DORIS

[Steve]

The largest all wood vessel HMCo built was DORIS - http://www.herreshoffregistry.org/get_detail.php?hull=625.  She is actually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  I stopped by to have a look while enjoying the beautiful weather in Mystic this weekend ... she has not fared well.

It turns out that she will probably be cut up this winter.  With all of the marquee restorations of the past few years, it's a shame that a boat like this has to meet the chainsaw.

[Adam Langerman]

A truly unfortunate situation.  I know of an empty piece of lawn where DORIS would fit (though not my decision to make), problem is the haulers claim she simply can't be moved any significant distance in her current condition.  So even to attempt a move would be a big $$$ project.  I think if a plan to move her was backed, the yard would forgive most, if not all, of the past due fees.

[Steve]

You mean SPARTAN's previous resting place?

I don't know which haulers you spoke with, but I'm afraid I would concur with them.  She is in really bad shape.  I think the only hope to hold off the chainsaw is a well-heeled savior.

Another restoration that was to take place during the past few years and was documented on a no-longer maintained website is #1226 YAWLCAT.  Do you know anything of her?

[Adam]

According to this she is also the very first large yacht designed under the universal rule...

http://johan_roodt.tripod.com/doris1905herreshoffcopy/index.html

Truly a historic yacht. She has a 50' waterline - what would she rate? M?

[b.beardsley]

I've felt badly about Doris for years. It seems like it's too late to do anything - there have been fund-rasing attempts in the past. That external form is relatively new, there was someone who tried to take her on but it must have been too much. Part of the problem is that her lead is gone. I believe Andy Giblin one time volunteered to go take out any salvageable paneling, etc, but even he thought the boat was too far gone. Still, I thought she was going to be cut up years ago and she's still here. I think the yard is very reluctant to actually do it, and as someone mentioned above, would probably forgive the yard bills.

Yawlcat is now, I believe, in Georgia. Jim Reineck has been in touch with the owner who is desperately trying to find someone to restore her. That old web site says her near-sister, Ventura, is alive and well in NYC, and I think she still is.

[HerreshoffHistory]

#867s Ventura, though much altered from the original, is very much still around.

Doing cruises in New York Harbor.

There was a very nice feature in the New York Times about her a few days ago.

Have a look at

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/1-in-8-million/index.html#patrick_harris