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CLARA

Hull No: #402

1887 Catyawl

Length Over All: 35' 3"
Length Water Line: 28' 6"
Draft: 5' 5"
Beam: 9' 10"
Rig: catyawl

Clara. [Inscription on verso by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. The photo shows NGH and his wife Clara onboard the family cat-yawl Clara. Clara is carrying the novel batten sail which was exchanged against a more conventional gaff sail on August 25, 1890.]

Cruising boats were never Nathanael Herreshoff’s primary focus, but when newly married, he owned two in succession, both narrow and deep cat-yawls: CLARA (named for his wife) and before that CONSUELO (named for we know not whom). Despite her huge bat-wing mainsail, N.G.H. sailed CLARA alone at times, later admitting he preferred the smaller CONSUELO with her gaff rig, which was easier to handle. Eight years was enough of sailboat cruising, and after he invented the svelte and slippery fin-keelers in 1891, beginning with DILEMMA (HMCo. #412) he owned a succession of them. For cruising later on as a family man, he turned to steam yachts, mostly ROAMER (HMCo. #215), the 95-footer laid out specifically for him and his wife and their six children—and, of course, the paid crew.

Clara's Cabin. Lucian Sharpe and N.G.H. in Cabin of 'Clara'. Newport Harbor, in 1888 or '9 [sic, i.e. 1890 as per photo caption in George Owen Collection at MIT. Inscription on verso, apparently by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff].

This rare photo shows Captain Nat onboard CLARA ca. 1888 - 1890. In this photo he is accompanied by Lucian Sharpe Jr., of Brown & Sharpe of Providence, RI.

View of the catboat CLARA's cabin looking forward; glass rectangular windows along the upper left let lots of light into the cabin. You can see past a bulkhead into the forepeak..

The view looking forward today. The "trolley car" style window panes running the full length of the cabin are an iconic Herreshoff design feature, letting in lots of light and providing a magnificent view of the surroundings even from below.

Nathaniel Stebbins photo of CLARA under sail on August 2, 1890; image courtesy Historic New England (GUSN-277752)

Looking aft in CLARA's cabin. Two bunks are on either side, and the companionway is ornamented with turned finials. Quarter berths on either side of the cockpit provided additional sleeping spaces. i

Looking aft onboard CLARA in the Hall of Boats today. CLARA was restored by Taylor & Snediker Yachts through the generosity of a single donor.

Clara's Cabin. Lucian Sharpe and N.G.H. in Cabin of 'Clara'. Newport Harbor, in 1888 or '9 [sic, i.e. 1890 as per photo caption in George Owen Collection at MIT. Inscription on verso, apparently by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff].

This rare photo shows Captain Nat onboard CLARA ca. 1888 - 1890. In this photo he is accompanied by Lucian Sharpe Jr., of Brown & Sharpe of Providence, RI.

View of the catboat CLARA's cabin looking forward; glass rectangular windows along the upper left let lots of light into the cabin. You can see past a bulkhead into the forepeak..

The view looking forward today. The "trolley car" style window panes running the full length of the cabin are an iconic Herreshoff design feature, letting in lots of light and providing a magnificent view of the surroundings even from below.

Nathaniel Stebbins photo of CLARA under sail on August 2, 1890; image courtesy Historic New England (GUSN-277752)

Looking aft in CLARA's cabin. Two bunks are on either side, and the companionway is ornamented with turned finials. Quarter berths on either side of the cockpit provided additional sleeping spaces. i

Looking aft onboard CLARA in the Hall of Boats today. CLARA was restored by Taylor & Snediker Yachts through the generosity of a single donor.

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