HMCo #1131s Istalena

"[1928-08-11] Sat 11: ... Mr. Pynchon arrived in Vansanta [sic, i.e. #372p Vasanta] in forenoon to talk about a new M class yacht [which will be #1131s Istalena]. He took me down to see the Astor Cup Race. A very enjoyable day. Home [at] 5-20 and telephoned Francis to come tomorrow to talk about designing for Mr. Pynchon.
[1928-08-12] Sun 12: ... [Son] Francis & Mr. Chambers arrived [at] 11-30 & had an interesting day. Mr. Pynchon arrived [at] 4-30 and made verbal agreement with Francis to design a M [class[ yacht. Plans to be approved by me [this would be #1131s Istalena, built by HMCo.] ...
[1928-08-18] Sat 18: ... Had call from Mr. Pynchon [who is about to contract for #1131s Istalena] in p.m. ...
[1928-09-11] Tue 11: ... Francis here in p.m. with drawings of M class boat [#1131s Istalena] for Mr. Pynchon. They seem very satisfactory.
[1928-09-17] Mon 17: ... Completed small cruiser plans and began model for Mr. Pynchon's M [class] racing yacht [#1131s Istalena] from b[lue]p[rints] sent by Francis. ...
[1928-09-18] Tue 18: ... At work on model [of #1131s Istalena]. ...
[1928-09-19] Wed 19: ... At work on model [of #1131s Istalena] for Francis.
[1928-09-20] Thu 20: ... At work on model for Francis's design of M class yacht for Mr. Pynchon [#1131s Istalena]. ...
[1928-09-21] Fri 21: ... At work on model [of #1131s Istalena] & finished it. ...
[1928-09-30] Sun 30: ... In house all day working on 2nd model for Francis's M class [#1131s Istalena] & measuring small model &c.
[1928-10-03] Wed 3: ... Mr. Pynchon & Francis here in p.m. to confer about his new M class yacht [#1131s Istalena]. Decided to reduce size a little and build with wood frame.
[1928-10-15] Mon 15: ... Francis here to confer with HMCo about building M class boat for Mr. Pynchon [#1131s Istalena].
[1928-11-01] Thu 1: ... Mr. Pynchon, Francis & Mr. Chambers here and to dinner. Discussion about new M class boat [#1131s Istalena] and principally about the lead.
[1929-08-15] Thu 15: ... Istalena [#1131s] won run yesterday and again today in NYYC Cruise.
[1929-08-16] Fri 16: ... Went to Newport with Agnes in Ford and met Mr Pynchon at [the] Y[acht] Club. We went out in Vasanta [#372p] to see [the] Astor Cup race. A beautiful day & fine race. Istalena [#1131s] won over her class but Anitra (12-meter) [designed by Starling Burgess, built by Abeking & Rasmussen and still in existence 85 years later] won [the] cup. ...
[1929-08-17] Sat 17: ... Istalena [#1131s] won again over her class, but lost by a few seconds to Vanity [sic, i.e. Vanitie] in [the] Kings Cup Race. ...
[1929-08-18] Sun 18: ... Mr Pynchon arrived [at] 9 a.m. with Vansanta [sic, i.e. #372p Vasanta] & Istalena [#1131s], having [son] Francis [aboard]. ...
[1929-08-19] Mon 19: ... Windward 1st, Prestige [#1058s] 2nd, Istalena [#1131s] 3rd in race today off Newport.
[1929-08-20] Tue 20: ... Andiamo 1st today. Istalena [#1131s] 2nd [and] Prestige [#1058s] 3rd in NYYC Newport race.
[1929-08-21] Wed 21: ... Prestige [#1058s] won [the] series of M-class races. (Istalena [#1131s] lost by ill luck.)
[1931-06-24] Wed 24: ... Francis here in [the] afternoon and I presented him with the fine binoculars given [me] by Mr. Pynchon for [my] Istalena [#1131s] advice. ...
[1931-08-21] Fri 21: ... The Astor Cup Race today [was] won by Istalena [#1131s], Francis' designed M class yacht. [She was] sailed by young Elizabeth Hovey. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1928 to 1931. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. Oct 9 1928 {1928/10/09} Dear Francis, I have a letter from Mr. Pynchon, in which he says he has agreed with Nystrom, for H.M. Co. [Herreshoff Manufacturing Company] to build the new yacht - and I am pleased to know it. I only hope they will keep ahead of the contract times, and if the yacht is to be deliverd 15th of April. {1929/04/15} the contract should be signed very soon, also if the keel is to be cast within six weeks of signing the contracts you should supply the H.M. Co [Herreshoff Manufacturing Company] with drawings of lead and keel part within a week of the contract. It is always an excuse in the shops - and of the foremen, - they are not supplied with drawings in time, or with sufficient drawings and instructions to lay out and do [p2] the work. I hope you will bear this in mind and keep "on top of them". It is only about 4 weeks before I leave, - but while here, - as I have just written Mr. Pynchon, I will be glad to act as your and his agent to repeat your instructions or report progress, but I will not direct without your advise and word. The design must be entirely yours. Of course I will be glad to advise when asked to. I am waiting to get your new lines so to cut over the models. ... Your affect, Father - " (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 4: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. Oct 23. 1928. {1928/10/23} Dear Francis, They are laying down the lines of the M, and they came very nice indeed and fair-up almost exactly to the figures given in table of offsets. The only question seems to be about the thickness of sternpost & rudder, that don't seem to be very definatly dictated. I would suggest you start a detail drawing of rudder & sternpost giving thicknesses and shape the back of sternpost and front of rudder will take and send off a b.p. [blueprint] soon as possible. Then later you can detail on the same drawing the rudder hanging, rudder stock & c. - and send another b.p. [blueprint] I have the two models nearly re-worked, and I want to congratulate you on the sweetness of the present form. After all I think [p2] the time lost in re-drawing the lines was really worth while by the improvments you have made. I believe it is a model that will be hard to beat. The only thing I don't like is having the toe of the docking surface of keel so far aft that it will be dangerous in docking the boat and particulaly so in handling & transfering from the short cradles we have to get around the the curve on the storage yard. I think you w'ld loose nothing at all if you changed the profile as I have shown in red in the inclosed tracing paper, and you w'ld gain 1 1/2' on the tread of the keel where it is seriously needed The wetted surface w'ld be almost exactly the same, the amount of lead almost the same but c.g. of lead lower, and the [p3] entrance stream-lineing of lower part improved, as now it is, too blunt for the greatest section abaft of it. Higher up, - in front of the larger body there w'ld be no disadvantage in rounding away a little more. I see the N.Y.Y.C. By-laws dictate models be painted to correspond with colors of yacht. Please let me know soon as possible how the Clube model is to be painted - colors & position of w.l. or boat-top if any. We leave the 7th of Nov. {1928/11/07} so only have about 2 weeks, and we will be taken up in packing & closing up & c. I suppose Mr. Pynchon's model will be painted same as for N.Y.Y.C. - or shall I leave it only shellaced? ... Your affect. Father - " (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 4: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. Oct 27 1928 {1928/10/27} Dear Francis - Your quick delivery letter came day before yesterday early, and I attended to correction of profile on loft floor immediatly and have also added to and corrected the two models. The yacht will now be about as risky to move about as the 50s and no better. By continually cortioning the men we have had no accidents with them. In one case a 50 broke the forward bearer of the cradle and dropped a little before arrested, but fortunatly didnot make a nose dive. Mr. Pynchon writes he will make a visit here with you the morning of Nov 1st.. (Next Thursday) {1928/11/01} which will be very pleasant, and I hope you will have lunch with us. ... - Your affect Father. [Vertical note in left margin that extends to above margin] I note the painting for models, and suggest that you use our white anti-fouling paint on bottom, which is the smoothest of all bottom paints, as well as the best antifouling. Then have the boat top strake a light green, which with the gold stripe above will give the yacht a fine appearance and not so heavy as with black & green bottom." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 4: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"Owned in Chicago for some years, sold and went to South America in 1962. Summer '63 in water at Falmouth. Anchored in Troy, NY in Nov. '63 on her way from Lakes to Staten Island, thence to Florifa as a charter boat. (3 yrs on trailer in fields at Schenectady after being in Lake Champlain. Picture in Feb. '43 Rudder." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. "Istalena." Vessel index card in the collection of the Herreshoff Museum, Bristol, R.I. No place, no date.)

"... From Bristol comes the report that the sloop from the designs of L. Francis Herreshoff of Marblehead for George M. Pynchon of the New York Yacht Club, is to be built at the Herreshoff yard. This is one of the four 46-raters ordered for next season. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, October 28, 1928, p. B18.)

"At the Herreshoff boat shops workmen are engaged in preparations for the running of the lead keel for the new class M sloop that is to be constructed there for George Pynchon of the New York Yacht Club. The boat was designed by L. Francis Herreshoff, son of Capt Nathaniel G Herreshoff, who designed the Live Yankee built for Charles Welch in 1927. The boat is of the of the double-end type. ..." (Source: Anon. "At Herreshoff Boat Shops" Bristol Phoenix, December 11, 1928, p. 4.)

"... The class M sloop [#1131s Istalena] for George M Pynchon has been set up and is partially framed and the company has started work on a 50-foot continuous sheer type cruiser [#388p Stroller] to be powered with a pair of Sterling Petrel engines and a 43-foot Hand designed boat [#389p Little Gull II] which will have Hall Scott engines. ..." (Source: Anon. "At Herreshoff Shops." Bristol Phoenix, January 15, 1928, p. 3.)

"Herreshoff's sheds are so full of boats that they would be hard put to find room to set up one of the 12 1/2-foot knockabouts. The 150-foot steel cruising craft [#385p Vara] for Ex-Commodore Harold S. Vanderbilt on the north railway fills the shop from end to end, but there is a practically completed 'S' knockabout under her port quarter, and another 'S' ready for decking under the flare of her port bow, while under the starboard bow a 43-foot powerboat is in frame, and further aft, flanking the Vanderbilt boat's midship section, is still a third 'S,' decked and ready to put the house on. The Hand designed V-bottomed cruiser is timbered out and partly planked in the small boat shop at the west end of the building. While on the south railway George M. Pynchon's 'M' sloop [#1131s Istalena], from the designs of L. Francis Herreshoff, is completely planked and has some of her carlines in. Astern of the Pynchon boat, the railway is occupied by the cruising houseboat Roamer [#215p] with a crew of men busy making changes in her deck houses. [Note: The reference to the 43-foot powerboat is unclear. The only 43-foot powerboat under construction during this time period was the William Hand-designed #389p Little Gull II which is referenced in the next sentence. Another powerboat built at the same time was #388p Stroller but she was slightly larger at 46ft 9in LOA. It is possible that the writer mixed up the two boats.]" (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, February 24, 1929, p. B13.)

"These are busy days at the Herreshoff boat shops and all about the shops and yards are active scenes preparing the boats for the coming season are apparent. ... The new canoe stern M class sloop Istalena that Herreshoff built this season is practically completed and will be launched as soon as her owner, George Pynchon of New York, returns from Europe early next month." (Source: Anon. "Busy Herreshoff Shops." Bristol Phoenix, April 16, 1929, p. 4.)

"... George M. Pynchon's big double-ended class M Istalena, from the designs of L. Francis Herreshoff, is scheduled to be launched from Herreshoff's shed, Bristol, R I, May 15 [1929]. The big racing single-sticker is in the hands of the painters and joiners for the final, interior work.
Outside, the Istalena is cream enamel from rail to bottom of keel, except for a wide red boottop, and makes a striking appearance in the building cradle ready to be launched. Istalena has beautiful lines, racy to the last extreme. She will need them in the strenuous season against the other 'Ms' of Herreshoff, Burgess and Mower designs. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yacht Yards South of Boston Busy With New Work And Fitting Out." Boston Globe, May 5, 1929, p. A63.)

"The unfortunate accident to Istalena, George M. Pynchon's Class M sloop in the American Yacht Club's recent regatta when the spreader broke and the mast went out, robbed yachting enthusiasts of the long looked-for opportunity of seeing the M Class sloops, designed by Herreshoff, Moran and Burgess in action against one another.
Istalena is being fitted with a new mast at Nevins at City Island and will probably be out in time for the Seawanhaka-Corinthian regatta on June 22 [1929]. This is the second Herreshoff designed yacht that has been dismasted this season, the Resolute [#725s] having her stick taken out during a gale at the Bristol yards just after she had been launched earlier in the season. ..." (Source: Cormack, Shannon. "Interest Runs High In Class M Sloops." New York Times, June 9, 1929, p. S6.)

"... Istalena, which Mr. Strawbridge owned last year, but which is now owned by Reginald B. Lanier." (Source: Anon. "To Launch Mitena Today." New York Times, June 7, 1935, p. 27.)

"1941. ... Reginald Lanier, Newport, sold the M class sloop Istalena to New London. ..." (Source: Davis, Jeff. Yachting in Narragansett Bay. Providence, 1946, p. 100.)

"Cover. Istalena --- M class sloop designed by L. Francis Herreshoff, built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., now owned by B. V. E. Nordberg of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rosenfeld." (Source: Rudder, April 1944.)

"... Last year the writer sailed on Sabre when she was sloop rigged. Even then alterations had been made in this huge double ender designed by L. Francis Herreshoff to convert her into a yawl. Her mainmast had been cut off several feet. This year Sabre came forth as a yawl and everyone was anxious to see how the boat, the biggest fresh water sailing craft in the world, would handle under such a rig. [Roman C.] Brotz believed the new rig made her more flexible in handling. He thought sail changes could be made quicker and she could be put under short canvas in less time. But the weather this year did not actually test her. 'Anyway we have gained [?] square feet of sail area with the mizzen,' Brotz said. The former 100 foot mast had been cut to ninety-five feet while six-and-a-half feet had been lopped of the boom. ..." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Rudder, September 1953, vol. 69, p. 19.)

"87-Foot Sailboat Bought by David Morrissey of Chicago.
SHEBOYGAN, Wis., May 13 [1961] --- The eighty-seven-foot racing yawl Sabre was sold today by the Plastics Engineering Company of Sheboygan.
Ralph Brotz, the president of the firm [and brother of the late Roman Brotz who had been killed in an auto crash], said the purchaser was David Morrissey, 36 years old, of Chicago. Morrissey will re-rig the vessel for an extended voyage to South America. Sabre, built in Rhode Island in 1929, is the largest sailing craft on the Great Lakes." (Source: Anon. "Yawl Sabre Is Sold." New York Times, May 14, 1961, p. S16.)

"... At Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, there was a sigh of regret that found an echo among the Mackinac racers when Ralph Brotz announced he had sold Sabre, 87-foot M boat, converted to a yawl rig four years ago, to John Morrissey of Chicago. The long, slim, double-ender, now in her thirty-first season, will be taken down to South American ports. ..." (Source: Anon. [Title?] The Skipper, 1961, vol. 21, [p. 36?].)

"The yawl Sabre, sold last April by the Brotz family of Sheboygan, Wis., to David Archibald Morrissey of 1645 S. California av., will be sailed to New Orleans via the New York barge canal on Sunday. This route will take the yawl thru the straits of Mackinac and Lakes Huron, Erie, and Ontario.
The yawl, well known winner of the race to Mackinac island for many years before burdened with a heavy time handicap, cannot be sailed down the Mississippi because it draws more than 12 feet of water. The Sabre is 87 feet over-all and has a 100 foot mast. It takes a crew of 18 to sail the yawl.
The Sabre will be on view today at the Wrigley building dock where it will be refurbished before making the trip to New Orleans." (Source: Anon. "Yawl Sabre Will Sail To New Orleans." Chicago Daily Tribune, October 21, 1961, p. B2.)

"ISTALENA, AN M-CLASS SLOOP OF 1928
87' 0" x 14' 6"
Larger by far than any sailing yacht previously built to an LFH design, Istalena proved to be a champion and soon led to his commission to design the J-boat Whirlwind, as we shall soon see. This was, however, not LFH's first M-boat design; two that were never built (Nos. 22 and 31) had already been taken through the proposal stage a year or two earlier. Because Istalena was to be built at the Herreshoff yard in Bristol, Rhode Island, and LFH was very busy and at least three hours away in Marblehead, his father Nathanael agreed to oversee the construction on his behalf. A number of letters between the two show that Nat made a number of suggestions while LFH was developing the drawings that unquestionably improved the end product. Istalena being about the upper limit for all-wood construction, was reinforced by steam-bent belt frames through-bolted over the ceiled-up hull in the manner N.G. Herreshoff prescribed in his recently published Rules for Wooden Yacht Construction. She was also diagonally strapped and double-planked, and featured a rabbeted lead keel sans keel timber. This was George M. Pynchon's third big sloop named Istalena, and although early on he had to suffer a broken mast (in the new boats first race!) and finishing 'last in class' during Larchmont Race Week, this Istalena came into her own during the New York Yacht Club cruise. She went on to dominate the seven-boat class, which included four other brand-new M-boats, three of which had been designed by LFHs former mentor W. Starling Burgess. Istalena surely represented LFHs zenith in terms of successful racing yachts." (Source: Bray, Anne and Maynard. Boat Plans at Mystic Seaport. Mystic, CT, 2000, p. 48.)

"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten letter on 'Eastward, Dering Harbor, N. Y. stationery:] I enclose blue print showing comparisons of various constructions of an 'M' boat. This shows a minute advantage in favor of the composite construction: such composite boat being able to have some 470 pounds more lead.
This table also gives the detailed weights of 'PRESTIGE [#1058s]' as calculated by Mr. Burgess. This shows that a new boat will face a handicap of some 3820 pounds of lead as compared with the lighter built 'PRESTIGE'.
Sincerely yours, ... [Possibly written with a view towards construction of #1131s ISTALENA.]" (Source: Poor, Charles Lane. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_01110. Folder [no #]. 1928-08-23.)
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"[Item Description:] Just read yours of the 25th & note all you write about weather, new yacht in prospect [#1131s ISTALENA] and various other items of interest including the double mizzen boom. Of course there is little created that is original throughout and I should have only claimed originality in having used an old mast hoop to spread the fore end for the purpose of retaining the draft of the sail luff and to obviate the necessity of getting out a piece of hickory or oak and steaming it, but whats the use, I presume you will now claim priority in having used an ox yoke bow etc. etc. You just watch out sharp on arrival at C[oconut] Grove this fall for there is an ex mining engineer living just below here who is going to cast a dense shadow over the yacht designing fraternity by building a freak what[?] is a freak. He has built a shop, installed some machinery, secured Madeira timber stuff along the Keys and when the time comes we will probably be over. Will try & make a sketch of it for you, tho I think there will be many modifications between the plans and the finished product. The Barnacle as emerged from the transformation process with all the salient points & features completed leaving only the details to be finished, say two weeks more when all will be beautiful and we will only be seen conversing with the upper crust of society. Strong breeze S.E. last night & morning, regular trade [wind] and has blown the mosquitoes back into the [Ever]Glades. Your alterations in the cottage completed except staining. It will be a great improvement. The book [Commodore's Story] which I've been fussing over so long is at last completed and sent off to [Vincent] Gilpin. I almost lost interested[sic] in it but so many of my friends kept egging me on that, it may please them and later on the children possibly. Some 120000 words which most likely will have to be cut down considerably. Patty & her cousin left last evening for Waterbury, Conn. by rail and Wirth expects to take a position in the First National Bank in Miami in a semi engineering capacity which may turn into something of value to him later on. With best wishes..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42230. Correspondence, Folder 88, formerly 121. 1928-08-28.)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint sailplan titled 'No 34. Sail Plan - Class M Yacht. L. Francis Herreshoff, Designer. Marblehead, Mass. Sept 25, 1928' and marked in pencil 'ISTALENA [#1131s]'." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT06_00730. Folder [no #]. 1928-09-25.)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint sailplan with profile and half-section titled 'No 34 [#1131s]. Sail Plan - Class M Yacht. L. Francis Herreshoff, Designer. Marblehead, Mass. Sept. 25, 1928'. Marked in pencil 'ISTALENA'." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT06_00820. Folder [no #]. 1928-09-25.)
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"[Item Description:] Selected penciled scantlings for #1074s SHEERNESS, #666s AVENGER, #520s ATHENE, #1131s ISTALENA and #1058s PRESTIGE. Untitled. Undated (the latest boat on this list, ISTALENA, was contracted for on October 19, 1928)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0343. WRDT04, Folder 30, formerly MRDE09. No date (1928-10 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections on sans-serif 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' stationery titled 'Francis 2nd design for M class [#1131s ISTALENA designed by L. Francis Herreshoff]. For Mr. Pynchon. Oct[ober] 1928'. On verso more pantograph hull sections with pinpricks, crossed out." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_03110. Folder [no #]. 1928-10.)
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"[Item Description:] sending binoculars as a token of appreciation and souvenir of a friendship which has lasted over 25 years, my wish is that next summer the new #1131s ISTALENA will be so far ahead that you will have to use them, NGH reply on verso: will treasure your kind words for all times, Francis will be here tomorrow and I hope he will have the new plans and that the contract will be drawn up by the HMCo and ready for execution. [On June 24, 1931 NGH presented these binoculars to his son L. Francis (as per NGH diary entry on that day).]" (Source: Pynchon, George M. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_24140. Correspondence, Folder 70. 1928-10-11.)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint construction plan with sections, inboard profile and keel bolt list titled 'No 34 [#1131s ISTALENA]. Construction Plan. L. Francis Herreshoff, Designer. Marblehead, Mass. Oct. 30, 1928'." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT06_00880. Folder [no #]. 1928-10-30.)
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"[Item Description:] Lloyds have approved the rudder fittings [apparently for #1131s ISTALENA], am glad you are interested in the 30 square meter class, I probably will design another, shall ge glad of any suggestions, am sending enclosed complete translation of the [square meter] rule together with construction plans of [design] # 37, measuring S.A., was much interested in dimensions of [#679s] DELIGHT, GLUCKAUF [sic, i.e. GLUECKAUF], the 30sqm I bought from Herr Stinnes is surprisingly fast, enclosed find a photograph of her, shall be much interested to hear what dimensions you suggest for light weather at Marblehead, PS: see the article I wrote about 30sqm on page 67 of December 1928 Yachting" (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_74670. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F13, formerly MRDE15. 1929-01-29.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Yours of the 23rd of June gave us pleasure, in that it denoted general good health in your bailiwick which we are always doubtful of every Spring when our friends leave this balmy climate for the North and thankful we are when reassured on that question. Patty arrived in Pittsburgh via Washington O.K. & so far has escaped their rather changeable climate. Jessie, who intended going with her was detained by Aunt Joe's rather slow re convalescence, some business matters that claimed attention and possibly my cutting up a bit with my old trouble which took a little different curve[?] and had to be watched for a week or more. It is now apparently under control again and boats etc. now[?] more[?] uppermost. My Universal motor arrived a couple of weeks ago and has had a try out on the boat house floor held down by half a doz[en] six penny nails and was turned up to more than a thousand rev[olutions], without undue vibration and remarkably controlled by the Wieco[?] carburettor & the impulse magneto. The only trouble is a mistake in the order which got me a left handed one so I have to make a pattern for the blades & find them. The motor is a six-eight one cylinder which of course will not meet with your approbation but as I've had these one cylinder motors non of which were especially objectionable as to vibration I thought another which is really a wonderful machine in other directions might fit the bill being far simpler in many ways. The proa trials have as explained been delayed and until today when Wirth & Patterson took her out in very squally weather, being caught in one quite severe with a deluge of rain & wind in which they carried all sail through the worst of the wind but when the rain shut out all visibility they thought it prudent to lower away bu got a jolly good soaking. After the whim[?] of the S.E. wind they sailed down to Tihiti[sic, i.e Tahiti] Beach and came back to my pier in just seven minutes, timed by me at the boat house where they filled away after passing the tack. The wind was not steady in strength so that part time the outrigger float was in the water. As the sail sets very poorly we feel well satisfied with this showing & will tune her up accordingly. Altho the built up spars all stood apparently well we do not like them and will make an effort to get natural sticks or rough spruce planks. Saplings and rough sawed plank heading[?] of building material especially if suggested by either Raymond, Mallory or others. Possibly you can suggest something to get us out of this hole of many years standing.
Too bad about that spreader on Pynchon's craft [#1131s ISTALENA]. Your notes on the other boats are interesting and what a nice sail you had [on June 22, 1929] in RESOLUTE [#725s]. We are painting the boathouse and finishing up the little work of the garage which never was done, painting, etc. The[?] little[?] boat house cottage has been moved back some fifty ft, all the junk & trash cleared away or burned and a lovely grass plot in its old site, a telephone from the Barnacle to boat house waiting to wired and the Barnacle approach from Main St. is being graded, rocked, rolled, sanded & asphalted & channel to deep water in front but guess we will wait awhile for that. Our bestest to you all. Just heard latest from Mrs Herreshoff.
Always sincerely ..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_42150. Correspondence, Folder 88, formerly 121. 1929-07-01.)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint sail cutting plan titled 'Jib for M Boat ISTALEN[sic] [#1131s]. Designed by N.G. Herreshoff, Bristol, R.I. Ordered by L.Francis Herreshoff, Marblehead, Mass. Aug[ust] 19, 1929. Traced by L.F.H.'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT06_00790. Folder [no #]. 1929-08-19.)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint deck plan titled 'Arrangement of Deck Fittings. M # 34 [#1131s ISTALENA]. N.G.H.'. With note on blueprint 'Pattern Selected by A.S.de.H.[sic] as the designer does not know HMCo Pattern numbers'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?0 (creator) or Herreshoff, L. Francis (?) (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT06_00760. Folder [no #]. No date (1929 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Blueprint general arrangement plan with sections and plan view titled 'No 34 ISTALENA [#1131s]. Cabin Arrangment Plan. L. Francis Herreshoff, Designer. Marblehead, Mass.'" (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT06_00770. Folder [no #]. No date (1929 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo 4-page promotional pamphlet with photos of #1053s PUFFIN ('built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company to lines and instructions from her owner' [Junius Morgan]), #385p VARA, #1058s PRESTIGE, #384p SHUTTLE, #377p ARA, [#1074s] SHEERNESS, [#1131s] ISTALENA" (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Pamphlet. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Item LIB_6790. HMM Library Rare Books Room (Box 5), Folder 179A. No date (1930).)
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"[Item Description:] Photostat lines plan with body plan, sheer lines and water lines titled 'ISTALENA [#1131s]'. With handwritten (in ink) notes 'L.F. Herreshoff' and 'LOA = 50in. Beam = 8 1/2. Draft = 6.0. L.W.L. = 32.0'. With stamp 'Edwin L. Havorsen'. With penciled note by NGH 'Reduced for model 50-800. Inclosed in a letter from Halvorsen. Sept[ember] 1936'." (Source: Halvorsen, Edwin H. (sender). Correspondence (lines plan) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0240. WRDT04, Folder 22, formerly MRDE08. 1936-09.)
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"[Item Description:] Spreadsheet listing original contracts (from 1923 to 1940) by HMCo in the collection of HMM (apparently from the gift of Everett Pearson). Listed boats are: #380p, #381p, #388p, #389p, #391p, #392p, #393p, #395p, #886s, #933s, #934s, #954s, #955s, #962s, #983s, #999s, #1002s, #1017s, #1054s, #1055s, #1057s, #1074s, #1078s, #1122s, #1125s, #1130s, #1131s, #1147s, #1152s, #1153s, #1154s, #1156s, #1157s, #1164s, #1170s, #1173s, #1174s, #1175s, #1175s, #1176s, #1177s, #1179s, #1180s, #1191s, #1192s, #1193s, #1195s, #1196s, #1198s, #1199s, #1200s, #1201s, #1202s, #1203s, #1206s, #1207s, #1208s, #1209s, #1210s, #1211s, #1212s, #1213s, #1214s, #1215s, #1216s, #1217s, #1218s, #1219s, #1220s, #1222s, #1224s, #1236s, #1226s, #1227s, #1228s, #1230s, #1232s, #1234s, #1237s, #1238s, #1240s, #1241s, #1243s, #1244s, #1245s, #1246s, #1247s, #1248s, #1249s, #1250s, #1251s, #1252s, #1253s, #1254s, #1255s, #1256s, #1257s, #1258s, #1259s, #1260s, #1261s, #1262s, #1263s, #1264s, #1265s, #1274s, #1275s, #1277s, #1279s, #1280s, #1281s, #1282s, #1283s, #1284s, #1285s, #1286s, #1287s, #1302s, #1303s, #1315s, #1508s." (Source: Rickson, Norene (creator). Table. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Item LIB_4220. HMM Library Rare Books Room (HMCo Contracts), Folder [no #]. No date (2010s ?).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #1131s Istalena even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. [Contract for #1131s Istalena, M-boat (including specifications).] Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection. Bristol, RI, October 19, 1928. (2,490 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Herreshoff Marine Museum. Original building contract (builder's copy). Vessel description, scantlings, payment terms, delivery date. Includes detailed vessel specifications.
• Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. [Contract for #1131s Istalena, M-boat (including specifications).] Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Coll. 138 - Box 15, Folder 11. Bristol, RI, October 19, 1928. (462 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Mystic Seaport Museum. Original building contract (designer's copy) for #1131s Istalena. Vessel description, scantlings, payment terms, delivery date. Includes detailed vessel specifications and pencilled notes regarding #1275s Mitena.
• Pynchon, George M. and Chandler Hovey. [Charter Contract for #1131s Istalena, M-boat.] Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Coll. 138 - Box 15, Folder 11. March 21, 1931. (206 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Mystic Seaport Museum. Charter contract between Istalena's owner George M. Pynchon and Chandler Hover. Terms and Conditions.
• Fox, Uffa. "Uffa Fox's Second Book." New York 1935, p. 27-31.
  Vessel description, discussion, plans, photos.

• Istalena (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Istalena (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: Istalena
Type: Sloop
Length: 54'
Owner: Pynchon, George M.

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

• design 034 S01131 Istalena
• Istalena
• 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: Istalena
Type: 54' cutter
Owner: George M. Pynchon
Year: 1929
Row No.: 312

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: 1928
E/P/S: S
No.: 1131
Name: Istalena
OA: 87'
LW: 54'
B: 14' 6"
D: 10' 4 3/4"
Rig: Sloop
K: y
Ballast: Lead
Amount: 50,000.00
Notes Constr. Record: "M" class. Apr. 15.
Last Name: Pynchon
First Name: Geo. M.

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.

"L. Francis Herreshoff design # 34." (Source: Bolger, Philip C. "L. Francis Herreshoff. Part II." Wooden Boat, January/February 1984, p. 38-447.)

"Universal Rule Class M. Sail number M10." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 7, 2009.)

"Istalena sailed her first race (and broke her mast when a spreader gave way) on June 1, 1929." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 12, 2009.)

"In the 1949 'Istalena' was purchased by Roman Brotz in Sheboygan, WI, brought to Lake Michigan and renamed 'Sabre.' I crewed on her in the early 50s along with numerous other young bucks. She was raced extensively in the Mackinacs, and many Lake Michgan and Lake Huron course races until Romy was killed in an auto accident in Nov. of '59. In the early 50s she was rerigged as a yawl (designed by LFH who came out of retirement) to fit the racing rules favoring that rig. That took the starch out of going to windward but made her more comfortable. She still brought home the silver. Sabre broke free from her mooring on Sept. of '60 in a fierce sou'easter and went aground in the harbor. She was salvaged, refitted and sold. I was living near Chicago at the time and saw her numerous times. It tore my heart out to see her in the Chicago River dirty and deteriorating. She was sold again and the story is that she went south. With a bit more time I could get more info. A gorgeous model of Sabre stands under glass in the Sheboygan (WI) Yacht Club." (Source: Herreshoff Discussion Forum, http://orrsford.com/herreshoff/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=1s3611rnv0oeivkfge2k5hmhv7&topic=111.30, retrieved March 17, 2009.)

"Notice --- The plans must be approved by N. G. Herreshoff and the inspector of Lloyd's or the American Bureau of Shipping and signed on the blueprint before used for construction. L. Francis Herreshoff. [Note by L.F.H. on Istalena blueprints.]" (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 2, 2015.)

"Dates of contract '19th day of October, 1928' and delivery 'on or about April 15th, 1929' were stated in the original contract in the collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Note, that newspaper clippings suggest that Istalena was launched only in mid-May 1929." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 15, 2015.)

"Sail area from LFH linesplan." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 17, 2015.)

"Displacement '93400 lbs' from LFH linesplan." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 17, 2015.)

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