Preview: Watercraft Collection of Mystic Seaport, Part 3 – The Original Herreshoff ALERION
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March 7, 2013
Email this Video to a FriendIn 1912 Nathanael Herreshoff designed a 26′ gaff-rigged sloop for his own use. Named ALERION, she proved to be a seminal creation that would go on to influence many of his most beloved and successful designs, notably the Herreshoff 12 1/2 footer. Travel back through time with Maynard Bray and Eric Blake to visit the original Herreshoff ALERION and one of the original Twelves and hear why they represent such a departure from Herreshoff’s previous designs. The fact that NGH sailed ALERION for the first time 100 years ago makes our visit to the ALERION shrine even more compelling.
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24 Responses So Far to “Watercraft Collection of Mystic Seaport, Part 3 – The Original Herreshoff ALERION”
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Bill Perkins says:
For years I would visit family in Eastern CT for Christmas .I would always make a trip to the Seaport (where I ran the streets as a child ) ; cross the windblown deserted lawn and enter this freezing boat shed . It is a chapel, and I did feel reverence : but also an insane urge to make off with these beautiful boats ; ” Liberate “ them.
I’ve always wondered about the large knots on the coaming of the BB 15 . They’re sound and bent fair ; the workmanship is perfect ; but Herreshoff had access to the best White Oak in the World ,why aren’t the coamings clear as on the other boats (as I remember them)?
Maynard Bray says:
I’m curious about the large knots you mention in Fiddler’s coaming as I don’t recall that there were any. I think it’s the original coaming, but not absolutely positive. While I was running Mystic Seaport’s shipyard, I sent Fiddler to Sonny Hodgdon who restored the boat in his East Boothbay shop and could possibly have given her a new coaming. Somewhere at the Seaport there’s a record of the work done, but I’m going from memory at this point.
Regardless of whose coaming it is, however, I’m surprised you saw any big knots. Can you send a photo or describe their location?
Bill Perkins says:
Sorry Ben ;I must be wrong about that .I need to make my way back there .
Bill Perkins says:
I mean Maynard ; double appologies .
Bill Perkins says:
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00–hg_K7nlTyyhMXxRTLUblEScacQVDkFCNa6L25h1ahv3SzM7ra9h1YFqWzNCMJEy?cn=THISLIFE&res=large&ts=1556830048
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00–hg_K7nlTyyhMXxRTLUblEScacQVDkFCNa6L25h1ahtmjByxUuzWdTWdnBfLG_g9?cn=THISLIFE&res=large&ts=1556829688
Finally found my old pics
Peter Strock says:
Over 30+ years I have been owned by and sailed a Fish sloop, an Alerion, and an H-12 1/2. Bruised some serious waters in Buzzards Bay, Vineyard and Nantucket Sound.
The Fish sloop allowed simple but comfortable overnight cruising , Plastic tub for a sink, water in jugs, cedar bucket for the necessary. Would do well with a Porta -Potty these days.
The Alerion is primitive overnight camping for a kiddo, very POWERFUL, very seaworthy but low freeboard. Sadly had to be given up by two experienced sailors in succession as they aged and the boat didn’t.
The H-12 lives on, and is a pleasure under all conditions. Which everybody knows. Not only the “little boys boat’ but also the “senior citizen’s” choice. I don’t know how you chose among them except for the bigger ones, like the Buzzards Bay 25, etc. And that leaves out L.Francis’ contributions. Ah, decisions, decisions, decisions.
Trevor Gunning says:
Nice boat wish we had the Great Lakes and protected waterways you guys have if you’ve heard of the “Fremantle Doctor” you’ll know what I’m talking about… in other words the gunwhales wouldn’t be high enough…
Christopher O'brien says:
I had the privilege of wandering through the Mystic collection and Museum a couple years ago as part of a flotilla of O’Day Mariners (a class 50 years young!) who have had several class rendezvous’ at Mystic Seaport and the Museum. My only wish is to have seen this amazing series of videos before ambling about in the sheds and hearing Maynard Bray’s perspective. Makes me look forward to my next visit to the Seaport (via boat of course!) and a chance to revisit the restored and unrestored collections with even more back story and insight.
This is a wonderful series of videos (thanks again Maynard, Eric, and Steve) and a great reminder of the remarkable collection at Mystic
Chris O’Brien
Dave Beaman says:
I learned to sail on a Cape Cod Knockabout, as I recall an 18 foot sloop, Marconi rig, but very similar to the 12 and a half of Herreshoff. Anyone know the history of the Cape Cod sloop?
John Wujack says:
Maynard, For many reasons, I’m considering building halyard boxes into my Stone Horse. I’ve searched high and low for photos/details to no avail. Can you guide me or at a minimum explain one aspect for me. Are there “cut outs ” or some such that allow (for when a halyard is flaked into the halyard box), the line to pass through the forward edge of the lid? Many thanks, John
Maynard Bray says:
(from Maynard Bray)
Hi John,
The original halyard boxes are in Alerion at Mystic Seaport, but the Buzzards Bay 25 sloop Bagatelle was given the same boxes when MP&G restored her. I don’t have photos of Alerion’s but here are a couple photos of Bagatelle’s boxes (I’ve put them in the Navigate Further section above).
As you can see, the forward edge of the covers are notched for the halyards. In raising Bagatelle’s sails, I’ve always just removed the covers and simply let the halyards drop freely into their boxes without any coiling. When you’re ready to lower the sails, the halyards just run out the way they went in, without tangling.
Alerion’s covers are varnished mahogany, but Bagatelle’s were left unfinished (they’re teak) so when used as a step, they’re not as slippery and don’t get scratched.
Good luck!
Maynard
John Wujack says:
Thank you. With great appreciation, John
John Wujack says:
How may one obtain the Benjamin Moore paint recipe/formula that Maynard refers to? thanks, John
Nick DeMarco says:
I am delighted to find this video and others who love the small craft collection at Mystic Seaport. I have visited this collection many times and feel like I’m entering a church when I visit.
Jeffrey Silva says:
Talk about boat porn! My yearly pilgrimage to Mystic’s south small boat shed always has awe, but seldom such wisdom. Needless to say I’m jealous of Maynard’s ability to get past the fences — I know I’d get caught if I managed to slip between the rails. Great video, great boat! Thanks.
Lee Fox says:
Thanks for this wonderful tour! Eric and Maynard are awesome! And ALERION is cherry on top for such a sweet Herreshoff design!
Hans Scholl says:
Thank you for the wonderful video and also the detailed list of references. It’s so interesting that you use the words “visit to the ALERION shrine” – that’s how I feel each time I visit Mystic Seaport and get magically drawn to the small boat building as the first place to go to spend some time just taking in the ALERION’s green hull and her beautiful lines. There is something to her that’s hard to express.
David Tew says:
That was an interesting description of the ‘halyard box’ at the forward end of the cockpit. I’ve seen those on other Herreshoffs and wondered about them. I’m definitely going to consider one for my own boat now!
Martin Herbert says:
I was racing my International Canoe on the East Coast in 1981 and on a side trip stopped at Mystic. I was totally unprepared for what happened when I stepped into that shed, Alerion took my breathe away. That day is etched in my mind. On the same trip I got to sail a 12 1/2 on Buzzards Bay and row Ben Fuller’s Delaware Ducker. I was blessed. Thank you so much for this tour and insightful commentary.
Brad Hiatt says:
Thank you so much! What a wonderful guided history lesson. I just joined and feel like the proverbial kid in the candy store. And, a new set of plans just arrived today from Doug Hyland for a little skiff project. Time to sharpen my planes!
Charles Barclay says:
Steve,
I want to complement the camera work in particular as well as the editing. The camera work shows the hollow bow, and enough detail so that you learn more about Alerion than just from Maynard’s fine narration and Eric’s insightful questions/observations. The section on the transom and bow highlighted the fine camera work.
The fade from the half model to the real Alerion is spectacular. Well done!
Don’t mean to slight the 15 or the 12 1/2 beautiful as well.
Mahalo, Charles
Steve Stone says:
Thanks Charles. Kevin Ross gets credit for the editing touch, and Eric and Maynard make it pretty easy to follow with a camera.
William Boulden says:
She is a beauty that few can compare to!! Beyond her performance, her good looks can charm a man’s soul. ;D
Peter Brackenbury says:
Wow! Alerion is beautiful. It’s nice to hear people like Maynard Bray gush over a boat. It helps me to appreciate so many of the fine details that I wouldn’t have noticed. Thanks.