HMCo #1228s Betsy

"Dec 28 1932. {1932/12/28} N. G. HERRESHOFF BRISTOL, R. I. Dear Francis, ... The shop has only the 3 - 30 footer for Bar Harbor [sic, i.e. Northeast Harbor 31-footers], but are hoping for more. With hopes for a Good New Year Your affect. Father." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 7: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"1933.
NE Harbor 30 Footers.
L.W.L. 5'-8 3/4" above base line.
Frame spaces 10".
Sheer taken at top of deck.
Planking 13/16".
Frames 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" at head, tapering 1/16" per ft to 1 1/2 sq[uare], then straight.
Keel 2 1/4" tapering from 2 1/4" at # 42 to 1 3/4" at aft end.
Rabbet 7/8" above bottom of keel, except on after overhang.
Stem sided 3 1/8", moulded 4 3/8"." (Source: Herreshoff, A. Sidney DeW.? [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.201.] Undated, ca. October, 1932. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"C. W. Haffenreffer of the Herreshoff Company of Bristol, R. I., announces that ... [the] firm has just received an order for three forty square-meter boats [#1227s Tsana, #1228s Betsy, and #1229s Lone Star] for use in Maine next summer." (Source: Anon. "New Class Boats Built." New York Evening Post, October 19, 1932, p. 13.)

"The latest development in big boats with small sails. Three now started at Herreshoff's for use next summer at Northeast Harbor, Maine. Dimensions are 47 feet overall, 30 feet on the water lie, seven inches beam [sic] and five feet 6 inches draft. Sail area 430 square feet, 305 in the mainsail and 125 in the jib. Mainsail 40 feet nine inches on the luff and 14 feet nine inches on the foot. Jibs, 30 feet six inches on the luff. Jib nine feet nine inches on the foot, Genoa jib 15 feet on the foot and balloon jib 22 feet on the foot. Boat has watertight cockpit and complete cruising accommodations below deck for four persons. Boats are being built under supervision of Malcolm N. Stanley of Northeast Harbor, representing the owners, who will stay at Bristol until they are completed." (Source: Anon. "The New Northeast Harbor 30-Foot Sloop." Providence Journal, November 29, 1932.)

"1932. ... Herreshoff built a class of six 23-foot waterline sloops for the Fishers' Island Yacht Club, and in the Fall, three 40 square metre sloops [#1227s Tsana, #1228s Betsy and #1229s Lone Star] to go to Northeast Harbor, Me. These yachts were 47 feet overall, 30 on the water-line, five feet six inches draft, and seven feet seven inches beam. ..." (Source: Davis, Jeff. Yachting in Narragansett Bay. Providence, 1946, p. 57.)

"[Sales:] ... the Northeast Harbor 30-footer Makai from Horace Mann, of Sou'west Harbor to Clark Goodwin, of Cambridge, Mass. ..." (Source: Getchell, Lawrence B. "Maine Coast Notes." Yachting, 1944, vol. 76, [p. 113?].)

"Wooden Boat For Sale Herreshoff Classic 49'-6" 8 Meter Sloop
Ad Information
Category: Sail
Ad Number: 474
Date Posted: 08/20/2008
Features
Make: Herreshoff
Model: North East Harbor 30
Year: 1930
Length: 49'- 6"
Draft: 6'6"
Builder: Herreshoff Manufacturing
Location: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Beam: 7'10"
Designer: Nick Potter
Engine/Power: Yanmar 3cyl (GM-HM) 27hp
Hull Construction: Mahogany & Oak
Price: 87.500.00
Text of Ad
'Fleet Angel' the only survivor of three northeast harbor 30 class sloops designed by Nick Potter, who designed the 8 meter 'Angelina' that won the gold medal in the 1928 Olympics. A six page spread of the yacht can be seen in the beautiful book 'Herreshoff of Bristol' by Maynard Bray, Wooden Boat Publications, pages 180-185. Original name was Betsy, hull build number 1228. The original bronze build plaque is still with the yacht. She has won many classic races. 2006 Columbus day regatta placed second and third in class. Restoration undertaken from original plans from Hart Nautical Collection at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The interior is beaufiful, with much varnish work. mahogany rope turnings, shelves, cabinets and sole, and two colorful leaded glass inserts. Turn key fast racer or cruiser with great performance comfort and safety. For further information and photos, contact Howard at (561) 848-2315.
Seller Information
Name: Howard Bauer
City: Palm Beach Gardens
State/Province: Florida
Zip/Postal Code: 33410
Country: USA" (Source: http://classifieds.woodenboats4sale.com/?1501DA0, retrieved August 28, 2008.)

"Following on the heels of the H-23s was a bigger version with cruising accommodations, full headroom, and auxiliary power. Originally advertised (Yachting, February 1933) as 40-Square-Meter sloops, the boats were subsequently known as Northeast Harbor 30s. Only three boats were ever built, although the concept --- a hull that could be driven fast with a small sail area --- was, and still is, a good one. But in those Depression years, many sound ideas went begging. ...
Tsana [#1227s] and her sister Northeast Harbor 30s, as well as the H-23s, departed from long-standing Herreshoff tradition in having single-thickness planking of hard mahogany instead of the double planking that NGH had usually specified for his corresponding designs. After a few seasons, the normal shrinking and swelling cycles of this nearly incompressible planking so stressed the frames that they frequently broke. To make matters worse (and, ironically, to make the appearance better), no caulking was used; the planking was beautifully fitted, wood to wood, at the seams. Thus, even resiliency at the seams was sacrificed. As might be expected, frame breakage plagued these boats and the H-23s throughout their lives. Tightly fitted single planking was common in boats of Northern European waters, where the Northeast Harbor 30 design concept originated and where, because the climate is more stable than New England's, the boats so built survive better. The Herreshoff Mfg. Co.'s adoption of this European method perhaps saved some time in building, but, in retrospect, was clearly a mistake.
To help hold its shape and keep it from wracking, Tsana's hull has been diagonally strapped internally with bronze...
Although evocatively sleek, these 47-foot LOA Northeast Harbor 30s made surprisingly sensible cruisers, having four berths, a 'midship galley, and sails small enough to be easily handled by one person --- the mainsail's area being less than 400 square feet. There was full standing headroom under the trunk cabin, and the all-up displacement was well under six tons. Had the mid-1930s not been such incredibly hard times economically, the Northeast Harbor 30s might well have caught on.
... As a result of ... the Northeast Harbor 30s' first season of use, the design's initial sail area of 430 square feet (40 square meters) was increased to 560 square feet.
... The second [Northeast Harbor 30], Betsy, owned by J. A. Harris III, entered the 1933 Gibson Island Race, an outside run of some 350 miles from New London, Connecticut, to the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay, then another 125 miles up the Bay to Gibson Island. Placed in Class D with three much larger 10-Meter sloops and plagued by light weather along the way, Betsy finished last in her class.
Of the three boats built to this design, Tsana and Betsy sold at the $8,000 asking price; the third, named Lone Star [#1229s], remained with the company until 1937, and was sold for only $5,500." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 180-181, 183.)

"[Item Description:] Penciled untitled dimensions and sailplan sketch Northeast Harbor 30 Class (#1227s TSANA, #1228s BETSY and #1229s LONE STAR)." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.072. Sketch and Dimensions. Box HAFH.6.2B, Folder One Design 30 Foot. No date (1932 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Preprinted, not filled out, contract form for a 'Herreshoff Forty Square Meter Sail Boat' providing dimensions, particulars, and payment terms for the boat (of which only three, #1227s TSANA, #1229s LONE STAR, and #1228s BETSY were built)." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Contract Form. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.077. Box HAFH.6.2B, Folder One Design 40 Square Meter Sail Boat NE30. No date (1932 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo 1932 status report, eleven FI-23 for use at Fishers Island, Marblehead and other, #1226s YAWLCAT, VANITIE, WEETAMOE, #1227s TSANA, #1229s LONE STAR, #1228s BETSY, #721s CAROLINA II, 12 1/2-footers, S-boats, frostbiters, repair work, plant improvement in the absence of other profitable work and to keep employees, Walker's Cove property was purchased" (Source: Haffenreffer, C.W. Letter to Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Stockholders. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_51670. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1933-02-03.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Newspaper clipping titled 'Yachting Gossip by Jeff Davis'. Relevant Herreshoff excerpt:] Nick Potter, who has been in the designing room at Herreshoff's for the last year, has left and tied up with Bill Strawbridge and the pair will open a yacht designing office at Bristol. Potter designed the North Harbor 31-foot wa-terline knockabouts [#1227s TSANA, #1229s LONE STAR, #1228s BETSY] built at Herreshoff's this winter, and Strawbridge was you might say, the founder of the class as he ordered the first boat.
Capt. John Christianson of VANITIE and Capt. Gus Gunderson of WEETAMOE [#1147s] are both at Bristol and their crews are expected to put in an appearance within a week or so to get the two big boats in commission. There is nothing to do to WEETAMOE except the ordinary work of painting and fitting out, but VANITIE, being about 18 years old, needs more attention. Several plates are to be stripped off VANITIE, cleaned and re-riveted.
Two more Frostbite class B dinghies are being built at Herreshoff's from designs by Nathaniel G. [#1230s THORN?] and Sidney [#1231s HUMDINK]. Both are experimental boats. " (Source: Providence Journal (creator). Newspaper Clipping. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE14_00990. Folder [no #]. No date (1933-03 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled note titled 'Time for Friday June 28th 1935' regarding hours worked on #1228s BETSY and 12 1/2-footer wishbone sail plan by P. C. Bezanson." (Source: Bezanson, P. C. (creator). Notes. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.098. Box HAFH.6.3B, Folder Note. 1935-06-28.)
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"[Item Description:] Estimates for refinishing #1228s BETSY after 1938 hurricane - four new planks, dress gouges, renew 18ft of port sheer strake, renew and reletter stern transom, repair fairing piece over rudder, install new trailing edge on rudder, renew port sheer strake, renew 30ft of toerail on starboard, trim off damaged after end of deck planks and put in filling piece and install a wide taffrail covering board, renew cabin trunk side on port side, renew canvas cover over house, repair port locker in cabin, renew joiner shelf on port side, reset washstand, clean and reassemble 1 cyl 5 HP Lauson engine and reduction gear, clean and rub with wax interior where bilge water slopped up, replace mast with new, smooth up and finish main boom and spinnaker boom, raise boat from where she was washed up by the sea and replace her on cradle." (Source: Varney (U.S. Salvage Co.) and Brightman, Thomas (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.) (creator). Repair Estimates. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.039. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 1228s. 1938-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Yacht BETSY [#1228s] - J. Andrew Harris, 3rd.
Referring to Mr. Klahre's letter of October 27th [1938], the facts outlined indicate that there are little or no expenses beyond those originally reported.
Under the circumstances by all means go ahead and with the repairs, we are sending a copy of this letter to Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol.
Will you notify Mr. Tull.
Yours truly, ..." (Source: Platt, Yungman & Co (insurers). Letter to Chubb & Son (insurers) and Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.039. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull No. 1228s. 1938-10-28.)
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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 #1228s Betsy even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. [Contract for #1228s Betsy, Northeast 30.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection. Bristol, RI, October 25, 1932. (719 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Herreshoff Marine Museum. Original building/sales contract. Vessel description, scantlings, payment terms, delivery date.
• Bray, Maynard. "Save a Classic: Betsy. A Slippery Scharenkreuzer." Wooden Boat #260, January/February 2018, p. 128. (333 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes, used with permission. Copyright holder: Maynard Bray (text).

• Betsy (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Betsy (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: Oct.
Year: 1932
E/P/S: S
No.: 1228
Name: Betsy
OA: 47
LW: 30'
Rig: J & M
K: y
Ballast: Lead
Amount: 8,000.00
Notes Constr. Record: For Northeast Harbor, Me.
Last Name: Harris
First Name: J. A.

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:] Correspondence with estimates for refinishing Betsey. In: Technical and Business Records pertaining to the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Series VI, Folder HH.6.39 (Hull No. 1228), 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.)

"Note that this vessel's designer, Nicolas Potter, co-signed its contract (held in the collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum) as a witness to the buyer." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 23, 2014.)

"Broken apart at Artisan Boatworks in Rockport, ME on September 1, 2018, keeping for a future restoration her builders plaque, ballast keel, and bow chocks. The boat had been fiberglassed over with almost no historical substance left. Her last owner had been Howard Bauer of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and it appears she had last been commissioned in 2016 after a restoration of 2 years duration." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 28, 2019.)

"Dates of contract '25th day of October 1932' and delivery 'on or about April 25, 1933' from original contract in collection of Herreshoff Marine Museum." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 15, 2015.)

"Built in 182 days (contract to delivered; equivalent to $44/day, 66 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"… Sail area 430 square feet, 305 in the mainsail and 125 in the jib. ..." (Source: Anon. "The New Northeast Harbor 30-Foot Sloop." Providence Journal, November 29, 1932.)

"Displacement 12,000lbs from 2007 WoodenBoat Register." (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.