OFFSETS FROM A HALF MODEL

Halsey spoke this evening at the Herreshoff Museum on the subject of his family. They were remarkably gifted, creative and exceedingly productive.  I had stated many times; had the Herreshoffs had modern materials available they would have been even more remarkable. There are many aspects to the story. One that never ceases to amaze me is that there were never any line drawings. Captain Nat carved half models and then took offsets from them. Un like most archive libraries, which consist of drawings on paper; here the archive is 500 half models. Not quite as easy to store. Once the offsets were taken and written down, construction drawings were produced for construction, Capt Nat was available for any questions on the projects.

I once asked Olin Stephens if he had ever carved a model or considered this method instead of line drawings. His answer was no.

HERRESHOFF MUSEUM DAY

The Herreshoff Museum is a gem. Many say it cannot stand alone and should merge with IYRS or Mystic. I have no idea what is best. What I do know is that the collection merits protecting for future generations. The breadth of experience is staggering. Dinghys, small centerboard boats, finn keels, telescoping masts, wishbone booms, roller furling, powerboats, steam engines, sewing machines, America’s Cup defenders, catamarans. I look forward to visiting again soon.

Amaryllis, the catamaran patented by Nathaniel Herreshoff  in 1877, has attracted new attention since the America’s Cup will be sailed in catamarans.