Guide to the Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection

[Adam]

This is a book I DON'T have.... I assume some of you have it - how much of the builders records are in it? Worth as a research tool?

Description:

Guide to the Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Design Records of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company
Cambridge MA:: MIT Museum,, 1997. The Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections. 217 pp, 18 illustrations (photos, plans), pictorial wraps. Description of the database and microfilm records, facsimile of the Company's Construction Record, index to vessel names.

[Steve]

Adam:  The Hart Nautical Collection at MIT contains most of the plans, business correspondence, and records of HMCo.  Several years back they cataloged the information.  This book is essentially an index to the archive.  Should you plan on making any visits to Cambridge, this guide will definitely help you make the most of your time.

It also contains the builder's record.  The registry is based on my transcription of the builder's record from my copy of this book.  Yes ... manually typing in 1100 entries was a chore.  I don't believe MIT ever digitized it.

[Adam]

Well I don't have any trips there planned - even if I live 40 minutes away...

Might pick it up to have.

John, is Crusaders model listed in this archive?

[John Hutchison]

Adam,
I don't have the Haffenreffer catalog either, although I've seen one at HMM.  I think John Palmeiri looked for Crusader and couldn't find it.  I do have a copy of the hand written build ledger listing Crusader #1225 along with the other FI 23s of 1932.

Steve, can you look her up in your copy?

Hung Crusader's new garboards in the last few days! 

John

[HerreshoffHistory]

Crusader is mentioned three times in the Guide to the Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection:

1) In the handwritten builder's record
2) In the offset booklet section (just a reference to booklet HH.4.200)
3) In the technical and business records section (a reference to estimates with sketch (8/23/1932, folder HH.6.37, box HAFH.6.1B)

[Steve]

John:  I think Claas answered your question about Crusader and the MIT book.  Sounds like your restoration project is coming along nicely.

The book we are all talking about is primarily an index to the Herreshoff-Haffenreffer collection at MIT and is most useful as a research guide when working with the museum collections.  It also contains a copy of the builder's record.  The registry embodies a digital version of this record (sailing vessels only, of course).

[Adam]

John - how did you know MIT had your model?

...and congrates on the progress! 

[John Hutchison]

Having done work on two other FI 23s, Andy Giblin had seen the Crusader model while researching at MIT.  He's been kind enough to answer my tech questions as they arise.  Real talented and knowledgable guys, those MP&G folks.

[John Hutchison]

Thanks Claas for providing these references.
By the way, since Cape Cod Shipbuilding owns the rights to the FI 23, I was able to buy the construction plan and other details there.  Unfortunately, even after signing a non-disclosure agreement, they would not release the offsets to me.  I had to build Crusaders section molds from her construction plan which was very tedious with questionable accuracy. I just faired out the few minor problems that I encountered.  I would have rather had the offsets which would have saved time and ensured the exact hull form was reproduced. Even though, I'm confident that Crusader's shape is real close to that intended.
John