For those unfamiliar with the Edward W. Kane and James Gubelmann IYRS Maritime Library, you may be surprised to learn that in addition to thousands of cataloged books, periodicals and A/V materials, its holdings also include a variety of rare, valuable, fragile, and scarce items. These include hundreds of charts, boat plans, letters, posters, brochures, press kits, typescript or handwritten histories, photographs, slides, films, and video tapes. Ephemera such as wearable items, burgees, flags and an impressive display of trophies, paintings, and models are also preserved, protected, and displayed among the Library’s Special Collections.
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Contents: Issue No. 6
MEET IYRS's NEW LIBRARIAN: Francis Frost
FEATURED FIND: Modern System of Naval Architecture, J. Scott Russell
PHOTO FIND: Sir Thomas Lipton w/ Newport's Old Stone Mill replica
VIDEO: Come A Sailing Onboard Shamrock (1925)
FEATURED COLLECTION: The Gubelman Family's Seven Seas
VIDEO: Farewell to Coronet
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Meet IYRS's New Maritime Librarian |
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Francis' career began at Phillips Auctioneers in London, where he worked in the rare book and manuscripts department in the mid-1980's, moving to New York a few years later to run the department there. Following this he worked for many years as a private dealer and appraiser in the area of nineteenth and twentieth century prints, drawings, paintings and photographs, arranging exhibitions and placing works in private and museum collections. |
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Last year, he worked as a consultant with the Rhode Island Historical Society, assisting with research of a large and significant work in their collection. The recently digitally preserved 1812 theatre curtain depicting a panorama of Providence was the topic of a series of articles describing the project that were subsequently published in various print magazines and online forums. |
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Francis is excited by the opportunities for research within the IYRS Maritime Library and looks to bring attention to the rich and varied holdings representative of Newport and New England's maritime heritage. He plans to highlight significant works by showcasing them on IYRS website and social media as well as arranging exhibits in the fourth floor space.
Join us in welcoming Francis by stopping by the Library where you will find him Wednesday - Friday from 12N- 4pm and on Saturdays from 1pm-5pm. While there ask him to show you one of the first items to capture his attention below...
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FEATURED FIND:
The Modern System of Naval Architecture by J. Scott Russell
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John Scott Russell (1808-1882) |
Born in Glasgow Scotland, John Scott Russell was a brilliant and prolific civil engineer, naval architect and shipbuilder credited with the discovery of “Russell’s Solitary Wave” in fluid dynamics. Among his numerous projects, the SS Great Eastern was the largest ship ever to be built at the time of her launch in 1858. The iron sail-powered, paddle wheel and screw-propelled steamship was capable of carrying 4,000 passengers from England to Australia without refueling. Although designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Great Eastern “embodied the wave-line form, the longitudinal system of construction, the complete and partial bulkheads, and other details of construction which were peculiarly Scott Russell’s.”
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These images show just a hint of the wealth of information contained within Volume One, including immaculate line drawings, elevations and projections. Russell introduced his work with a dedication to HRM, Victoria “The Queen of the Maritime Nation, -- the Lady who, beyond all other Sovereigns, is Mistress of the Seas."
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Apparently Russell did nothing by half-measures. Not unlike the massive SS Great Eastern, his “Modern System of Naval Architecture” is among the largest items in the IYRS Library. The impressive 3-volume work is comprised of 2 (unbound) portfolios and 1 (bound) tome measuring 20” x 27” x 4" thick. Each weigh a whopping 30+ pounds!
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PHOTO FIND:
Beloved by Newport; Yachting's Ultimate Sportsman
Sir Thomas Lipton
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Lipton accepting the silver Old Stone Mill replica, a gift of the citizens of Newport. The original print above is part of the Library's Museum of Yachting collection, and was donated to that institution by the photographer's wife. |
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Excerpts from the Newport Mercury, September 1930
Sir Thomas Lipton, at the eventide of his last attempt to lift the America’s Cup received a testimonial gift of the citizens of Newport, with appropriate ceremony, on board his yacht Erin.
In making the presentation Mayor Sullivan said: “Covering a period of more than 30 years, you have on five different occasions crossed the Atlantic in quest of the America’s Cup with five different Shamrocks… Your visits have not been successful from the standpoint of winning that coveted trophy, but each recurring visit has endeared you more close to the hearts and affections of the people of our country… As you are leaving port you carry with you the highest esteem of the one hundred and twenty million people of the county as the greatest sportsman in the world, and the love and affections of all our citizens, as a grand and noble character."
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Trophy Inscription:
As a Token of Esteem and in Evidence of Appreciation for His High Qualities of Sportsmanship by the Citizens of Newport, R.I. 1930.
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Featured VIDEO:
Come A'Sailing; Onboard Shamrock, 1925
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The Gubelmann Family Collection: Seven Seas
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Built in 1912, the fully-rigged ship Seven Seas, then named Abraham Rydberg II, served the Swedish Navy as a training ship crewed by 100 cadets. Purchased by Inglis More Uppercue in 1928, a diesel engine was added to transform the vessel for his use as a private yacht.
At 29 years-old, Seven Seas Captain Hans G. Milton was thought to be the youngest man in charge of a full-rigged ship at the time. Milton spent much of his life on this vessel starting at the age of 14 when he was among her Swedish cadets.
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In 1936, William S. Gubelmann purchased the 168’ LOA Seven Seas and commenced treating his family and friends to adventurous cruises and lavish parties throughout the world as evidenced by hundreds of witty and effusive comments contained in her guestbooks including this blithe entry below.
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"The Only Seventeen-Cylinder Cloud I Know."
~ Mary C. Knowlton
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Mary is just one of the young Walter Gubelmann’s innumerable friends who have spent carefree days aboard his father’s stately and romantic ship. The soft-spoken seafaring Walter saw landlubber lads and debutantes learn to climb the rigging this summer with the nonchalance of salty sailors. ~ Patricia Coffin, NY Times Society Writer
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The Gubelmann Family Collection contains hundreds of Seven Seas “snapshots” depicting family and friends onboard, at sea and numerous ports of call.
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Gubelmann with the young crew of Seven Seas competed in long-distance "match" racing with another fully-rigged ship the Joseph Conrad, owned by fellow NYYC member, G. Huntington Hartford.
In August 1937, William H. Taylor reported for the New York Herald Tribune;
Square Riggers Race to Bermuda >
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Unique among sporting events was the long-distance race from Newport to Bermuda, following the conclusion of the series of races in which Ranger (J-5) won most of the prizes. The two full rigged ships, Joseph Conrad, 116 feet overall and Seven Seas, 168 feet had likely competed informally with cadet training crews while serving in the Baltic. But now with both serving as private yachts... (this race) will probably pass on in history as the first purely sports event of its kind.
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This sailing contest captured imaginations and public excitement swelled against the “monotonous” backdrop of the perpetually-winning (Harold S.) Vanderbilt in J-Class competition. Seven Seas, carried 16,000 sq./ft. of canvas and once had a speed of 18 knots entered in her log --five knots better than the best time of the sloop-rigged America’s Cup-winning Ranger!
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Wherever she sailed, Seven Seas inspired artists and photographers to produce still and moving images of her impressive silhouette. The Messenger of Riverside Church, proudly touted her adventures as the topic of an upcoming event:
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TECHINCOLOR MOVIES! of the world-famous and ‘round the world journeys of the full-rigged yacht Seven Seas owned and sailed by Mr. Walter Gubelmann… His travel pictures are the envy of Hollywood and travelogue movie makers and have been taken in the most unusual and distant ports of the seven seas. Every sea-salt will revel in these pictures and the world spanning trip. Every lover of yachting and the bounding blue, the thrill of sails and the tang of the sea; the discovery of strange inhabitants of distant lands, will understand that seats will go fast, so form in line and patience, please!
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In 1942 when the US Navy acquired Seven Seas, she assumed duties as a station ship of the 7th Naval District at Key West, FL. After the dangers of coastal U-Boat strikes lessened, she was laid up at Port Everglades, Coast Guard Patrol Base. In 1944 she was struck from the Navy list.
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Featured VIDEO:
Farewell Coronet, by Stephen Lirakis
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IYRS MARITIME LIBRARY COLLECTIONS |
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About IYRS Maritime Library |
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Mission Statement: The IYRS Maritime Library is an educational and cultural resource, committed to the mission of IYRS and to making its collections available to students, staff and faculty as well as to scholars, researchers, and members of the general public.
IYRS Library Committee is comprised of founder James Gubelmann, interested IYRS Board members, the IYRS librarian, IYRS staff members, and qualified individuals from the surrounding community.
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Location: 4th floor of the historic 1831 John Mecray Aquidneck Mill building on the IYRS campus at 449 Thames Street, Newport, Rhode Island.
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Open to: Students, Researchers and Armchair Sailors
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Hours: Wednesday-Friday ~ 12-4pm & Saturday ~ 1-5pm
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Search: Online Catalog anytime
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Items in the library's Special Collections have been acquired through donations by private individuals and families as well as by esteemed organizations including the Redwood Library & Athenaeum, the National Sailing Hall of Fame, Salve Regina University and of course the Museum of Yachting. In addition to IYRS's searchable online catalog, which utilizes the Library of Congress system, the IYRS Maritime Library was selected to join RIAMCO-- the prestigious online gateway to the Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections.
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About Navigating the Stacks |
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Exploring the Collections of the IYRS Maritime Library
This newsletter was envisioned by IYRS Maritime Library co-founder and contributor James Gubelmann in order to illuminate the depth and richness of the Special Collections contained within. Gubelmann said, “Together with Editor, SallyAnne Santos, former Creative Director of the Museum of Yachting, we will provide insight into the library’s holdings, specifically highlighting contents of the Special Collections.”
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Miss An Issue of Navigating the Stacks?
Click to Read Archived Issues:
No 3. May 2022: Vanderbilt Collection, Lloyd's Registers, Walter Cronkite's Bookshelf
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