HMCo #1318s [Sailing Dinghy for Henry S. Morgan]

"[Correspondence, 1935-1936, of Henry S. Morgan, Nathaniel Herreshoff and Charles G. Nystrom regarding the building of a dinghy for Henry S. Morgan and now owned by Mystic Seaport.]" (Source: Morgan, Henry S. [Correspondence 1935-1936., at: Mystic Seaport Museum, G. W. Blunt White Library, Manuscripts Division, Call Number VFM 1921.] Bristol, R. I., 1935-1936.)

"HERRESHOFF DINGHY HULL #1318 14' 1"x4' 11" 1935
Conceived by N.G. Herreshoff in 1934, this 14' sailing dinghy was one of his last designs (at age 86), and built especially for Henry S. Morgan early in 1935. This boat features a free-standing two-piece pivoting mast, rope steering, and wishbone boom with lever-operated draft control for the sail.
STATUS: Unrestored, original, excellent condition, on its original Herreshoff trailer.
DONOR: Henry S. Morgan
FURTHER READING: Correspondence between N.G. Herreshoff and Henry S. Morgan, containing much of the rationale for the design of this boat and her fittings, is on file in the Registrar's Office at Mystic Seaport.
ACCESSION NO. 1974.1058." (Source: Bray, Maynard with Benjamin A. G. Fuller and Peter T. Vermilya. Mystic Seaport Watercraft. Mystic, Connecticut, 2001, p. 27.)

"[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).)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱

"[Item Transcription:] Dear Mr. Herreshoff:
I had a conversation with Charles Nystrom yesterday, during which I told him that some of us at the Seawanhaka Yacht Club were considering the possibility of developing a new rating class which would be cheap to build and reasonably economical to run, and which would, by the latitude given to the designers, produce some building after the initial boats were built. [This led to NGH designing #193404es Unbuilt Oyster Bay Class Proposal.] We have asked various designers for the benefit of their views on the subject, and he told me that he thought you might be interested in giving us the benefit of your wise advice. Philip Roosevelt has supplied him with what specifications we have to date, and I hope very much that, if you care to, you will look it over and let us know what you think. We should all be so very appreciative of any pointers you could give us.
I also told Charles that I had had in mind the possibility of getting a design made for a sailing dinghy for myself [#1318s Sailing Dinghy for Henry S. Morgan built 1.5 years later?]. It hasn't seemed to me that the sailing dinghies that we have here on the Sound are very satisfactory as sailing boats, though they fill the requirements of a rowing dinghy as well as a boat to sail. He said he would mention the matter to you, and I encouraged him to do so. I haven't made up my mind that I want to build one, but I told him I was interested in the idea of seeing what you [p. 2] would suggest as the most desirable type.
I am sorry I didn't have a chance to go to Bristol this summer to see you, but shall hope to do so before long.
Yours faithfully, ... [Incl penciled draft reply by NGH on verso of two pages which differes only slightly from the discarded typewritten version of his letter to Henry S. Morgan dated November 11, 17.] [Incl envelope to NGH in Bristol, postmarked Nov. 14, 1934 and marked in pencil by NGH 'Replied. Dinghy Nov. 16. Oyster Bay Class Nov. 17'.]" (Source: Morgan, Harry S. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_07190. Folder [no #]. 1934-11-14.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥

"[Item Transcription:] Dear Mr. Herreshoff:
I have to thank you for your two letters, one of November 16th and the other of the 20th. I should be most interested to see the design of the dinghy that you describe. [This will become #1318s Sailing Dinghy for Henry S. Morgan.] It sounds most interesting. Myself, I should lean to your suggestion of an open boat twenty-one inches deep, as in a boat that size decking reduces the cockpit space tremendously. I am also interested in your suggestion of two rigs, rather than having to put in a clumsy reef.
I am also much interested in your suggestions regarding the rating class for Oyster Bay [#193404es Unbuilt Oyster Bay Class Proposal]. They are most helpful, and I know that all those who are considering the matter will be anxious to study them. When we get along a little further, I shall take the liberty of bothering you again to get your further comments.
With renewed thanks for all your trouble, I am Yours faithfully, ..." (Source: Morgan, Harry S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_07270. Folder [no #]. 1934-11-21.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled construction plan with sailplan and planview of a dinghy with centerboard with lever control and a gunter rig (with two sizes shown) with bent sprit-type boom. Untitled (probably related to #1318s Sailing Dinghy for Henry S. Morgan, see NGH letter to Henry S. Morgan dated December 26, 1935 in which he describes a design as shown 'to build to the outlines I had suggested a year ago'. Note, however, that the construction plan for #1318s differs from this plan and that #1318s was built on the moulds of ASDeWH's Amphicraft design with altered frame spacing)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Construction Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0330. WRDT04, Folder 30, formerly MRDE09. No date (1934 to 1935 ?).)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] Charles Nystrom has shown me the three models. The model of the dinghy [#1318s] is a beauty, and I have asked Charles to give me a few figures on it. The other two models are most interesting, and Charles is going to show them to some of the other members of Seawanhaka.
I am immensely grateful to you for all the trouble you have taken. It is impossible to tell at present whether it will be possible this year or next year to get a new Class started at Oyster Bay, but it is something that we are all thinking about and your suggestions and these models are a great help to us all in considering the matter. [The dinghy model referred may be either Model 1306 or Model 1315, two models for trailer truck dinghies which NGH carved on November 11, 1934 and December 27, 1934, respectively. The model for Seawanhaka may be a reference to #193404es Unbuilt Oyster Bay Class Proposal. But note that no model for this proposal is known.]" (Source: Morgan, Henry S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_18290. Correspondence, Folder 50, formerly 181. 1935-01-17.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled sketched sailplan on brown paper titled '14ft Dinghy [#1318s] proposed for Com. Henry Morgan. Dec[ember] 1935'. With note 'Lenght o.a. 14ft 0[in]. Breadth about 4ft 7in. Depth about 21in. [Followed by detailed scantlings and concluding with:] N.B. If moulds of #1276 (Amphi Class) are used place them 19 3/8in apart instead of 18in. Raise sheer 1 1/2in forward, 1in [at center], 1/2in aft [with corrections / alternatives penciled in as 3in, 2 1/2in, 2in]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0331. WRDT04, Folder 30, formerly MRDE09. 1935-12.)
① ② ③

"[Item Transcription:] Charles Nystrom has told me of your willingness to build me a 14ft dinghy [#1318s], and he and I have discussed your suggestions. By now he will have given you my message, which I wish to confirm, asking that if you will be so kind you proceed to build it along the lines discussed. If you think that I am mistaken in any of the suggestions I have made, I hope you will let me know before it is too late.
I want you to know how much I appreciate your willingness to do this, and to tell you that I am looking forward with the keenest anticipation to having the little ship.
I hope sometime before long to be in Bristol and to stop in and see you.
With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, I am Yours faithfully, ..." (Source: Morgan, Henry S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05180. Correspondence, Folder 18, formerly 120. 1935-12-23.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [Note in upper left margin:] Copy but not word for word.
Dear Mr. Morgan,
Thank you for your kind letter of 23rd. Charles Nystrom told me you were to write, so I have done nothing yet toward the designing for the dinghy [#1318s], which I understood from Charles the H-M-Co. are to build to the outlines I had suggested a year ago, to with, a hull about 14ft long, 4ft 8in wide, 21in deep with open gunwhale. Centre-board with closed in casing and lever control, two thwarts with rowlock sockets at each for rowing, 1 pair of oars & rowlocks, rudder fitted for sailing, Rig to have two sails, one for your own use with 72 sqft ail on to the open B class requirements, the other with 55 or 60 sqft for your son's use. To be furnished with a bow-painter, wooden bailer & sponge. Hull painted, with varnished trim. Lifting eyes at each end.
For myself, I would prefer a round hollow mast about 12 1/2ft long and a gunter yard about 10 1/2ft long, that has 'stream-line' section and groove for luff of sail, --- the attachment to mast so it swings to draw of sail.
Or, what may be possibly a little better for racing when revolving masts are not vetoed, to have a long mast, made in two sections when there is a rule that spars must stow on board and hung to partner & step so it swings freely to pull of sail. To have groove for luff of sail, and halyards, in both cases.
Boom in both cases to be of bent sprit-type, with means of adjusting draft of sail.
To be no shrouds or stays to support mast. They are a nuisance & bother in these little boats, and should be outlawed.
Roughly, the boat & rig w'ld weigh about 225lbs, and hull w'ld have floatation of about 80 lbs when capsized. It would be perfectly safe to carry 100 lbs ballast, in three sand or gravel bags and it is always much better and safer to have them on board when the crew is only one. Please signify which rig you prefer and make comments." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Henry S. Morgan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05220. Correspondence, Folder 18, formerly 120. 1935-12-26.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Thank you very much for your letter of December 26th. I like your suggestions regarding the hull [#1318s] very much, that it should follow the outlines you suggested a year ago, a hull about 14-ft. long, 4-ft.8-in. wide, and 21-in. deep, with open gunwhale, the centre-board to be in a closed-in casing and with lever control, two thwarts, and rowlock sockets, oars and rowlocks, a rudder to be fitted for sailing.
She should have a single-sail rig with two sails, one 72-sq. ft. and one 55 or 60-sq. ft., lifting eyes at each end, the hull to be painted white on the outside and white inside with varnished trim. When I talked with Charles he suggested the trim be teak and, if this is practicable, I should like it.
I like your second suggestion for the rig a little better, namely, the revolving mast made in two sections so that spars can stow inboard, the attachment to hull at partners and step to be so that the mast swings free to the draw of the sail, the mast to have a groove for the luff rope of the sail and a halyard. I assume that in case the smaller sail is used the groove will be strong enough to hold the head of the sail although it does not come to the top of the mast, the boom to be of the bent sprit type with suitable means for adjusting the draft of the sail, and there are to be no shrouds.
Regarding cleats and other fittings, I should like to leave that to you as I know that you will place them far better than I could. Regarding the steering gear, I spoke with Charles of putting a rope with hand-holds along under the gunwhale. He was going to speak with you and see whether that was practicable and whether you would recommend it.
I note what you say regarding the weight of the boat and its flotation when capsized. In that case, I think I shall follow your advice and carry some ballast in the form of small sandbags or shotbags. Shotbags would be smaller, but I should like your judgment as to whether the weight would be too much concentrated in one point for the good of the hull.
Regarding the interior arrangement of the boat, I should like to see a little sketch of where you plan to place the thwarts, and also to hear how you plan to arrange the floorboards, as very often it is more convenient to sit on the bottom it might be well to make the floorboards of light teak battens which could be left bare, thus forming a good foothold, but perhaps this would add too much weight to the boat.
As Charles has told you, the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. is to build the boat in accordance with your directions.
It is immensely kind of you to take so much trouble about this little ship, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it.
With kind regards and best wishes for the New Year, I am Yours faithfully, ..." (Source: Morgan, Henry S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05190. Correspondence, Folder 18, formerly 120. 1935-12-30.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Thank you for your letter of January 2nd. I note your suggestion regarding thwarts [for #1318s] and think that it is excellent. I entirely see your point regarding teak, and should like to leave it to you just what wood should be used. Cedar, of course, I am familiar with, and butternut, if obtainable, would be excellent as I know it from the point of view of the interior of houses. Whatever you decide on will be satisfactory.
I am also pleased that you have decided on rope steering and that the rudder should be hung so as to rise on striking bottom.
I am glad to say that all my boys swim quite well, and the two older ones who will use this boat with me, especially so. I too have made the same rule that you did for your boys, and I am sure it is very wise.
I quite understand your remarks on ballast. Shotbags are impossible, and I will experiment both with sand and with rice or flaxseed. It seems to me that I can construct waterproof bags for the latter which should prove satisfactory, especially if they are taken out and hung up to dry after sailing.
With renewed thanks and warm regards, I am Yours faithfully, ..." (Source: Morgan, Henry S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05210. Correspondence, Folder 18, formerly 120. 1936-01-03.)
①

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #1318s [Sailing Dinghy for Henry S. Morgan] even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Sailing Dinghy for Heny S Morgan (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.

Year: 1936
E/P/S: S
No.: 1318
Amount: 650.00
Notes Constr. Record: Sailing dinghy.
Last Name: Morgan
First Name: Harry 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.

"Dimensions from actual vessel in collection of Mystic Seaport Museum." (Source: van der Linde, July 5, 2008.)

"See Herreshoff Marine Museum acc. no. #2004.0001331; 14 ft Dinghy for Com. Henry Morgan. Profile and material bill. Refers to use of #1276 Amphicraft moulds; Pencil Drawing, NGH (1935-12) which shows that #1318s was built from the Amphicraft model 415 and thus is based on a design by ASdeWH." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 29, 2010.)

"Use Moulds of #1276 [Amphicraft Prim designed by ASdeWH] and space them 19 3/8in apart. Raise sheer 3in for'd, 2 1/2in [at center], 2in aft. Frames spaced 6in.
Keel: White Oak 12ft x 5in x 1 1/16in. Rabbet 5/16in above bottom.
Stem: White Oak Steamed & Bent, Sided 1 3/4in, 1 3/8in at rabbet.
Transom: Mahogany, 5/8in & reinforced for outboard.
Planking: White Cedar 1/4in, Lapped.
Top Strakes: Mahogany or Butternut 1 1/4in x 3 1/2in. [sketch]. Ends tapered as usual.
Floor timers: Butternut or spruce sided 9/16in, 7/8in over keel, 1 1/4in extreme, leave 3/8in x 5/16in limber each side of keel, arms to fay planking.
Timbers: White oak, 1/2in x 1/2in to lap top of keel.
Clamps: Spruce 1 3/8in 3/4in.
Rudder: Mahogany 7/8in tapering to 1/2in + 5/16in.
Seat stringers: Spruce 1 1/4in x 1/2in.
Thwarts: Butternut or mahogany, 13/16in x 8in.
Floor Boards: Cedar 3/8in. Ceiling 1/4in cedar up to 1in below thwart and lower at ends.
Centerboard: Mahogany or oak, 3ft 9in long, about 10 1/2in wide, 13/16in thick for[war]d for 1/rd length tapering to 1/2in aft. Slot in keel 1in wide for'd, 1 1/8in [at center], 3/4in aft. C.B.
Casing logs: Spruce or Butternut, 13/16in x 4in x 4ft-6in with horns reaching over floor timbers at each end.
Side casing: Cedar 3/4in x 6in x 4ft-0in.
End spacing pieces: Cedar 1in, 3/4in x 1 1/4in with grain running fore & aft same as sides.
Cover: Butternut of mahogany 1/2in x 4 1/2in x 4ft-3in. Assembled casing fayed to & screwed to keel so all will be water tight." (Source: Bezanson, P.C. Handwritten (in ink) note on construction plan HH.5.02086 (28-84), dated January 18, 1936. Heffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"Plan 28-84 from which this boat was built was drawn 1936-01." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 26, 2009.)

"HMCo's 'Blue Print Record' (MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.106. Box HAFH.6.3B, p. 17) suggests that this boat was built by Ernest Alder in March and April 1936." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 3, 2018.)

"Weights: Boat 232lbs. Mast 19lbs. Boom 5lbs. Sail 7lbs. Total 263lbs." (Source: Bezanson, P.C. Handwritten (in ink) note on construction plan HH.5.02086 (28-84), dated January 18, 1936. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, Hart Nautical Collections, 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.