Doris (sailing yacht) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Doris
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1983 photo
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Connecticut River off River Rd., Deep River, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1905 and 1934 |
| Architect | N.G. Herreshoff; Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001108 |
| Added to NRHP | May 31, 1984 |
The Doris is a special sailing yacht that has also been known as Astarte, Huntress, and Vayu. This historic boat, located in Deep River, Connecticut, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. She was designed by Nathanael Herreshoff, a very famous boat designer. He created five yachts that defended the America's Cup, which is a super important sailing race!
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Meet the Doris Yacht!
Nathanael Herreshoff also helped create a new set of rules for yacht design called the Universal Rule. This rule changed how racing yachts were built. Before, boats were either super fast but not very safe, or slow but safe. The Universal Rule allowed designers to create yachts that were both fast and comfortable. The Doris is thought to be the biggest sailboat designed by Herreshoff that was built and is still around today. It's also believed to be the very first boat built using the Universal Rule!
Built for Speed and Strength
The Doris was built in 1905 in Bristol, Rhode Island, by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.. It's the largest wooden boat ever made by that company. A man named S. Reed Anthony ordered the ship and paid $18,000 for it. That was a lot of money back then!
The Doris quickly showed how amazing she was. She won a series of races against the Gloriana, another famous Herreshoff design from 1891. The Gloriana was known as the fastest sailboat of its time, so beating it was a huge deal!
The Doris also has some unique building features. Herreshoff used metal parts inside the boat instead of traditional wooden ones. Also, the Doris is the only boat to have special "belt" or "web frames." These were oak frames bent over the inside lining of the boat, making it extra strong.
Changing Looks and Names
When she was first built, the Doris was set up as a gaff-sloop / cutter. This means she had a specific type of sail arrangement. But before the 1932 Bermuda Race, her sails were changed. This change helped her a lot in the race. She led for most of the race, but lighter winds near the end favored smaller boats.
In 1934, when Lawrence Lowell Reeve owned her, the Doris was changed again. She became a Marconi-ketch, which is another type of sail setup.
Over the years, the Doris has had many different names. Lawrence Reeve called her Astarte starting in 1934. In 1937, new owners renamed her Huntress. Then, in 1940, Richard Hart bought her and called her Vayu. James Mercanti owned her from 1957 to 1975, keeping the name Vayu. Later, David Revenaugh owned her. Finally, Brian Amble, who owned the boat from 2001 to at least 2007, brought back her original name, Doris.
Where is Doris Now?
When the Doris was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, she was in the Connecticut River near Deep River, Connecticut. At that time, there were plans to move her for a big restoration project.
The latest information says that Crocker's Boatyard in New London, Connecticut, now owns the ship. Sadly, the Herreshoff Registry reports that the Doris is currently in poor condition. She is in danger of being taken apart if she doesn't get the care she needs.
Luckily, the original construction drawings for much of the ship are kept safe. You can find them in the collection at the Hart Nautical Museum at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The good news is that the Doris is currently being restored at Snediker Yacht Restoration, so hopefully, she will sail again soon!
