Enterprise 4

Enterprise was the shortest of the new J’s. It was thought by her designer that a shorter water line would best suit the light to moderate conditions expected of Newport during the Cup races. She did indeed prove fast in light conditions and her underwater profile made her quick in stays.

During the season she had a very close battle for selection with Weetamoe, Weetamoe proving the early favourite. However, bit by bit new improvements were made to her including a new light weight duralimin mast, bar rigging, improved winches and finally the famous Park Ave boom. These improvements had the hoped-for effect and Enterprise finally was selected over Weetamoe to defend the Cup.

 Enterprise was known as the Mechanical ship with all her stays, shrouds and runners being set up below decks and operated by the “Black Gang. The Black Gang operated below decks throughout the race and responded to orders relayed to them from a crewman stationed between decks

 The 1930 Americas Cup races proved a disappointment as Shamrock V was hopelessly out classed and never looked like winning a race.

 Changes were made to the rule for the 1934 Americas Cup relating to minimum mast weight and the requirement of full internal cabins and fittings. In addition, the rule required that all rigging must be tended and worked on deck not below. These changes to the rule meant Enterprise with her small hull would not be competitive and she was accordingly not fitted out to defend the Cup in 1934.

 in 1935 Enterprise was broken up

Dimensions

Length overall………120.9 feet

Length water line……………..80ft

Breadth…………………………….22.1ft

Draft…………………………………14.6ft

Displacement……………………128 tons

Sail Area……………………………7583sqft

Mast ht heel to truck ……….168ft

Deck to mast head sheave 153ft

Syndicate members

Winthorp W Aldrich V Commodore New York Yacht Club

Harold “Mike’ Vanderbilt Helmsman

Vincent Astor

George F Baker

George Whitney

Floyd L Clarke

Designer Starling Burgess

Builder Herreshoff manufacturing Company

Construction Tobin bronze Glassy smoothness, light and strong

Launch date 14th April 1930

Reference

Ian Dear “Enterprise to Endeavour”

Harold Vanderbilt “Enterprise”

Norman L Skene “ Elements of Yacht Design”

Charles Lane Poor “Men against the Rule”