HMCo #1204s Silver Heels [Silverheels]

"[1930-01-16] Thu 16: ... Started model for 15 rating to my Rational Rules. [Class 15 of NGH's Rational Rule translated into a boat with a maximum sail area of 225sqft and a maximum crew of 2. See Rational Rule manuscript in Hart Nautical Collections. Note, that #1204s Silver Heels was built to this 15 / 225sqft rating, suggesting that this model might be the model that Sidney measured off on July 30, 1931 for #1204s Silver Heels.]
[1930-01-18] Sat 18: ... At work on model for 225 sail [area] class. [Model ?. This is possibly a reference to the model that the design for #1204s Silver Heels would be based on.]
[1930-01-19] Sun 19: ... Finished model for 225 sq ft sail rating. [Model ?. Possibly a reference to the model that the design for #1204s Silver Heels would be based on.] ...
[1931-07-30] Thu 30: ... Sidney in to measure off model for a Rational Class 15 (225 sqft sail) they are just to build as a sample, to be ready Sept. 1. [This will be #1204s Silver Heels.]
[1931-09-01] Tue 1: [Thermometer] 72 - 56 - 67 [degrees]. Very fine. Cool early with l[igh]t NW. Calm [at] noon & l[igh]t to mod[erate] SSW [in] p.m. Sidney [is] trying 'Silver Heels', [the] new boat he designed for [the] 15' sail rating class, and [which] he designed early in August. 4 weeks building, incl. design.
[1931-09-04] Fri 4: [Thermometer] 74 - 62 - 63 [degrees]. Fair l[igh]t N to NE [wind] early & overcast. Sidney left early in launch Arial [sic, i.e. #393p Ariel] with the new boat 'Silver Heels' [#1204s] in tow for Marion. Came back in late p.m. with [Charles] Nystrom in car.
[1931-09-08] Tue 8: [Thermometer] 76 - 59 - 68 [degrees]. Very fine & clear all day with fresh NW [wind]. Sidney got back from Marion with 'Silver Heels' [#1204s].
[1931-09-14] Mon 14: [Thermometer] 75 - 67 - 70 [degrees]. Fog & fresh SSW, somewehat clearing in p.m. Sidney arrived back from his Fishers Is[land] trip to show Silver Heels [#1204s]. During thick fog last evening [he] had a collision with a tow of barges along the Beach, but not much damage." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1930 to 1931. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"Aug. 1931.
Silver Heels.
Drawing (75-65).
Frame spaces 9".
Sheer heights changed & marked above old ones.
Timbers 15/16" tapering 1/16" per ft. both ways.
Planking 9/16" thick.
Deck 1/2" thick." (Source: Herreshoff, A. Sidney DeW.? [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.199.] Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. has designed and built an experimental sailboat which it is expected will be the forerunner of a class of such boats. The new boat is 20 feet long on the water line and 32 feet over all, by 5 1/2 feet beam, and 4 feet draft. The boat has 225 square feet sail area, from which fact boats of this class will be known as 'Herreshoff 225s.' This boat was designed to meet the demand for racing class sailboat in size larger than the 12 1/2 and 15 footers, which have been very well liked, and not as expensive as the 'S' class boats. It is ultra modern in design, having long straight longitudinal lines and narrow beam, which make it possible to drive the boat with a small high and narrow sail plan. Like the most of the modern sail boats built to the racing rules, she has high sides and is strong and able as well as fast, and as the sails are well inboard from the ends of the boat, and as her form is such as not to be hard on the helm, even in strong winds, she is a very easy and pleasing boat to sail.
Last week the boat was completed and sent for a demonstration in Buzzard's Bay, where she was sailed with a large group of Herreshoff 12 1/2 and 15 footers, for comparison, and received much favorable comment.
She is being taken to Fisher's Island, N. Y., for the coming week end, for further trials." (Source: Anon. "Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. To Promote New Design Of Sail Boat To Be Known As Herreshoff 225's. Ultra Modern Designed Boat Planned to Meet Need of Boat Larger Than 12 1/2 and 15 Footers and Less Expensive Than Class S. To Be Demonstrated at Fisher's Island, N. Y., This Week-End." Bristol Phoenix, September 11, 1931, p. 4.)

"Dear Mr. Morgan,
Enclosed you will find a sail plan and photograph of the little twenty foot racing boat [#1204s Silverheels] which we intend to make a Standard Herreshoff Boat.
It is a mighty fine little craft, appointed like a big boat, and seems to be remarkably fast and seaworthy.
We have demonstrated her at Marion, Massachusetts and Fisher's Island, New York, and she has received very favorable comment.
It strikes me that a boat of this kind would have a great market on Long Island Sound and I wonder if you would care to tell us if you know of anyone who would care to start a class of boats of this kind in your neighborhood.
Hoping to see you when I get to New York, I am
Yours very truly,
Herreshoff Manufacturing Company
[Charles G. Nystrom]
Sales Manager." (Source: Nystrom, Charles G. (HMCo) [Letter to Junius S. Morgan.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 32 (new), 177 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. September 15, 1931.)

"Dear Charles,
I acknowledge with thanks receipt of your letter of September 15th, with the photograph; and sail plan of the new twenty foot racing boat [#1204s Silverheels], which I understand you intend to make a standard Herreshoff boat. She looks very attractive.
I should he delighted to tell you if I knew of any one who would care to start a class of boats of this kind in my neighborhood. Unfortunately at the moment I don't know of any one and am not able to take up the matter owing to lack of time. I am sorry not to be able to be of more help to you at present, but shall be glad to see you when you come to New York and discuss the matter with you further. At what price do you plan to sell these boats?
Sincerely yours, ..." (Source: Morgan, Junius S. [Letter to Charles G. Nystrom (HMCo).] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 32 (new), 177 (old). September 18, 1931.)

"... SILVERHEELS. Sail area, 250 sq. ft.; o.a.l. 32'; beam, 5' 6''; draft; 4'. Oak frames, Philippine mahogany planking; teak trim; Everdur fastenings and polished bronze fittings, spruce spars; standard equipment. 1650 lbs. lead. $2250. Sail-away Bristol ..." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. [Advertisement.] Yachting, March 1937, p. 96-98.)

"... SILVERHEELS. 32' o.a.l.; 5 1/2'' beam; 4' draft; 250 sq. ft. sail area. Oak frame, mahogany planked, fastened with Everdur. Hollow spruce mast. Full equipment. In first-class condition. Used only for development and demonstration by the company. $1900. Sail-away Bristol ..." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. [Advertisement.] Yachting, April 1937, p. 109.)

"1938. ... Peter Geddes ... bought Silver Heels from the Herreshoff Company. ..." (Source: Davis, Jeff. Yachting in Narragansett Bay. Providence, 1946, p. 88.)

"[After the hurricane of 1938] Wreckage of the Bristol Yacht Club was scattered along the town’s wharves. The club’s piano washed ashore and was found on State Street. Peter Geddes’ sloop, the Silver Heels, landed in Bill Angevines’s front yard, but his dinghy, the Guppy, chose a more congenial place to come to rest. The Guppy swam into one of the flooded Thames Street pubs. ..." (Source: Simpson, Richard, V. "The Great Hurricane and Tidal Wave of 1938: Scenes of the Disaster in Rhode Island's East Bay." Roger Williams University, Bristol, 2012. http://docs.rwu.edu/hurricane_1938/1, retrieved April 12, 2014.)

"1939. ... Based on the number of new boats built or bought to replace those lost or damaged in the 1938 hurricane, although many of those that were supposed to be total wrecks were sold by the insurance companies and rebuilt by their mechanically inclined new owners, taking one, two, three and in a few cases four years before they were again afloat, this might well be called the 'replacement year.' ...
J. Peter Geddes ordered another Silver Heels [#1506s] from Herreshoff to replace the original Silver Heels [#1204s], another one that was bought, repaired and sold to a New York yachtsman. ..." (Source: Davis, Jeff. Yachting in Narragansett Bay. Providence, 1946, p. 89.)

"... Peter Geddes of Providence has sold his racing sloop 'Silver Heels' [#1506s] to Herman C. Huffer Jr., of Newport. She was the second 'Silver Heels' to be designed and built by the Herreshoff Mfg. Co., as the first one [#1204s] was so badly damaged in the 1938 hurricane that she was turned over to the insurance Co. Mr. Geddes liked the model so much he had the new one built on the same molds. ..." (Source: Anon ("See Weed"). "Ship Shape 'n Bristol Fashion." Bristol Phoenix, July 22, 1947, p. 1.)

"The Herreshoff 23
In 1931, Fishers sailors were attracted to a new class that looked very different from the FIS-31 and almost all other American keel boats of the time, with their large sail plans, powerful lines, and wide after decks. So fine and graceful as to be dainty, the new boat was known as the Fishers Island 23 almost everywhere except, ironically, at Fishers Island itself, where sailors called it the Herreshoff 23 and H-23. In the spring of 1932, club members sailed the initial six H-23s down from Bristol to West Harbor.
For her design, Sidney Herreshoff borrowed the Scandinavian Square Meter concept of a long, narrow, relatively light-displacement boat with a small sail plan. Besides their sleek beauty, the H-23s were distinguished by their rainbow colors. At a time when most boats were painted white, black, or dark blue, the H-23s were boats of many hues. The class attracted the club's best sailors, including seven commodores. Though its ranks were depleted by the 1938 hurricane, the H-23 remained the yacht club's primary adult racing class into the late 1940s." (Source: Rousmaniere, John. Sailing at Fishers. Mystic, CT, 2004, p. 58.)

"Silver Heels was the forerunner of the Fishers Island 23... In 1933, the same concept was used again in designing the Northeast Harbor 30s.
These long, narrow, easily driven hulls combined with small, efficient rigs were a European concept, introduced to this country by NGH's son L. Francis. The idea was to obtain the fastest possible boat for a given sail area. The boats designed to the Baltic-originated Scharenkreuzer Rule were strikingly handsome and comparatively inexpensive, and by the late 1920s German- and Swedish-built 22- and 30-Square-Meter sloops began showing up in New England harbors, with organized fleets in Northeast Harbor, Maine, and Marblehead, Massachusetts. L. Francis, in his enthusiasm for the Scharenkreuzers, went on to design others himself and to promote the type through magazine articles and correspondence. With 225 square feet of sail area, Silver Heels is of the 22-Square-Meter genre.
Silver Heels was a Herreshoff 'company boat' and used for demonstration and development, especially in connection with the wishboom rig and sail plan with which she was rigged in 1935. ... Silver Heels is fitted with running backstays, but because they're led aft only a few feet, the leeward one need not be slacked for closehauled sail trim." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 178.)

"[Item Description:] Penciled sketch with stylized outlines for PRESTIGE [#1058s] / VALIANT, 31 footer SKIDOO [#1165s] [crossed out], 23-footers & 6 meter, NOMAD, S Boat, 12 1/2 footer, MIZA, BETTY ANN, DUFFER, WEETAMOE Tender, SHADOW [#300p] and SILVERHEELS [#1204s], marked 'Scale 1in = 20ft'. Possibly used to plan winter storage space requirements. Undated, the newest yachts mentioned are SKIDOO from 1931 and the FI-23s built in 1931/1932." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Detail Sketch. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.124. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Detail Sketches. No date (1931 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections and displacement calculations titled '#1204 SILVER HEELS'. On recto of stationery with 'Office of Voluntary Meteorological Observer, U.S. Weather Bureau, 189_' letterhead (which type had probably been used by NGH in the 1890s)." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.035. Pantograph Hull Sections. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 1204s. No date (1931-08 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table titled 'Estimate of Weights for #1204 [#1204s SILVER HEELS]' providing detailed tabulated weight estimates and cursory actual weights (hull empty 3139 lbs, mast with rigging 64 lbs)." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.035. Weight estimates. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 1204s. 1931-08-03.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Enclosed you will find a sail plan and photograph of the little twenty foot racing boat [#1204s SILVERHEELS] which we intend to make a Standard Herreshoff Boat.
It is a mighty fine little craft, appointed like a big boat, and seems to be remarkably fast and seaworthy.
We have demonstrated her at Marion, Massachusetts and Fisher's Island, New York, and she has received very favorable comment.
It strikes me that a boat of this kind would have a great market on Long Island Sound and I wonder if you would care to tell us if you know of anyone who would care to start a class of boats of this kind in your neighborhood.
Hoping to see you when I get to New York, I am
Yours very truly,
Herreshoff Manufacturing Company
[Charles G. Nystrom]
Sales Manager." (Source: Nystrom, Charles G. (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.37. Correspondence, Folder 32, formerly 177. 1931-09-15.)
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"[Item Description:] Photograph of #1204s SILVERHEELS sent by Charles Nystrom to Junius S. Morgan with letter dated September 15, 1931." (Source: Nystrom, Charles, sender (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Correspondence (photograph) to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.38. Correspondence, Folder 32, formerly 177. No date (sent 1931-09-15).)
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"[Item Transcription:] I acknowledge with thanks receipt of your letter of September 15th, with the photograph; and sail plan of the new twenty foot racing boat [#1204s SILVERHEELS], which I understand you intend to make a standard Herreshoff boat. She looks very attractive.
I should he delighted to tell you if I knew of any one who would care to start a class of boats of this kind in my neighborhood. Unfortunately at the moment I don't know of any one and am not able to take up the matter owing to lack of time. I am sorry not to be able to be of more help to you at present, but shall be glad to see you when you come to New York and discuss the matter with you further. At what price do you plan to sell these boats?" (Source: Morgan, Junius S. Letter (copy) to Nystrom, Charles G. (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.39. Correspondence, Folder 32, formerly 177. 1931-09-18.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten notebook titled on outer cover 'Droughting Room. Blue Prints Record' providing a list of drawings with information in columns titled 'Issued To', 'For Job', 'Date', 'Date Returned', '[Date] Destroyed', and 'Remarks'. Vessels mentioned are #1266s BELISARIUS, #1267 FROSTFISH, #395p Owner Launch for St.Y. VIKING, #1265s NITRAMON, #1204s SILVERHEELS, #1233s RAINBOW, #1276s PRIM, #1275s MITENA, #907s PLEASURE, #931s NASSAU, #711s VENTURA, #900s IRIS, #982s WATER LILY, #891s WILDFIRE, #1147s WEETAMOE, #954s MARY ROSE, #880s JOSEPHINE, #788s MANATEE, #1146s ENTERPRISE, #1212s TRONDA, #1282s 12 1/2 for H. V. Reed, #1302s Amphicraft for N. F. Ayer, #1304s Amphicraft for Charles A. Welch, #1286s 12 1/2 for Mr. Maitland Alexander, #1311s Amphicraft for Dr. Seth M. Milliken, #1313s Dinghy for #663s RAMALLAH ex-ISTALENA, #1314s HMCo Yard Skiff, #408s PELICAN, #1315s BRENDA, #396p Power Tender for FONTINALIS, #397p Power Tender for FONTINALIS, #329p CAROLA, #1318s Sailing Dinghy for Henry S. Morgan; #1316s NOVA, #1319s Tech Dinghy, #1317s MANDOO II, #405p Surfboat, #1379s Fish Class for H. M. Lautmann (MERRY HELL), #1385s TINKER TOO, and #1384s AVANTI. 23 pages were used. Undated, the dates range from October 1934 to September 1936." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Notebook. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.106. Box HAFH.6.3B, Folder Blue Print Record Book. No date (1934-10 to 1936-09).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #1204s Silver Heels [Silverheels] even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Silver Heels (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Silver Heels (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.

Month: Jul
Day: 28
Year: 1931
E/P/S: S
No.: 1204
Name: Silver Heels
OA: 32'
LW: 20'
B: 5 1/2'
D: 4' 0"
Rig: Wishbone J & M
K: y
Ballast: Lead
Notes Constr. Record: Herreshoff 225. Sold J. Peter Geddes, II.1938 - $1500.00
Last Name: HM. Co.

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

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

"[See also:] Estimate of weights - Sketch of sections. In: Technical and Business Records pertaining to the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Series VI, Folder HH.6.35 (Hull No. 1204), Box HAFH.6.1B." (Source: Hasselbalch, Kurt and Frances Overcash and Angela Reddin: Guide to The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass., 1997, p. 63-79.)

"Silver Heels was designed by Sidney deW Herreshoff who possibly based her on a model that NGH carved on January 16, 1930, as per the NGH diary. See comment in NGH diary transcription for that day." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 20, 2016.)

"Date of delivery September 1, 1931 from NGH diary entry for July 30, 1931." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 30, 2015.)

"Built in 35 days (contract to delivered; equivalent to $43/day, 138 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Weight of Hull 3139 lbs. Weight of Mast + Rigging 64 lbs. … [Weight of lead 1620 lbs]. [This would suggest a total weight of 4823 lbs.]" (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Notes on Construction Plan 075-065 (HH.5. 05454). Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

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