[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 16 (Monday, February 4, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RHODE ISLAND'S MARINE ECONOMY

 Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to 
one of my State's great traditions and to a wonderful man. The 
Herreshoff Marine Museum, founded in 1971, preserves today the history 
of one our State's most important economic and design legacies, the 
Herreshoff boat building company of Bristol.
  Early Rhode Island settlers took advantage of the State's location on 
the Narragansett Bay to foster one of Colonial America's most 
successful marine economies. Newport, RI, was the Colonies' fifth most 
prosperous commercial center, in part because of its port activity. 
Since that time, Rhode Islanders have sustained the State's maritime 
tradition, excelling in boatbuilding, fishing, shipping, port 
operation, energy exploration, and marine biology.
  The marine trades continue to play a pivotal economic development 
role in our State today; as many other sectors in Rhode Island struggle 
to rebound from the recent recession, our marine industry is actually 
expanding. The Rhode Island Marine Trade Association reports that this 
industry supports over 6,600 Rhode Island jobs, paying almost $260 
million in wages to Rhode Island workers--and almost 10 percent of 
private employers in the State are associated with the boating 
industry.
  The Herreshoff family helped shape Rhode Island's maritime legacy. In 
1878, John Brown Herreshoff and his brother Nathanael Greene Herreshoff 
more commonly known as ``Captain Nat''--joined forces to form the 
Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol, RI. Known for innovative 
design, superior skills, and efficient manufacturing, the Herreshoff 
Manufacturing Company quickly became a national leader in the 
boatbuilding industry. The brothers developed a lighter, faster version 
of the steam generator boiler, which allowed steamboats to operate at a 
much higher speed than previously possible.. Indeed, Herreshoff built 
the fastest boats on the water, both steam and sail. Between 1893 and 
1920, five of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff's custom-designed racing 
sloops were chosen to sail in the prestigious America's Cup, and all 
five emerged as victors.
  Notwithstanding these sea-going champions, the Herreshoffs' most 
acclaimed boat design is arguably the smaller S class. Nathanael Greene 
Herreshoff first designed the S boat in 1919, and the company built 95 
boats before halting production in 1941. So well designed and built are 
they, that many S boats are still racing today.
  It is no wonder the S boat has held up so well. The boat shows speed 
and agility under all conditions, and its engineering is considered one 
of the most groundbreaking undertakings in boatbuilding history. The S 
boat was particularly well suited for the coastal waters of Rhode 
Island: comfortable for easy day sailing; fast when racing hard. Its 
deep keel and hull shape made the boat steady in the strong ocean 
breeze that characterizes summer afternoons on Narragansett Bay, but on 
mild days its vast mainsail catches the lightest zephyr. The S boat 
boasted a keel with a high aspect ratio, and a high ballast-to-
displacement ratio, allowing for a stiffer boat. Although these 
features were unusual for the 1900s, other boat designers quickly 
adopted them after the great success of the S boat became apparent. The 
S boat transom became a common sight for other sailors.
  Ninety-five years after the first S boat splashed into Bristol Harbor 
at the Herreshoff boatyard, the fleet is active and growing, with boats 
being restored to join the class. This success and growth is much 
thanks to fleet commodore Fred Roy. Fred brought bouyant enthusiasm and 
cheerfulness to the Narragansett Bay Herreshoff S Class Association, 
and the association and all who love our bay and its special sailing 
traditions join in appreciation of Fred Roy. Fred has brought the 
spirit of the S boat, rail down and surging forward, to this part of 
our ongoing history and maritime culture, and I take this opportunity 
to thank and salute him, and celebrate this tradition of Narragansett 
Bay.

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