HMCo #966s Grayling

"Oct[ober] 4, 1925.
No. 966.
R Class Boat for J.S.M. [Junius Spencer Morgan].
Scale model 3/4" = 1'.
Frame spaces 10 2/3".
Sheer heights are to upper side of deck 7/8" thick.
In making moulds deduct for planking 7/8", for timbers 1 1/4" at head, increasing 1/16" per foot.
Keel. Flat 2 1/4" thick, bottom to be 3/4" below rabbet, except at ends as specified." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.192.] Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"In 1926 Captain Nat designed the 'R' boat also named 'Grayling' for Junius S. Morgan, with dimensions as follows: L.O.A., forty-three feet; L.W.L., twenty-seven feet; beam, seven feet nine inches; draft, six feet. Although these two 'R' 's ['Gamecock' and 'Grayling'] were remarkably well built and beautifully modeled, perhaps they were too wide and had rather small fore triangles in their sail plan. Though they were undoubtedly well sailed, strange to say, the 'R' boat 'Yankee,' designed by the present author beat them in every race that they came together, and Captain Nat did not know whether to be mad or glad at this result but he never spoke to me of these races." (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. 309.)

"Junius Morgan, the son of former Commodore J. P. Morgan, gave an order yesterday to Nat Herreshoff for a new Class R sloop [#966s Grayling] which Mr. Morgan will race on Long Island Sound next season under the colors of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club of Oyster Bay. During the past season Mr. Morgan was part owner with Commodore George Nichols of the New York Yacht Club of the Class R yacht Gamecock [#932s], which was also built by Herreshoff and which it is understood Commodore Nichols will continue to race next year." (Source: Anon. "Junius Morgan Orders New R Boat." New York Times, October 3, 1925, p. 11.)

"... Two small boats are also being built at Bristol, a Class Q, or 25 rater [#962s Falcon], for Edward M. Abbott, of the Eastern Yacht Club, and a Class R, or 20 rater [#966s Grayling], for Junius S. Morgan, Jr. The Morgan boat is from designs by Mr. Herreshoff, while the Abbott yacht is from the drawing boards of Burgess, Swasey and Paine. This latter yacht is one of the few yachts to be built in the Herreshoff plant from outside designs, and marks another progressive step in the development of the plant. ..." (Source: Swan, William Upham. "Busy Days at Bristol." Yachting, January 1926, p. 56-57.)

"Junius S. Morgan's R boat Grayling has been launched and rigged at Herreshoff's and was given a preliminary spin around Bristol harbor Friday [April 23, 1926]. Her rig is the same as that given the Gamecock [#932s] late last season, the same sail area and looks extremely simple in comparison with most of the R boat rigs on account of the absence of spreaders and shrouds from the mast-head. Grayling's shrouds and headstay all take off the mast at the same height, leaving the upper part of the stick to take the entire strain of the narrow head of the mainsail without any support. Herreshoff has contended for some time that the spreaders were unnecessary and has eliminated them from a number of his designs. ..." (Source: Davis, Jeff. "Yachting Gossip." Providence Journal, April 25, 1926, p. ?.)

"... Another of the new R Class boats which may cross the line Saturday [May 8, 1926] is the sloop [#966s Grayling] building at Herreshoffs for Junius Morgan. This yacht is expected to be launched during the next few days and may reach the western Sound in time to start. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yacht Races Set For Next Saturday." New York Times, May 2, 1926, p. S9.)

"Junius S. Morgan's 'R' boat, Grayling, has been launched by Herreshoff's and was given a trial on Bristol Harbor, Friday, April 23. Her rig is the same as that given to Gamecock [#932s] last season and is notable owing to the absence of spreaders. The shrouds and headstay take off the mast at the same height, leaving the upper part of the mast to take the entire strain of the narrow head of the mainsail without any support. Herreshoff has contended for some time that the spreaders were unnecessary and has eliminated them from a number of his recent designs." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, May 2, 1926, p. A71.)

"... It is expected that an excellent showing of R Class sloops, considering the early stage of the season, will be made at Larchmont tomorrow, when the first race of the season for these fast yachts is to be sailed. Junius Morgan's new sloop [#966s Grayling], built at Herreshoffs, has reached Glen Cove and is expected to be a starter. ...
Commodore Nichols will have the Gamecock [#932s Gamecock], also a Herreshoff R boat, which came out last year, ready for the early Spring prize, ..." (Source: Lawrence, Seabury. "R Class Boats to Meet in Their First Race of the Season Tomorrow." New York Times, May 7, 1926, p. 17.)

"... Grayling, Junius S. Morgan's Herreshoff designed 20-rater, whose rig was much criticised when she was at Marblehead for R Week, in a race off Larchmont last Sunday showed a reversal of form and won from four other 'Rs' easily. Since racing at Marblehead the Grayling has been at Bristol where she was given a new mast and a re-designed sail spread. It will be interesting to watch her performance against the 20-raters off Newport this week. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Globe, September 12, 1926, p. B55.)

"Junius Morgan has sold his R Class sloop Grayling, through the office of Drake H. Sparkman, to Elliott M. Mitchell. Captain Morgan has been racing his new R boat Puffin [#1053s] during the present season with considerable success." (Source: Anon. "Notes of Yachts and Yachtsmen." New York Times, July 1, 1927, p. 16.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.10452 (130-141). Blueprint sailplan titled 'The Herreshoff Mfg. Comp. R Class Boat' and marked in pencil 'GAME COCK' [#932s]' and 'also Sails for #966 GRAYLING'. Only year 1925 noted on plan, but plan index card shows July 11, 1925." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0043. WRDT08, Folder 5, formerly MRDE09. 1925-07-11.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [carbon copy of the original typed letter:] You may be interested to hear a report on [#932s] GAMECOCK's first two races.
I sailed her on Saturday at Larchmont, but George unfortunately could not be there. The wind was northwest, quite strong in the puffs, but very shifting and at tines light. You will see from the diagram of the course that we therefore had three reaches and a beat for the last leg. I was first over the line at the start, and on the first reach, which was quite close, dropped back to fourth place, largely due I think to boats to windward getting the benefit of the puffs, but probably partly due to the fact that the sails were not trimmed quite right for the wind. On the second leg we carried a balloon jib end at the next mark were third by about half a length. At the end of the reaching legs she was first boat, but was badly interfered with at the leeward mark by other classes, which were using the same mark, and I was forced to adopt a policy which eventually turned out to be the wrong one, having to go to the westward instead of being able to go to the east and cover the other boats. Her speed reaching was all that could be desired. Owing to interference by other boats and leck of knowledge of my own boat I was unable to do very well with her to windward, so that she finished last, but at intervals in the course of the beat she showed great speed and I am certain that when we have had a chance to sail her some more she will be one of the best boats in the Class. The mast did not stand very well and had a tendency to sag off to leeward, halfway between the shrouds and the deck as I am told it did in the trial at Bristol. Probably the new mast which yon are now making for her will do away with this defect.
Yesterday, Sunday, George sailed her in a race at Manhasset Bay. The wind was very light, practically calm most of the time and finally died away altogether, so that we had to leave the race, but she was second boat when we quit and seemed to like the light going quite as well as she liked the heavier going of the day before.
As far as I personally am concerned, and I think George agrees with me, I am delighted with the boat and have every belief that she will make an excellent showing when we have had a chance to tune her up and get used to her ways. She seems to balance perfectly and is as pleasant to handle as any boat I have ever sailed.
If you would like to do so, I should appreciate it very much if you would begin to think about plans for a boat in the 'R' Class for me next season [this will be #966s GRAYLING]. I realize that it is a very early date to begin thinking of another year, but it may well be that you would like to start designing another boat for that class in the near future, and if so I should like very much to have you do so.
Please forgive the length of this letter, but I thought you would like to have a fairly full report." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter (copy) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_10310. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 178. 1925-07-20.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [original typed letter:] You may be interested to hear a report on [#932s] GAMECOCK's first two races.
I sailed her on Saturday at Larchmont, but George unfortunately could not be there. The wind was northwest, quite strong in the puffs, but very shifting and at tines light. You will see from the diagram of the course that we therefore had three reaches and a beat for the last leg. I was first over the line at the start, and on the first reach, which was quite close, dropped back to fourth place, largely due I think to boats to windward getting the benefit of the puffs, but probably partly due to the fact that the sails were not trimmed quite right for the wind. On the second leg we carried a balloon jib end at the next mark were third by about half a length. At the end of the reaching legs she was first boat, but was badly interfered with at the leeward mark by other classes, which were using the same mark, and I was forced to adopt a policy which eventually turned out to be the wrong one, having to go to the westward instead of being able to go to the east and cover the other boats. Her speed reaching was all that could be desired. Owing to interference by other boats and leck of knowledge of my own boat I was unable to do very well with her to windward, so that she finished last, but at intervals in the course of the beat she showed great speed and I am certain that when we have had a chance to sail her some more she will be one of the best boats in the Class. The mast did not stand very well and had a tendency to sag off to leeward, halfway between the shrouds and the deck as I am told it did in the trial at Bristol. Probably the new mast which yon are now making for her will do away with this defect.
Yesterday, Sunday, George sailed her in a race at Manhasset Bay. The wind was very light, practically calm most of the time and finally died away altogether, so that we had to leave the race, but she was second boat when we quit and seemed to like the light going quite as well as she liked the heavier going of the day before.
As far as I personally am concerned, and I think George agrees with me, I am delighted with the boat and have every belief that she will make an excellent showing when we have had a chance to tune her up and get used to her ways. She seems to balance perfectly and is as pleasant to handle as any boat I have ever sailed.
If you would like to do so, I should appreciate it very much if you would begin to think about plans for a boat in the 'R' Class for me next season [this will be #966s GRAYLING]. I realize that it is a very early date to begin thinking of another year, but it may well be that you would like to start designing another boat for that class in the near future, and if so I should like very much to have you do so.
Please forgive the length of this letter, but I thought you would like to have a fairly full report; incl. NGH draft reply on verso: I thank you for your very interesting letter describing the first two races of GAME COCK [#932s]. It was particularly gratifying as I had seen no report of the Larchmont races in the papers.
Your remarks about the boat and the way she handles are a satisfaction, and I hope the boat will continue to give you and George satisfaction.
You ask about designing another R class boat for next year [this will be #966s GRAYLING]. I am now in my 78th year and long past the age of sailing in races and therefore doing the best work in designing racing craft. I relunctly [sic, i.e. reluctantly] consented to design GAMECOCK after George pressing me, and when thru fully determined not to attempt any more. The younger generation should be able and without doubt can do better than I at my age. Do not you think it time I rested on my laurels? [Incl. diagram.]" (Source: Morgan, Junius S. (incl. NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_18220. Correspondence, Folder 50, formerly 181. 1925-07-20.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I thank you for your very interesting letter describing the first two races of [#932s] GAMECOCK. It was particularly gratifying as I had seen no reports of the Larchmont races in the papers.
Your remarks about the boat and the way she handles are a satisfaction, and I hope she will continue to give you and George satisfaction.
You ask about designing another R class boat for next year [this will be #966s GRAYLING]. I am now in my 78th year and long past the age of sailing in races and therefore doing the best work in designing racing craft. I relunctly [sic, i.e. reluctantly] concented [sic] to design GAMECOCK after George pressing me, and when through with it fully determined not to attempt any more. The younger generation should be able and without doubt can do better than I at my age. Do not you think it time I rested on my laurels?" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.82. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 178. 1925-07-22.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Carbon copy of the original letter:] The report of [#932s] GAMECOCK's third race, which I sailed yesterday at Larchmont, may interest you. The wind was somewhat the same as Saturday but, if anything, more fluky and on the average a little lighter; the course was the same as Saturday. I made a poor start, but on the first leg (a close reach) worked into third place and from there to second at the next mark. FIFI, the Fyfe boat, was ahead of us and ARDETTE next behind us. Positions remained unchanged on the third leg and when we came to go on the wind ARDETTE was still next boat behind me. Seven of the eight boats, GAMECOCK among them, stood off to the eastward on the port tack; the eighth boat (SECRET) went to the we westward. During the first ten minutes of the beat, I had some difficulty in getting her going, as the wind was light and shifting a couple of points at a time and in that kind of going ARDETTE went away from us somewhat. The wind hardened afterwards and we began to pick up again, so that towards the end of the beat I had ARDETTE' about fifty yards abeam and to leeward and was outpointing and outfooting her. The outpointing may have been due to different wind; the outfooting was real. We
finished twelve seconds behind the second boat and about ten seconds ahead of the fourth boat. The winner, SECRET, was a long way behind at the leeward mark and speculated, so that she won by quite a margin, as you will see from the enclosed clipping giving the times. I found that GAMECOCK went better on the wind with a slightly eased jib sheet and believe that on Saturday I made the mistake of trimming the jib too flat. I can only say that yesterday she more than confirmed my first impressions of her and have every belief that, with any reasonable amount of luck, she will do you great credit. As I said before, she is a pleasure to handle.
I note what you say about not wanting to design another R boat [this will be #966s GRAYLING], but I hope that yon will consider the idea some more. None of the younger men seem to have been able to produce a better boat than GAMECOCK and I have every belief that her successor would be just as good, if not a little bit better." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter (copy) to N.G. Herreshoff. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.83. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 178. 1925-07-24.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Original letter:] The report of 'GAMECOCK's' [#932s] third race, which I sailed yesterday at Larchmont, may interest you. The wind was somewhat the same as Saturday but if anything, more fluky and on the average a little lighter; the course was the same as Saturday. I made a poor start, but on the first leg (a close reach) worked into third place and from there to second at the next mark. 'FIFI' the Fyfe boat, was ahead of us and 'ARDETTE' next behind us. Positions remained unchanged on the third leg and when we came to go on the wind 'ARDETTE' was still next boat behind me. Seven of the eight boats, 'GAMECOCK' among them, stood off to the eastward on the port tack; the eighth boat ('SECRET') went to the westward. During the first ten minutes of the beat I had some difficulty in getting her going, as the wind was light and shifting a couple of points at a time and in that kind of going 'ARDETTE' went away from us somewhat. The wind hardened afterwards and we began to pick up again, so that towards the end of the beat I had 'ARDETTE' about fifty yards abeam and to leeward and was outpointing and outfooting her. The outpointing may have been due to different wind; the outfooting was real. We finished twelve seconds behind the second boat and about ten seconds ahead of the fourth boat. The winner, 'SECRET', was a long way behind at the leeward mark and speculated, so that she won by quite a margin, as you will see from the enclosed clipping giving the times. I found that 'GAMECOCK' went better on the wind with a slightly eased jib sheet and believe that on Saturday I made the mistake of trimming the jib too flat. I can only say that yesterday she more than confirmed my first impressions of her and have every belief that, with any reasonable amount of luck, she will do you great credit. As I said before, she is a pleasure to handle.
I note what you say about not wanting to design another 'R' boat [this will be #966s GRAYLING], but I hope that you will consider the idea some more. None of the younger men seem to have been able to produce a better boat than 'GAMECOCK' and I have every belief that her successor would be just as good, if not a little bit better." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30800. Subject Files, Folder 28, formerly 10-15. 1925-07-24.)
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"[Item Description:] Janie & I thank you very much for your message of sympathy & send our love to you & Mrs. Herreshoff. It has been a terrible shock. It seems such a time ago that Mrs. Morgan was so well & young & full of the joy of life. However, she was spared any conscious illness or pain, or any unusual sorrow for which we should try to be thankful. As to GAME COCK [#932s] I want her in the best possible shape and have asked Tom [Brightman] to do any thing you may direct to put her so, for my account. Junius [Morgan] is cruising for a few days on CORSAIR with his father & [his brother] Harry & hopes to call on you. As I have no use for GAME COCK here until a week from next Saturday at the earliest I asked Tom per telephone this morning to order her back to Bristol & keep her there until Monday, in case Junius should turn up & want to look her over with you & then send her home with my man Chris & Charley Petersen. It is very gratifying that Junius is so pleased with her also that he is so interested in studying design. He is most anxious to persuade you to cut another model so that the Company may build him another boat this winter [this will be #966s GRAYLING] & I hope you may see your way to do it. I was glad to see that [#892s] SPINDRIFT (ex GRAYLING Q) did so well in Buzzards Bay on Tuesday." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29980. Subject Files, Folder 26, formerly 10-15. 1925-08-20.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I thank you for your letter of the 10th. You will know by now that YANKEE won the Manhasset Cup & as she also took the first race for the Greenwich Cup yesterday it seems likely she will take that too.
The first race on Sept 9th was sailed in a fresh easterly with a good deal of sea. The course 3 3/4 miles to windward & back twice around. The fleet split part going to the north into Stamford Harbor for smoother water & part out into the Sound in anticipation of a shift of wind. I took the offshore chance with GAME COCK [#932s]. The first time around the inshore boats had slightly the best of it & the second time still more the best of it. The shift of wind came just after we finished.
The other two races were fairly well reported so you have doubtless seen the results.
I have not sailed GAME COCK enough to know her & her sails might be better. Generally she seems as fast or faster than anything with the wind aft of the beam. She does her best work to windward in moderate weather, as it breezes on she seems to slide off bodily as compared with the others. I think she has less lateral plane than most of the other boats & of course her round hull does not get much grip on the water. I have wondered if perhaps the leg-o-mutton rig does not require more lateral plane as compared to sail area than the old rig? When I get the boat properly groomed & learn to get the most out of her she can do as well as any of the Sound boats. I don't know much about those at Marblehead. In the N.Y.Y.C. race on September 3rd sailed in something less than a full sail southerly two reaches & a run we reached YANKEE a little & she beat us a little on the wind. We finally beat her by 1 second. In one of the Eastern Y.C. lectures last winter the diameter of the mast with consequent disturbance of the wind currents was spoken of as a matter of importance. Do you think there is anything in it? The Scandinavians are all here preparatory to next weeks races. I had a pleasant chat with Mr[?] others[?] Anker[?] the other day but have only seen the rest in the distance.
I hope that you are well & that you are thinking out the new R for Junious some[?] [this will be #966s GRAYLING]." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30380. Subject Files, Folder 27, formerly 10-15. 1925-09-13.)
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"[Item Description:] Two sets of penciled pantograph hull sections on sans-serif 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' stationery. Titled 'GRAYLING # 982[sic, i.e. #966]. One set of sections is marked only 'Q.b.l. 25ft 3 1/2in'. The other set of sections is marked '4th trial Sept[ember 27, 1925. Q.b.l. 25 2 1/2in' and is accompanied by calculations arriving at a displacement of 211cuft (13504lbs) and a wetted surface of 240sqft. On verso two more sets of pencilled pantograph sections titled 'Sept[ember] 26, 1925. 2nd trial. R class for J.S.M. 26.66 w.l. Q.b.l. 25.4' (with calculations arriving at 211cuft [= 14528lbs]) and '1st trial' (with calculations arriving at 228cuft = 14800lbs), respectively. " (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03360. Folder [no #]. 1925-09-27.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Original letter:] George [Nichols] told you over the telephone last night about 'GAMECOCK's' [#932s] victory yesterday. The boat went perfectly, was first at the start and was never headed. The course called for a reach, a long beat and a short run, and she seemed to gain on all three legs. The wind was somewhere between fifteen and twenty-five knots and though somewhat puffy was fairly true as to direction. The gear stood splendidly and you can well be pleased with the boat.
George tells me that the model for my new 'R' boat [this will be #966s GRAYLING] is nearly finished and, if it suits you, I should like to come to Bristol on Sunday morning and have a chance to talk to you for a couple of hours about it and other yachting matters. As you can imagine, I shall be very much interested to see it and shall look forward with pleasure to coming down.
I am only sorry that we had to wait until the last race of the season to really show what 'GAMECOCK' could do; but there is no question about her being one of the fastest, if not the fastest, of the Class in the Sound." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_18360. Correspondence, Folder 50, formerly 181. 1925-09-28.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections on sans-serif 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' stationery. Titled 'From a copy of GAME COCK (932) [#932s] model. Sept[ember] 28, 1925. With calculations arring at a total displacement of 178cuft [= 11392lbs]. [These sections were drawn by NGH in during the design of #966s GRAYLING.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03350. Folder [no #]. 1925-09-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I telephoned you last night partly because I suspected, as proved true, that you were at work on the new 'R' boat model [Model 225 at HMM for what will be #966s GRAYLING], and wanted you to know of 'GAME COCK's' [#932s] performance under conditions in which we hoped she would do well.
Junius steered her yesterday so that I could devote all my attention to trimming the sheets and to tactics. The latter were not particularly important as it turned out, for while the wind varied more or less in strength and direction, these differences were about averaged. The newspaper account of the race was in this morning's Herald which you doubtless have.
We started first with good way on and worked out a lead of about thirty seconds over 'FIFI' at first mark. On the windward leg after the first mile, when we went to the South and 'ARDETTE' to the West, we kept close company with her as we considered her the most dangerous of our opponents under the conditions. Following your suggestion, I did not trim 'GAME COCK' very flat, but let her foot so that she did not hold quite as high as 'ARDETTE', but more than made this up by speed through the water and gained perhaps fifteen or twenty seconds on the windward leg. The rest we gained running home dead before the wind.
'BARBARA' --- an Alden boat sailed by Clifford Mallory ---was with 'ARDETTE' and 'GAME COCK' to within a mile of the weather mark when she split with us and probably gained something by doing so, as she caught 'ARDETTE' at the mark.
The wind, I estimated at fifteen to twenty-five miles. At any rate, the puffs were heavy and even in the lulls the wind was so strong that we never had 'GAME COCK' hard full on the entire windward leg." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30270. Subject Files, Folder 27, formerly 10-15. 1925-09-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten telegram notice:] Referring my letter of yesterday if equally convenient to you should prefer to reach Bristol about six or seven oclock Saturday evening, returning to New York midnight train from Providence. Will you let me know by wire here whether this is satisfactory to you. Very glad to get your letter and shall be extremely interested to see the model [Model 225 at HMM for what will be #966s GRAYLING].
J. S. Morgan." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Telegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.89. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 179. 1925-09-29.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten (in ink) letter on 'N.G. Herreshoff, Bristol, R.I.' stationery:] Thank you for your letter of 28th [September 1925] describing GAME COCK's [#932s] sail on Sunday. I have also your telegram and will be pleased to see you Saturday evening. If you are coming thru from New York on the one o'clock train, it should be in Providence at 5-6, just in time to take the Bristol train at 5-15 from the east end of the Station and we will expect you to have supper with us at 6-30.
The new model [Model 225 at HMM for what will be #966s GRAYLING] is finished and I rather like the appearance of it, but [it] is rather large for light weather.
Very sincerely yours, ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.90. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 179. 1925-09-30.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with tracing marks titled 'From finished model of R class boat for J.S. Morgan [#966s GRAYLING] Sept[ember] 30, 1925. Q.b.l. 25ft 2 1/4. Lwl 26ft 8in'. With scantlings. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 209cuft [= 13316lbs] and a wetted surface of 239sqft and a sail limit of 590sqft. With two displacement curves, one marked '#932 [GAMECOCK]'. On verso (with sans-serif 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' letterhead) another set of pencilled pantograph hull sections titled 'R class. From finished model for J.S. Morgan's R boat. Scale 3/4in. 26ft 8in w.l. Sept[ember] 29, 1925' and note 'Model cut away. See other side'. With calculations arring at a total displacement of 213.5cuft [= 13664lbs]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03330. Folder [no #]. 1925-09-30.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.05586 (076-150). Blueprint construction plan with inboard profile, plan view and sections titled 'No 966 [#966s GRAYLING]. R Class Boat for J.S. Morgan. Oct. 1925'. With note 'Rig to be Duplicate of No. 932 [#932s] as GAME COCK was adjusted July, 1925 except Backstay Rod Holders'. With penciled note 'GRAYLING. Launched May 1926'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0130. WRDT04, Folder O.S. 2, formerly MRDE02. 1925-10.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with tracing marks on sans-serif 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' stationery. Titled 'R class. For. J. S. M. [#966s GRAYLING] Oct[ober] 2, 1925. Scale 3/4. 26ft 8in w.l. Frame spaces 10 2/3in. Q.b.l. 25ft 2 1/4'. No other notes or calculations." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03320. Folder [no #]. 1925-10-02.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Unsigned carbon copy of a letter marked 'File Copy':] This is to thank you for your hospitality to George [Nichols] and me on Saturday evening; and to tell you that I an delighted with the model for the new 'R' boat [#966s GRAYING]. It is certainly a very interesting hull, beautifully shaped and one which ought to be very easily driven under almost all conditions. It looks to me as if the new boat would have plenty of speed, and if I can learn something of her ways before putting her in a race, I hope to be able to do you credit.
The idea of a large hull under a small rig has always interested me. Rightly or wrongly, I have had the idea that a large hull of easily driven form would travel fast with small sail even in comparatively light weather, so that, though it surprised me slightly at first, the size of the new boat has not caused me any real concern.
I am very grateful for the trouble you have taken with the design." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.91. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 179. 1925-10-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten signed letter on '23 Wall Street, New York' stationery:] This is to thank you for your hospitality to George [Nichols] and me on Saturday evening; and to tell you that I an delighted with the model for the new 'R' boat [#966s GRAYLING]. It is certainly a very interesting hull, beautifully shaped and one which ought to be very easily driven under almost all conditions. It looks to me as if the new boat would have plenty of speed, and if I can learn something of her ways before putting her in a race, I hope to be able to do you credit.
The idea of a large hull under a small rig has always interested me. Rightly or wrongly, I have had the idea that a large hull of easily driven form would travel fast with small sail even in comparatively light weather, so that, though it surprised me slightly at first, the size of the new boat has not caused me any real concern.
I am very grateful for the trouble you have taken with the design. [Incl. envelope with penciled calculations.]" (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30710. Subject Files, Folder 28, formerly 10-15. 1925-10-06.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I was pleased when at Bristol the other day that the Company has an order for a Class 'R' racing boat [#?s] in addition to the one just placed by Junius Morgan [#966s GRAYLING]. I was, however, disturbed this morning to learn from George that it was your intention to reproduce 'GAME COCK' [#932s].
'GAME COCK is a good boat --- I believe as fast as anything in the Sound this year & the best of the lot. The new boat is a far more finished design than 'GAME COCK' and should beat her, although the large size is of course something of an experiment. It seems to me a wasted opportunity to exactly duplicate 'GAME COCK', though I can see there is some saving in cost in doing so." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30260. Subject Files, Folder 27, formerly 10-15. 1925-10-08.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled 'No. 966 [#966s GRAYLING]. R class for J.S. Morgan. Oct[ober] 10 1925. Scale 1in x 1 1/2in per ft'. With calculations arriving at required lead of 8300lbs at .546 of w.l." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03760. Folder [no #]. 1925-10-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am glad to have your letter of the 9th, and have no serious objection to the shop duplicating 'GAME COCK' [#932s] if you have not. I do think, however, that it is poor policy for them to do so. Couldn't they shift the ends a little to do away with the quarter beam penalty and give her a little more lateral plane either by moving the stern post aft or increasing the draft, and still get most of the advantage from using the same moulds? I am very desirous of seeing the Herreshoff-built boats win. You may, or may not, think it worth while to hand on this suggestion to the shop.
Junius is very much interested in his new boat [#966s GRAYLING], and is very pleased with her model. It is gratifying that he takes so much interest in design as well as just sailing, and I hope you will encourage him to keep it up. He makes sailing models himself and is improving fast.
While it is a bit early to make definite plans, I want very much to bring 'CAROLINA' [#721s] out next year with a leg-o'mutton rig, and hope not to be handicapped in designing it by necessity of using more of her present gear than fits. If she had no gear at all and you were rigging her to race against the time scale with particular reference to the Astor and King's Cups, what would you give her? Under the Rule, she must have a straight mast." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30250. Subject Files, Folder 27, formerly 10-15. 1925-10-13.)
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"[Item Description:] plan to begin building #966s GRAYLING as soon as NGH finishes design work and leaves for Florida, suggest cost-plus basis, will send sail plan to Ratsey to make sail" (Source: Haffenreffer Jr., R.F. (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.81. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 179. 1925-10-16.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan 64-99. Blueprint detail plan titled '#966 [GRAYLING]. Rudder & details for R Class boat for J.S. Morgan'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0110. WRDT08, Folder 11, formerly MRDE02. 1925-11-23.)
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"[Item Description:] #966s GRAYLING is now planked, invoice" (Source: Brightman, Thomas (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Letter / Invoice to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.73. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 179. 1925-12-10.)
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"[Item Description:] #966s GRAYLING invoice payment" (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter (copy) to Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.74. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 179. 1925-12-11.)
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"[Item Description:] thank you for #966s GRAYLING invoice payment" (Source: Brightman, Thomas (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.75. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 179. 1925-12-12.)
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"[Item Description:] wondering if #966s GRAYLING mast is too far forward, would you object to a little experimentation with two mast positions" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.86. Correspondence, Folder 30, formerly 179. 1925-12-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Thank you for your letter of December 16th, with its suggestion for two mast positions for the new 'R' Boat [#966s GRAYLING]. I think the idea is excellent and am writing to Charles Nystrom to tell him to proceed.
The boat is now planked and I understand has been turned right side up and placed on the lead. I have not seen her since she was in frame, but am very much impressed by the photographs. My opinion has not changed that she is particularly well shaped and looks as if she ought to be fast. In other words, I am delighted with her so far and am very grateful to you for all the trouble you have taken about her.
Best wishes to you and to Mrs. Herreshoff for Christmas and the New Year.
P. S. The name of the new boat is to be 'GRAYLING' after the Fifty Footer [#715s] of that name which my Father owned." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30820. Subject Files, Folder 28, formerly 10-15. 1925-12-19.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan 81-159. Blueprint detail plan with full scale construction detail titled 'Mast details for R Class #966 [GRAYLING]. With penciled notated on verso 'GRAYLING's Mast Ends'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0113. WRDT08, Folder 11, formerly MRDE02. 1925-12-24.)
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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 Transcription:] When I came to Bristol to see the model of the 'GRAYLING' [#966s] I told Mr. Herreshoff that carved masts were going to be allowed next season in the Sound in the 'R' Class. I gathered that he did not approve of them and, further, that he saw no particular advantage in using one. As far as my personal inclinations are concerned, I am perfectly willing to abide by the present rig, which I know is satisfactory and simple, and I have no ideas to the effet that a carved mast provides any greater speed than the straight. Whether or not it is necessary to give the straight mast more rake than the curved I do not know; but you may remember in our talk on the subject I suggested that the step on 'GRAYLING' be made adjustable, so that there would be some leeway for experiment. If, during the coming season, the curved mast should prove to be superior to the straight I should be willing to try one, but so far I think the superiority is yet to be demonstrated and I should much prefer to have the mast as it now is.
Many thanks for the photograph.
I hope to get to Bristol in the course of the next couple of weeks to have a look at the boat." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to Nystrom, Charles. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30870. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 1926-01-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Many thanks for your letter of the 6th of January.
I am delighted to know that you are having such a succession of pleasant and sunshiny days and getting some sailing. At the moment there is a snowstorm going on here and the weather is anything but conducive to yachting.
I have had various photographs of the new 'R', the name of which by the way is 'GRAYLING' [#966s]; and a letter from Charles Nystrom came this week saying that they had the deck on and were putting on the canvas, so you see she is pretty well advanced. Nystrom also told me that he had some discussion with a New York designer, whose name he did not mention, who was going to build his boat at Bristol, to the effect that curved masts were to be allowed in the Class next season. I think, perhaps, a copy of my letter may interest you and I enclose it herewith. But the net of it is I am entirely satisfied with the present rig with a straight mast and prefer to use that until the curved mast is definitely shown to be superior.
I am going to Bristol next Saturday and will write you how the boat looks; and I am certain she is going to be excellent." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30860. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 1926-01-09.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I went to Bristol on Saturday to see 'GRAYLING' [#966s] and found her almost completed. I am delighted with her and even more pleased with the boat itself than I was with the looks of the model. The hull is finished, except for the painting, and the mast and boom are built, so that you can see she will be ready in time for the racing season.
Charles Nystrom seemed to be slightly worried about the question of the mast and I told him I would write you to see how you would feel about designing another spar as a possible alternative. The present mast, which is the one I intend to use, is, of course, of considerable diameter and Nystrom is afraid that it may create windage which will remove some of the effect of the forward edge of the sail. This may be correct and I thought it would be well to suggest to you the idea of perhaps designing a considerably lighter mast of a flattened section, which would create less of an eddy and would therefore not disturb the air at the luff of the sail to such an extent. This does not mean that I have any ideas of scrapping the present rig, but it is a suggestion about which I should like to find out your ideas. It may well be that the disadvantages of a good deal of rigging in the lighter spar offsets the advantages of the smaller mast, but that is a matter on which I am not competent to hold any views.
I hope everything is going well with you at Cocoanut[sic] Grove and that you are getting plenty of sailing and sunshine." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_31020. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 1926-01-18.)
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"[Item Description:] can design second mast and rigging of slimmer scantlings [for #966s GRAYLING] if you so desire but doubtful if advantageous, discussion of round vs pear-shaped mast section, son LFH is applying for patent for revolving mast but measurers will probably then rate mast area as sail area, measurement committee should reconsider different method of measuring foresail and mainsail measuring" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.109. Correspondence, Folder 31, formerly 180. 1926-01-23.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Thank you for your letter of January 23rd, with the information about the mast [for #966s GRAYLING]. In view of the small difference in windage factor and what you say about the stability of the boat, I have no hesitation in saying that I entirely agree with you that there is no advantage in having the other mast, so I shall use the one originally designed for the boat, with the knowledge that it is the best thing for its purpose that can be designed.
As to your very interesting question about the measurement of the head-sail, I hope to be able to give you some light on the subject after consulting with Professor Harold Webb and with one or two others, who know far more about measurement rules than I do. The question is one which also has puzzled me and it is one which seems to me is likely to come to a head in the near future with the new stay-sail rig which is now being put on the schooners." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_31010. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 1926-01-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am very glad to receive your letter regarding
'CAROLINA' [#721s].
As there does not seem to be much chance of racing, I incline to try the short mast which will certainly be better for general sailing. Later, if racing should develop, 'CAROLINA' can return to Bristol and the long mast can be put in and stayed under your personal supervision.
Enclosed cutting describes Saturday's Larchmont race as well as I can. I have the impression that 'GRAYLING' [#966s] is going to prove a slightly better boat than 'GAME COCK' [#932s], but it is too early to say much definitely. 'GRAYLING's' mast is somewhat more limber than 'GAME COCK's', and the difficulty from the point of view of the set of the sail seems to be that it does not bend in a true curve so that in a breeze there is a hard line cross the sail from the point where the fore-stay is attached to the end of the boom. Also, of course, the mast-head goes to leeward as well as back so that we lose the driving power to some extent.
Last week, a mast which [Rufus] Murray made last year for 'SECRET' and which weighs 105 pounds came into the market. As it has not had a step cut and I found that it would fit either 'GRAYLING' or 'GAME COCK', I bought it, thinking that in our informal trials between the two boats, you might think it worth while to put it into one or the other of them to see what happens.
Junius sailed for home on Saturday and I feel sure will be greatly pleased with 'GRAYLING' and the launch [#381p?]." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29790. Subject Files, Folder 26, formerly 10-15. 1926-05-17.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten unsigned carbon copy:] Your letter of March 31st was forwarded to me in England and I did not have a chance while there to answer it. Please accept my apologies.
I think your point about the measurement of the sail aft the mast is a good one and I shall bring the matter up at the first possible meeting of the Committee on Measurement Rules. I quite see the possibility of using a double surface sail and hope that it will not be necessary to legislate against it but, of course, you never can tell what will be tried. I quite see the point about length measurement and imagine that your suggestion, if worked over, would no doubt be an improvement on the present q.b.l. restriction. I question in my own mind whether it would be advisable just now, when there are so many points up for discussion, to take hold of a question involving such a radical change in the rule. My own sentiment is that we have a rule which is very good and that, when properly treated, produces a healthy type of boat and a rule under which the freak apparently is not good. A change, such as you suggest, would take some time to put through, for it is one that needs considerable thinking and working out to appreciate its possibilities. I hope you do not mind my showing your letter to the Committee for, naturally, any suggestions that you have to make will be of interest to all of us on it.
I think the foregoing also replies to your suggestion in regard to the club topsail. The only reason for leaving the measurement of that sail where it is would, I think, be to favor under certain conditions the man who had not seen fit to re-rig a boat which he used mainly for cruising and only raced occasionally. But the question is one which the Committee might discuss with advantage.
The new 'GRAYLING' [#966s is apparently extremely fast and you may have seen, from some of my letters to Charles Nystrom, that I am delighted with her. It is a great pleasure to tell you the same thing. It is, of course, still very early in the season, but it seems to me that she has just as much speed as any of the others and, aside from any question of her racing qualities, she is the most pleasant handling boat I think I have ever seen. Sailing to windward in Monday's race I had practically no steering to do and one finger on the tiller was enough to steady it, so that the boat sailed herself during a large part of the beat and seemed to gain on the wind at very nearly the same rate that she gained off it. I found, in trying the boat out, that the mast was not stiff enough for a strong breeze and have sent Charles Nystrom a rough sketch showing what I have done in the attempt to remedy this defect. Today is the first race in which I shall have a chance to try the new gear and I have every hope that it will be successful. In any case, I shall write you about the race and let you know what happens.
I am glad to know that you are back at Bristol, and hope that the rigours of the Arctic Summer, that we so far seem have had, will not bother you." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.114. Correspondence, Folder 31, formerly 180. 1926-06-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten signed letter:] Your letter of March 31st was forwarded to me in England and I did not have a chance while there to answer it. Please accept my apologies.
I think your point about the measurement of the sail aft the mast is a good one and I shall bring the matter up at the first possible meeting of the Committee on Measurement Rules. I quite see the possibility of using a double surface sail and hope that it will not be necessary to legislate against it but, of course, you never can tell what will be tried. I quite see the point about length measurement and imagine that your suggestion, if worked over, would no doubt be an improvement on the present q.b.l. restriction. I question in my own mind whether it would be advisable just now, when there are so many points up for discussion, to take hold of a question involving such a radical change in the rule. My own sentiment is that we have a rule which is very good and that, when properly treated, produces a healthy type of boat and a rule under which the freak apparently is not good. A change, such as you suggest, would take some time to put through, for it is one that needs considerable thinking and working out to appreciate its possibilities. I hope you do not mind my showing your letter to the Committee for, naturally, any suggestions that you have to make will be of interest to all of us on it.
I think the foregoing also replies to your suggestion in regard to the club topsail. The only reason for leaving the measurement of that sail where it is would, I think, be to favor under certain conditions the man who had not seen fit to re-rig a boat which he used mainly for cruising and only raced occasionally. But the question is one which the Committee might discuss with advantage.
The new 'GRAYLING' [#966s is apparently extremely fast and you may have seen, from some of my letters to Charles Nystrom, that I am delighted with her. It is a great pleasure to tell you the same thing. It is, of course, still very early in the season, but it seems to me that she has just as much speed as any of the others and, aside from any question of her racing qualities, she is the most pleasant handling boat I think I have ever seen. Sailing to windward in Monday's race I had practically no steering to do and one finger on the tiller was enough to steady it, so that the boat sailed herself during a large part of the beat and seemed to gain on the wind at very nearly the same rate that she gained off it. I found, in trying the boat out, that the mast was not stiff enough for a strong breeze and have sent Charles Nystrom a rough sketch showing what I have done in the attempt to remedy this defect. Today is the first race in which I shall have a chance to try the new gear and I have every hope that it will be successful. In any case, I shall write you about the race and let you know what happens.
I am glad to know that you are back at Bristol, and hope that the rigours of the Arctic Summer, that we so far seem have had, will not bother you." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30920. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 1926-06-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten signed letter:] The reports which I have to make to you about 'GRAYLING's' [#966s] performances and races are both good and bad.
On Monday she won on a course from Execution Rock to Parsonage Point to Weeks Point and home; the wind was southwest and about twelve knots. I got the best of the start and she went away from everybody on the first leg and continued the good work on the second leg, which was the beat. On the run home she increased her lead still further, so that her performance was one of continually drawing further ahead of the rest of the Class. Saturday I arrived very late at the starting line and had to start the race with the sails badly set, owing to lack of time to get them properly set up beforehand. The course was the same as the previous Monday, weather cold with an east wind of about twenty knots and quite a lump of a sea. I was last boat most of the way around, but picked up one place on the way home. The fault on Saturday was mine and not the boat's and I am just as pleased with her as before. Yesterday afternoon I had a chance to sail in a fairly strong southeasterly breeze and tried out the rigging, which I have put on in an attempt to stiffen the mast. It seems to improve it but, not being a technical man, I am not entirely happy in my mind about it. What would you advise? It seems to me that there are two alternatives. One is to have a mast somewhat similar to the present one & which is built stiff enough. The other is to have a considerably lighter mast, say about one hundred pounds, with the necessary rigging to hold it. If you were willing to design a light mast, and have it built under your supervision, I should be inclined to suggest trying it, but I felt that the question is one which you can best answer for me and I am putting it in your hands.
Very sincerely yours ... [With a handwritten PS:] P.S. George [Nichols] with GAMECOCK [#932s] did rather better, but the class split into two divisions, one going over into the Sound and getting a lift, the other staying along the NY shore. He beat all the boats near him, and sailed through the lee of them to do it! " (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30840. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 1926-06-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten letter on 'N.G. Herreshoff, Bristol, R.I.' stationery:] I was pleased to get your letters of 5th & 7th. You certainly made a very nice race [with #966s GRAYLING] on Monday and it is unfortunate you were not quite ready at the starting on Saturday as the conditions (of wind & sea) were what I would expect the GRAYLING would do well, --- also George in [#932s] GAME COCK --- but as you describe it he did do well these boats that selected the same waters.
When Chas Nystrom first wrote me that GRAYLING's mast did not stand well, as it appeared weak about at the rigging, I proposed to him, after another trial, to be sure of the weakness, --- to put in short spreaders for rather light shrouds to start from 4' or 5' below the mast head and go to chainplates that would be a foot & onehalf forward of the main chainplates. This would assist the mast sufficiently without holding it rigidly straight. This is very nearly what you have done as I understand it, --- the difference being that you have brought the lower end of stay into the mast.
My choice would be to have a second mast simply stayed as was the first one but with the diameter increased where the present one now bends. However, if you prefer to have a light mast with multiple staying I will make the design for it.
In regard to the measurement rules, it does seem to me there are several things that should be changed (or improved) and brought up to the present requirements of yacht racing. Such changes should be made in time to apply to all new yachts for the coming season, but not fully to yachts already in existance --- a period of one, two or three years being allowed, depending on the character of change, --- before the new rules would affect all yachts. For instance the change of quarterbeam measurement and adding another length measurement I had suggested, might apply to all, old & new, but allowing free[?] topsails, to new craft at once, but on old ones after a period of say two years." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.115. Correspondence, Folder 31, formerly 180. 1926-06-08.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Thank you for your letter of June 8th.
On the subject of 'GRAYLING's' [#966s] mast. I am perfectly ready to have a second one simply stayed, if you could design and supervise the building of it. 'GAMECOCK's' second mast was a success and I see no reason why this one should not be. At the moment the extra rigging on the present mast seems to hold it very well, but there is no use in having extra rigging on a heavy mast, which reduces the advantage of small windage. However, my personal preference would be for the light mast with extra rigging for the following reasons:-
First, owing to the lightness of the mast there would be an increase in stability of the boat, which may or may not be essential, but which would I think be an advantage in a strong breeze, as the boat
seems to go better 'on her feet'.
Second, with a sail designed for a straight mast it does not seem to be possible to make it set well on one which assumes a natural curve under pressure.
I hope it will be possible to make a light mast, with the necessary rigging, which would not interfere with the present relation between jib and mainsail. As you know, from the sail plan, the jib comes pretty well aft of the mast and I should hope that the rigging would not interfere with this, as the sail plan seems to me to be very effective and certainly seems to make the boat go in a most satisfactory manner.
In either case, whether you give me a simply stayed mast somewhat like the present one, or whether you give me a light mast, I hope very much that you can give it your personal supervision both in its design and construction.
I hope to do better with the boat on Saturday and will write you again after the race." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30940. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 1926-06-09.)
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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:] I am sorry to see from your letter that you prefer not to design and build the light mast for 'GRAYLING' [#966s]. Under the circumstances, and particularly in view of the fact that I cannot send her to Bristol, it may be as well to let the matter rest for the present. I quite see your point of view about wishing to rig the boat yourself and make sure that her rig is in working order before she comes back to Glen Cove but, you on your side must realise that the Class is racing every Saturday and some times other days during the week from now until the end of September, so that I do not want to be put in the position of having to keep her out
of any of the races. A trip to Bristol and return, even assuming that there were no delays occasioned by schooners coming in about staysail rigs, etc., would mean that I should be deprived of the boat for at least
two weeks, and I cannot see my way clear to giving her up for that length of time.
On the question of the paint, your own painter there at Bristol can tell you how it was put on, as none has been added since 'GRAYLING' left there. Charles Nystrom knows the condition in which it was last week, and while there were places in which the paint was good, there were also a great many places where it was possible to scrape it off with a finger-nail and where no amount of rubbing down would have made a good surface." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30950. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 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:] Thank you for your letter of June 23rd.
'GRAYLING' [#966s] spent last week on the ways, having the white paint scraped off and some green put on. The new paint seems to give a very good bottom and, unless it goes bad too, I shall stick to it for the rest of the season. Unfortunately the number of times I can haul is somewhat limited and it was necessary to take this drastic step rather than try a new lot of the white. I saw the white paint on 'CAROLINA' [#721s] and it seemed very good, as also does that on 'GAMECOCK' [#932s], so I am at a loss to explain its misbehavior on 'GRAYLING'.
On the question of the mast, I will try to manage to send 'GRAYLING' to Bristol, provided that before she goes there the mast is all ready to step. If Charles Nystrom can tell me when that will be, I will see what arrangements can be made to send the boat down." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30960. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 1926-06-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I received yours of 28th and understanding you will send GRAYLING [#966s] here to have new mast fitted and tried out. I have completed the design for mast and fittings and work is begun.
With the rush of other work well over I see no reason why the new mast & fittings should not be gotten out very soon and I suppose Charles Nystrom will keep you posted so you will know where to send the boat. I will take much interest in rigging and trying out." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.118. Correspondence, Folder 31, formerly 180. 1926-07-02.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten signed original letter:] I am sending you under separate cover a photograph of 'GRAYLING' [#966s], which you may like to have. At the time the photograph was taken it was blowing hard and the boat was then second in her Class.
I am sorry to have to tell you that I did not do well during Larchmont Race Week, largely due, I think, to a run of bad luck and flukey weather. However, she got fourth on Saturday and seemed to go very well.
If you come to Marblehead to see any of the races next week, I hope you will let me know and I will arrange to have the launch available for you to watch the races." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30980. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 1926-07-26.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am sending you under separate cover five more photographs of 'GRAYLING' [#966s], all of which I think you will be interested to have. Most of them give a very good idea of her performance through the water and I think, from that point of view, you may be interested in having them.
I am sorry not to have done better for you during Larchmont Race Week, but I had a run of bad luck in fluky weather, so that my performance was not very good. The boat is entirely satisfactory and is, I think, as fast or may be a little faster than most of her Class." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_30970. Subject Files, Folder 29, formerly 10-15. 1926-07-27.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I want to thank you for your kind letters of 26th & 27th and the photographs [of #966s GRAYLING], all of which are very interesting and show the boat well, under movement thru the water.
GRAYLING arrived yesterday morning and now is hauled out for rubbing down and piecing out the rudder with brass. In the mean time the new mast has been stepped and the rigging being spliced in. Piecing out the rudder and repainting & smoothing up is quite a job and necessarily take some time to do it. I suspect all the time you can spare the boat.
The mast came out 20 lbs heavier than I figured and I can't tell why unless they made up the walls thicker than drawing. Without fittings it is 140 lbs when my figures were 119 1/2 lbs. I have not the exact weight, but the fittings are about 10 lbs.
In looking at the photos, it appears as if the main boom end would be quite close down to the deck when closehauled on the wind, and that it is hauld[sic] right amidships, without using mainsheet traveler.
Perhaps there is a good reason for it, but i fail to see it or understand the philosophy in a sail shaped that way, and the boom trimmed amidship. Of course the sails' area is increased a little, which may be an advantage down wind, or would be if the increase was high up instead of close to the water
I thank you for offering your launch to me at Marblehead, during the raceweek, but I donot expect to be away from Bristol, and will only follow the races thru the Press." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.119. Correspondence, Folder 31, formerly 180. 1926-07-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I have been waiting for an opportunity to write you about the 'R' boat races. They were excellent sport and, I think, on the whole satisfactory. It seemed to me fairly evident that condition and handling had more to do with the standing of the various boats at the finish than the design. The Long Island Sound skippers were doubtless more bothered by the roll than were those from Marblehead, and like all Easterly winds, the strength was decidedly uneven. 'GAME COCK' [#932s] was fortunate to get into the final races, but once there, should have done better and I am quite disgusted with myself.
I hope she has left Bristol this morning and will be down for Saturday's race --- the final of the season. After that, I hope to get some chances during October to sail match races with Junius --- I taking 'GRAYLING' [#966s] and he 'GAME COCK'.
I believe he is thinking of another boat like 'GRAYLING' but smaller, but have heard nothing of the details.
I hope that your and Commodore Munroe's houses have not been damaged by the Florida gale, and hope you will let me know what the situation there is." (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29760. Subject Files, Folder 26, formerly 10-15. 1926-09-23.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten signed 8-page letter:] All the suggestions in your letter seem very reasonable to me and I am very willing to incorporate them in a design for you [that will eventually become #1053s PUFFIN --- to Junius Morgan's own design]. You must understand however that with these modifications you will not get the extreme clipper which I may make for some one else, I will not take an order from any one else for an 'R' boat down the Sound though unless you definitely decide not to build.
I am now going to discuss some of your suggestions but only in hope that it will be of interest to you and not in an attempt to influence you to change your requirements. I will take them up in the order they are mentioned in your letter of Oct. 4.
# 1 Hull- If the hull is given a larger beam-length ratio it will give the boat more wetted surface compared to lateral resistance,- it will decrease the percentage of ballast weight, (the hull wood work will weigh more). Increase in beam makes it much harder to get the Q. B. L. [Quarter Beam Length] in comfortably.
If the W. L. beam is 6ft-6in or more it will be necessary to use the conventional transom but as your boat would be kept in a part of the country where people christen anything new as a freak it may be well to stick to the conventional.
The reasons for the pointed stern are that it [p. 2] in creases the length of the immersed displacement when sailing, (these boats sail on quite a level keel and make a large wave under the quarter). This is particularly so when reaching and the YANKEE did not at all take advantage of this following quarter wave.
The pointed stern is cheaper to build and lighter. When people get accustomed to it I am sure they will think it also much handsomer. As for sea-worthiness the double-ender is far superior in a following sea as it resists pooping. This may make someone laugh who has not had this experience but I was once washed right away from the tiller and knocked down in the cockpit of a small boat by a following coamer. These things make an impression on one. In every way I consider a length to beam ratio of more than 4 a mistake when a boat is to have a high, narrow rig for if the beam is more than that the hull will not have enough tendency to swing off to counteract the strong luffing tendency the high narrow rig has. The wide boat when knocked down will at times get out of control and come up in the wind. In fact experience and careful observation show that the narrow boat is the safest, dryest, cheapest and fastest. The narrow boat under either the Universal or International rule has the most headroom. This is unquestionably the most necessary dimension for comfort.
Of late years there have been numerous people who have preached the desirability of great beam. They have spoken of Capt. Slocum's SPRAY, whaling ships, etc.
[p. 3] They never seem to mention Capt. Voss' TILIKUM with length to beam ratio of almost 8 or speak of how much more comfortable one of our modern destroyers would be than a whaling ship if traveling at the rate of 10 miles per hour against a full gale. I believe that the ease with which a boat can be handled is nearly in direct proportion to its sail area, all other things being equal. If this is so it is interesting to note that in the R and Q classes the S. A., and beam have remained the same since since before leg-o-mutton sails were adopted; the length and room (displacement) though, have been greatly increased making the boats much better than they were. If some new invention is made which increases the efficiency of sails for their measured area, the boats will again make an increase in length and room. I thank the Lord we have a rule which allows a hull which can be changed to best fit the requirements of sail plan. Some people think that a woman and a sail boat must be short, homely and heavily built to have good qualities; I don't belong to this school.
The web frame construction used on YANKEE was worked out after considerable study to make it possible to build a boat which would retain her designed shape during and after construction. It is also much stronger, slightly lighter and cheaper to build. It also holds a much smoother bottom. I am now designing a power boat which is being built with this construction and I shall probably use it in all types of boats, cruising or racing later. I think it will work out fine in big boats.
If you have your boat built at Bristol it will [p. 4] probably be best to use the old fashioned construction for they use a mold for every frame which is a help in holding shape, at least during the first part of the time. Also at Bristol there is no one of intelligence actively in charge of construction now so that to use anything new would be practically impossible.
Rig- For several years I have been trying to work out a stream-lined shape mast either swiveling or stationary. So far the only solution to the problem I have been able to make has been the one I sent you. This is principally on account of construction reasons. I will try again to work out something along the line you suggest but it will probably be necessary to use a mast almost exactly like YANKEE's but with a strut for forestay. I approve of making the fore triangle larger as you suggest but I do not at all approve of the loose footed jib which necessitates cutting the foot very high to make it set. With a jib like the GAMECOCK [#932s] carried at Newport it is useless to think of trying to race for the amount of wind which escapes down and under it as appalling. Of course driving force is only acquired from wind driven toward the stern and any that escapes is a loss. The boom on the YANKEE was designed to stop the down-flow of air and I noticed that you had one on GRAYLING [#966s] which was similar but not quite as efficient for the purpose.
In your letter you did not suggest any dimensions. This being the case how do you like these which I am giv[ing] beside those of YANKEE?
[p. 5] New Boat; YANKEE
L.W.L.; 26.25ft; 26ft
L.O.A.; 38.ft; 37ft
W.L. Beam; 6.50ft; 6.42ft
Ex. Beam; 7ft; 6.75ft
Measured S. A.; 590 sq.ft.; 592
Actual S. A.; 625; 622
When I consider all the things which we are not going to do in this new boat it seems as if we were leaning backward when we are trying to go ahead. Nevertheless I am willing to try this practically impossible proposition of trying to gain speed without decreasing resistance or increasing driving power. Of course the boat will have to have perfect sails and be well sailed or she won't beat YANKEE.
I hear that Mr. Mallory and his followers are making another attempt to have the Universal rule discarded and the International rule adopted for the measurement of racing boats in this country. If they are successful I am afraid the result will be a great disaster to yachting in general for the following reasons:-
(1) Uncertainty about the rule is discouraging many people and keeping some I know of from building.
(2) The building of boats under Lloyds rule is so complicated that their cost will be prohibitive.
(3) Lloyds rules were originally gotten up by a body of men who are principally familiar with ship construction. There are so many alternatives in them that it is practically impossible to have two boats by different designers come anywhere near the same weight and strength. A designer will have to become a sea-lawyer, politician and grafter [p. 6] to get any satisfaction from their stupid inspectors.
(4) It will be easy to build terrible freaks and unsafe boats which will win under the International rule.
(5) The International rule being an addition rule, it is possible to build boats with large sails and small hulls or others with large hull measurements and small sails so that the boats never finish close together in different weather conditions. In fact the rule is so poor that the British do not even use it in their large classes. (Note: the BRITANIA, LULWORTH, WHITE HEATHER, SHAMROCK AND WESTWARD [#692s] raced together under arbitrary handicaps with no measurement all summer.)
(6) If the Sound clubs adopt this foolish International rule they probably will have to race with themselves for it is unlikely that any other locality will actually build boats to it even if their representatives are misguided and do vote for its adoption.
If some one could only explain to these people that our Universal Role is developing a type of boat which is as large, safe, dry, comfortable for its sail area and that all good boats which are well sailed always finish close together in any breeze, they might realize the great harm they are doing in stopping this good development.
Some bolshevists down the sound have started the cry that the Universal rule is developing an unwholesome type of boat. The common people who do not stop to think have taken up the cry and are making great heroes of anyone who can think of new imaginary complaints against it.
[p. 7] So far their complaints are that the the freeboard is too small, the beam too narrow and length too great. Before they had run amock some one should have explained to them that freeboard is only required to keep the boat dry and to keep the lee rail from going under water. In these respects the 'R' boats are superior to any other type of boat. Beam and length I have discussed above.
Some of them have said the 'R' boats would not make a desirable type of boat if scaled up to 50ft rating. Of course large boats are always built [to] different proportions from small ones, besides the rule calls for different proportions but at any rate if a large boat were made as much like an 'R' boat as possible under the rule she certainly would be a beautiful thing and have accommodation enough to comfortably carry all her gear and live aboard of. In other words she would have the same S. A. and freeboard as present fifties, her displacement or room might be 40% more, she would be stiffer, dryer and faster, much easier in a sea and practically never have to shorten sail, in fact a far superior yacht to any we have ever had. Another complaint they make is that the boats are getting bigger and bigger every year. This of course is only because the driving power per square foot of sail has been increased. I consider this a fine thing and hope it will increase still more. If the boats in a certain class have increased in expense more than a certain person's pocket book can stand he should go into the next smaller class. It is high time an open designed 'S' class was started on the Sound anyway, as they would have slightly larger hulls than 6 metre [p. 8] boats, be cheaper, faster and in every way better, our rule cannot be beaten and we cannot increase our sail area for rating. (See table of S. A. for classes 'S', 'R' and 'Q' on page 154 of 'Elements of Yacht Design').
I beg your pardon for writing you this long drawn-out letter but some of the subjects touched on excite me particularly at this time when I have just heard that the Advisory Committee of the N. Y. R. A. is going to put a vote before the next meeting to adopt the International rule.
As soon as I get a reply to this letter I will start on some drawing for you and am agreeable to the understanding in the last paragraph of your letter of Oct. 4.
Yours very truly, ..." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.97. Correspondence, Folder 34, formerly 183. 1926-10-07.)
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"[Item Description:] have been looking over the record of this seasons R class racing in the Sound, championship was practically a tie between BOBCAT designed by Sherman Hoyt for Bob Meyer and ARDELLE designed by Mower, both sailed 17 championship races 16 were necessary to qualify), BOBCAT is very similar to [#932s] GAMECOCK in section but is shorter 24 1/2' & a little wider, ARDELLE is a very moderate boat in every way 25' by just over 7', GAMECOCK's record is also interesting, she started seven times only in championship races, she won three, was second once & fifth twice, in the seventh race I withdrew because I had two small nephews on board whom I had to take home & the weather was threatening, ..., since we got back from Newport GAMECOCK has sailed in four races & won three, weather moderate to very light in each case, one was a windward and leeward race with [#966s] GRAYLING, one a similar race with GRAYLING & ARDELLE, the other two had most of of the fleet & were reported in the [New York] Herald so you doubtless saw the results, the race GAMECOCK lost GRAYLING won & as Clarence[?] was on GAMECOCK he will have told you of it, the wind was so light & steady the final result was not important, but what interested me was that twice in that race GRAYLING started a windward leg on ARDELLE's lee beam & worked right out ahead of her while in close quarters, it is apparent that both GAMECOCK & GRAYLING are at least as good as any of the Sound boats & which is the better I don't know, GAMECOCK has made much the better record but can't help feeling GRAYLING ought to beat her, I hope to hear what your plans are for the winter, as I was very sorry to hear from Charles [Nystrom] that you would[?] had[?] gone" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29740. Subject Files, Folder 26, formerly 10-15. 1926-10-12.)
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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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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #966s Grayling even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

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

Name: Grayling
Type: J & M R
Length: 26'7"
Owner: Morgan, Junius S., Jr.

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

• Grayling
• Jacana ex-Grayling
• Nirie ex-Grayling
• Note: The L. Francis Herreshoff index cards comprise a set of some 1200 cards about vessels built by HMCo, with dimensions and / or ownership information. Apparently compiled in the early 1930s, for later HMCo-built boats like the Fishers Island 23s or the Northeast Harbor 30s are not included. Added to in later decades, apparently by L. F. Herreshoff as well as his long-time secretary Muriel Vaughn and others. Also 46 cards of L. F. Herreshoff-designed vessels. The original set of index cards is held by the Herreshoff Marine Museum and permission to display is gratefully acknowledged.

Name: Grayling
Type: "R" boat
Owner: J. S. Morgan, Jr.
Year: 1926
Row No.: 257

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: 19
Year: 1925
E/P/S: S
No.: 0966
Name: Grayling
K: y
Notes Constr. Record: "R" Class Sail Boat
Last Name: Morgan
First Name: Junius S.

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

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

"Universal Rule Class R." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 7, 2009.)

"Sail no. R49." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 9, 2009.)

"L. F. Herreshoff notes on his index card for Grayling that she was owned by Q. J. Winsor of Elyria, Ohio in 1951. If correct, this would have been Dr. Quincy J. Winsor." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. April 11, 2014.)

"Built in 186 days (contract to launch; equivalent to 65 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Displacement 12,111lbs from pencilled notes on plan 147-3." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. November 22, 2014.)

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