Block Island Cowhorn?

[Bob Aberton]

Anyone know anything about this design? It is, as far as I know, a double-ended workboat of Block Island, RI extraction. Generally about 23? feet long or so. I believe they sported unstayed cat schooner or cat ketch rigs? and supposedly had "legendary" seakeeping abilities.

So, anyone know anything about this design. If pics (or sketches, or models, etc.), or some form of visual representation of a Block Island Cowhorn could be posted, that would be even better.

[MKane]

Try this link :web page (http://www.blockislandtimes.com/news/2001/0602/News/21.html)

Mike

[Dave Fleming]

See pages 172 thru 176 of Chapelles, American Small Sailing Craft. There is a brief history and a plan with Table of Offsets for a 22 foot LBP Block Island Cowhorn and in the photo section is a picture of a model of one.
Plans probably available from the Smithsonian.

[Hwyl]

A fleet of Cowhorns were built on the beach in St Johns (Virgin Islands) in the late 70's. It was a one time project on National park land. They sailed well, some people lived aboard theirs. I'd guess they were about 35 feet.

[Bob Aberton]

Thanks!

Man, but those are some damn pretty boats...

I'll have to add that to my list of possible "next boats," even if it isn't a real seaboat...

The web article implies that they are open boats, yet Hwyl says that some people lived aboard them.
Does that mean that the boats possess some kind of foredeck and cabin trunk?

[John Gearing]

There is a nice photo of a Block Island Cowhorn named the Lester Hall in the "Launchings" section of a back issue of WB. The blurb said they were looking for an owner. I just fell in love with that boat and years later got in touch with them about her but whoever I spoke with didn't quite know what I was talking about, though as I recall, WB reported that they had built another one for a private customer. Cowhorns are said to be exceptional sea boats and were designed to be handled by "a man and a boy".

MKane--that is a great story you linked for us! Thanks!

Bob, I think that cowhorns were built in recent years in different sizes and styles. As far as I know, the originals were open boats used for ishore fishing.

Keep us posted on your research!!

[ahp]

I saw one once in the Alawai Marina, Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1972. God know how it got there!

[Mike Field]

The Block Islanders themselves don't call these vessels "cowhorns," as I learnt recently, just double-enders.

See this earlier thread (http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=001659) for more information.

Here's a photo of Kestrel, the boat that started the discussion. She has had a few alterations made to her from the original construction, but they are being de-altered as time and finances permit.

http://www.woodenboatfittings.com.au./public/kestrel.jpg
.

[Bob Aberton]

D'you think it would be possible to build her straight from the plans & offsets in Chapelle's book, or would that be impossible?

[Hwyl]

This might be the boat seen in Hawaii http://www.keywestnoah.com/belle.html . Bob, I'm sorry that I don't remember (or possibly never knew) too much about the boats built in the Virgin Islands. I remember one was called "Sea Legs" (the owner had either only one leg or no legs). The were strip planked and the rigs were free standing. They sdid have that small Bahamian style gaff. Some would sail at Foxy's Wooden regattas. I wish someone would jump in here who knows more about these boats.

[WWheeler]

I'm caretaker for the Block Island Cow Horn owned by Atlantic Challenge Canada. It's based at Penetanguishene on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. Sorry, no pics. It was built and donated by Lance Lee, founder of Atlantic Challenge. Exact date of build escapes me. It's 22' and has a 10hp diesel. Ballast is poured concrete blocks. (Original ballast was rocks, I'm told - if there was a particularly catch, the rocks would be thrown overbound, and replaced with fish.)

I haven't much chance to sail her yet, but she's a lot of boat for the length. With enough ballast she should be able to ride like a duck. She'll seat 6 in comfort. With a shallow keel, she can easily "sit on the hard" between tides, or be beached. There's an eye in the stem -- apparently they were pulled onto the beach using oxen. Don't know about going to weather, though. Trailering could be a trial, since the beam is over legal max.

My observation would be, not the most practical boat, but she gets lots of looks, and fits into the historic surroundings at Discovery Harbour up here (several 19c. schooners etc.).

PS had some problems with leaks around the prop., but otherwise the lapstrake is tight as a drum, without any googe whatsoever, including epoxy, cotton, putty, Sikaflex, 5200 etc etc

[ 02-02-2003, 10:42 AM: Message edited by: WWheeler ]

[J. Labaree]

Mystic Seaport has a reproduction of one in their collection. They sell plans, but I'm not sure they include offsets. You might consider taking a ride over there to see it. It's the Glory Anna II.

Check out Mystic Seaport boat plans (http://www.mysticseaport.com/research/ro-shipsplans.cfm?mtyp=vesseltype&mclass=9&mkind=research#itemclass)
click on "round bottom work boats" and scroll down to Glory Anna II.

If Ben Fuller is monitoring this, he may have more to say about the boat itself. Not sure of the origin of the plans. Don't have Anne and Maynard Bray's book to hand, but they might talk about the boat.

- Jonathan

[Bob Aberton]

No offsets on the Mystic one...and I couldn't use Chapelle's offsets, because his Cowhorn (sorry, native Block Islanders...) is 22' and the Mystic one is 23'.

However, correct me if I'm wrong, but it is possible to extrapolate a table of offsets from the lines plans, if one knows the scale that the lines plans use, right?

But, I also repeat my earlier question - is it possible to build Chapelle's Cowhorn straight from the lines & offsets in the book?

And everybody, thanks for all the information you've given me...

[ken connors]

bob, the man mentioned int he article, john amaral, is a neighbor of mine. im sure hed be interested in helping you out if you want me to hook you up with him. he loves talking about his boat.

[garland reese]

Ruel Parker and George Buehler have plans for the type. their own interpretations, but they do have plans. Parker's has a small house. It is big at 28'. Weren't these typically 18-24'?

[John Gearing]

Walt,
Sounds as though you have the boat I mentioned earlier in this thread....the Lester Hall. Lance Lee not only founded the Atlantic Challenge, but also the various Apprenticeshops in Maine. The original Apprenticeshop was in Bath at the Maritime Museum. Then there was a parting of the ways and Lance left and set up another Apprenticeshop. And again. I forget excactly how many there have been, but one was at Rockland. I think he's on the 3rd one now. And along the way he got the idea for the Atlantic Challenge. I'd love to know if the cowhorn you folks have is the Lester Hall. In the photo she's under full sail in light seas and the folks on board look all snug and secure.

[Ben Fuller]

The Mystic Cowhorn was built by / for Paule Loring the gent that drew the Dud Sinker cartoons. It is a touch different from the one in Chapelle, based as she was on a different boat. Obviously one can take offsets from the Mystic Plan and get things faired up in lofting. Bear in mind with these boats like most traditional boats, a foot here or there does not make them "out" of type.

Perusal of the references in Watercraft will provide more detailed information. I recall that Roaring Bessie was a yacht style cruising cowhorn that plied the coast at least into the 1960's. The boats have an extreme V hull, so much so that when they are launched light they lean on one cheek or the other.

Seaworthiness: get to Block in winter and summer and live off the beach or pulled up when it got nasty. Bear in mind that the mainland is to windward in the winter, so a problem means a long voyage to Spain, and the Island is to windward from the mainland in summer. In the pre centerboard days a V'd hull was as good as you could get to go to windward in a small boat.

[pjwalsh]

I have a book called "American Sailing Ships, Their Plans and History", Charles G. Davis that has a pair of lines plans for Block Island boats taken from hulks near the turn of the century. Probably would not be too hard to find a used copy.

The boats are "Island Belle" 38'-6" Length, 13'-6 Beam, and "Dauntless" 33'-6" Length, 12'-10" Beam. There is a rough arrangement plan and sail plan for each as well as some pages describing the usage and construction details. These are open boats ballasted with stone and a half deck forward.

There are no offsetts, but the lines plans are clear enough that it would not take too much effort to develop a reasonably accurrate lofting if desired.

Comparing these lines with the Chappelle version, it looks as if they are much more finely modelled, having slacker bilges and a larger deadrise angle. The waterlines look a bit less hollow also. I notice that the cowhorn photograph in Chappelle's "American Small Sailing Craft" is of a model of "Island Belle".

The Block Island Boats are a lovely form that I have always admired, course I'm a sucker for just about any double ender.

Cheers,

Peter.

[Bob Aberton]

Hmm...

I'm beginning to lean more and more toward a modified Cowhorn (sorry, Block Islanders tongue.gif ) as my first boat of choice...

If I built the Mystic 23' one, I could deck it over to about amidships, maybe add a lazaret in the stern. then maybe I could put a small, low house forward...

What does the assembled company think? Would modifying as I have said hurt its looks/seaworthinesss any? As I said, a friend of mine is a naval architect, so I can always get his advice as to the best way of adding living space without compromising the boat...

All I want is space for two berths, a stove, and a head...

Being workboats, I wouldn't imagine that the Cowhorns would be terribly sensitive to modifications in terms of stability, right...? OF course, I'll make sure of the stability of the finished product (if I decide to build a cowhorn) via my friend the naval architect...

[WWheeler]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walt,
Sounds as though you have the boat I mentioned earlier in this thread....the Lester Hall. Lance Lee not only founded the Atlantic Challenge, but also the various Apprenticeshops in Maine. The original Apprenticeshop was in Bath at the Maritime Museum. Then there was a parting of the ways and Lance left and set up another Apprenticeshop. And again. I forget excactly how many there have been, but one was at Rockland. I think he's on the 3rd one now. And along the way he got the idea for the Atlantic Challenge. I'd love to know if the cowhorn you folks have is the Lester Hall. In the photo she's under full sail in light seas and the folks on board look all snug and secure.
John, yes, "she" is the Lester F. Hall. She/he is still in excellent shape, and has the original workboat finish. (black bottom paint, with a stripe of green along the sheer). Where's the photo? I'd love to see it. PS Atlantic Challenge has had some challenges with regards to liability insurance, so I've been leasing the "Lester" and taking care of her until the organization can figure out what to do about her.

[adampet]

One of our local Wellfleetians built an example of the 23 foot Cowhorn a few years back. He sailed with his wife and one child to the Virgin Islands. They had another child during the journey and sailed home. As I recall he did it all with no engine.

He's in the process of building a 35 footer, but is looking for a sailing companion to help him finish it off. It was part of an article in
Cape Cod Voice (http://www.capecodvoice.com)
but I'm afraid the page has changed. I'll see if I can't hunt up an e-mail.

He built it in very sturdy workboat fashion, with an emphasis on keeping the costs down

[Bob Aberton]

So it is possible to take these craft long distances...I'm assuming, at this point, that one of these craft would make a pretty good bluewater boat, if it had a little living space below...correct me if I'm wrong, though...

The Mystic plans aren't very expensive, so I'll probably be buying them anyway just to look at, even if it turns out that I don't build one...

Thanks for all your help so far smile.gif

[Hwyl]

Bob, I feel guilty about not remembering more about those boats built in St John USVI. If you call to try to find an older broker in St Thomas or Tortola, I'm sure they'll be able to point you in the right direction. As I said. I seem to remember them being about 35' long and many people were living aboard their boats. I tried doing web searches, but to no avail. I am surpried that there is not more information around on them. I had not been to the U.S. (Except for the USVI) when I saw them, so I knew little about traditional boats on this side of the pond.

[Carlsboats]

(Tried to post a reply earlier: Don't think it went through)
If you want to know about BI double enders, see Bob Downie's book, Block Island and the Sea. It came out a couple of years ago, and is available from the BI Historical Society, or the bookstores here on the island, Book Nook and Island Bound Books. Also, Mystic Museum'e bookstore may have it.
Bob has really looked into this and finds ....
They were never called "cowhorns" here, despite what Chapelle and some others claim.
They came in many sizes, up to about 40 feet.
They had no cabin house, no bowsprit, no jib.
They were very seaworthy, going to sea and coming home safely in weather that took down much larger sailing vessels. I know of no credible account of a BI double ender that "went missing."
No double enders survive here on the island. All we have is a miniature replication that was built by the high school shop students years ago, and that is towed around town for the 4th of July parade. I do know of at least one very fine model, though, and I believe lines drawings are available. Last, don't try to make a yacht out of one of these unless you want to go slow and cross wind. Thhe hull and rig are not likely to take you to windward at all well.

[WWheeler]

No Block Islanders on Block Island?? That's just crazy.

[Ben Fuller]

Bob,

What you describe is what Willets Ansel did down at Mystic some 20 years ago. A shipwright then at Mystic, he spent a lot of time looking at Glory Anna II when he was replacing the stem. He then got a small Lister one lung diesel for the trouble of hauling away....ever ridden in a old RWD car that had not very much weight on the steering wheels? When we got it to his house a come along and a convenient tree enabled us to get the car trimmed more normally. We fired the engine up, and Willets figure he needed a boat to put around it. There were a few other good stories... bending frames fueled by cognac, in any case the boat is at Willets's place in Georgetown Maine. It made the run east from Mystic and has been as far east as Passamaquoddy Bay. Not the fastest in the world but pretty comfortable for a man and his dog.

[michaelc]

Bob,
In Anne and Maynard Bray's Designs to Inspire (plans from Rudder Magazine), you will find drawings of the 33' Block Island Lena M (Martin Erismann of Roaring Bessie fame). She has simple accommodations, rock ballast and that exquisite workboat appearance. (p.64) No offsets, but worth a looksee.

[John Gearing]

Hi Walt--
Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. I was out of town over the weekend. I'm glad to know that the Lester F. Hall is in your capable hands. I will hunt up the issue that has the photo of her in it tonight. I think it was number 87 or so, in the Launchings section. She has what must be a turps/oil/tar finish with that lovely green stripe. Tanbark sails, if I recall correctly. Oh my, when I saw that shot all I could think about was how much fun she'd be to gunkhole around in. I liked that she had rowing capability as well. The text mentioned that cowhorns had fine reputations as seaboats. Look in this thread tomorrow for a more precise reference to which ish of WB the Hall was in.

I have to confess I do like the looks of that one in the photo above. I guess if someone can take a Hebridean fishing boat, deck it over, and sail it from Scotland to the South Seas, then one could do something similar with a cowhorn.

John

[Bob Aberton]

michaelc,

Where could I find these plans? I know there is a whole catalog of them somewhere online, but could you give me a link?

As to the naysayers...

Going to windward isn't really my prime concern; if I wanted to go fast to windward, I'd buy the latest pocket-rocket 'glass dinghy.

You say BI double Enders are seaworthy. That's good enough for me; I'm no racing fanatic.

Thanks everyone (even the naysayers ;) )...

[ 02-03-2003, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: Bob Aberton ]

[Steve Paskey]

The plans michaelC mentions are probably plans for LENA M -- Chapelle says they were published in Rudder magazine in April 1912. Other sources mentioned by Chapelle are the DAUNTLESS in Forest & Stream Magazine (Feb. 9, 1907), and ISLAND BELLE in Dixon Kemp's Manual of Yacht and Boat Sailing (4th ed., 1884). (These may be the same DAUNTLESS and ISLAND BELLE shown in the Charles Davis book mentioned above.)
-----
You'll probably need a good research library (Mystic or another maritime museum, the Library of Congress, etc.) to find a copy for any of these, and they probably don't have offsets -- you'd have to measure the drawings and scale them up.
-----
Garland mentioned versions by Reuel Parker and George Buehler. I haven't seen Buehler's version, but his catalog is definitely worth a look and can be ordered from www.georgebuehler.com (http://www.georgebuehler.com) . Parker's version is called the ISLE OF SHOALS 28 and is actually an adoption of the Isle of Shoals boat, a cousin of the cowhorn. There are drawings in the back of his book "The New Cold-Molded Boatbuilding," and you can contact him through his website at www.parker-marine.com (http://www.parker-marine.com) .

[ 02-03-2003, 10:48 PM: Message edited by: Steve Paskey ]

[John Gearing]

Walt...
See page 116 of issue #119, the one with the story about Yakaboo and Joe Youcha. Lower left-hand corner of the Launchings page!! Caption says that she was built by the Apprenticeshop of Nobleboro from the plans in Chappelle for a 22' cowhorn. Some sweet lines!!

John

[michaelc]

Bob,
Check your email.

[Bob Aberton]

michaelc,

Got the email; thanks very much.

Steve,

As it happens, I have a friend who's pretty high up in management at Mystic Seaport; If this issue of Rudder Magazine is in Mystic's collection, I'll probably be able to get my hands on it...

[pjwalsh]

Finally got around to scanning the lines of island belle and dauntless -

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid50/p09f186df3de2157217a490de164c27d6/fcae590d.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid50/pca42fb9552855e997d746898f051dfbd/fcae590c.jpg

[ 02-05-2003, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: pjwalsh ]

[Bob Aberton]

...unfortunately, the shed down at the family boatyard could only accommodate a 22' boat...

I would still love to build LENA M...

Does anyone know where I can get information on those Instant-Garage things? You know, the plastic-over-pipe constructions they sometimes advertise in places?

If I can't get accommodation to build LENA M, I guess I'll have to build the Chapelle or the Mystic double-enders...

Ah well...I have a few years ahead of me to plan and dream...

[Paul Scheuer]

WB Issue 22, May/Jun 1978, pg 22. Article by Beverley Holle.

[Bob Aberton]

Anyone have perhaps an online link to information about those Insta-Garages (I don't know what their trade names are...)?

I assume that LENA M would be less expensive to build than a conventional yacht of its size because of its workboat construction and lack of expensive cast ballast and engine...am I right?

[Carlsboats]

I see ads for the kind of temp. building you want in Soundings and some other magazines. Looks like $300-400 minimum, and $1000 would give you almost anything you could want.
Also, search WB mag file for how-to on building your own bow-franme shelter.

[Bob Aberton]

Thanks for the advice on pricing, Carlsboats.

As it happens, I found a magnificent website for a company that sells just this sort of thing - instant, pre-fab garages and boat sheds. They must be hell to heat in the winter, but a relative of mine owns a propane space heater that could probably double as a blast furnace...

[garland reese]

Hey Bob,

Have you tried this site for a shed plan?
Stimson Marine (http://www.by-the-sea.com/stimsonmarine/bowroof.html)

[Bob Aberton]

garland,

Thanks for the link; it's a very useful site.

I guess the consensus is that any such instant-shelter type thing would cost me about $300 - 600. Not bad at all...