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On this day in 1883 the Brooklyn Bridge opened to the public. At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. This photo, taken 12 years later, shows the 1895 Herreshoff designed and built America's Cup defender, DEFENDER, under tow on the way to New Rochelle with the iconic - and still young - Brooklyn Bridge in the background. There's so much detail in this photo, from the skyline, forest of masts and ferry in the background, to the crew member up the mast and the spectators in the gig!
The wire cable that made suspension bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge possible in the 19th century was also used in Cup defender rigs, but that's not the only marvel of material technology on display in this image: DEFENDER was partially plated in aluminum. This was a rather radical (and expensive) attempt at creating the lightest and strongest hull possible for the Cup defense that year. DEFENDER was ultimately successful in the defense of the Cup, and even went on to serve as a trial horse for following defenders - perhaps a longer-than-expected run for a boat constructed out of a mix of aluminum and bronze...
📸 John C. Hemment, HMM Photo Archive
#BrooklynBridge #NYC #AmericasCup #CupDefender #HMCo #Herreshoff
THURSDAY, May 18: Lecture: "Golden Age of Newport Yachting" by Robert B. MacKay
Newport is known as the yachting capital of the world, and it reached its zenith during the period between 1917 and 1946. Many of the nation’s captains of finance and industry skippered legendary yachts that formed an argosy of splendor that has never been eclipsed. Vincent Astor sailed off to World War I as an officer on his own yacht, the Noma, contributing to the war effort, while Harriette Goelet, a determined widow, captained her own vessel and became one of the first yachtswomen entitled to fly the New York Yacht Club’s burgee. Howard Hughes anchored in the channel, forcing a Fall River Line steamer into the bank. Notables from around the world, such as Sir Thomas Lipton, flocked to Newport once the America’s Cup found a home there in 1930. Join yachting historian Bob MacKay as he reveals the rare images and stories behind the age of “extravagant magnificence.”
Robert B. MacKay is a lifelong sailor and classic boat enthusiast who received his doctorate in American and New England studies from Boston University in 1980. He dates his interest in yachting history to having been a member of Rudy Schaefer’s crew that sailed his replica of the schooner yacht America from Newport to England in 1968. Among his recent books are America by the Yard: Cirkut Camera Images from the Early Twentieth Century (W.W. Norton, 2006), Great Yachts of Long Island’s North Shore (Arcadia Publishing, 2014) and Marine Paintings at the New York Yacht Club (2019). He also wrote the introduction to Phil Moore’s Yachts in a Hurry and was editor of Long Island Country Houses and Their Architects, 1860–1940. He is Director Emeritus of @PreservationLongIsland and former chairman of the New York State Board for Historic Preservation (@NYStateParks).
May 18, 2023
In-Person Reception begins at 6 pm
Lecture begins at 7 pm, Eastern
Purchase tickets at herreshoff.org/lectures
Virtual Tickets: Members: $10, Non-Members: $15
In-Person Tickets: Members: $15, Non-Members: $20
#Herreshoff #Sailing #GoldenAge #Newport #Yachting #TwentiethCentury #BetweenTheWars #WWI #WWII #NewEnglandHistory #NYYC
The America's Cup contender COLONIA (HMCo. #435) was launched on this day 130 years ago! COLONIA was re-rigged as a schooner and re-named CORONA and went on to have a long career. L. Francis wrote in the Wizard of Bristol,
"Colonia' was changed to a schooner, and her name changed to 'Corona,' and she won many prizes, including the Goelet Cup in 1892 and 1896 and the Astor Cup in 1900 and 1904. She served as the flagship of the New York Yacht Club from 1900 to 1902, and the last I knew of her she was the tender for 'Enterprise' in 1930, thus lasting nearly forty years and outliving all of the single stickers of her time"
📸 Henry G. Peabody, Detroit Photographic Co., courtesy of the Library of Congress (ID No. LC-D4-5593)
#AmericasCup #CupContender #Sloop #Schooner #RacingSchooner #HMCo #WizardOfBristol #NYYC #Syndicate #Herreshoff #SteelHull
HMM is officially open for the season! Spring hours are Thursday through Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm, and run through June 25. After June 25th, we will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 - 5.
Be sure to stop in and check out our newest exhibit, "Challengers, Defenders and Contenders: The Hodgdon Collection of America's Cup Models, 1851 - 1937", which opened to the public on May 5! The exhibit showcases never-before-displayed artifacts and previously unpublished historic photos from HMM's collection, as well as a number of historic photos, prints and paintings from partner institutions.
#SonnyHodgdon #HalfModels #AmericasCup #HMCo #Herreshoff #WizardOfBristol
Looking for an unforgettable summer experience for your young sailor? Look no further than the Youth Summer Seamanship Program at HMM!
Our program offers a unique opportunity for children aged 7-15 to learn the art of seamanship and the principles of sailing, with an emphasis on excellent instruction, as well as the design, beauty, and unique features of classic vessels. All classes are taught on our historic Herreshoff 12½s or Sea Sprite 23s on picturesque Narragansett Bay.
With a focus on safety and fun, our campers will gain hands-on experience in a variety of activities including navigation, knot tying, boat handling, and racing. They will also have the opportunity to explore the rich maritime history of the area and learn about the legendary Herreshoff family and their contributions to the world of boating.
Our camp runs for nine weeks from June through August and is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for children of all skill levels to develop their love for the water. Week long camp sessions are limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Visit our website to learn more and register your child today: buff.ly/3eyjaJL Scholarships are also available! Inquire online to learn more.
See you on the water! #HerreshoffSummerCamp #YouthSeamanship #SailingFun #NarragansettBay #BoatBuilding #MaritimeHistory #SafeAndFun #UnforgettableSummerExperience #SummerCamp
OPENING DAY IS APRIL 30TH! | FREE ADMISSION!
Come celebrate the start of a new season at the Herreshoff Marine Museum on Sunday, April 30th! We’re excited to welcome you back with a day filled with family-friendly activities, both indoors and outdoors.
From 10am-5pm, enjoy free admission to the museum and explore our new exhibits. Join one of our guided tours to learn about the fascinating history of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and its impact on the world of yacht design and boatbuilding.
From 11am-2pm, we have a variety of fun activities planned for the whole family! Get creative with our arts and crafts station, play outdoor games, and enter for a chance to win door prizes. Plus, keep an eye out for a special visit from a fire truck! Stay for lunch with @clucktruckri while you're here!
Don’t miss out on the fun and excitement of Opening Day at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday with your loved ones and learn something new about Rhode Island innovation. See you there!
#FreeAdmission #BristolRI #Herreshoff #FamilyFun #ThingsToDo #FreeMuseum
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS