Gloriana, 1891
A Nathanael G. Herreshoff design
American cutter rig of 1891, introducing a new outline of bow, differing from the old clipper bow. Battens were also introduced in the mainsail and jib.
Designed by N. G. Herreshoff and built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R. I, in 1891 for E. D. Morgan. Length overall, 70 feet; length on waterline, 45 feet 3 inches; beam, 13 feet; depth, 8 feet 6 inches; draft, 10 feet 3 inches; sail area, 4100 square feet. Gloriana was designed under the Seawanhaka rule to race in the 46-foot waterline class. The knuckle of the forefoot, just under the forward end of the waterline, as seen in Minerva and Gossoon, was cut away, giving a new form of stem and longer fore overhang, the forward ends of all waterlines being rounded in, with no hollow, making a more blunt but still very easy entrance. The measured length thus saved gave greater sail area. Compare the forward waterlines with those of Minerva and Gossoon.
In 1891 the yachting world was treated to two surprises, both from the Herreshoff shops at Bristol, R. I. The first was the Gloriana, a yacht in the new 46-foot class which had replaced the 40-foot class. Viewed from a later standpoint this notable yacht appears as far less radical than she was appraised by wondering yachtsmen on her sensational debut in 1891. The features which appealed most to the popular judgment, the length over all and the long pointed forward overhang which was a striking element of this length, were largely superficial, and merely blinded observers to the intrinsic qualities of her design and construction. When the Burgess Puritan made her debut in 1885 black was the colour most in favour for topsides, but after her victory many of the old yachts were burned off and repainted white in the hope of increasing their speed. Similarly, so much attention was given to the ‘Gloriana bow’? that not only were old yachts rebuilt forward but even the famous Crosbys of ‘Cape Cat’ fame were misled into grafting it on their peculiar square-ended type, on which it fitted with all the grace of a purser’s shirt on a handspike.
In brief, she marked the entry in the field of sailing yacht design of Nathanael G. Herreshoff, previously engaged mainly in marine engineering and the design of steam yachts. She was a yacht of high power, as opposed to Minerva, of composite construction as developed by the Herreshoffs in their steam yachts, a keel yacht with the same type of midship section as the yachts immediately preceding her, and gaining much from the light construction and many mechanical fittings peculiar to her builders.
The notable point of her design was not the long forward overhang but the underlying cause of this length; the cutting away of the knuckle immediately below the fore end of the waterline and the resulting snubbing in of the forward ends of all the waterlines until they were slightly convex rather than hollow. This shortening of the measured waterline by several feet permitted under the Seawanhaka rule the addition of sail, while at the same time in place of an apparent bluntness the entrance showed long and easy diagonals. While the popular belief was that she lengthened her sailing lines materially as she heeled, such was not the case; in common with other yachts of the day she actually lost as much forward as she gained aft.
- Length overall, 70 feet 0 inches
- Waterline length, 45 feet 3 inches
- Beam, 13 feet 0 inches;
- Depth, 8 feet 6 inches
- Draft. 10 feet 3 inches
- Sail area, 4,100 square feet