Doris (sailing yacht)
Encyclopedia
Doris is a sailing yacht yacht
, which has also been known as Astarte, Huntress and Vayu, in Deep River, Connecticut
that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1984. She was designed by N.G. Herreshoff, who designed five America's Cup defender yachts and who also was the main architect of the America's Cup rule change called the Universal Rule. That rule allowed for displacement as well as length and sail area to be included in a formula defining yacht eligibility, and enabled more "sea-kindly" and roomier yachts to be competitive. Previously, America Cup racers were often "either sleek and fast, but had unseaworthy characteristics, or scow-like vessels which were cumbersome but safe and able passage-makers." Doris is believed to be the largest Herreshoff-designed sloop that was built and has survived.
Built in Bristol, Rhode Island
, in 1905, by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Doris is the largest all-wood vessel ever built by the firm. The ship was commissioned by S. Reed Anthony, a founding partner of investment banking firm Tucker, Anthony & Co., who paid $18,000. She soon proved her worth, as Doris "... proved to be a sensation in the yachting world when she defeated Gloriana
, an earlier Herreshoff design built in 1891 and reported to be the fastest sailing vessel of her day, in a series of match races off Marblehead, Massachusetts
." The ship is also unusual for two construction details. Herreshoff employed metal hanging knees instead of the more traditional sheer clamp, and Doris is the only boat to possess what Herreshoff called "belt" or "web frames", whereby oak frames were bent "over the ceiling".
Although originally rigged as a gaff-sloop / cutter, the rigging was changed prior to the 1932 Bermuda Race
. This proved to be advantageous, as the yacht led the Race "for a good part of the race before light winds gave favor to the smaller vessels." In 1934, under the ownership of Lawrence Lowell Reeve, she was converted to a Marconi-ketch.
Over the years Doris has gone under a number of names. Under Lawrence Reeve she was referred to as "Astarte" from 1934. She was renamed "Huntress" in 1937 under new owners, and became "Vayu" when purchased by Richard Hart in 1940. The ship remained as Vayu under the next owner, Jim Mercanti, who had the boat between 1957 and 1975, before coming into the possession David Revenaugh. Under Brian Amble, who owned the boat from 2001 until at least 2007, she was known once more by her original name, Doris.
At its NRHP listing in 1984, the yacht was located in the Connecticut River
off River Rd., Deep River, Connecticut
, but it was expected to be moved for an upcoming restoration. Latest information is that the ship is owned by Crocker's Boatyard in New London, Connecticut
. According to the Herreshoff Registry, the ship "is currently is poor condition and is in imminent danger of being cut up."
Original construction drawings for much of the ship are preserved in the collection at the Hart Nautical Museum, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
, which has also been known as Astarte, Huntress and Vayu, in Deep River, Connecticut
Deep River, Connecticut
Deep River is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,629 at the 2010 census. The town center is also designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place...
that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1984. She was designed by N.G. Herreshoff, who designed five America's Cup defender yachts and who also was the main architect of the America's Cup rule change called the Universal Rule. That rule allowed for displacement as well as length and sail area to be included in a formula defining yacht eligibility, and enabled more "sea-kindly" and roomier yachts to be competitive. Previously, America Cup racers were often "either sleek and fast, but had unseaworthy characteristics, or scow-like vessels which were cumbersome but safe and able passage-makers." Doris is believed to be the largest Herreshoff-designed sloop that was built and has survived.
Built in Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol is a town in and the historic county seat of Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,954 at the 2010 census. Bristol, a deepwater seaport, is named after Bristol, England....
, in 1905, by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Doris is the largest all-wood vessel ever built by the firm. The ship was commissioned by S. Reed Anthony, a founding partner of investment banking firm Tucker, Anthony & Co., who paid $18,000. She soon proved her worth, as Doris "... proved to be a sensation in the yachting world when she defeated Gloriana
Gloriana
Gloriana is an opera in three acts by Benjamin Britten to an English libretto by William Plomer, based on Elizabeth and Essex by Lytton Strachey...
, an earlier Herreshoff design built in 1891 and reported to be the fastest sailing vessel of her day, in a series of match races off Marblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,808 at the 2010 census. It is home to the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Devereux Beach...
." The ship is also unusual for two construction details. Herreshoff employed metal hanging knees instead of the more traditional sheer clamp, and Doris is the only boat to possess what Herreshoff called "belt" or "web frames", whereby oak frames were bent "over the ceiling".
Although originally rigged as a gaff-sloop / cutter, the rigging was changed prior to the 1932 Bermuda Race
Bermuda Race
The Bermuda Race, or Newport Bermuda Race, is a biennial yacht race from Newport, Rhode Island to the island of Bermuda, a distance of 635 nautical miles across open ocean. The first Bermuda Race started in 1906 from Gravesend Bay, N.Y. with three entries. The race was held several times in the...
. This proved to be advantageous, as the yacht led the Race "for a good part of the race before light winds gave favor to the smaller vessels." In 1934, under the ownership of Lawrence Lowell Reeve, she was converted to a Marconi-ketch.
Over the years Doris has gone under a number of names. Under Lawrence Reeve she was referred to as "Astarte" from 1934. She was renamed "Huntress" in 1937 under new owners, and became "Vayu" when purchased by Richard Hart in 1940. The ship remained as Vayu under the next owner, Jim Mercanti, who had the boat between 1957 and 1975, before coming into the possession David Revenaugh. Under Brian Amble, who owned the boat from 2001 until at least 2007, she was known once more by her original name, Doris.
At its NRHP listing in 1984, the yacht was located in the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
off River Rd., Deep River, Connecticut
Deep River, Connecticut
Deep River is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,629 at the 2010 census. The town center is also designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place...
, but it was expected to be moved for an upcoming restoration. Latest information is that the ship is owned by Crocker's Boatyard in New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
. According to the Herreshoff Registry, the ship "is currently is poor condition and is in imminent danger of being cut up."
Original construction drawings for much of the ship are preserved in the collection at the Hart Nautical Museum, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.