Project Description

An hour long documentary on one of America’s greatest sailboats.

How an inanimate object, born of design perfection, has inspired and influenced thousands of people for over 100 years, achieved a level of admiration and respect for her speed and beauty, and in the process provided lessons on the value of quality.

 

 

Why Is This Film Important?

The story of Amorita’s proximity to perfection, and how this has drawn out the best from of those who have encountered her, serves as a great public lesson.

 

 

The Audience

"Amorita: A Boat From The Heart" is well suited for a PBS Broadcast or airing on a variety of Cable Networks. Programming niches include: history, antiques, outdoor sports, "do it yourself" shows, and inspirational programming. Maritime Institutions, museums, schools, historical societies, and libraries will all benefit from inclusion of this film in their programs.

 

 

Potential Story Elements

 

How and why the NY 30’s came to be.

The Herreshoff’s design and construction philosophy.

First Owners of Adelaide II.

Context of sailboat racing in society, and it’s influence on patronage of skilled craftsmen.

Shift in view of leisure activities during Great Depression and WWII.

Amorita ownership cycle, alterations, and abandonment.

Cultural shift in value of antiquities creating a desire to save classic sailboats.

Devotion of owners to restore to original condition.

Test of time in speed and beauty.

Catastrophes, near misses, and sinking.

The power of perfection to rebuild.

Relaunch and sailing again.

 

 

 

Potential Interviewees

 

Adrian Pearsall

 Jed Pearsall

 Bill Doyle

 Halsey Herreshoff

 Ed McClave

 Elizabeth Meyer

John Rousmaniere

David Kiremidjian

 Gordon Group

 Phil Rizzo

 

 

The Chronological Story

 

Fall of 1904, the world’s premiere boat designers and builders, the Herreshoff brothers were commissioned to design and build a class of boat for one design racing for members of the New York Yacht Club. Captain Nat came up with a remarkably simple design, based on his Universal Rule for measuring racing yachts. By May of 1905 18 New York 30‘s were built, a remarkable accomplishment in just seven months.

 

Adelaide II, one of the New York 30’s, and the subject of this film, was owned by the Adee brothers in her first years, and soon showed several victories, including the NYYC Spring Regatta and Annual Cruise (Who where these people who raced the 30’s. Why was sailing important in their lives? How did these activities fit into the social context of the time?). By 1924 the boat was renamed Amorita, and had gone through four owners, the last being Hendon and Percy Chubb, founders of Chubb Insurance. Three owners later, brings Amorita in the midst of World War II, to Lake Ontario, where she was all but abandoned, except for a group of Sea Scouts who took upon themselves to care for her. All during this time her racing record was impeccable. (What were the other 30’s doing? Did they ever race together during this period?)

 

After the War, she sailed the Great Lakes, where she was damaged, repaired, altered, and eventually abandoned in Ohio by the mid 1970‘s.(describe prevailing view on antiquities that compelled her to be altered.) Destined for the scrap yard, Amorita’s classic lines, hidden under peeling paint, inspired a surveyor named Gordon Group to investigate her origins. Realizing the boats significance, he raised the money needed to save her, minutes before the chainsaws were to be taken the hull. (Who put the money up, and why?) Full Sea takes her and continues the restoration.

 

Two owners and 7 years later, she is fully restored and winning races again in the waters of Southern New England. Accolades, and trophies followed. A near mishap from a broken mooring, proves her to be blessed. And then tragedy, and near death, as Amorita is broadsided in a race. Her crew escapes unharmed, but Amorita sinks in 50 feet of water. She is raised and rebuilt, launched to serve as an inspiration of what can be done, and is possible.