bad behavior in a rough sea, or make them unwieldy and dangerous to care for when out of water.
There are so many practical considerations, it appears quite impossible to arrive at a yacht's proportions and features in a scientific manner, so I have attempted to formulate some of them from observations in a long experience.
A good limit for draft of water in keel yachts, intended for cruising and racing, and in which stability is gained by placing ballast low in keel and thereby avoiding wide breadth of beam to obtain stability,- appears to be,-Breadth multiplied by one minus breadth divided by length-.
B*(l-B/L), and for the sake of safety in docking and moving when out of water,-there should be reasonable flat surface to bottom of keel in that part that is under the centre of gravity of the vessel, and this should extend from at least 1/10*L forward of centre of gravity to 15/100*L aft that point.- The slope of this bearing surface to be not more than 1 in 12 and there should be no concave line in the vessels under water profile except at or near juncture of the keel with hull.
No 'keelyachts' to be allowed to have centre-boards.
When it is a convenience for a yacht to have shallow draft and a centreboard is installed to prevent too much leeway and, will still be fit for cruising and racing, experience shows the draft should not be less than one-fourth of breadth (1/4*B) nor over one-half of breadth (1/2*B). This draft to include the conventional keel of a centre-board vessel but not a false keel or skeg sometimes applied.
Practical experience has indicated,- the best cruising and racing yachts have a displacement of considerable magnitude. When expressed in cubical units of length,- the displacement in desirable yachts is between nineteen and twenty-two and a half percent of waterline cubed, ((.19*L.W.L.)^3 < D < (.225*L.W.L.)^3) and with mean at about twenty and a half percent of waterline cubed, (.205*L.W.L.)^3.
Keel yachts, with low ballast, the area of immersed midship section is generally between fifteen & a half and thirteen & a third percent of waterline squared, ((.155*L.W.L.)^2 > [area] > (.133*L.W.L.)^2) with mean at about fourteen percent of waterline (.14*L.W.L.)^2. Centre-board yachts have a mean mid-section of about thirteen percent of waterline squared,(.13*L.W.L.)^2.
The freeboard,- or height of main deck at sides,- above the waterline plane is an amount arrived at entirely by experience and practice and its ruling is a matter of judgement. My observations indicate the minimum in cruising and racing yachts should be, at mid-section, or side mark,([x symbol]) not less than one tenth of the sum of Breadth plus cuberoot of Displacement plus squareroot of waterline length (1/10*(B + cuberoot(D) + sq-rt(L.W.L.))).
When displacement(D) is not known a close approximation of free-board may be obtained by substituting in the formula, in place of cube-rt(D) either .205*L.W.L. or when in keel yachts mid-section area is available, .68 of squareroot of this area and when centre-board yachts .63 of squareroot of the area of mid-section.
For the free-board at stemhead, add 0.025 of overall length to the freeboard at mid-section marks, and for free-board at quarters add 0.0025 of overall length to free-board at mid-section marks- for the minimum amounts to be allowed.
Min. free-board at [X symbol] < (.1*(B + cuberoot(D) + sq-rt(L.W.L.)))
Min. free-board at stem < (.1*(B + cuberoot(D) + sq-rt(L.W.L.)) + 0.025*(overall))
Min. free-board at quarters < (.1*(B + cuberoot(D) + sq-rt(L.W.L.)) + 0.0025*(overall))
My personal observations have convinced me, the ordinary practice makes the free-board at stemhead a little low.
The formula is intended to cure this fault.
MASTS.- In cruising and racing yachts, it is found necessary to have limitations to heights of sails and lightness of masts to support them.
I don't feel satisfied with the rules now in use for these limitations; as they do not fit in well in extremes of sizes or types of hulls.
As an improvement;- the height of mast in single-masted vessels, from deck to the under side of highest block or sheave, or the highest point of any sail if higher,(M) be not over one and five-tenths the squareroot of sail area plus the breadth of yacht, (1.5*sq-rt(S+B)). This will favor the wider yacht, which is more able to support a taller mast and is generally not so fast as the narrower one of same stability. If a yacht has more than one mast; the sum of the cube of length of each mast is not to exceed the cube of length for a single mast, as by the above rule.
For single masted yachts, the least distance through,- or minimum diameter,-at mid-length and any where below, is not to be less than one-hundredth of length, (0.01M), when stayed and trussed in the best manner.
The weight of mast in pounds, including all stays and spreaders to support the mast, but not any running rigging and blocks, nor that part of the mast below the main deck or above the upper point of measurement, is to be not less than the length of that part measured in feet cubed, (M)^3 and multiplied by fifteen ten-thousandths. (0.0015*(M^3)).
When yachts have more than one mast.- Determine their lengths (which is not to exceed that specified by formula (M1^3 = M2^3 + etc) < M^3. In which M=1.5*sq-rt(S)+B. and M, -M2 etc the measured lengths when more than one mast, as already noted. In two-masted yachts, increase the diameter of each mast by one-third of each one percent such mast is short of standard mast length as calculated for single masted yachts and increase the minimum weight by one half of each one percent of shortness. When there are three masts, instead of 1/3 & 1/2 percent- use one-half and three-fourths of each percent the masts are short of the standard lengths. (These increases are entirely tentative and are subject to correction after more experience.)
Many years ago I prevailed on the Rules Committee of the New York Yacht Club, to prohibit lug foresails on schooner yachts, which they did do, (See Rule 16). No one regrets this restriction to sails between masts and I feel quite sure there would be just as good racing, and no one would regret it, if the same restriction was made to sails set from head-stays and forward from the first mast from the bow.
The modern baloon and parachute spinakers[sic] are extravagances that should be vetoed and I also believe if all spinakers were not allowed in yacht racing, the sport would be just as good and interesting, even if the race was not made in quite so short time.
Nathanael H. Herreshoff
July 1936
SYMBOLS - used in this paper.
L. W. L. The length of hull in the established water-line plane plus the correction for any local hollows in profile line of vessels form in this plane.
L The length of hull in a plane above the water-line plane that approximates the useful length when sailing in near the best conditions of weather.
When measuring yachts for their racing possibilities this plane is assumed to be one-tenth (1/10) of breadth of hull above the established water-line plane.
B The breadth of hull at widest place in the plane that L is measured in.
d Draft of water. The extreme depth of hull below the established water-line plane.
Area of mid-section. The greatest immersed cross-section of hull below the established water-line plane.
D Displacement. The cubical contents of hull in units of length, below the established water-line plane.
[X symbol L.W.L.] Marks at each side of hull, near position of greatest breadth, and favoring position of centre of gravity of hull, if they differ much. The apexes of the two triangle to coincide in the established water-line plane,- one below and one above. Their horizontal bases to be about 1/200 of L. W. L. and their vertical height the same.
Marks at each end and each side to indicate established water-line plane. The marks to be about 1/100 L. W. L. in length and 1/5 the length in breadth. They are to be placed so upper horizontal side is 1/200 L. W. L. vertically above the established water-line plane, and the extreme ends vertically above the termini of this plane, as corrected.
When the yacht is in racing trim and all weights on board including the crew, and in smooth water, all or part of all marks are to be visible, but never all the side marks. These observations to be made when the yacht is upright in the water.
M The length of mast in single masted yachts, as measured from deck to upper point of measurement, as described.
M1-M2-M3 & c Lengths of each mast in yachts having more than one mast,-M, being mast nearest the bow, and others in order.
Measurements of length are in feet and decimals to two places. Areas in square feet and decimals to two places. Volumes in cubic feet and decimals.
When inches are used they should be plainly indicated.
Cubic feet is standard for hull displacements. In converting to pounds of sea-water, multiply by 64, or to long tons (2240 lbs.) divide by 35, or to short tons (2000 lbs.) divide by 31.25. [Incl. envelope from Walter L. Spencer, Photographer, Garde Building, 325 State Street, New London, Conn. labeled in pencil 'MUMSEY, formerly PLEASURE (#907s). Nov. 4, 1936. For Mr. Herreshoff' and labeled in ink or ballpoint pen 'Typed copy of Observations on Sailing yachts I gave Sidney. The copy made by Becky. Dec. 1936. N.G.H. Fall of 1936.'.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Measurement Rule. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_72630. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F03, formerly MRDE15. 1936-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I was most pleased to receive your letter regarding my sloop ANITA [#734s] which as you know was the VITESSA owned by the late Galen Stone at Marion, Mass. About ten years ago I bought the sister boat MINK [#733s] from Mr. Emmons and in my opinion these boats are the best day sailing craft ever designed. For a combination of comfort, ability, easy handling and appearance I have never seen their equal. I would never have sold MINK if I thought I could not buy one of the others and it was years before I got VITESSA after Mr. Stone died.
Mr. Dabney kept his boat BAGATELLE [#736s] until about two years ago. She is now on Great South Bay. Another of these boats [#738s WHITE CAP, later ARIA] was around New Bedford for years. She had a new cabin house with berths, galley & w.c. and water tight cockpit put in.
There were four boats not three as you mention. I put in ANITA the mast, rigging & sails of the 6 metre LEA in same mast step as old rig. She now has about 500 sqft as against old gaff rig 550, but of course we now use a 6 metre genoa jib and somewhat larger spinnaker. She is improved with this new rig especially in light air to windward. We have beaten Class R GAMECOCK [#932s] and POLLYANNA, most of the older 6 metres and raceabout MAY QUEEN [#514s], and in very light air with spinnaker ANITA is marvelous, sailing as fast as many racing boats nearly twice her size.
We won Larchmont Y.C. race week four years out of five and in the New York A. C. Block Island Race won 2 firsts, 2 seconds, 1 third out of five sarts. The WASAKA [#619s] you mention is the same old boat. I sailed her a few times several years ago. She is quite flat and powerful but fast. The MUMSEY ex PLEASURE [#907s] was owned by George Ratsey who sold her to Harry Maxwell and she changed owners trice since. She was a sweet boat with more cabin and less cockpit than ANITA but had less stability and was not as fast. I hear that Olin Stephens will get a contract from Harold Vanderbilt to design a cup defender Class J for 1937. Many thanks for your kind letter and I hope I may soon see you or hear from you again. [Incl. penciled boat building numbers and dimensions by NGH.]" (Source: Granbery, George P. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_20760. Correspondence, Folder 59. 1936-09-04.)
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"[Item Description:] Photo, apparently taken and sent by Henry C. White, titled on verso '[#907s] PLEASURE at her mooring in Orient. They take off her sails after every race. She still has her original mainsail and in excellent condition.'." (Source: White, Henry C. (creator). Photographs. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_36984. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. ca1937s.)
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"[Item Description:] Photo, apparently taken and sent by Henry C. White, of a dock and house, titled on verso 'Mr Knobloch's house and dock at Orient'. [#907s PLEASURE was owned by the Knobloch family back then.]" (Source: White, Henry C. (creator). Photographs. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_37006. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. ca1937s.)
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"[Item Description:] Photo, apparently taken and sent by Henry C. White, of a man, a woman and three children in front of a house, titled on verso 'My son Nelson's family at the Knobloch's house in Orient.'. [#907s PLEASURE was owned by the Knobloch family back then.]" (Source: White, Henry C. (creator). Photographs. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_37022. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. ca1937s.)
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"[Item Description:] Photo, apparently taken and sent by Henry C. White, of a waterfront with docks and houses, titled on verso 'Mr. Knobloch's dock at Orient.'. [#907s PLEASURE was owned by the Knobloch family back then.]" (Source: White, Henry C. (creator). Photographs. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_37024. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. ca1937s.)
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"[Item Description:] Photo, apparently taken and sent by Henry C. White, of a motorboat at her mooring, titled on verso 'Mr. Knobloch's new motor boat. She has two Chrysler engines of 125 H.P. each and makes 33 miles an hour.'. [#907s PLEASURE was owned by the Knobloch family back then.]" (Source: White, Henry C. (creator). Photographs. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_37026. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. ca1937s.)
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"[Item Transcription:] For a good many years I have been dreaming of building myself a little boat, and have been putting pennies away in a savings book for that purpose only. It now appears, from the improved condition of business in the yacht brokerage world, that I shall actually be able to start 'HER' this summer.
As you no doubt know I make no pretense of being a designer, and the few little designs I have drawn in the past have only been for friends, for fun, and not for money.
I only worship at the shrine of more competent men. If you will forgive my saying it so frankly. I have always considered you the greatest of all living designers, and the only one (with the possible exception of Nicholson) who can be bold and original and still turn out a model of artistic beauty. I see no excuse for ugly things.
It will therefore give me much happiness, and assurance, if you would be so kind as to give me your opinion, and frank criticism of the enclosed plan of the lines I have drawn for my little boat.
You see I want a good stout little ocean cruiser, but she must be fast. I cannot tolerate a slow boat, nor do I see any excuse for one. The little 'PLEASURE' [#907s] which I purchased from you in 1926 was the inception of the idea for this new boat, but I can stand a keel, and more hull room inside, as my cruising will not be restricted to shallow waters. The dimensions and displacement are what I want. How would you suggest that I might improve her lines especially with a view to obtaining speed?
I hope you will not think that I am asking too much of you, but I think of you as an old friend, even though we have met so seldom.
Hoping that you will be kind enough to do this for me, as it will give me real happiness & hear from you, I remain ..." (Source: Rigg, T. Linton. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_43310. Correspondence, Folder 94, formerly 137. 1937-03-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Your letter arrived this A.M. and I have spent a very happy afternoon with it and the plans of my little cruiser. The criticisms which you make are most helpful, and your suggestions shall be incorporated in her when and if I build from those particular plans. Strangely enough if I were to reduce the sq-rt of cross sections by 8 1/3% as you suggest I shall then practically have the little 'HOTSPUR' --- the only other boat I really ever designed myself. I did her for my good friend Alfred Loomis in 1929, and she has been quite successful.
However, what you say about the shallow draft type has made me pause again --- to think.
You will probably remember that I told you of my great fondness for the little 'PLEASURE' [#907s] which I bought from you. I never saw her equal, and she bears out your claim that a properly designed center boarder can climb to windward as well or better than a deep keel craft.
'PLEASURE' could do that. The whole trouble now is that I do not think myself capable of turning out such a boat, not having developed any data at all on hulls of that type. It seems to me that the shallow draft hull must be even more perfect than the deep keel hull, to be good, and such perfection can only be attained by progressive steps.
I wonder if you ever drew a design for an enlarged 'PLEASURE'? If so would you be willing to sell me a model, or copy of design, for such a boat. I should be only too glad to pay a fair sum for the use of such data, design, or model, as would enable me to draw up working plans for such a boat. I would not want to go over 30ft water line, and 27ft would be even better, as I want a single hander.
I wish to assure you that any such plan would be only for myself, and would not be used commercially.
I hope you are enjoying good health, and that you will be able to get down the bay to see the [America's] Cup Races this Summer. From all reports Sopwith is leaving no stone unturned this time, and if he keeps his head may have a good chance to take the Cup back with him.
I hear 'ENDEAVOUR II' is definitely faster than ENDEAVOUR I in any breeze over 10 m.p.h., and has really not been tried in competition in light breezes yet. I have usually found the bigger boats are great drifters too, their weight carrying them along between puffs.
Sincerely ... [Incl envelope from Linton Rigg & Co. to NGH labeled 'Ans. Mch 1920', 'Correspondence in 1937' and 'With Plans'. On verso this envelope carries penciled calculations by NGH relating to his criticism of Rigg's yacht design (see 1937-03-10 and 1937-03-18 NGH to Rigg letters).]" (Source: Rigg, T. Linton. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_43390. Correspondence, Folder 94, formerly 137. 1937-03-13.)
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"[Item Transcription:] In reply to your interesting letter of 13.- I am not in the way of selling any models or plans of yachts and whatever I do in that line is entirely for amusements or assisting my friends. But now, at the beginning of my 90th year, I find, with dimmed sight and general slowing up, it is almost impossible to do things I would like to do.
Since the lines on the b[lue]p[rint] you have sent me are so very good I suggest to use them for a basis in drawing for yourself a good cruiser. As a starter for this, I have attempted to indicate modifications that I believe would make a really good cruiser, either in the deep sea or shallow bays & inlets that are so much more attractive.
You will notice I have indicated a new l.w.l. 4in higher. That will give a l.w.l. length of about 28ft 8in.
The change at garboard by straightening the timbers is very simple and easy. I have indicated a tentative keel development in which I would recommend making the keel for a length considerably more than the c.b. slot, one lead casting with scarfed ends to take oak for forward and aft parts. As a guess the displacement w[ou]ld be about 260 cuft. or 17000 lbs and I would expect to have about 42% of this or fully 7000 lbs in lead keel casting leaving a reasonable amount to go inside.
Perhaps the many owners of 'PLEASURE' [#907s] didn't appreciate what they had.- For her principle[sic] ballast consisted of one hardened lead casting, that consisted of the middle section of keel, centreboard logs and beginning of floor timbers.
This required a somewhat expensive pattern for casting the lead, and increased the cost of boat, but I believed it worth while.
As I have shown the draft w[ou]ld be about [blank] and I would design rig so the boat wld gripe decidedly with c.b. up and only lightly when c.b. was fully down.
This means the c.b. more aft than is ordinary and I have found this the best.
Of course you wld leave yawl rig, with triangular sails.
You mention in the former letter you appreciate artistic beauty and see no excuse for ugly things. In which I agree and beside a[sic] fully agree the old saying that 'handsome is that handsome does'.
I should by all means make the boat a 'flushdecker', and place the sheer line about as I have shown. This will give very nearly standing height in cabin, and so very much head room and air over sleeping transoms, makes the construction simpler and stronger and better in most every way you can think of excepting being ugly to what you are accustomed to look at. - But handsome is that handsome does. -
I would run a strong oak fender strake with fully 1 1/2in projection about where the convention sheerstrake wld be and by skillful painting above & below the extreme freeboard would not look out the way.
I would have the c.b. of oak, and weighted only enough to sink readily, giving, say 50 to 80lbs pull on c.b. pennant. And be sure to have it built thick and strong enough to be very strong [and] not give trouble when grounding.
The c.b. 8 or 9 ft long and the top of casing to be about 6in l.w.l. This will accommodate a c.b. about 4ft wide which is ample. Have the aft half of c.b. casing permanently & strongly covered, with tube tube[sic] to inclose pennant near the fore end of permanently covered part and extending to deck.
The forward half of casing to be removable when necessary to take out c.b. To be a skylight in deck directly over the forward half of c.b. casing, so c.b. can be lifted up endwise and out any time when craft is in smooth water.
By the raised deck, overall length is increased about 1 ft. Fit hanging knees under each deck beam and no clamp, but the waterway substantial enough to give a bind and desired fore & aft strength. With both waterway & fender strake being substantial the planking in topside can be lighter.
I would have a windlass with wild-cat at one side for chain cable and gypsy head the other placed just aft of mast just as I had in my catyawl cruisers CONSUELO [#400s], 1883 & CLARA [#402s], 1887, and the chain locker near mast step.
I understand CLARA is still going and very sound, and is owned around New Rochelle." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Rigg, T. Linton. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_43450. Correspondence, Folder 94, formerly 137. 1937-03-18.)
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"[Item Description:] photo of half models for #907s PLEASURE, #1002s AIDA ex-GEE WHIZ, NY50, #1233s RAINBOW, BB15, and #1106s COMET signed by Henry C. White" (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_36810. Photograph. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1937-09.)
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"[Item Description:] Two penciled profiles on smudged and folded paper marked 'Traced around original model of PLEASURE [#907s]. Scale 1in = 1ft' and 'Traced around original model of CLARA [#402s]. Scale 1in = 1ft. Length of CLARA was made 7/8 of this, with widths and depths unchanged. Length of W.L. should be 7/8 * 33 and spacing of stations 1/10s of this'. With further notes and calculations. Marked in lower right corner 'A. Sidney DeW. Herreshoff. 125 Hope St. Bristol, R.I.'." (Source: Herreshoff, A. Sidney deW. (creator). Penciled Tracings. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT04_00670. Folder [no #]. No date (1950s ??).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #907s Pleasure even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Herreshoff, Nathanael G. [Diary Excerpts regarding #907s Pleasure.] Diary, 1924 to 1927. Manuscript (excerpts). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. (164 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes, used with permission. Copyright holder: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Excerpts from N. G. Herreshoff's diary regarding #907s Pleasure.

• Pleasure (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Pleasure (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: Pleasure
Type: Yawl
Length: 30'
Owner: Herreshoff, N. G.

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

• Pleasure
• Mumsey ex-Pleasure
• 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: Pleasure
Type: 24' 6" aux. yawl
Owner: N. G. Herreshoff
Year: 1925
Row No.: 529

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: Oct.
Day: 08
Year: 1924
E/P/S: S
No.: 0907
Name: Pleasure
OA: 30
Rig: Marconi
K: y
CB: y
Notes Constr. Record: For N.G.H.'s use in Florida.
Last Name: Herreshoff Mfg. Co.

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.

"[See also:] Specifications (copy). In: Technical and Business Records pertaining to the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Series VI, Folder HH.6.17 (Hull No. 907), Box HAFH.6.1B." (Source: Hasselbalch, Kurt and Frances Overcash and Angela Reddin: Guide to The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass., 1997, p. 63-79.)

"[See also:] Miscellaneous Items. 1901-1946. Pencil sketches of boats and boat sheds, sketch of PLEASURE (Yawl); 1940 and undated (27 pieces)." (Source: Henry C. White Collection (Coll. 342, Series 2, Box 3, Folder 3), Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc. http://library.mysticseaport.org/manuscripts/coll/coll342.cfm, retrieved January 25, 2011.)

"Donated to the Herreshoff Marine Museum in 1997 by Robert D. Yaro. Restored to sailing condition for the museum in 2003 by Brewers Pilot's Point Yard of Westbrook, CT with funds from a donation from the Thomas L. Stark family." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 19, 2015."

"[See also inlaid note titled 'Est. for Pleasure boat' with what appear to be itemized weight estimates for #907s Pleasure.]" (Source: Note inlaid in Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1924. Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. No date, ca. October 1924.)

"Shipped from Bristol to Florida and launched there on 1925-01-24." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 23, 2011.)

"Built in 108 days (contract to launch; equivalent to $49/day, 67 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"[Sail area 460sqft.]" (Source: N. G. Herreshoff. Letter to L. F. Herreshoff. Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 1. May 6, 1925.)

"Displacement 112.4 cubic foot from note in N. G. Herreshoff design notebook." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 12, 2012.)

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