53' Hereshoff Sloop (1907) - NEITH

Named for the Egyptian Goddess of the Hunt, NEITH was commissioned in 1906 by Dr. Edward K. Dunham and Richard Hoe.

Designed by N.G. Herreshoff and built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, she was launched in May, 1907. Since then she has set transatlantic records, logged tens of thousands of miles cruising New England, the British Isles, and Europe. She has been campaigned in numerous races and regattas both here and abroad with some notable results. NEITH has been restored when left for decay several times, including being raised from the bottom of the Connecticut River when she sank at her dock in the early 1979. Since then she has won numerous restoration awards.

NEITH’s first transatlantic attempt started in New York in 1920 and ended in Halifax after 30 days at sea; severe weather proved to be a bit much for the gaff cutter rig. For the second attempt the rig was converted to a yawl configuration and the sail area reduced from 1600 to 950 square feet.

This proved to be a good plan as the next attempt in July 1921 went smoothly- NEITH arrived in England after 21 days at sea. This voyage was notable for a yacht of it’s size and was reported in the New York Times and London Times.

NEITH remained in the UK for the next fifty years, with at least two changes of ownership. She had success on the racing circuit, including a 13th place finish out of 26 entries in the Tenth Fastnet Race in 1937. It is said that she was also involved in the evacuation of Dunkirk during WWII.

The sail plan underwent several iterations during this time; originally a gaff-cutter, she arrived in Europe as a gaff rigged yawl, then converted back to a gaff-cutter, then finally a Bermuda (Marconi) rigged cutter. Her bowsprit has come and gone a few times and she sails today as a Bermuda rigged sloop with a bowsprit.

By 1970 NEITH had had several owners and sadly, had fallen victim to neglect and was in poor condition. Fortunately a group of Michigan State University students purchased her and were able to sail her from Falmouth, England to France, Spain, Portugal, and then to Palma for a full refit. Following this they sailed her to Lanzarote and then on to Antigua. By the spring of 1971 NEITH and her crew were back in the US at Marblehead, MA.

Herbert von Kluge purchased the yacht and she underwent another restoration. She also became only the second yacht to be nominated to be listed on the National Register. Von Kluge moved to Belize and left the boat in Old Saybrook, CT.

NEITH fell victim to neglect and sank at her dock on Christmas Day, 1979. Doug and Elizabeth Hersant purchased her, raised her, and towed her to Mystic, CT where another restoration was begun in 1980.

In 1982 Jack Brown and his son Van purchased her and a new chapter began with Van and his wife Beth Tillman overseeing NEITH’s most complete restoration yet.

July 1984 saw NEITH re-commissioned at the Mystic Seaport Museum, subsequently winning many awards for her authentic and thorough restoration.

In 2012 Van Brown recognized that NEITH was in need of some attention to her over one-hundred year old structure. She was placed in the care of Taylor and Snediker Yacht Restoration in Pawcatuck, CT where she had her sheer corrected and her deck replaced, along with upgrades to several frames and the mast partners.

Relaunched in 2014, NEITH was awarded “Best Restoration” at the 2014 IYRS & Museum of Yachting Regatta” and “Judges Choice” at the 2014 Wooden Boat Show at Mystic Seaport. In 2015 NEITH won several awards at the Mystic Seaport Antique and Classic Boat Rendezvous including Best Restored Sail Award, the Grundy Insurance BRILLIANT Award, and the Centennial Society Award honoring vessels over 100 years old.

Now well prepared for her next decades, NEITH continues to provide comfortable cruising and competitive racing for Van, Beth, their family and a dedicated, enthusiastic, and fun loving race crew.