The Herreshoff Family
Mr. Halsey C. Herreshoff is a naval architect and a sailor. He has served as navigator during several defenses of the America's Cup and is a veteran of many ocean races, including the Fastnet and Bermuda contests. He is the editor of the classic book, The Sailor's Handbook. Halsey served as Bristol, RI Town Council 1982-86 and Town Administrator 1986-94. Now 66, Halsey serves as president of the Herreshoff Marine Museum and the America's Cup Hall of Fame and is Town Council member (1994-present) in Bristol, RI.
Of course, he is best recognized as the designer of the infamous Bristol 29.9. Well, not really. But if it wasn't for him, where would we be?
A day Halsey won't forget. Monday, Sept. 26, 1983, a day of infamy for U.S. sailing. Halsey Herreshoff, navigator aboard the U.S. defender, Liberty watched as Australia II came from behind to pass he and Dennis Conner to steal the America's Cup ending a 132 year winning streak.
Halsey is the grandson of the great Captain Nat Herreshoff.
Halsey, we love ya, man.
Yacht designer and author of many books including a biography about his father, Capt. Nat Herreshoff, The Wizard of Bristol. L. Francis Herreshoff designed such classically beautiful yachts as Ticonderoga, the sleek 72 foot clipper-bowed ketch that broke all kinds of records for her speed and agility, and larger Cup racing designs including J and M boats.
L. Francis lived in Marblehead, MA. The castle where he lived from 1945 to 1972 is now owned by by Michael H. Rubino. The Rubino's have opened the carriage house as a bed & breakfast".
L. Francis Herreshoff died in 1972. He was Halsey's uncle.
Yacht designer. Son of Nathanael G. Herreshoff.
Nat's brother, John Herreshoff, founded the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. in nnnn. Nat joined him at the age of 30 and began designing navy steam launches and boilers. In 1891 they built a sloop, Gloriana, that won many races, bringing attention to the Herreshoffs.
It was 1892 when a group of New York businessmen asked them to build a yacht to defend the America's Cup in 1893. Herreshoff went on to design and build five yachts that successfully defended the America's Cup between the years 1893 and 1920.
Vigilant, 1893
Defender
Enterprise
Columbia
Resolute, 1920
Nat's son, Sidney Herreshoff, followed in his footsteps as chief designer at the boatyard after Nat sold off most of his interest in the company.
Nathanael G. Herreshoff died in 1938 at the age of 90 years.
It's a truly amazing story. John, who lost his sight at a young age, goes on to found the greatest boatbuilding company of the 19th and 20th centuries.
John handled the business and operations while Nat developed the brilliant designs that would later make them all famous.
Their first success came with the launch of Gloriana, a 46-footer, commissioned by industrialist E.D. Morgan. The boat turned out to be a real winner and the team of John and Nat were catapulted into the yacht racing world.