HMCo #955s Marilee

"[1925-08-24] Mon 24: ... Shop negotiating to building another NY 40 footer [#955s Marilee] for Mr. Cudahee [sic, i.e. Cudahy]." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1925. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

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

"... The first addition to the famous fleet of Fighting Forties, which were sent away from Bristol nine years ago, is being built for Edward I. Cudahay, of the Beverly Yacht Club. She is the largest single-sticker to be constructed on the Atlantic coast for the coming season, and will of course conform strictly to the class regulations as to build and rig ..." (Source: Swan, William Upham. "Busy Days at Bristol." Yachting, Janary 1926, p. 56-57.)

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

"The New Bedford schooner Harlequin [#934s] was launched Friday [April 23, 1926] from the Walker's Cove yard and taken up under the shears to have her masts stepped. In the shed, the Brooks 47 foot composite schooner [#954s Mary Rose] is in shape to be launched at any time, and the two New York 40's [#955s Marilee and #983s Rugosa II] are receiving their inside finish. About every space in the shop not occupied by something bigger, has a 12 1/2 foot water-line boat in some stage of completion, filling it up." (Source: Davis, Jeff. "Yachting Gossip." Providence Journal, April 25, 1926, p. ?.)

"N.Y.Y.C 40-Ft.Class.
[#773s] N.Y. 45, Typhoon, H.C. & E. H. Leslie
[#774s] N.Y. 46, Mistral, William B. Bell
[#776s] N.Y. 49, Holland S. Duell. [Sic. Note that Marilee was not listed and was not a member of YRALIS in 1928.]" (Source: Anon. "Racing Numbers Long Island Sound Yacht Racing Association." Rudder, August 1928, p. 102.)

"MATTAPOISETT, Mass., Aug. 4. --- Scudding through a wind-swept sea, with flung spray and blown spume, the New York Yacht Club fleet arrived here this afternoon from Newport. ... Edward I. Cudahy of the Chicago packing family was swept overboard from the [New York] Forty sloop Marilee as she lost the top of her pole mast just before the finish in Buzzards Bay. He was rescued by those aboard John West's [New York] Thirty, Phantom [#648s]. When the stick snapped, the sprit topsail shredded, and wound around the standing stump and rigging. Floyd L. Carlisle's auxiliary schooner Michabo, near at hand, stood by until a motor yacht took Marilee in tow into the harbor. ... [Cudahy was badly injured during the incident. A spectacular photo that is variously attributed to Leslie Jones (see http://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/5425m746h) or Edwin Levick (see Alfred F. Loomis, Yachts under Sail, New York, 1933) was taken during the very moment Marilee losing the top of her mast. The NY-40 #774s Mistral was also dismasted on this run and the NY-40 #782s Chinook lost her ballooner, 'which burst like a paper bag.']" (Source: Robbins, James. "2 Yachts Dismasted and 2 Men Swept Overboard as Yankee Leads N.Y.Y.C. Fleet. ... Cudahy Swept Into Sea. Falls When Marilee's Mast Snaps, but Is Saved." New York Times, August 5, 1930, p. 17.)

"The best sale I made during those early years was a beautiful New York Forty built in 1926 for the meat-packer E. I. Cudahy. Mr. Cudahy died not long after the boat was delivered and Marilee went on the market. I told my friend Spencer Borden about Marilee, since Mr. Borden owned the older New York Forty Sally Ann [#779s]. Mr. Borden told his brother-in-law Brooks Stevens, and in due course Mr. Stevens became the happy owner of Marilee for $7,500. ... [Marilee's owner Edward I. Cudahy (August 2, 1880 - January 28, 1963) had been president of Callaghan & Company, law book publishers in Chicago. He was the son of Michael Cudahy, one of the founders of Cudahy Packing Company. According to Judith Westlund Rosbe, author of 'Maritime Marion Massachusetts (2002), he sold the boat after the death of his wife Marilee Cudahy in about 1934.]" (Source: Howland, Waldo. A Life in Boats. The Years Before the War. Mystic, Connecticut, 1984, p. 175.)

"... Father [C. Brooks Stevens] indulged himself only once in his lifetime that I know of. He had sailed in Newport Harbor as a boy and had crewed for Spencer Borden on the Sally Ann [#779s]. In his sixties he bought for himself a New York Forty, the Marilee. But before doing so he discussed the plan with his children, apologetically, asking our tacit approval. The Marilee seldom lay in Hodkins Cove in Bay View, mostly she anchored in Gloucester harbor or on Cape Cod. Mother was often seasick on their cruises. Captain Perry was excellent and on our 'turns' to use the yacht, he managed his crew and us well. It was a sad day for Father when he could no longer climb up the ladder from the dinghy. On that boat Father was more expansive than at any other time. ..." (Source: Robey, Harriet. Bay View, A Summer Portrait. Gloucester, Mass., 1970, [p. 294-295?].)

"New York 40 owners --- where are you? Judy Sheridan (311 High Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777) and her family own MARILEE, a NY 40 built in 1926, and would like to start an informal correspondence with other NY 40 owners." (Source: Anon. "Reader Search." Wooden Boat #39, March/April 1981, p. 125.)

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

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan 74-75. Blueprint detail plan titled 'Quick Working Shackles for Blocks Hal & Double Sheets. Job 1-336. Mentioned vessels include: #711s, #712s, #713s, #714s, #715s, #716s, #717s, #720s, #721s, #773s, #774s, #775s, #776s, #777s, #778s, #779s, #780s, #781s, #782s, #783s, #804s, #891s, #955s, and #983s." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (Newman, H.F.) (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0184. WRDT08, Folder 17, formerly MRDE06. 1923-03-12.)
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"[Item Description:] Typed 'Specifications For 40ft One-Design Class [#955s MARILEE]'. With penciled note in upper margin 'Drafting Room. #955'. 3 pages." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Specifications. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.021. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 955s. No date (1925-08-26).)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Printed circular, two sheets of paper:] New York Yacht Club The Cruise 1927
Additional Racing Instructions Run From Huntington To New London—16Th August
In case of no wind at Huntington at the proposed time of the Start on the 16th August, the following signals will be made by the Flagship: etc. ... [Plus printed circular:] New York Yacht Club
List of yachts, measurement certificates of which were on file with the Race Committee on August 1, 1927, which will be valid for the Cruise.
SCHOONERS: C Class
C 2 OHONKARA [#827s]
C 7 VAGRANT [#719s]
C 3 VANITIE
D Class: D 25 ADVANCE
D 7 CONSTANCE
D 22 WILDFIRE [#891s]
D 5 LYNX
E Class: E 4 AURELIA
E 9 QUEEN MAB [#698s]
E16 SHAWNA
F Class: F3 CURLEW
F 4 MARY ROSE [#954s]
F 1 PLEIONE [#714s]
F 11 CACHALOT
G Class: S.C. 11 CLYTIE
S.C. 12 NADJI
S.C. 9 NOKOMIS
S.C. 6 SEVEN SEAS
G 1 WANDERER IX
G 7 MALABAR VII
H Class: H 3 FLYING FISH
H 2 ADVENTURER
KETCH: H 7 ANGELICA
SLOOPS
J Class: J 1 KATOURA [#1050s]
L.0. Class: L.0. 1 GEORGIA
L.0. 4 GREY DAWN
L.0. 5 MIRAGE
L.0. 3 NIMBUS
M Class: M 5 CAROLINA [#721s]
M 3 CHIORA [#713s ex-IROQUOIS II]
M 38 DOLLY
M 4 IBIS [#715s ex-GRAYLING]
M 1 PRESTIGE [#1058s]
M 6 SPARTAN [#712s]
10 Meter Class: 10M 9 BLAZING STAR
10M 7 BRANTA
10M 4 CYTHERA
10M 11 DRAGON
10M 8 ESQUILA
10M 6 NARCISSUS
10M 14 NAUTILUS
10M 10 RAEBURN
10M 12 REDHEAD
10M 10 REVENGE
10M 13 SHAWARA
10M 3 SYNTHETIC
10M 1 TWILIGHT
10M 5 VALENCIA
N Class: N 2 ALICE
P Class: P 1 BUTTERFLY [#586s ex-NELLIE]
50 Class: N. Y. Y. C. 52 ANDIAMO [#716s ex-SAMURI]
40 Class: N. Y. Y. C. 42 COCKATOO [#775s ex-DOLLY BOWEN]
N. Y. Y. C. 50 MARILEE [#955s]
N. Y. Y. C. 46 MISTRAL [#774s]
N. Y. Y. C. 47 PAMPERO [#781s ex-PAMPARO]
N. Y. Y. C. 45 TYPHOON [#773s ex-MAISIE]
N. Y. Y. C. 49 ROWDY* [#776s]
30 Class: N. Y. 1 ALERA [#626s]
N. Y. 7 ALICE [#632s ex-TABASCO]
N. Y. 9 AMORITA [#635s ex-ADELAIDE II]
N. Y. 15 BANZAI [#640s]
N. Y. 4 INTERLUDE [#629s ex-MAID OF MEUDON]
N. Y. 5 LENA [#630s ex-PINTAIL]
N. Y. 11 ORIOLE [#637s]
N. Y. 13 PHANTOM [#648s ex-MINX]
N. Y. 17 PHRYNE (Rig changed to jib-headed mainsail.) [#643s]
Q Class: F. I. S. 3 CHANCE [#1059s]
F. I. S. 1 CYRILLA II [#1054s]
F. I. S. 2 JUDY [#1055s]
F. I. S. 4 MAMEENA [#1060s]
YAWLS M Class: N. Y. 51 REVERY [#720s ex-ACUSHLA]
M 1 RUGOSA II [#983s]
... August 1, 1827. [Compared to the equivalent list from 1924 the number of boats has increased from 49 to 73, while the number of Herreshoff-built yachts has shrunk from 37 to 32 or 44%.] [Incl envelope from Race Committee NYYC to NGH, labeled in red 'Rating & allowance' and postmarked August 4, 1927.]" (Source: NYYC. Correspondence (circular) to Members. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_73330. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F07, formerly MRDE15. 1927-08-01.)
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"[Item Description:] Spreadsheet listing original contracts (from 1923 to 1940) by HMCo in the collection of HMM (apparently from the gift of Everett Pearson). Listed boats are: #380p, #381p, #388p, #389p, #391p, #392p, #393p, #395p, #886s, #933s, #934s, #954s, #955s, #962s, #983s, #999s, #1002s, #1017s, #1054s, #1055s, #1057s, #1074s, #1078s, #1122s, #1125s, #1130s, #1131s, #1147s, #1152s, #1153s, #1154s, #1156s, #1157s, #1164s, #1170s, #1173s, #1174s, #1175s, #1175s, #1176s, #1177s, #1179s, #1180s, #1191s, #1192s, #1193s, #1195s, #1196s, #1198s, #1199s, #1200s, #1201s, #1202s, #1203s, #1206s, #1207s, #1208s, #1209s, #1210s, #1211s, #1212s, #1213s, #1214s, #1215s, #1216s, #1217s, #1218s, #1219s, #1220s, #1222s, #1224s, #1236s, #1226s, #1227s, #1228s, #1230s, #1232s, #1234s, #1237s, #1238s, #1240s, #1241s, #1243s, #1244s, #1245s, #1246s, #1247s, #1248s, #1249s, #1250s, #1251s, #1252s, #1253s, #1254s, #1255s, #1256s, #1257s, #1258s, #1259s, #1260s, #1261s, #1262s, #1263s, #1264s, #1265s, #1274s, #1275s, #1277s, #1279s, #1280s, #1281s, #1282s, #1283s, #1284s, #1285s, #1286s, #1287s, #1302s, #1303s, #1315s, #1508s." (Source: Rickson, Norene (creator). Table. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Item LIB_4220. HMM Library Rare Books Room (HMCo Contracts), Folder [no #]. No date (2010s ?).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #955s Marilee even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Davis, Charles G. "Racing on a Forty-Footer." Yachting, December 1921, p. 265-268, 309. (3,596 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No. Wonderful account of New York 40 racing during the eventful 1921 cruise of the NYYC, written by yacht designer, artist and author C. G. Davis, who had sailed on #773s Monsoon ex-Maisie.
• Kleinhans, Lewis. "New York 40s and 50s." In: Schoettle, Edwin J. Sailing Craft. New York, 1928, p. 229-243. (3,032 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No known copyright restrictions. Class description and history.
• Sauerbrey, Florence. "The Fighting Forties." Maritime Life and Traditions #18, Spring 2003, p. 50-61. (5,411 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Class description and history. Vessel biographies. Lines plan. Construction plan. Sail plans (sloop and yawl).
• Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. [Contract for #955s Marilee, New York 40 (including specifications).] Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection. Bristol, RI, August 26, 1925. (2,220 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Herreshoff Marine Museum. Original building/sales contract. Vessel description, scantlings, payment terms, delivery date. Includes detailed vessel specifications.
• Jaffry, Gwendal. "Marilee. The Resurrection of a Forty." Maritime Life and Traditions #18, Spring 2003, p. 62-67. (2,773 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Vessel history. Restoration report.
• Museler, Chris (text). Langley, Alison (photos). "She's a Fighter." Classic Boat, July 2016, p. 4-10. (1,391 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Vessel portrait. Report of the 2015-2016 restoration.
• Paine, Art "Two Boats in One. NY40 Can Switch Between Gaff and Marconi Rigs." Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors. July / August 2018. https://maineboats.com/print/issue-153/two-boats-one; retrieved April 9, 2020. (1,289 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors.. Restoration account with special emphasis on Marilee's gaff and marconi rigs. Photos by Alison Langley.

• Marilee (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Marilee (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: Marilee
Type: J & M
Length: 40'
Owner: Cudahy, Edward I.

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

• Marilee
• 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: Marilee
Type: 40' sloop
Owner: Edward I. Cudahy
Year: 1926
Row No.: 412

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: Aug.
Day: 26
Year: 1925
E/P/S: S
No.: 0955
Name: Marilee
OA: 59' 0"
LW: 40' 0"
B: 14' 0"
D: 8' 2"
Rig: Sloop
Amount: 27,000.00
Last Name: Cudahy
First Name: Edward I.

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.

"New [Marconi] Rig 1933, Job # 19293. Sail Plan (146-57). Mast (80-133)." (Source: Anon. Note on HMCo Construction Plan 076-149 (HH.5.05585). Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA."

"[See also:] Specifications for 40' one-design class. In: Technical and Business Records pertaining to the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Series VI, Folder HH.6.21 (Hull No. 955), 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.)

"As per the orginal contract in the collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum, Marilee was built as a 'duplicate of the One Design Class built in 1915-1916 ... but to be as the class was changed in 1916, with large jib and added ballast.' Her specifications, which are part of the contract, state among others that her 'Deck plan will be like the previous boats of this class except that the cockpit will be enlarged and deck hatches arranged as shown on the plan.' " (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 22, 2014.)

"Two-year refit at French & Webb in Belfast, Maine from 2014-2016." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 22, 2015.)

"Marilee was sold out of the Cudahy family soon after the 1932 death of Nora Cudahy, the daughter of E. I. Cudahy who had primarily sailed her." (Source: van der Linde. [Private Email from Carol Cudahy.] April 27, 2015.)

"Date of delivery 'on or about April 1, 1926' from original contract in collection of Herreshoff Marine Museum." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 15, 2015.)

"Built in 218 days (contract to delivered; equivalent to $124/day, 238 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Sail area 'about 2100 square feet' from original contract in collection of Herreshoff Marine Museum." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 22, 2014.)

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

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

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