Herreshoff 12 1/2 Identification

[nutmeg2go]

I realize this is a shot in the dark, but just maybe someone out there has the information I'm seeking.

I have recently acquired a Herreshoff 12 1/2 which has been sitting in a barn in New Hampshire for the last 30 years.

The boat was almost totally destroyed by the 1954 hurricane and rebuilt by the Quisett Boatyard. I have been able to trace the boat back to that point and learned that her keel, deadwood, and part of her bow were all that remained. Quisett took the remains and rebuilt her with cedar planking, mahogany transom and trim, and, aside from the dust and open seams from shrinkage, she looks great.

Does anyone out there know of a 12 1/2 that disappeared from Cape Cod during the 1954 hurricane or have any notion of how I can find someone who might have that information?

Also, although she appears very solid, what precautions should I take as I try to remove her from her cradle and place her on a trailer.

Eric Dow, whose shop is not far from my Maine home, has agreed to work along with me on the restoration so I do it right.

And no, sorry, I don't have any photos yet.

[Adam L]

Check out Steve Nagy's 12 1/2 Registry (http://home.comcast.net/~nagys/h12_main.html) He has also written a paper that details his research and how to identify 12 1/2s for the Classic Yacht Symposium this year that will be published in the transactions.

-Adam

[ 03-17-2005, 08:20 AM: Message edited by: Adam L ]

[nutmeg2go]

Thanks Adam

I've been in regular contact with Steve. He has been very helpful, but we're stuck at the hurricane. Right now I'm just trying to find out if anyone can remember boats gone missing that storm.

[Bayboat]

I take it the builder's plate is missing. If so, just about the only recourse is the one you're
on--tracing her history and ownership.

If you lift her with a crane, make sure the spreader bars are wide enough so the straps don't squeeze the hull. With loose seams it could be a disaster.

For further restoration, get a copy of Steve's paper and his registry. He will let you download them. Assuming that you will be able to identify a building date, or close to it, he has some good guidelines concerning proper restoration. Eric Dow is a good choice for the work. Good luck. My 12.5 is "Quickstep", #1138, 1930.

[ 03-18-2005, 01:52 AM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[sawcutmill]

My 12 1/2 is #1144, been in family since it was built in 1930.Painted Herreshoff Green since it was launched! http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid101/pc9a691e1cacfdb18caa3b474edc8d5a7/f9d49eec.jpg

[nutmeg2go]

Clint

Nice to see Quickstep back to her original name. Thanks for the tip about the spreaders. Before the crane, I need to get the boat and the MASSIVE cradle out of the shed.

Any other tips on moving her would be appreciated.

Steve

VERY, VERY NICE!

By the way, Steve's registry indicates there are at least 27 12 1/2s sailing the Penobscot Bay waters, so I'll have plenty of company.

[ 03-18-2005, 08:01 AM: Message edited by: nutmeg2go ]

[Bayboat]

If the ground you have to move the cradle/boat over is anywhere near hard and smooth, you can use rollers and lever it along until you're outside. Use rented toe jacks, if available, or levers to get the rollers under. Any good lumber yard will have round posts you can use for rollers.

Or, maybe you can just skid it, if the ground is right and the cradle is built up from heavy timbers and has fore & aft bottom timbers. Does anybody nearby have a tractor? Or a husky 4-wheel drive vehicle?

Whether rolling or skidding, slow & careful. Clint.

[Steve Paskey]

I suspect it will take some work to track this down, and possibly trips to the Cape. You may try asking at any Cape Cod yacht club that was around in 1954, and looking at the archives of Cape Cod newspapers for stories about the aftermath of the hurricane.

[nutmeg2go]

After working on this for a few weeks, I have gained a great deal of admiration for Steve Nagy and the work he has done assembling the 12 1/2 registry. What an incredible amount of work, a true labor of love.

Thanks Steve

[Ken Hutchins]

I'm in NH and would be willing to help you move it out of the shed, I've got a fair amount of equipment and experience moving heavy things. Send me an email about your moving plans, dates, etc.

[nutmeg2go]

OK. So I haven't been able to identify mine yet, but we did manage to locate Hull 896 and I've talked to a lot of interesting people.

So, do your part for wooden boat history month. If you have a friend that has a 12 1/2, ask if it's listed in the register. If not, do your civic duty and have them contact Steve.